Who is Erin Kellison? Give us the low down.
The low down is that Erin Kellison is my author alter-ego. She usually sits in a big comfy chair, is well supplied with snacks, and writes dark, scary, dangerous, and sexy stuff whenever she has free time.
I, on the other hand, am mom to two fantastic kids. I’ve got an amazing support system in my husband, who I was assigned to sit next to in 10th grade biology. I’d love to see the world with them. We’re supposed to get a pet this year, but since I know I’ll be the one taking care of it, I’m dragging my feet. I love to read, love good TV and movies, and I always have had a story going on in my head. Usually something dark. Oh, and oddly, I scare really easily. Damn, I’m scared right now.
The Shadow books are a mix of dark fantasy, paranormal romance and romantic suspense and I think it baffles bookstores as to where to shelve them. What would you classify them as? What was your inspiration for this series?
I call them dark fantasy romance. My first two books were shelved or tagged anywhere from horror to romance to scifi/fantasy, but my current publisher is going paranormal romance with them. As long as readers can find me, I’m happy.
I love vampires, and I was looking for a being with the same kind of pathos that they offered. I found it in a banshee, a being who has one foot in this world, one foot beyond. And as I started to think about who she was and where she came from, my Shadow world emerged.
The much anticipated Shadowman has just been released. Were you worried about making Shadowman (who is the grim reaper) a romantic hero? Will we have to endure much heartache? (we’ve already endured some!!)? Give us some hints!
Shadowman is the grim reaper, and yes, I worried about romanticizing him, especially because I lost someone right before I started writing his story and so was very conflicted. But no one was more surprised than me to find the book a refuge and the character of Shadowman, my friend. Ultimately, I had a lot of dark, fun adventure writing this book—I pitted him against my favorite antagonists to date. As for heartache, a romance promises an HEA, so even when things look their most bleak, you can depend on a full, happy ending. J
Are there more books to come in this series? Do you have plans for any other books in a spin-off or new series?
I’m finishing book four right now, and I am contracted for a fifth. And I’m also working on the second installment of my Shadow Touch novella series, which features the same characters, the arc of their romance, but with new adventures in each installment. The Shadow world has a lot to offer, and I’d love to continue writing it.
I noticed that your major characters have Twitter accounts. Do they interact with readers or just themselves? Do they give hints about the world? You also have a very in-depth Segue Institute Website. What can readers find on there?
My characters absolutely will interact with readers, and they do give hints about the world because their lives are going on as we speak, just in a kind of parallel universe that also has Twitter. The Segue website follows suit. It is dedicated to the research and understanding of paranormal phenomena arising from the influx of Shadow (magic) into the world. You can find updates on wraith attacks, research studies, personnel, and games. The site will grow with each new release in the series.
I see that you went to RWA, RomCon, and AAD conventions this year. What is your favorite thing about these events?
RWA is largely a professional conference, with mostly writers and publishing professionals in attendance. I love to go because I get caught up on industry news, I meet with my editor and agent, and I get to hang out with other writers, who have the same kind of crazy that I do.
RomCon and AAD are reader-oriented, non-stop fun, and since I am a big reader too, I get the best of both worlds. My favorite activities are the games (like Build-a-Hero)—where I get to be in a group, relax, and just have fun.
What is your favorite way to celebrate release day?
A visit to the bookstore and dinner with family. I’m usually speechless and overwhelmed, which is okay since my husband shows everyone the release. My kids, who are little and shy, are the sweetest though. I just about die when they tell anyone that their mom is a writer.
Do you have a favorite book you’ve read this year?
Yes! A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One by George R.R. Martin. I started with the HBO series—I love good TV—and was completely caught up in the world and the dynamics of the families. I downloaded the book and read it straight through for about three days. I didn’t get much writing done though, I’m afraid. But WOW. What a fun read. I was impressed that the show followed the book so closely and I cannot wait to dig into the rest of the series.
Links:
Website: www.ErinKellison.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/erinkellisonauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ekellison
Today Erin is giving away a set of her Shadow Books (Shadow Bound, Shadow Fall and Shadowman), To enter, just leave a comment. Contest open internationally through September 11.
i would like to discover this serie.
thanks for the giveaway/contest.
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
Series looks great and I would love to read it. Thanks for the great giveaway!!!
Sounds like this will be a great series. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Sounds like a great series! The covers are beautiful:)
Good reading ~ Escape by Fiction
This series has been on my wish list for a while. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Looks like an interesting series! Would love to give it a read. :)
SO happy the contest is open internationally too. Ever since hubby was stationed to Okinawa, Japan, my contest entries have been limited. Not a lot of people willing to ship internationally or even to FPO addresses. So thank you for this!
I have to say I was absolutely riveted when your Shadowman entered into a scene in Shadow Bound. Can’t wait to read his story!
What is the AAD convention?
You are a new author for me and am always looking for new books and authors to read. This books looks great and would love to win.
My favorite book of the year would have to be Violets of March by Sarah Jio. I won this book from Goodreads.com and loved this book. I made me cry, and laugh, and then cry again. It was a very touching story. I love the Game of Thrones show, but have not had a chance to read the books yet.
Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
@Jody AAD is the Author’s After Dark conference. It is a reader/author conference that was just held in Philadelphia. It’s fun!
Sounds like a great series! Thank you for the chance to win it – it’s great that you’ve opened it up internationally!
Thank you sooo much for the giveaway.
Great interview! Looking forward to reading Kellison’s books :D
Looking forward to checking your series. Great interview and thank you as always for offering a give-away to entice people to learn more!
awesome giveaway!!!! thanks!! would love to get a hold of these books. :)
I love your books!!! I am so happy this book is out finally. Cant wait to read it!!! Thank you for sharing this world and your talent with us!!!!! Crossing my fingers that i win!
Awesome interview! Thanks so much for the great giveaway! I’ve always heard great things about Erin Kellison’s work and I’ve had her on the top of my wishlist!
I love dark, suspenseful, paranormal romance. Have loved the first two books in your series. Was intrigued to learn about the Segue Institute Website and will be visiting it. You also almost make me want to get a Twitter account. I seem to be one of the last who aren’t on Twitter or Facebook.
This author has been on my to-be-read list for a while now. Why is it that the books that seem the hardest to classify are always the ones I’m most excited it to read?
Sounds like a very interesting series. i can’t wait to check it out.
~kayla
kcrochet002@gmail.com
Erin,
Love love love your cover for Shadowman and can’t wait to dig into it once my deadline is past! Don’t enter me in the contest since I have the complete set ;-) What I’m here for are any spoilers on book four ;-) Are they behaving? Are they as fantastically complicated as Shadowman, Custo, or Tahlea (not that your other characters aren’t awesome, but those are my faves ;-)? Anyway happy belated release day!
I’ve read Shadow Bound and Shadow Fall and have been looking forward to Shadowman.
Thank you for the giveaway :)
The series looks awesome…love paranormal romance. Good luck on getting a pet…well worth taking care of, in my opinion!
books4me67 at ymail.com
This sounds like such a great series. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!
I have heard so much about this series recently and yest I was surprised not to find it on my local store! That was a great interview and I would love to read this series. Thank you so much for coming on!
kasuranna at yahoo dot com
This series is new to me. I don’t think I have read a story with the grim reaper in it. I have added this to my wish list. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
jnmt3@hotmail.com
I read Fall over the summer and loved it. I would love to read the set. Thank you for the interview. Now I cannot wait to read more into it.
terilhack at gmail dot com
What??? International??? SIGN ME UP!
Ohh open to all, yes of course I am in then :) I’d love to give this series a chance
Sign me up, I would love to check out this series.
Hi Erin. Great interview. Your series sounds good. Thank you for the giveaway.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
I would absolutely love to jump into this series! What a great giveaway! Good luck to all!
kendraedens@gmail.com
GFC: GzNKz4evr
Thanks for the interview, it was great getting to know Erin a bit since she is a new-to-me author. The books sound fantastic and thanks for the international giveaway!
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
All the books are on my TBR list but I haven’t had a chance to buy them yet :0( So thank you for this opportunity!
Thanks for a great interview. And I can’t wait to read Shadowman – to be honest I don’t really see him as a ‘hero’ so I’m very curious how this will work out.
greetings, Melanie
booksforalleternity at gmail dot com
These sound really interesting!
Your series sounds really good. I too am wondering about Shadowman. Look forward to the reads. Thanks.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a great series!
kissinoak at frontier dot com
A new author – always good. Count me in
Sounds like an interesting series! Thanks for the giveaway!
dani3222001(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great giveaway, thank you! This sounds like a really good series I would love to read.
irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com
Count me in – I’d love to start this series.
Those sound so fantastic!!
I would love to discover this series, and I absolutely adore the cover for Shadowman – it’s really beautiful!
Please enter me in the giveaway!
:)
Congrats on the release of Shadowman, I’m looking forward to reading it.
Really great interview!! I can’t wait to begin this series– it sounds amazing!!
I’m not sure why, but stories with the grim reaper in them always interest me. I’d love to win a set of these books.
I’ve had this series on my TBR list for awhile.Thanks for the chance to win them.
Oh, nice contest. I am intrigued by the author’s frequent use of the word ‘dark’ to describe the books. I tend to drift toward darker books so me likey.
catherine.n.morgan(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m interested in finding out what this series is about :)
I’m interested in finding out what this series is about :)
email: cruz042@csusm.edu
Thank you very much for opening the giveaway internationally. I have added the books to my October read list!
I must read this series! It looks so good!
mom1248(at)att(dot)net
I haven’t read any of the books in this series but I do have book 1 on my Kindle. I’ll have to bump it up in my TBR list. Shadowman looks intriguing – I love antiheroes.
I have not read these books and would love to do so. Thank you for sharing with us today and for the lovely giveaway opportunity. Did I mention I really would love to read these books LOL
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
Some of my frieds read this series and loved it. So I want to try it too. Thanks for great contest!
kapranova.sofija@gmail.com
I would love to read this series!Please count me in!!
Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this series. It sounds really good. Tore923@aol.com
Thanks for the giveaway and the interview ! The books sounds really interesting !
Ooh! I’ve been looking for a new series to read. This one looks awesome.
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway. Characters with their own Twitter Accounts – wow!
You have inspired me to read Game of Thrones, I have the book but haven’t started it yet now I think I will. Thanks Debbie
I look forward to reading this series! Thanks so much for giving your time to talk with us!
Oh I’d love to win this set of books. Sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.
I don’t recall having heard of this series before. Sounds good though.
acm05atjuno.com
Erin is a new to me author! I would lvoe the chance to read some of her books!
The set! awesome giveway – thanks for the chance to win tlabunski **((gmail))**
Feel free to check out my sister’s blog – she’s doing her first giveaway starting monday of a adorable yet creepy zombie plush bunnie she made. http://rinnisplayground.blogspot.com
this looks awesome! the covers are so gorgeous :) id love to win!
Thanks for the generous giveaway!
Great interview, thanks for the giveaway.
areeths AT new DOT rr DOT com
Your release day celebration made me say ‘aawwwwwww’ out loud.
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love Paranormal romance. This series sounds like a great read!
would love to read these!
Thanks for the giveaway!
angela1997(at)live(dot)nl
Thank you for the interview (and for the giveaway!). This series seems great and also very different from the books I usually read.
I have heard this series is fantastic, would love to read it :-)
Thanks for the interesting interview!
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com