Mundie Moms

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Debut Author Bash: Linsey Miller #17DABash


Welcome to the next stop in the 2017 Debut Authors Bash. We have long been huge supporters of debut authors. Today I'm thrilled to have debut author, Linsey Miller on the blog. Linsey is the author of Mask of Shadows, which was released earlier this year from SourceBooks Fire. Before I share my interview with Linsey, here's a little bit about her debut.

ABOUT THE BOOK


By: Linsey Miller
Published by: SourceBooks Fire
To Be Released on: August 29th, 2017
Purchase from
Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | BAM
Add it to Goodreads

Perfect for fantasy fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, the first book in this new duology features a compelling gender fluid main character, impressive world building, and fast-paced action.

Sallot Leon is a thief, and a good one at that. But gender fluid Sal wants nothing more than to escape the drudgery of life as a highway robber and get closer to the upper-class―and the nobles who destroyed their home.

When Sal steals a flyer for an audition to become a member of The Left Hand―the Queen's personal assassins, named after the rings she wears―Sal jumps at the chance to infiltrate the court and get revenge.

But the audition is a fight to the death filled with clever circus acrobats, lethal apothecaries, and vicious ex-soldiers. A childhood as a common criminal hardly prepared Sal for the trials. And as Sal succeeds in the competition, and wins the heart of Elise, an intriguing scribe at court, they start to dream of a new life and a different future, but one that Sal can have only if they survive.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW 




What came first for you in writing Mask of Shadows; the title, a character(s), a scene, the setting or a line?


The characters came first! I had an idea for assassins named after their queen’s rings, and it sort of took off from there. Emerald, Ruby, Opal, and Garnet. Emerald is the only one mostly the same.


What element of your story did you have the most fun writing and which element was most challenging?


I had a lot of fun writing the fight scenes, but they were also the most challenging! Figuring out the spatial arrangement, if a character could actually do something based on their backstory and training, and figuring out how best to end it without mortally wounding anyone was really fun and really difficult. There are a lot of things that could go wrong in a fight and lots of very exact moves that have to be pulled off.


What's one thing you admired about Sal?


They’re confident and determined (which I think goes together). Sal (mostly) knows exactly what they want and what they’ll do to get it, and they’re sure that they will get it. The level of self-assuredness Sal has is something I really enjoy and appreciate in YA characters.


Is there a certain character that surprised you in terms of either the decisions they made or the role they ended up playing the story?


I always knew Maud would always play a role in the story, but I didn’t realize that other readers would love Maud as much as I did. It’s been a really pleasant surprise to talk about Maud with readers.


Do you have a favorite line from your book you can share with us?


Since I mentioned Maud, let’s go with this:


“How do I remind you of a climbing goat after falling out a window?” I kicked a dirty blanket off my legs and groaned. A goat.
She laughed. “I saw one fall once. Made the funniest sound when it hit the ground—like the ground was the one in the wrong, not the goat.”


If you could pick one of your favorite fictional characters (from a book, movie, tv show) to write into Mask of Shadows, who would you choose and why?


Mogget from the Abhorsen series. Mask of Shadows needs more cats.


Can you tell us a little bit about what you're working on next?


I’m revising the sequel! I’m also researching the world building and outlining a YA heist novel that takes place in a completely different world from Sal’s. That should be a fun book to write.


Speed Round Questions:


What is one of your writing must haves?


Noise cancelling headphones.


Early riser or night owl?


Both? Both.


Which Harry Potter house were you sorted into?


Gryffindor. I even have a picture of McGonagall over my desk.


Which Harry Potter house would Sal be sorted into?


Slytherin.


Current book on your night stand?


Brooding YA Hero: Becoming A Main Character (Almost) as Awesome as He Is by Carrie DiRisio


What is one of your favorite movies?


This week, it’s probably Princess Mononoke.


What was one of your favorite books growing up?


Lirael by Garth Nix


One author who's been influential on you either as a reader or writer?


Tamora Pierce


What's one thing you're looking forward to in 2018?

The Mask of Shadows sequel! And also a whole mountain of books to add to the TBR.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A wayward biology student from Arkansas, Linsey has previously worked as a crime lab intern, neuroscience lab assistant, and pharmacy technician. She is currently an MFA candidate represented by Rachel Brooks of Bookends Literary. Her debut novel MASK OF SHADOWS is the first in a fantasy duology out now (8/29/17) from Sourcebooks Fire. She can be found writing about science and magic anywhere there is coffee.

Find Linsey online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram 

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Thank you to Linsey and YA Readers for hosting this year's Debut Author Bash. Check out the next stop by following the tour, here.

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