Author Interview... with Claudia Gray! (+ Giveaway!)

9:00 AM

In just a few more days, we'll finally get to read the conclusion of Lucas and Bianca's story in the final novel of Claudia Gray's New York Times bestselling Evernight series, Afterlife! The Evernight series was one of the earlier vampire series I first began reading before branching more into the paranormal genre, so I'll be sad to see the series end... but it's time. Thanks to HarperCollins, I was fortunate enough to ask Claudia Gray some questions!

1) How are you feeling knowing that readers will soon finally read the conclusion of Lucas and Bianca's love story?

A little nervous, but mostly happy. I felt like the series came to a good, strong conclusion for the characters, the romance and the plot -- so I hope you guys agree. 

2) Which character was your favourite to write about in Afterlife? 

In AFTERLIFE, I would say I had the most fun writing about Lucas and Mrs. Bethany. Lucas has been asked to face his single greatest nightmare; he's been turned into the very creature he's always been indoctrinated to hate. So delving into how he would grapple with that was fascinating. And Mrs. Bethany is always interesting for me to write about, but in AFTERLIFE, her backstory finally comes out, and it was a real pleasure to unfurl that at last. 

3) If you had a playlist for Afterlife, what songs would be found on it? 

I did have a playlist for AFTERLIFE! Some of the songs on it are: "Half A Week Before The Winter," Vanessa Carlton; "What About Everything," Carbon Leaf; "Nature of the Experiment," Tokyo Police Club; "For Reasons Unknown," The Killers; "The Songs That We Sing," Charlotte Gainsbourg; and "Weapon of Choice" by the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. I also used a lot of movie score music, primarily from the soundtracks to "Interview With A Vampire" (which was my overall theme for the whole EVERNIGHT series) and "Pan's Labyrinth." 

4) How does it feel having the opportunity to meet your online stalkers- I mean, fans- when you're on tour promoting one of your novels? 

It's wonderful! So far, everybody has been absolutely terrific, and I really, really get such a charge out of talking to the fans and seeing what interests them. 

5) It would seem you're not quite ready to let go of the Evernight series just yet as you're writing a novel based on the character Balthazar. Why did you decide to write his story? 

Balthazar always had more story to tell than there was room for in the EVERNIGHT series. Those books were always about Bianca first and Lucas second; this meant that Balthazar -- who has been around a lot longer and so has a more complicated history -- was never going to have the opportunity to tell his full story unless he got his own book. And now he has! Although there are a couple of cameos from characters already established in the EVERNIGHT series, it's a new setting, mostly new people, and the focus is definitely on him and his journey. 

6) You're also stepping away from vampires with your next upcoming novel, Fateful, once Afterlife has been released. What inspired you to write a story not only about werewolves, but also centering the events as the characters are on the RMS Titanic?

The idea for FATEFUL arose when I went to see an exhibition of artifacts recovered from the RMS Titanic wreck site in September 2009. I've always been fascinated by the Titanic (aren't we all, just a little?), and this exhibit was truly beautifully done, with replica rooms to really make you feel as if you were on board. So I thought, I have to write about this! But my first instinct, to make it part of Balthazar's backstory, just felt wrong to me. The more I turned it over in my head, the more I realized there could be a brand new story, brand new characters, everything. Literally, I would say that I had the rough idea even before I'd gotten home from the exhibit, and the basic outline within a week. Developing it took much more time than that, but the genesis of it was very, very quick; I just loved the idea so much.

***

Thanks so much to Claudia Gray for taking the time out of her day to answer my questions! Claudia will be touring to several locations across the U.S to help promote the release of Afterlife. You can find all the dates and locations on her website. I really hope Claudia comes to Toronto one day!

You can be on the lookout for my review of Afterlife soon but in the meantime, why not check out the book trailer?

I did mention there would be a giveaway, right? I'll be giving away one ARC of AFTERLIFE to a lucky FOLLOWER! This giveaway will be INTERNATIONAL and ends on MARCH 25, 2011... which gives you three weeks to enter. I'll choose a winner using a random number generator and email them for their mailing address. The winner will have 48 hours give or take to respond back.

And yes, you'll get an extra entry just for commenting on this post! Good luck... and don't forget to check out Claudia Gray's Afterlife when it's released March 8 in stores!

- GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - 
-> Winner has been announced! <-

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I'm a Canadian girl with a passion for reading! When I'm not escaping reality with a new book, I love to listen to Korean pop music or get addicted to Korean/Chinese dramas.

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45 comments

  1. AveryMarch 4, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!
    I love this series so much so I cannot wait to see how it is going to be wrapped up.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. BLHmistressMarch 4, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    Thank you for the giveaway! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Holz SmolzMarch 4, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    Such an awesome giveaway! I love this series:)
    Thanks for the contest!

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  4. UnknownMarch 4, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    THis is so awesome! Great interview! I always love getting to know authors better! Thank you for the awesome giveaway :)

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  5. KhylaMarch 4, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    thank you so much for the giveaway!
    release date for the book is so soon cant wait

    ReplyDelete
  6. Paranormal Night OwlsMarch 4, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Awesome Interview. I can't wait for the novel to come out based on Balthazar *swoons* I love him!

    Again, great interview and thanks for the BOSS giveaway

    - Lexus "Salvatore"

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  7. vaness2826March 5, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    thanks for the giveway and for making it international

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  8. SykiMarch 5, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    I have to read this book, really! Thanks very much for this giveaway!

    Syki

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  9. VivienMarch 5, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Another great one. I can't wait to see how this story ends!

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  10. Lynsey NewtonMarch 5, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Very nice interview, looking forward to reading Afterlife but kinda sad that the series will end :( There's always the Balthazar book to look forward to though (he was always my favourite ;))

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  11. UnknownMarch 5, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    I love this series. Can't wait to see what happens to Bianca and Lucas!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 5, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway and especially for making it international! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Carina L. TaiMarch 6, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    -Carina L. Tai
    http://dystopiandesserts.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nadia MatthewsMarch 6, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway!!!!!!! I love this series and i cant wait to read more of Balthazar's story and the new one as well.
    Thanks for making it international to :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. JuditMarch 6, 2011 at 3:34 AM

    I'm so excited for Balthazar's story and Fateful! And Afterlife is almost here! I hope Bianca and Lucas will get their deserved happy ending.

    Thank you for the interview and giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. TheGirlOnFireMarch 6, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    Great Giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  17. A Canadian GirlMarch 7, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Great interview! I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with Lucas now and am really excited that Claudia is writing a book about Balthazar since he is my favourite character in the Evernight series.

    ReplyDelete
  18. MinasMarch 7, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    I can't wait to read this book!

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  19. Lisa Richards/alterlisaMarch 7, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    I've read book 1 and just ordered book 2 & 3 from Amazon so it would be great to get Afterlife to top it off.
    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jolene and FamilyMarch 8, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Great interview and thanks so much for the giveaway. Crossing fingers!

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousMarch 12, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    One of my favourite series. Can't wait to read Balthazar's story.

    Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  22. MishaMarch 12, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    I really would like to read it. I love Bathasar!

    ReplyDelete
  23. ~Mallary~March 13, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    I absolutely can't wait to read this book! I've heard such good things about it from other bloggers. Thanks for the giveaway, it would be awesome to win!!

    mallary.mott@eagles.usm.edu

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  24. A Beautiful MadnessMarch 13, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    Thanks for the Giveaway. I just bought Hourglass, I'll have to read it soon.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Fashion AddictMarch 13, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    AWESOME! I can't wait to read this! :D

    ReplyDelete
  26. Pame!March 13, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    This is my favorite series! I can´t wait to read it...by the way thanks for the giveaway =D!

    ReplyDelete
  27. FrosyMarch 14, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    Awesome giveaway and loved the interview!

    ReplyDelete
  28. AikMarch 14, 2011 at 11:56 PM

    I'd love to win this book!

    Aik @ The Bookaholics

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  29. RachelMarch 17, 2011 at 2:41 AM

    What a great contest!

    I'd love to win!

    rachybee101@live.com

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  30. DayenMarch 17, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Nice interview, even nicer giveaway ;D Can't wait till reading it. Oh, sweet Balthasar *melting :D*
    Wanna have it pretty bad.

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  31. LindsayMarch 18, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Awesome interview and giveaway! I absolutely love this series!

    ReplyDelete
  32. aloveforbooksMarch 19, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    thanks for the great interview and giveaway! i just finished hourglass. here's to hoping i win!

    ReplyDelete
  33. CamilleMarch 19, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    this is SUCH an awesome giveaway!!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ashley @ Bookaholics AnonymousMarch 20, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    Awesome giveaway..I have read the first two in the series and have hourglass waiting to be read.

    ReplyDelete
  35. KristyIslamMarch 21, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    wowww what a awesome giveaway i am soooo hoping i winnn!!

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  36. AnonymousMarch 21, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Amazing series! Awesome giveaway, thanks for the chance to win :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Susan RayMarch 21, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Thanks for offering this giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. AmyC ~March 21, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    I found this series a couple wks ago and am now 1/2 way thru Afterlife. I luv it! Pick Me!

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  39. Michelle CunninghamMarch 21, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    I stumbled across this series, in my local book store and have been hooked on the series ever since. I can't wait to get my hands on 'Afterlife' :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    cunninghamm at gmail dot com

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  40. AnonymousMarch 22, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    theawesomemagicattic.blogspot.com

    Pick me! :D

    ReplyDelete
  41. kristina shieldsMarch 22, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Amazing giveaway! I love this story and I can't wait to read how it ends.

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousMarch 23, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    awesome giveaway never read these books they look great:)

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  43. *Melissa*March 24, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    so excited about this giveaway!! I really want to see how this series ends!

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  44. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Graeat interview. Thanks for the give away

    ReplyDelete
  45. aloveforbooksMarch 25, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    A book based on characters from Titanic, nice!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete