I am happy to have Chloe Neill back at Smexy, this time to talk about her new YA book, Firespell, that comes out January 5th! My review was posted earlier today and I really enjoyed it!!
I’ll start with the obvious questions – why a Young Adult book?
Actually, I was very fortunate–my agent suggested that I put together a YA idea for my editor at Penguin. I’ve always wanted to go to boarding school–and was fascinated by it as a teenager, when there weren’t many books out about boarding school. So that was a natural topic for me. I spent some time over my lunch break one day coming up with an idea, then sent it along.
Tell us a bit about the world – what sort of paranormal creatures will we meet?
Well, I can’t give away too much about FIRESPELL without spoilers, but the paranormal creatures will run the gamut! The two most important groups are introduced in FIRESPELL, which are a little bit outside the traditional, but we’ll also meet vampires (the unkind variety), werewolves and pixies along the way.
Describe Lily in three words
Smart. Curious. Sassy.
Is there a particular love interest for Lily or will we see something progress through the series?
Lily definitely has a love interest, and that will progress throughout the series. And that’s all I can say about that. :)
I’ve talked to some people who feel a YA book should be classified based on the age of the protagonist, while others argue it should be classified based on the content. What are your feelings?
Interesting question! I think both answers get to a really important result–books with protagonists of many ages can be enjoyed by folks of equally varied ages. I suppose I’d say, “Read what you like, and don’t worry about how they classify it.”
On your blog you mention the “Y” symbol seen on buildings throughout Chicago and the mystery of this “Y” will be revealed in Firespell. Did this inspire you to write the book? Is there really a mystery surrounding this symbol?
There’s an actual history to the symbol (which I believe is discussed on my blog), and a mythology to the symbol that I’ve adapted for purposes of writing the Dark Elite novels. It absolutely did inspire me–I was really fascinated by the fact that the symbol is sprinkled
Are you a fan of YA? What YA books have you enjoyed?
Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to read much of anything lately. I’m thrilled, though, to break open The SplendorFalls by Rosemary Clement-Moore and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia.
If Lily and Merit met, what would they spend their day (or night) doing?
Assuming they could get over the supernatural breach (vampires are not kind in Lily’s version of Chicago), I think Merit would give Lily a tour of Chicago, at least the parts they could see after the sun went down (but before Lily’s curfew).
Thanks so much for having me today!
Chloe Neill is offering a signed copy of Firespell and a St. Sophia gift pack to one lucky commenter!! Just leave a comment, and I will pick a winner at random. Contest run through Sunday, and I will announce a winner on Monday. Contest open to all.
Thanks for the giveaway! I've been really looking forward to Firespell.
jennsicurella at verizon dot net
Awesome Interview! I love getting to know authors a bit better and this one is awesome! I cant WAIT for FireSpell it looks like an awesome book….EAK, I even did a waiting on wednesday :)!
Jenn@ book-crazy.com
Thank for the Interview… Lovely to meet you Chloe..
Congrats on the upcoming release…
Tossing my name in for the beastie….
E.H>
thank you for hosting this giveaway! :)
please enter me.
rubs.escalona [at] gmail.com
Please count me in.
simplystacieblog at gmail dot com
Great inteview! im already a big fan! of Chloes!
Awesome contest!!!
Please enter me!
holz_twilight@msn.com
I enjoyed the Chicagoland Vampires, so I'm excited for Firespell!
sairanawab at gmail dot com
The interview is awesome! Thanks so miuch! I loove author interviews! Its always soo interesting if they share stuff about their writing etc. :)
I cant wait to read firespell;)
please enter me
Anja_Kapllani@web.de
I can't wait to read this book. I LOOOOOVE the Chicagoland Vampire series!
booknerdd(at)gmail(dot)com
I love Chloe Neill and can't wait to read Firespell. I really enjoyed her chicago vampire series so I know I will love this one.
Great interview, Chloe is awesome to interview!
I can't wait to get my hands on this, I think this will be my only HAVE TO BUY YA of the next few months! I have to get my Chloe fix somehow!
Great interview! It's always so fun to hear from the author. Count me in for the giveaway! I just got done reading about Merit, and I'd love to read what else she's got out there.
"Read what you like, and don't worry about how they classify it."
Great Quote! :D
Add my name to the pot!
sarahalizabeth14@yahoo.com
What an amazing interview. I'm such a huge fan of Chloe's. I can't wait to read Firespell. Count me in!
Sweet contest! Looks like it will be a great read! :)
valli.frasercelin at gmail dot com
count me in please! thank you for the giveaway :)
bookmakeupreview AT gmail DOT com
I'm looking forward to reading Firespell.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
so looking forward to this book!
Can't wait to read this new one! I've loved all her books so far. Thanks for entering me!
Sciontc@insightbb.com
I've been hearing alot about this one, I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com
Enjoyed the interview! Really looking forward to reading this book. The plot sounds so fantastic! Please enter me in the drawing.
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to win a copy of Firespell! I'm looking forward to reading it!
goddessladyj(at)yahoo(dot)com
Nice interview :)
I'd love to win, and check out this YA series, just as I so have to read about Merit too. it is on my list, very much thanks to Mandi too.
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the contest, I'm going to look up the Chicago 'Y' after I post. Looking forward to reading Firespell!
Been hearing great buzz about Chloe's books. Sign me up!
Hi :)
Thank you for the interview with Chloe and thank you to Chloe for sharing. It`s too bad she hasn`t had time to read lately but that`s good news for us fans *pictures Chloe furiously typing away on her books*
:)
Merry Christmas,
RKCharron
Oh my gosh! I would so love to win Chloe Neill's book, FIRESPELL!!! I have been looking so forward to this book. The reviews have been awesome! The excerpts sound fab! Chloe is just the best author ever!
Merry Christmas Chloe! Many blessings to everyone for a fab New Year!
I've been looking forward to this book for awhile now. Chloe Neill is an awesome author and I'm curious to see the tale she weaves in her YA.
sidhevicious(at)shaw(dot)ca
Please enter me! I love the cover of this one.
squiggles87(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to read Firespell!
Raelena
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Thanks for the interview. I am so looking forward to this book because it sounds so good!!
Great giveaway!
spav05@gmail.com
Great interview. Firespell sounds good. :)
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
Please enter me, too. I love books set in boarding schools :)
Alessandra
outofblue1(at)gmail(dot)com
I have not read any YA books yet. This one sounds interesting.
kissinoak at verizon dot net
Love the Chicagoland vamps and this one looks good. I'd like to read and share with my teenager…
Does Ms. Neill already have planned how many books are in the series or is she going to "wing it"?
Thanks Mandi!
Excellent interview, Chloe!
I would love a chance to win Firespell.
Patricia
patriciaaltner(at)gmail(dot)com
Interesting interview. Sounds like an interesting read.
-Rachel
xshadowkissedx(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think Chloe is a very gifted author and I so look forward to many more novels to come form her! South Florida loves you!!!
Love to win!
I'd like to enter!
woohoo a chance to win something from Chloe, I am in enter me
twolilstarz@gmail.com
Can't wait to read firespell
I love a good YA, can't wait to read this! :D
Great interview! I love sassy characters! Umm.. so the main creatures are not vampires nor werewolves? Yeahh, that's not traditional :)
Please count me in!
sheere.dry@gmail.com
Wow. What a year for Ms. Neill – she seems to be the new Urban Fantasy darling.
I've been looking for a good YA book – and this story sounds more up my alley than her 'Chicagoland Vampires' series.
Great review + interview
I enjoyed the interview and I would love to read the book.
seriousreader at live dot com
Great interview. I loved the Chicagoland Vampires series and cant wait to read Firespell.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Great interview! It's about time for me to read a YA, it's been a while. :)
Great interview! I just read Some Girls Bite and loved it. Can't wait to read this.
I'm so thrilled to know you enjoyed this book Mandi! I'm waiting for the release, and the wait is killing me.
Great Interview, i'm curious about the mysterious Y symbol now.;)
Great interview! Loved the choice words for Lily. She sounds awesome.
I would love to read this book, please count me in!
Thanks for the giveaway!
goodgonegirl@gmail.com
Really glad she enjoyed writing a YA book. This sounds like an interesting series to start. How many books are there projected to possibly be?
Comment comment comment! Me want!
Great interview. :)
I'm really excited for Firespell, it sounds great!
Thanks for the contest!
jessjacobs@mac.com
Great interview and contest!! Please enter me!
Interview Was Awesome. I Am A Fan Of YA Books. Looking Forward To Reading The Book. Would Love To Be Considered For This Giveaway.
skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com
Thanks for a great interview and contest! I connot wait to read this book!
astewart305@rogers.com
I am bummed that I am too late, but I am really looking forward to FireSpell!
latomli (at) yahoo (dot) com
Looks like I'm too late for the contest but this book looks interesting.