Sunday, December 4, 2016

Author of the Month~ December


Hello everyone! It's another new month and with that comes a new Author of the Month. This will consist of a post that includes an interview with the chosen author, along with featuring them in my sidebar for that entire month.  New feature I started on my blog in September (Refer HERE if you would like to see the original post & if you would like to be apart of this as an author).

November's Author: Kerri Maniscalco 




Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.


Connect with Kerri on:



~Interview Time~
Sabrina: Hello Kerri! Can I just say that before we begin this interview that I am super stoked to have you as my December “ Author of the Month”. I absolutely adored Stalking Jack the Ripper so it is truly an honour to have you here today.

Kerri: Hi Sabrina! Thank you so much for hosting me on your fabulous blog, I’m excited to be the Author of the Month for December. Such an honor!

Sabrina: Let’s start off we an easy one, what inspired you to write?

Kerri:I love reading and I think that was a huge contributing factor for why and how I started writing. Growing up our weekend family trips usually included time spent at independent bookstores or libraries. My grandma had done the same thing with my mom, so reading is in our blood. From there it was a natural progression to creating stories I really wanted to read, but hadn’t yet seen in the market. (Or not seen enough of!)

Sabrina: Who are some current YA authors that you look up to? Or have befriended since releasing SJTR?

Kerri: I love authors like Sarah J Maas, Traci Chee, Cat Winters, Renee Ahdieh, Beth Revis, Leigh Bardugo, Stephanie Garber, Nicole Castroman, Roshani Chokshi, and Kendare Blake. (To name a few…I could seriously rattled off a ton more!) I’m a huge fan of anything with sweeping atmosphere and memorable characters. AG Howard is another author I admire greatly for her ability to create lush atmosphere. Her stories always come alive for me in amazing ways.

Sabrina: What about the genre of mystery made you want to write a whole series involving characters solve crime?

Kerri:I love all things mystery! I love reading something that keeps me guessing, even if I think I might suspect the “who”, I love watching the “what” unfold. Mysteries usually allow for creepiness mixed with humor, and I find myself drawn to both the dark parts and the lighter ones. I’m also a huge fan of forensics and how they’re applied to crime scenes, so I really couldn’t wait to write about a girl who shared that interest.

Sabrina: Was it challenging to write Stalking Jack the Ripper? Especially with all the proper terms and science behind it?

Kerri: It was challenging for all of those reasons, but also very rewarding for them too. Sometimes I’d spend three or four hours looking up historical aspects—one time in particular I searched for gas lamps versus oil lamps and electricity, who had a telephone and who wouldn’t during the time—and I think there was only one line where I needed to use the info. Which later got cut, come to think of it ;)

Sabrina: What is a quote that you like to live by?

Kerri: One of my favorites for writing and continuing to pursue publication has always been: “Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt.” — William Shakespeare

Sabrina: What are two quotes from Stalking Jack the Ripper where you are proud to say that you wrote this or you came up with it?

Kerri: Oh! This is such a hard one for me… I’m so proud of each word in SJTR, but two that immediately come to mind are:

“Those who deserve respect are given it freely. If one must demand such a thing, he’ll never truly command it. I am your daughter, not your horse, sir.”

and this one: “Wield your assets like a blade, Cousin. No man has invented a corset for our brains. Let them think they rule the world. It’s a queen who sits on that throne. Never forget that.”

Sabrina: Can you tell us anything about your future novel?

Kerri:I can’t reveal much now! I will say that it starts one week after the end of STALKING JACK THE RIPPER, and it starts a whole new investigation and murder. Anyone who’s read SJTR will have a pretty good idea where they’re heading to and what the subject matter might include… There is a gothic castle, and tons of creepy things for our main characters to get involved with.

Sabrina: While writing is there anything you require in order to allow you to stay focused?

Kerri: I drink a lot of tea throughout the day, and will snack on either steamed edamame or stuff that packs a protein punch. I also take breaks to workout, I find that oxygenating my body and brain keeps me sharp. Oh, and I’m sort of addicted to gluten free pretzel sticks while revising.

Sabrina: Do you have a specific space where you need to write to feel inspired?

Kerri: I love writing in my home office. I’ve got fairy lights strung up over my bookshelves and have this tufted chair and super soft throw blanket. I also love my desk—it’s this industrial piece with reclaimed wood and steel, and I love sitting at it. Makes me all sorts of inspired!

Sabrina: If you were to collab with another YA author, who would you want to work with?

Kerri: Oh my gosh. I’d like to collaborate with any and all of the authors I listed above. They’re all stellar and so amazing.

Sabrina: Thank you again so much for allowing me to interview you. It has been such a pleasure and I can’t wait to see what you produce in the future. You are truly an amazing soul!

Kerri: Thank YOU so much for interviewing me! I sincerely hope you love the next adventure as much as I’ve loved working on it. Thank you for all of the lovely and amazing things you do! I appreciate it so much.  xoxoxo

~About Kerri's Book~



Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Jimmy Paterson
Publication date: September 20th, 2016
Description:
Presented by James Patterson’s new children’s imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion…
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.
Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.
The story’s shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

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