1.
What is your name and where do you call home?
My
name is Shannon Duffy and I live in Ontario, Canada with my husband and son.
2.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or
less words, what would you say?
The
name of my most recent book is SPECTRAL. And the descriptor which happens to be
in exactly 20 words, (phew), is, “Trapped
in a sea of lies as a dark prophecy nears, can Jewel make it to her 17th
birthday alive?”
3. Do
you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
My
middle grade fantasy, GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA, comes out
January 1st/13. And right now I’m working on a YA Cyberpunk titled,
DREAMSCAPE. SPECTRAL is a standalone book.
4.
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
I
think my high school English teacher had a lot to do with it. (Insert Mr.
Rowsell.) For some reason, I wanted to impress him and I remember trying really
hard on creative writing pieces. After he graded them, he’d pick the best two
to read aloud. (without saying who wrote them), and many times it was mine.
Talk about an adrenaline rush! So, that kinda inspired me for sure. I’ve been
writing for several years, but more seriously for about four years I’d say or around
there.
5.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?
I
really wanted a specific cover for this novel and I worked with a fabulous
cover artist. Her name is Claudia McKinney at Phatpuppyart.com I had a lot of
input—the model, the pose, the color clothes, and the butterfly. Then Claudia
pulled out her magic. She’s amazing! I’m really happy with the cover.
6. Do
you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?
Yes,
I have a book trailer that was done by Vania at VLC photos. I like book
trailers because they’re sorta like movie trailers and give teasers for your
story in a real creative way. It’s fun to see your characters come to life in
film or pictures.
7. Do
you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?
I
like e-books, and either paperbacks or hardcovers. A lot of times, I’ll buy a
book on my kindle first and then if I love it, I’ll buy it either in paperback
or hardcover. I think hardcover is probably better than paperback, but I’m not
too picky.
8.
Has the quality of the cover of a book ever put you off of reading it?
Yes,
it definitely can and that’s why I was so picky in getting the cover for
Spectral in the way that I envisioned. I know covers can make a big difference.
9.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
Right
now I’m reading Shatter me by Tahereh
Mafi. It was a Christmas gift I received that I really like. I’m gonna soon start
reading Insurgent by Veronica Roth on
my kindle which I pre-ordered long ago. I’m really dying to read that one. The
first in that series, Divergent was
totally amazing.
10.
Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you
have been given when it comes to writing?
I
always say to write the story you love—the one that sticks in your head and
excites you—as opposed to trying to follow a trend. Also, to read, read, read.
Especially to read in the genre you are writing or plan to write. Another bit
of good advice is to know the word count of the genre before you start writing
it. That way, you’ll know what to aim for and won’t end up with a manuscript either
too short, or way too long. The best advice I’ve received is to write a
synopsis before starting. Not that you have
to do that, and lots of writers don’t, but for me, it does help.
11.
Where can your readers follow you?
Facebook
page: http://www.facebook.com/shannon.duffy.56
Goodreads
author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3873156.Shannon_Duffy
Twitter:
@ShannonDuffyLit
Thank
you so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse
into your writing world!
Rai, thanks for featuring Shannon today!
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