Interview
Hi, Karen! Let’s start off with inspiration. What inspired you to write a series of New Adult steampunk novels set in the early 1900s?
True story: I thought of the characters and their conflict before I ever decided on the setting or genre. Once I started writing, I did some research to solidify the setting, and I fell in love with Europe right before World War I. So the year, 1913, was an obvious choice, and the rest of the worldbuilding clicked into place.
Without spoiling Shadows of Asphodel for those who haven’t read it, what are five fun facts you can tell us about Storms of Lazarus?
(a) Nikola Tesla appears in Storms of Lazarus. I love Tesla, and you should read about him if you don’t know much about the real life man.
(b) Konstantin may be blushing in this book for romantic reasons.
(c) A good portion of this book takes place in Prussia.
(d) There’s some steampunk-era technology that appears in this dieselpunk world.
(e) We meet more of Wendel’s family.
1913, foreign locations, necromancy, and “a charming bastard,” oh my! Really, this series just sounds like such excellent fun. How do you weave all these different elements together in one story?
With difficulty! I have flashcard outlines for my books, where each scene is written on a flashcard. This lets me spread out the whole plot on a table and see the book as a whole. Helps me keep track of everything on a large scale, as well as rearrange little details.
Aside from your New Adult novels, you’ve also written some Young Adult with the Other trilogy. Do you prefer to write one over the other? What are the pros and cons of each?
I don’t really prefer NA or YA, though I do like having license to write steamier love scenes. When I started writing dieselpunk, I was more comfortable with YA paranormal, and I will say that it’s easier writing in a contemporary setting. Historical is hard!
I don’t see a whole lot of steampunk around, and I’m not exactly sure what it is, so would you mind enlightening us on the ins and outs of steampunk?
I write dieselpunk, which is a more modern derivative of steampunk. Basically, it’s retro-futuristic science fiction. So you get a Victorian or Edwardian feel for your technology and fashion. My books are heavy on the alternate history, since I love worldbuilding.
These are New Adult books, so, come on, you know I have to ask: How’s the romance in your Shadow of Asphodel series? Or is romance not a big focus here? Do tell!
The romance is definitely steamier in Shadows of Asphodel. I’d say it’s a 4 out of 5 on the hotness scale. I had fun writing it. ;)
Shadows of Asphodel, Storms of Lazarus…Will there be any sequels in the future?
Maaaaybe. I have ideas!
Besides any possible sequels, what are you writing next?
I’m tinkering with a YA regency about ladies with a tendency to transform into cats. Also various super secret romance books, which may be quite a bit steamier than Shadows.
Using the letters of SHADOW, how would you describe yourself?
So many books to read!
Happiest when outside in the sun.
Always working on a book.
Don’t take away my Kindle.
Or my chocolate.
Wasn’t joking. ;)
Who (or what) has the coolest shadow?
A dragon. Anything more would be spoilers!
Novels
Author: Karen Kincy
Publisher: Create-space
Publishing Date: September 13, 2013
Pages: 350
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1913. Ardis just wants to do her job. Outlawed in America, she works as a mercenary for Austria-Hungary. Beheading rebels with her sword has become routine—gunpowder has been useless ever since the archmages of Vienna cursed the entire continent of Europe with the Hex. But Ardis never expected to find an unarmed gentleman bleeding out on the battlefield.
Wendel manages to be a charming bastard even on the verge of death. Even more unexpectedly, he revives the dead to fight for him. Letting a necromancer die isn't an option, unless Ardis wants Wendel to return as a monster—or so the rumors say. Afraid to find out, Ardis saves his life.
When Wendel swears fealty to Ardis, they forge an uneasy alliance underscored with sexual tension. Together, they confront rebels, assassins, and a conspiracy involving a military secret: robotically-enhanced soldiers for a world on the brink of war. But as Ardis starts to fall for Wendel, she realizes the scars from his past run more deeply than she ever imagined. Only Ardis can stop Wendel before his thirst for revenge destroys him and everyone else around him.
1913. Ardis just wants to do her job. Outlawed in America, she works as a mercenary for Austria-Hungary. Beheading rebels with her sword has become routine—gunpowder has been useless ever since the archmages of Vienna cursed the entire continent of Europe with the Hex. But Ardis never expected to find an unarmed gentleman bleeding out on the battlefield.
Wendel manages to be a charming bastard even on the verge of death. Even more unexpectedly, he revives the dead to fight for him. Letting a necromancer die isn't an option, unless Ardis wants Wendel to return as a monster—or so the rumors say. Afraid to find out, Ardis saves his life.
When Wendel swears fealty to Ardis, they forge an uneasy alliance underscored with sexual tension. Together, they confront rebels, assassins, and a conspiracy involving a military secret: robotically-enhanced soldiers for a world on the brink of war. But as Ardis starts to fall for Wendel, she realizes the scars from his past run more deeply than she ever imagined. Only Ardis can stop Wendel before his thirst for revenge destroys him and everyone else around him.
Author: Karen Kincy
Publisher: Createspace
Publishing Date: July 13, 2014
Sometimes escape is impossible. Sometimes love isn't enough.
1913. Christmas Eve. Ardis hardly expects a quiet holiday with Wendel, between fleeing Constantinople and hiding from an ancient society of assassins. And they owe a debt to a certain archmage.
In Königsberg, Prussia, they work with Konstantin on the next evolution of Project Lazarus. Wendel once called Königsberg home, the city now besieged by the Russians and their clockwork engines of war. This may be Wendel’s last chance to save his family and find redemption, but he's tormented by nightmares and tempted by laudanum. Ardis fears her love isn’t enough to save Wendel. Her hands are full piloting the automatons, and she's terrified to tell him a secret of her own. Will they—and their love—survive the storms of war?
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I kind of LOVE this interview! Fantastic questions! Thank you so much for hosting a tour stop!
ReplyDeleteLove your questions, all the little hints of what Kincy has up her sleeves for future projects is just getting me more excited!
ReplyDeleteNice interview
ReplyDelete