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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Giveaway: The Locket and Interview with author Stacey Jay

The Locket


Stacey Jay is a recovering workaholic (or at least working hard at recovering) with three pen names, two small children, and a passion for playing pretend for a living. She’s been a full time mom-writer since 2005 and can't think of anything she'd rather be doing. Her former careers include theatre performer, professional dancer, poorly paid C-movie actress, bartender, waiter, math tutor (for real) and yoga instructor.
In her very limited spare time, Stacey enjoys cooking elaborate dinners and eating them very, very slowly, dressing up in costumes with her sons, and dancing like a total freak who all but the coolest of her friends are embarrassed to be seen with. You can write her email if you want. She’ll do her best to answer in a timely fashion and tell you thanks for reading.

Thank you for your time and answering questions for us!

--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.

One girl, two possible true loves, and an evil locket that messes with the fabric of time. THE LOCKET. Ah!

--How did you get the idea for the story? 

THE LOCKET was originally imagined as a horror story (with a touch of romance). I wasn't sure on the specifics other than the cursed locket that grants wishes it shouldn't, but I knew I wanted the book to have a slow sense of creeping dread that culminated in an "oh my god, no!" ending. My editor at Razorbill liked the idea of a cursed locket, but she wanted more romance and less gore. 

So I took her advice and pulled back on the gross and scary, amped up the romance, but still kept that slow creep out I first imagined. In the end, I really like what we came up with--though I still want to write a book where someone has to cut off their own hand in order to break a curse. (Sorry. Just dropped a spoiler there. No one cuts off their hand in this book.)

--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?

I'd like to have dinner with Isaac. I think he needs a friendly ear to work through some of his family issues.

I would least like to have dinner with the locket. If it tried to slither onto my table, I would poke it with my fork.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?



I make time to read. When I don't, I lose my enthusiasm for writing and just get...depressed in general. Life isn't complete without a good book to look forward to diving back into. I've read some great books in the past few months. PLAIN KATE by Erin Bow, FIRE by Kristin Cashore, and BEAUTY by Robin McKinley have been a few of my favorites.

--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?

Oh, yes. JULIET IMMORTAL, my first hardcover, will be out in Fall 2011. According to amazon, September 13th is the actual release date! But I haven't had that confirmed just yet...so...

Here's the cover copy for Juliet:

“These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume.”
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn’t take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But Romeo didn’t anticipate that Juliet would be granted eternity as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light.

For seven hundred years, Juliet has struggled to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent, while Romeo has fought for the dark side, seeking to destroy the human heart. Until now.

Now, Juliet has found her own forbidden love, and Romeo, O Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy their happiness.

I'm SO excited about this book. I really hope all my readers enjoy it.

Oh, and I'll also have my first mass market release in early June 2011. DEAD ON THE DELTA is an adult urban fantasy set in an alternative Louisiana where mosquito sized killer fairies are wreaking havoc on the delta.

--If a fairy godmother told you your life could be like a favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?

I LIKE YOU: HOSPITALITY UNDER THE INFLUENCE by Amy Sedaris. Because she is so, so funny and I would love to spend 24 hours learning her version of proper host etiquette. That book is hysterical. No matter how low I feel, reading a few pages of "entertaining the elderly" always makes me laugh.

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?

Coffee and tea are always good. And I've just started listening to Pandora radio. I usually pick a movie that has a soundtrack with a similar vibe to what I imagine for my book and let the play list build itself from there. For JULIET IMMORTAL I started with the music from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It was great fun. I love Celtic music!

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Not needing sleep would be nice. (*yawn* *covers mouth* *blinks and tries to look wakeful*)

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?

Play with my husband and two little boys, go hiking and ice skating and wine tasting and paint cheesy owls and dragons (badly). I also enjoy eating cheese enough to consider it a hobby. Hmmm...cheese...such wondrous variety and unparalleled awesomeness.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?

Thank you for reading. I'm thankful for your time and your imagination and the chance to entertain you. I hope, with your support, to continue to do so for years to come. And remember, when you buy a book, you feed a writer, and we writers who like cheese (a lot) do so appreciate that.

All best to Brandi and her blog readers!

Stacey Jay

49 comments:

  1. I LOVE the description of the author at the top of the post! It is so unique and fun! I can't imagine finding time to write while being a full time mom! I can't get anything done just taking care of one 2 yr old!

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  2. I freaking love coffee. I need it for just about everything. Cool interview!
    -Danna

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  3. Great interview! I love that she finds time to bond with the family when she's not writing! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  4. Awesome interview and giveaway! :)

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  5. Great interview! I am loving this new design ;]

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  6. Thanks to Stacey for sharing this with us and for giving us such an AWESOME book! I love the fact that you make sure to make time to spend with family. I think that is most important!

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  7. Great interview! She really likes cheese, who would have thought!

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  8. This is a great interview! I've been eyeing this book for a while now, and I think it looks great.

    I love the intro to Stacey, and Beauty by Robin McKinley is one of my favorites too! :)

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  9. I think it is funny that the editor gets to dictate that there will be more romance and less gore. Isn't that kind of backwards? I would love to read this book.

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  10. This books sounds really good. great interview!

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  11. Great interview. I liked what Stacy said about reading. Also Juliet Immortal sounds amazing :)

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  12. You love cheese? I'm glad someone understands! ;)
    Stacey, you're book sounds wonderful and I am jumping for joy at the chance to read it! Thanks Brandi for the great interview and giveaway!

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  13. I loved Beauty and Fire too! Thanks fro the giveway!

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  14. I am so desperately excited for this book! Thanks for the interview!

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  15. Love the new blog layout!! it is bewitching ;)

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  16. Amazing interview. Thanks for giving me the chance to know more about Stacey Jay. :) I'm so excited for the release of her book.

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  17. I find it interesting that the editor dictates what gets written. I like horror, I enjoy reading it.

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  18. This sounds great..would love to read it!

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  19. I'm so excited for this release!

    "If it tried to slither onto my table, I would poke it with my fork." << best response ever! And I too, love cheese. Yum!

    Also excited for her upcoming titles, especially that Juliet one!

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  20. I haven't heard of this book before....but a reader is always looking for something else out there...I would love to read it! I tweeted this giveaway!
    veltara(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. The book sounds really good. I love Celtic music, too, and really need to read Beauty.

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  22. +JMJ+

    Hmmmm. I'm not a huge fan of YA love triangles, but the idea of a creepy locket which might slither into my life to grant wishes has convinced me I need to get over this bit of literary snobbishness. =P

    And I hope that someday you do get to write a book in which someone has to chop off a hand to get rid of a curse. =) I'm a huge Horror fan, so I really mean that! ;-)

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  23. I'm glad she pulled back on the creepy. I'm a scaredy cat when I read books like that. D:

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  24. Loved the Twitter Version- lol. I totally need this book, lol, after this interview.

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  25. Great interview! I seriously can't wait to read this. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  26. Great interview. I'm looking forward to reading The Locket, though once I do I think I'll have to sit back and consider how it may have gone if you hadn't had to pull back the creepy aspects.

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  27. Awesome interview! I love that she finds time to bond with the family when she's not writing! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  28. I think I'm kind of glad that no one has to cut off their own hand to break a curse

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  29. This was a great interview! Really enjoyed reading this one! I cannot wait to read it!

    Kristen

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  30. I love the description of the author and really liked her choice of book by Amy Sedaris as the book which she'd like to spend a day in. Thanks for letting us get to know this amazing author:)

    sarah.setar@gmail.com

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  31. I'm glad she didn't keep the horror idea:D I am so easy to scare and am more into the love story and romance aspect, so I can't wait to read THE LOCKET!

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  32. GREAT interview! I love the sound of Juliet Immortal--twisting the story of Romeo and Juliet a bit. I'm pretty excited. :) And I can just imagine one of those spoilers shirts: "[insert character name here] cuts off own hand."

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  33. Woah! Stacey's an actress? Wow... And I can't wait for Juliet Immortal. That summary's pretty good and I can't wait for it. Romeo is bad and Juliet is, well, good? Ohhh, now that is interesting!

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway! :)

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  34. The Locket seems like a very interesting story with an original idea. I would love to get my hand on this, I actually curious how the story would goes if she kept the horror tone :p

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  35. Thank you :D She certainly doesn't look like a workaholic from the picture. and I'm so glad that there's more romance and less scariness :D Not a fan.

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  36. it has a very nice cover don't u think?
    :D

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  37. I would love to have the super power of not needing sleep as well! Then I could read more :) Juliet Immortal sounds amazing too!

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  38. Thanks for this great interview ! I can't wait to read this book !! The cover is just gorgeous and the characters seem more than awesome (especailly Isaac) !!! Also a big thank you for making this giveaway international since I'm French !! Merci beaucoup ;)

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  39. Thanks so much for the great interview and the wonderful giveaway, Brandi! Take care! :)

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  40. Great interview. This book sounds very interesting. I'm definitely adding it to my wishlist!

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  41. Sounds like a wonderful premise - would love to read this book!

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  42. Such a awesome interview. I so looking forward to reading this book. :O) It so sounds like a great read.

    ChiKittie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  43. This book sounds wonderful, as well as JULIET IMMORTAL! I'm looking forward to reading both. :)
    Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover

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  44. Thanks for the interview. Can't wait to read this, sounds amazing. I love hearing from authors, lets us see bits and pieces into their lives and brings us more into the story they are weaving. I also love to play dress up with my kids. Nothing like getting down and loosing your inhibitions while playing make believe with the kiddos :)

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  45. Thanks for the giveaway! I love your "Twitter version" question! I always read that first and if that 140-word-or-less synopsis grabs my attention, I will enter the giveaway and/or add the book to my TBR list.

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

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  46. Great interview. :] I really like the plot. Puts an interesting twist.

    dothetwist(at)live(dot)ca

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  47. awesome interview, the book sounds really good!!

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  48. Thanks for the interview! Very interesting stuff!

    crazypplrok@gmail.com

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  49. My Thoughts: Whoa. Lately, I have been wondering what it would be like to go back in time and relive my mistakes, to have the opportunity to redo everything. This book did just that for me. No silly, I did not go back in time and change my life but I got to experience Kate's biggest mistake with her.

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I would love to hear from you! (I always try to visit your blog back) I love links, so feel free to link to your blog or a post you like.
Sorry, but I am award and tag free zone, I do not have the time to return. Comments are reward enough :)