Thursday, September 30, 2010

Interview and giveaway with Kate Kaynak


 

Kate lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children. She enjoys traveling, reading, writing, photography, drawing, movies, and fighting crime with her amazing superpowers. She has a PHD from Rutgers, where she has also taught. She has written screenplay, a stand alone novel, Bagastana and her Ganzfield novels (Minder and Adversary are currently out with an expected 4 more to come).
Read more at her personal site , or Ganzfield site here
Minder is available for purchase here, and Adversary here
You can find my review for Minder here

And without further ado, here is the interview:

--How did the idea for Minder come to you?
Minder started as a thought experiment.  I'd recently read both the Twilight and Sookie Stackhouse series, and both have prominent telepathic characters. In both cases, these characters fall in love with people whose thoughts they CAN'T read. I wondered what kind of person a telepath COULD fall in love with, innermost thoughts and all. And what kind of person would be comfortable in a relationship with someone who knew their every thought?
--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?
I have a major book-crush on Trevor, but Maddie would probably kill me if she knew, so they're both out.  Drew would be fun, though, and I'd enjoy picking Dr. Williamson's brain (so to speak). I'd say my "least like" would be Isaiah Lerner.  He's only mentioned in Minder, but becomes a major player in the next books.
--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?
I make time when I can--usually when my kids are running around the playground or the playroom here at home.  I just finished Holly Black's White Cat a couple of days ago, and I can't wait for the next books of the series. As for favorites, I have to give nods to Card's Ender's Game, Carriger's Soulless, Westerfield's Uglies series, Rowling's Harry Potter books, Maguire's Wicked, Robinson's Mars series, Adams' Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Willis' Doomsday Book, etc. I have eclectic tastes that run from YA and chick lit to hard sci-fi, but I think the one thing thats constant is that they all have strong, memorable characters.

--If a fairy godmother told you your life could be exactly like a favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?
Is it bad form to say my own? :)
If not Ganzfield, then Hogwarts, please! As long as I don't have to be a muggle.
--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on Ganzfield "playlist-" songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?
I need coffee to remember how to BREATHE, let alone write. As for inspiration, the song "Mad World" (both the Gary Jules and Adam Lambert versions) unlocked Minder from my head.  I had these ideas bumping around and going nowhere for weeks, then, in the space of a three minute song, they became clear. BTW, those two versions collectively have more than 1500 "plays " listed on my computer. They transport me back to Ganzfield every time. 
--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I'd probably want to be a charm (mind-control) or an RV (remote viewer).  The others are more trouble than they're worth. --Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
What is this "free" time of which you speak? :) 
I hang out with my kids (I have three under age 6).  

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?
Just "Thank you for reading!" It amazes me that other people enjoy hanging out with my imaginary friends, too.  

And now it is contest time-- Here is what you can win:

Winner's choice of signed Minder or Adversary (not signed for international) 

Minder  Or Adversary 

Rules-  
-Ends Oct 14th at midnight
-Open international, but signed copies are only for US addresses

Extra entries: (NOT required)
+1 Be a follower of my site
+1 Follow Kate' blog "The Disgruntled Bear
+1 comment on review of Minder here (at least a few sentences please)
+1 Follow me on Networked Blogs (found on left sidebar)
+1 Like Ganzfield on Facebook which can be found by clicking here
+1 for tweeting contest (can be done once every 24 hours)
+3 Joining swagbucks under my referral link here (It is free and legitimate. You can earn points for gift cards or other prizes just by searching the web
+3 for posting a review of Minder (if you do after you enter intitially just let me know and I will manually add)



Form for extra tweets 



Thanks and Good luck! 

10 comments:

  1. Hi and many thanks for showing an interest in my views about your mini reading challenge - I'm so glad that you like my ideas. Anyway, I'd love to be entered for this giveaway, Minder sounds wonderful, but I'm not sure where I need to add my extra points - your help would be appreciated. x

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  2. I so so so so want to read Minder and Adversary haha I hear awesome things about that. Great feature and giveaway! :)

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  3. Great interview and giveaway! I am fascinated by telepathy and can't wait to read this.

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  4. Minder and Adversary are incredible books. The world of Ganzfield sucks you in and won't let you back out. You find yourself thinking of Maddie and Trevor at all times of the day. Kate Kaynak is an incredible author and I am so happy to see her books getting more attention. She is definitely an author that should be recognized!

    Thanks for the give away. I would love a signed copy of MINDER as I have a signed copy of Adversary! Thanks!!!

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  5. Thanks for holding such a wonderful contest and for the interview. I'm adding your contest to the Book Contest Directory!

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  6. Ok I already signed up to win but i hadnt posted my review yet so here it is... http://looksielovitz.blogspot.com/2010/10/minder-by-kate-kaynak.html

    i really hope i win adversary!! minder rocked!! Great interview too by the way.

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  7. I've been hearing a lot about Minder and being the curious cat that I am, I'd love to read this if I can, so thank you for the chance to win Minder!

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  8. Thanks so much for this giveaway!
    It looks like an exciting book!

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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 :)