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Interview and Giveaway: Kristen Callihan, author of Firelight
I’m so thrilled to have Kristen Callihan here as part of her tour with Kendra Leigh Castle! Kristen is the author of Firelight, the first book in the Darkest London series (read my review), and she was kind enough to answer a few of my questions. Keep an eye out in the next week or so, when Kendra will be stopping by the blog to talk about her newest book, Midnight Reckoning.
Courtesy of the kind folks at Hachette, I’ve got 3 copies of Firelight up for grabs for 3 lucky winners, so check out the giveaway deets at the end of the post!
Please welcome Kristen to the blog!
Kristen, your first novel, Firelight, just came out Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
I was always a daydreamer, but I am also slightly dyslexic and left-handed so writing by hand was not something I enjoyed as a child. It was only when I reached my twenties –and had a laptop handy!- that I sat down one day and tried to write out a scene from a daydream that had been plaguing me. I had no idea where the story was going; I was just tinkering around for fun. I never looked back!
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication?
Eventually, that first scene I wrote turned into a book. I got an agent and shopped it around. But it failed to sell. The main problems noted were that the story was in 1st person (a big romance no-no), set in America (not so hot in the historical market) and quite long (about 700 pages. –yes, I know, THAT long. )
So I sat down and tried again. And while I probably ought to have been terrified about trying again, the story came on so strong and sure that I never hesitated. I was in total love with it. I didn’t care a whit what anyone thought of it. That story was FIRELIGHT. Selling it wasn’t easy. It took a year and some major revisions –it too was in 1st person (what can I say? I liked 1st person!) and I had to change it to 3rd, but sell it did! And I was very relieved!
What are some of your biggest literary influences?
Honestly, it is everything I’ve read and still read. I have a great love for romance, for spy thrillers, mysteries, and paranormal tales. Each time I read something, those loves grow, ideas take hold, and I find myself wanting to write my own stories.
What’s on your nightstand right now?
My nightstand has a big cubby, in which there are about thirty books. However, currently on the top of all those books is Burning Up, a paranormal anthology, which includes Meljean Brook’s novella Here There Be Monsters. To me, this is hands-down the best novella I’ve ever read. It is a freaking work of art and I am in awe of it.
If you could read a book again for the first time, which one would it be?
Here There Be Monsters would be a good start, lol! The Harry Potter series. I loved each one, but now that I know how it ends, it’s a different read.
Have you ever “faked” reading a book, and if so, which one was it?
All the time! In high school. “Sure, I read Flowers For Algernon! Test you say? Eh…” Actually, I’m a pretty good skimmer. I can flip through a book and find the basic story in about ten minutes. So I faked a lot of books reads throughout high school without much consequences. Nowadays, I won’t lie. If you ask me if I’ve read Ulysses, I’ll answer, no, no I have not, and no I don’t think I will. 
When you’re not busy writing, how do you like to spend your free time?
Reading! I’m pretty much a homebody. If I’m not reading, I’m snuggled on the couch with my husband and watching TV, or going out to dinner and a movie. I like being with my close friends and family.
If you could pack your bags and travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go, and why?
So many places, so little time! I’m dying to go to Italy. But as it is February, I wouldn’t want to go now. So I’d go to London because I’m writing about there and I’d love to soak up the atmosphere. I’ve been before, but it was years ago.
What’s something that makes you laugh out loud?
Mike Meyers. Thinking about the time my husband screamed like a little girl when he saw a mouse in the house. (yes, I’m a sick woman!)
What piece of advice would you give a struggling writer?
Don’t give up. Don’t let ANYONE talk you into quitting your dream. We are constantly bombarded with rejection, be it during the agent search or by a bad review. These are simply opinions, not fact. They can’t hurt you unless you let them.
Is there any other news of upcoming projects or events that you’d like to share with us?
Let’s see… Other than Firelight, I have a short story as well called EMBER. Ember was written as a companion piece for Firelight and tells the story of what happens to Miranda and Archer between the time when they first meet until the time when they meet again. People have asked in what order should they read Ember and Firelight, and it is hard for me to say. They go hand in hand, and Ember was intended to be something rather like bonus material in a DVD. It is definitely its own story but it makes better sense when placed in context with Firelight.
And then there is Moonglow, book 2 in the Darkest London series. Moonglow is the story of Miranda’s sister Daisy, and Ian Ranulf, who is now the marquis of Northrup. Daisy has attracted the attentions of a mad werewolf who is terrorizing the streets of London, and Ian is her reluctant and unlikely savior. This is more the classic Victorian horror set up in that this is a battle between good vs. evil. But like Firelight, it begs the question, what truly makes a monster? And how can you love another when you cannot love yourself?
After Moonglow, will be Winterblaze, which is sister Poppy’s story, and then Book 4, which involve characters who appear in Moonglow. As the series progresses, readers will delve deeper into this supernatural London, and the beasties that hide in plain sight.
Keep up with Kristen: Website | Facebook | Twitter
1. You MUST fill out the form below (lots of chances for extra entries!)
2. Giveaway is for 3 copies of FIRELIGHT by Kristen Callihan to 3 winners.
3. Giveaway is open to US/Canadian addresses only
4. Must include a valid email address
5. You must enter on or before 2/11/12
6. Please see my Giveaway Policy.
7. Books kindly provided by Hachette Books.
50 Responses to “Interview and Giveaway: Kristen Callihan, author of Firelight”
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My Partner In Crime
Thank you for the giveaway!
Another series to add to my TBR list!
Both titles added to my TBR.
I’ll never get caught up on my reading at this rate! I’m OK with that.
Thanks for the giveaway! Both titles are now on my TBR list.
I would also love to travel to Italy one day. In fact many of the places I want to travel have been inspired by books
Italy is definitely high on my list to visit. Especially the gorgeous architecture there! Venice is my must see place
I just got Midnight Reckoning a last week (It’s next on my TBR pile)– I just HAD to get it ’cause I loved Dark Awakening so much!
Firelight is on my shopping list (so many series, so little time!!)
Thanks for the giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
You already know I’m dying to read this since I read your review.
Kristen sounds like an awesome person too! I love how she just was tinkering around and ended up writing a book, even if it did need to be rewrote.
I use to think I preferred first person but I’m reading one that’s in first person now and I’m kind of having a hard time with it. I think in historical it ‘feels’ better in third person but I like first person for urban fantasies. I suppose I’m just crazy and all it is really is the author and if I’m feeling their style.
Thanks for the giveaway! My fingers are crossed I win cause I’m dying to read this book!
Hi Kristen! I cannot wait to read your story! I’ve seen some really awesome reviews and think it will be a great addition to my collection… thanks for the giveaway!!!
yadkny@hotmail.com
I’ve got Firelight on my wish list and I’m looking forward to reading it. It would be awesome to win a copy.
I enjoyed your interview. The book sounds very good.
what a wonderful giveaway goodluck everyone
vampgrl74(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for taking the time and effort to share with us today and for the wonderful giveaway opportunity. I cannot imagine 700 pages, let alone having to edit all of this hard work to a more marketable reader friendly length. Thank you for making that effort I would love to read Firelight and my fingers are crossed.
Hi!
Thanks for this chance! I would love to read Midnight Reckoning! I will get the first from this series too! And Firelight seems to be awesome!
Cool, fun to read about your journey! Hope to read the book soon!
I’ve been following the tour and having a great time. Kristen is a new author to me and I can’t wait to read this series. I learned what book 3 in the series will be. Moonglow looks great as well. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to read this book. It sounds really good. Tore923@aol.com
Very nice cover!
I love finding new to me authors. Now I have 2 more books to add to the TBR pile. The pile grows way too fast for the free time I have.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Nice looking cover and great interview. I just love discovering new books and authors. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you for everything and the giveaway! I love the cover!
I love reading too! I average about 1.5 to 2 books a day and stay up really late if I find a book exciting. The “fake reading” question made me laugh.
Great interview, and I can’t wait to read Firelight!
I love your advice to authors. I have to agree. I don’t write but my daughter does. She writes and illustrates. And let me tell you they are some awesome short stories/comics. I give her the same advice. She says she wants to be a surgeon or an author/illustrator. =)
Mary
I am so excited about reading this book, and so glad that it’s not 700 pages!! LOL Thanks so much for the interview and the giveaway:)
I love the cover art, and after reading your interview “Firelight” earned a spot on my *to read* list
This is a new to me author, but I would love a chance to read this book. Thank you for the chance to win =)
I have also wanted to go to Italy for as long as I can remember, specifically, Venice. I’ve wanted to go there ever since I was little!
London sounds fun, looks like a great book.
Nice interview. This looks like it’s going to be a great series. I’m glad you have 4 books plotted out. Must be a great feeling
. I think I’m really going to enjoy these reads. Thank you.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot) com USA resident.
FIRELIGHT sounds terrific! I’d love to win a copy please. Thanks very much.
Amy, life long lover of SF & F in NYC.
aharlib@earthlink.net
Thanks for the advice to aspiring writers and for sharing how you got started. I always love to hear that! The cover is amazing and congrats!
mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com
This book sounds great. I have tried to win it on a few other blogs but did not. Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
Rachel V
pefrw(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds great! Thank you for the giveaway!
Kristen, what was the hardest part of revising Firelight? Were there any scenes that were devastating to cut?
Hi Kayla,
The hardest part of revising was the cutting. I had to move key information into other scenes.
The most devastating scene to cut was Archer and Miranda fencing together. It had a huge amount of sexual tension and was basically an extended dance of foreplay, which left Archer VERY keyed up!
I plan to put that scene up on my website next week, as I still mourn its loss.
Thanks for your question.
Kristen
^Appreciate giveaway! Helps those like me on fixed income/SSI {perm/multi disabled: wheelchair/home-bound} who need & enjoy to read, attain books can’t normally afford <3
^Interesting Q & A! Has peaked my interest and look forward to getting lost in magickal paranormal world have created!
)0( Warmest Blessings )0(
*Paranormal Books are Magickal*
I love the cover and it sounds like a very intriguing book. I would love to read it.
seriousreader at live dot com
Wow! New book for me. Thanks for the review, excuse me while I dash off to add to my wishlist.
I’m a huge fan of this cover!
Hey All,
Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for all the kind well-wishes!
And I should also clarify that Firelight was never 700 pages, lol. That was an earlier novel. Admittedly, the first draft of Firelight *was* 585 pages, so that too was cut down significantly. I erm…like long books. And my editor keeps trimming them down!
I too love the cover -all of the ones Grand Central has made for my books! I got very lucky in that regard.
Cheers! And good luck to everyone entered in the giveaway!
Kristen
I’ve been hearing great things about this book and am excited to read!
i am not entering the giveaway but just wanted to say thanks for the interview. i loved firelight and can’t wait for moonglow!
What an awesome idea! Congratulations on making your dream a reality, Kristen! It’s inspiring to see your persistence and love for your characters pay off.
LOVE this cover!!!
Kristen is a new author to me.
Thank you for a chance to win one of her books
Kelly
Books-n-Kisses
Looks really good.
This looks like a book I really want to read!
I’m looking forward to reading Moonglow! Looks like another great story!
ive been dying to read firelight! looks awesome! thanks for the awesome chance to win!
I am dying for Moonglow!! Such a great series.