Recent Posts
- Interview (& Giveaway): Hilary Davidson, author of Evil In All Its Disguises
- Giveaway: Complex 90 by Max Allan Collins and Mickey Spillane
- Interview: Bec McMaster, author of Heart of Iron (London Steampunk series)
- Deadly Harvest by Michael Stanley
- Blog Tour: The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble (Review and Giveaway!)
Don’t Miss a Post!
Archives
Love Paranormal and Urban Fantasy?
Blogroll
- Bastard Books
- Bookworm Blues
- Civilian Reader
- Crime Fiction Lover
- Criminal Element
- Do Some Damage
- Electric Meat
- Every Read Thing
- Fantasy Book Addict
- Fantasy Book Critic
- Fantasy Faction
- Functional Nerds
- Grasping For the Wind
- Hobo Camp Review
- io9
- Jen's Book Thoughts
- John Anealio
- Killer Characters
- Layers of Thought
- Library Journal
- Little Red Reviewer
- Mystery Scene Magazine
- Neth Space
- Nightmare Magazine
- Out of the Gutter
- Pop Culture Nerd
- Pornokitsch
- Pulp Curry
- Raven Crime Reads
- SF Signal
- SFCrowsnest
- Staffer's Book Review (and occasional musings)
- Stellar Four
- Suvudu
- Terribleminds
- The Big Click
- The Crime Vault
- The Founding Fields
- The Guilded Earlobe
- The Indiscriminate Critic
- The Maine Suspect
- The Night Bazaar
- The Qwillery
- The Ranting Dragon
- The Speculative Scotsman
- Vampire Book Club
- Working For the Mandroid
Sponsors
Tags
MFT Interview and Giveaway with Alexander Gordon Smith
Hi gang! I’d like to kick off Dystopian Week with an interview and giveaway with Alexander Gordon Smith! Gordon is the author of the Furnace series (and more), and is one of the nicest guys in the business. He was kind enough to answer a few of my questions and is also offering 2 copies of Lockdown: Escape from Furnace #1 to two lucky winners (please see giveaway details at the bottom of the post.)
Thanks so much for stopping by the blog! I thought I’d do a fun Q&A with you, since there’s a rather exhaustive interview in the back of your first novel, Lockdown!
Out of all of your novels, what was your favorite character to write, and why?
Great question! It’s tricky because there are several answers to this. I get so attached to each and every character in a book that all of them are favourites in one way or another. You become their soulmates, their family, fiercely loyal and protective of them. It’s an amazing feeling! I think the character that I’m closest to is Alex from the Escape From Furnace books. We are one and the same person, because he’s based on me when I was a teenager. When I was sixteen or so I went through a… I guess you’d say troubled stage of my life. I skipped school, hung out in biker bars, spent my time drinking and getting into fights and even stealing. It was terrible, horrible, and even though I wanted to stop I couldn’t. My family were brilliant, steering me gently back onto the right track. They saved me, and I went and lived my life. But in my head there was always this version of me as a teenager who didn’t get saved, who carried on down the wrong path. I always wondered what his story might have been if he’d had a chance to tell it. When I was looking for a new book to write, this version of me, Alex, was jumping up and down yelling for me to give him a chance to finally live his life. So I did, and the story of Alex Sawyer and Furnace was born. In the original draft his full name was actually Alexander Gordon Smith, but my UK publisher asked me to change it.
Writing the Furnace books wasn’t always easy, though, especially as I was so close to Alex. I experienced every single thing with him – the fear, the pain, the hope – and it was pretty intense! Writing The Inventors series was a completely different experience. I wrote these books with my brother Jamie when he was nine years old, and we actually tried to make most of the inventions in the story for real. We built traps and gadgets and robots and rocket boots and all sorts, it was so much fun. When it came to writing the books we knew exactly what it was like to be inventors, so the story just flowed. I think for that reason Nate and Cat from The Inventors were my favourite characters to write.
What is your most unusual writing habit?
Do you have any current favorite authors?
Are there any movies that you’re looking forward to this summer?
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
What’s one of your pet peeves?
Only kidding, I don’t think I have many pet peeves, apart from the usual ones that annoy everybody. People are people, sometimes irritating, sometimes wonderful, always complex, and you just accept them for who they are! I do hate it when people don’t wave a thank you when you’ve let them pass in the car, though…
Is there any news of upcoming events or projects that you can share with us?
Visit the author at his website (where you can also enter to win an IPod Touch)!
About the book (from BN.com)
Furnace Penitentiary: the world’s most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth’s surface. Convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, sentenced to life without parole, “new fish” Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars, in the darkness at the bottom of the world. Except in Furnace, death is the least of his worries. Soon Alex discovers that the prison is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night, where giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows, where deformed beasts can be heard howling from the blood-drenched tunnels below. And behind everything is the mysterious, all-powerful warden, a man as cruel and dangerous as the devil himself, whose unthinkable acts have consequences that stretch far beyond the walls of the prison.
Together with a bunch of inmates—some innocent kids who have been framed, others cold-blooded killers—Alex plans an escape. But as he starts to uncover the truth about Furnace’s deeper, darker purpose, Alex’s actions grow ever more dangerous, and he must risk everything to expose this nightmare that’s hidden from the eyes of the world.
99 Responses to “MFT Interview and Giveaway with Alexander Gordon Smith”
Author comments are in a darker gray color for you to easily identify the posts author in the comments
Oh my God I had to laugh out loud when I read that his worst writing habit is "chewing". Talking about a balanced diet, hehe!
BTW I love the green/red color themes on those great covers!
Thanks for the chance!
danaan at gmx dot at
Thanks for the great interview and giveaway! The Fury sounds quite interesting…
susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org
Wow, Furnace sounds like an incredible series! The covers are so eerie and cool. And this was a very entertaining interview… I used to chew on the ends of pens and pencils in school, but I never made it all the way through to the ink, I don't think, only received lots of weird looks from my classmates.
Thanks for the chance to win!
aveelachild@gmail.com
Thank you for the giveaway!
I used to always chew pens when l was at school! Bad habit haha
booksforcompany @ gmail.com
l am a gfc follower =)
booksforcompany @ gmail.com
I would love to read this book, it looks like a very gripping read!
freda.mans[at]gmail.com
GFC follower
freda.mans[at]gmail.com
thanks for the chance to win, i wanna read this book!
ellisapirat@seznam.cz
GFC follower
Elli Winchester
Great giveaway!!
widsfam7 @ digis dot net
GFC follower too.
widsfam7 @ digis dot net
Awesome giveaway!
frederikker.jb@gmail.com
And also, I am a subscriber via e-mail. Via the same address: frederikker.jb@gmail.com
I love that you chew on things, you have to be SO into it if you don't notice
And I LOVE the Furnace books!! They are super intense and amazing writing, I'm jealous 
Thanks!
Deeds42@yahoo.com
Thanks for the giveaway! This sounds like a good book.
captainsarahsparrow at hotmail dot com
GFC follower SarahSparrow.
captainsarahsparrow at hotmail dot com
Yes, Thanks so much! I've been really wanting to get my hands on this one.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
GFC follower
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway (:
dinkyka(at)gmail(dot)com
GFC follower – Dinky
Great interview! I think he is one of the nicest guys in the business, to. At least after this interview. Thanks for the giveaway!
balmezandrada at yahoo dot com
GFC follower as balmezandrada
Sounds like an interesting book
and the interview was pretty interesting too.
vinsarama[at]gmail[dot]com
thanks!
That's definitely interesting how the author modeled the main character a bit after himself (I really cannot wait to read it).
Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
Orchid
The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia
hauntingorchid(at)aol(dot)com
Also a follower
Best regards!
Oh this sounds so deliciously creepy. Thanks so much for the interview and giveaway!
books (Dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com
I'm a gfc follower
books (Dot) things (at) yahoo (Dot) com
These look really amazing. Thank you.
thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com
GFC follower- thegirlonfire27
thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com
thanks for the giveaway! the book sounds great !
coffee_ishita@yahoo.com
i am also a GFC follower : Ishita aka Fishy
email follower: coffee_ishita@yahoo.com
Great interview, the book sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!!
myra0502 at yahoo dot com
GFC follower Myra C
myra0502 at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the giveaway, and for making it international! Because after reading this interview, I'm looking forward to read something by this author.
catarina_romeira at hotmail dot com
I'm a GFC follower, as p7.
catarina_romeira at hotmail dot com
Thanks so much for the giveaway! I am DYING to read this one!
misslaurenwilk at gmail dot com
I follow you with GFC via Miss Lauren.
misslaurenwilk at gmail dot com
Great interview! Thanks for the chance at this one…it's been on my TBR list for awhile. :0)
luvswdw(at)telus(dot)net
I follow you GFC as TracyH
luvswdw(at)telus(dot)net
Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to read this book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I want this book!! No, I'm serious, I really, really want this book! Thanks so much for the giveaway
jwitt33 at live dot com
Z
I am a GFC follower
jwitt33 at live dot com
Z
Great interview guys. Chewing is definitely an interesting habit. Does your neck hurt after you chew a hole in your t-shirt while writing? That just sounds uncomfortable LOL! When my brain is somewhere else, I chew the inside of my mouth, been doing since I was kid. It doesn't hurt, just makes me look funny while I do it LOL! I too love movies just as much as books. Harry Potter will be packed, can't wait. I hope your books become a movie too, it looks like it would be fantastic. I really love the covers. Thank you so much for the interview, it was fun
drharleyquinn87 (at) gmail (dot) com
Extra entry:
GFC Follower-drharleyquinn87
Thanks again
drharleyquinn87 (at) gmail (dot) com
That's a great Q&A. Thank you.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I follow.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Id like to be entered in this giveaway please!! =)
Thank you for hosting this giveaway!!
SpadesHigh @ http://SpadesHighReads.com
TValeros18 AT gmail DOT com
GFC Follower: SpadesHighReads
Thank you for hosting this giveaway!!
SpadesHigh @ http://SpadesHighReads.com
TValeros18 AT gmail DOT com
Please count me in
Thanks.
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow via GFC quixoticdreamer
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it to worldwide entries.
The interview was great.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I Follow via GFC
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
What a great opportunity!!! Thanks for the chance!!!
Nat. (:
nat_isabel(at)hotmail(dot
)com
I am also a follower!!! (: (: (: via GFC (:
nat_isabel(at)hotmail(dot)com
Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway!
zsaz1029(at)yahoo(dot)com
GFC follower Spaz
zsaz1029(at)yahoo(dot)com
Wish I could win this!
kapranova.sofija@gmail.com
GFC follower as Sofija Kapranova
kapranova.sofija@gmail.com
The new series sounds really good! Can't wait to read it.
Thanks for the giveaway!
candicerjames (at) gmail (dot) com
GFC: Candice
candicerjames (at) gmail (dot) com
Thank you very much for the giveaway!
annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com
I follow your blog.
annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com
I can't believe the author hates flying
But he chose some really great places to go to 
Thank you for the giveaway! GFC Krystal Larson edysicecreamlover18ATgmailDOTcom
GFC Krystal Larson
Thanks for the giveaway
jenhedger at hotmail dot com
Follow on GFC as Jenn
jenhedger at hotmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway. This sounds pretty good.
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com
Haha. I had to laugh at the chewing thing. That is a very unique quirk. But I have to admit my some of my pens end that way too. The books look awesome! They are going on my TBR list.
Lindadao2060 at yahoo dot com
GFC follower: lindadao2060
Lindadao2060 at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the giveaway!
mendyha26@gmail.com
GFC: Mendy
mendyha26@gmail.com
Wow great interview!
wbbusby(at)gmail(dot)com
The chewing thing is so odd and interesting, haha!
I also love how he loves to travel home, so sweet!
mnchapm2@mail.usf.edu
I also follow on twitter (@fadedrainbows)
the giveaway looks great!
starlightgirl678 at aol dot com
i follow on twitter (michelledluvsu)
fb
gfc
and email
thanks for the giveaway :*
ioana_raluk95@yahoo.com
i follow on GFC under the name Ioana Lacatusu
Thanks for the interview. I do enjoy it very much. Oh the chewing thing!
thebookish96(at)gmail.com
I'm follower
thebookish96(at)gmail.com
Thank you for the giveaway!
GFC-Christine Davis
ceeenndee at gmail dot com
Would love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!
meredithfl at gmail dot com
Leannz0r@gmail.com
I'm a follower
This sounds really interesting.
spav05(at)gmail(dot)com
GFC follower
spav05(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds great! Thanks!
Mare
tommygirl828 (at) gmail (dot) com
I'm a GFC follower as TommyGirl
tommygirl828 (at) gmail (dot) com
This book sounds very very awesome! Thanks for the giveaway.
GFC: Hannah/Jaedia
jaedia(at)live(dot)co(dot)uk
Hahah, the chewing thing is hilarious!
Alexander sounds like a witty and sweet person, thanks for this interview and giveaway!
evieseo(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a GFC follower :Evie Seo
katklaw777 at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the giveaway.
GFC follower
heiss(dot)britta(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway!!
crazypplrok at gmail dot com
I follow via GFC!
crazypplrok at gmail dot com
drhodes123@live.com
Thanks for the giveaway!
Xx
pranali_nk04@yahoo.com
I am an old follower
pranali_nk04@yahoo.com