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5 Random Questions with Triona Campbell, author of A Game of Life or Death
If you missed my August newsletter (catch up HERE if you did) I interviewed Triona Campbell about her brilliant speculative YA thriller, A Game of Life or Death. In the book, 17-year-old Asha – still reeling from finding her sister’s dead body – must take on the mysterious VR tech company her sister worked for to find out what really happened. This kept me totally gripped, with a fantastic mystery and a great cast of characters, along with some Ready Player One vibes for good measure.
So, of course, I wanted to find out more about the author…
Enter the 5 Random Questions!
What’s one thing people are always surprised to learn about you?
My first job in film was in the props department – so if you ever need to know about the different types of fake blood (and how to make them on a low budget), I am your girl.
What’s the strangest compliment you’ve ever had?
Teenage rural disco ‘Do you want to be buried with my people?’ At the time, I thought it was a bit serial killer – later, someone told me it was a ‘compliment’ because they only bury you together if you’re married. I still think it’s a line that belongs in a horror film.
You’re invited to a celebrity séance. Which 3 celebrity spirits would you want to chat to?
Okay – super sleuthing time. What really happened to… Marilyn Monroe, Lady Di and Amelia Earhart? Could we ask them at the Séance?
Failing that – I am obsessed with Hedy Lamarr – 1940s bombshell actress in MGM films (and also the inventor of wifi ). So a séance with her, Bette Davis (actress) and writer James Baldwin for cocktails would be interesting.
What’s your favourite thing to cook?
Does wine and cheese count? Anything BBQ that can be eaten outdoors with family and friends. During winter, I love slow cookers.
In the movie of your life, which actor would you want to play you?
I asked my daughter this, and she said Rachel Blanchard, who plays one of the Mums on the series The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon. But I think that is because she just LOVES that show (as I did watching it with her, Jenny Han is AMAZING).
About Triona Campbell
Triona Campbell started her professional career producing television for young audiences. She is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated producer and the creator of Gamer Mode, a TV series about video games. She was also an EU Ambassador for female entrepreneurs.
Her passion for storytelling led into writing, and she is a recent graduate of the M.Phil. in creative writing at Trinity College, Dublin. A Game of Life or Death is her debut YA novel.
Find out more about Triona at her website and connect with her on social media: Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Twitter/X
If you missed my interview with Triona about A Game of Life or Death, catch up here. Also remember to sign up for my newsletter which goes out on the first Friday of every month – next month’s will be out 1st September, and will feature an interview with Kate Anderson about her spooky YA debut, Here Lies Olive.
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A Taste of Darkness comes out in one month!
That’s right – it’s almost time for this stunningly chilling YA anthology to hit bookshelves in the UK when it releases 14th September, but there’s still time to preorder it if you’d like to make sure you’re one of the first to get your hands on it.
If you’d like to preorder a copy (please do!) you can find it at:
Curated by Amy McCaw and Maria Kuznar, A Taste of Darkness features 13 terrifying tales by UK YA authors including Kat Dunn, Rachel Faturoti, Kathryn Foxfield, Dawn Kurtagich, Amy McCulloch, Cynthia Murphy, Melinda Salisbury, Louie Stowell, Rosie Talbot, Mary Watson and ME!
My story in the anthology is called The Visiting Grey, and it was inspired by the Welsh legend of Mari Lwyd – a spirit who goes door to door during Midwinter, singing a song of soul-deep hunger… I hope readers will love it, as well as all the other stories in this anthology which is absolutely perfect for any Halloween reading list.
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5 Random Questions with Jeanmarie Anaya, author of In Between Them
In my July newsletter (catch up HERE if you missed it) I interviewed Jeanmarie Anaya about her debut YA contemporary romance In Between Them, where promises between friends get messy when Cass’s best friend Alex gets together with Cass’s long-time crush. Her heart is broken, but she’s determined to be a loyal, supportive friend… until Graham tests Cass’s resolve by telling her he wants to be with her.
Jeanmarie Anaya’s books grip my heart in a way not many others can; In Between Them took me on a rollercoaster ride and left me wrung out in the absolute best way.
Checked out In Between Them yet? Yes? Then let’s find out more about the author…
Enter the 5 Random Questions!
A non-writing-related claim to fame?
In high school I won the “Excellence in Latin Award” for having the highest grades in Latin. It’s basically a useless piece of trivia about me, but it certainly did help me on the SATs.
Which 3 famous people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party?
Jerry Garcia, Marilyn Monroe, and Abraham Lincoln. (It looks like I prefer dead people? Haha!)
What’s your best party trick?
I can tie a maraschino cherry stem into a knot with my tongue and teeth.
You hit your head and wake up inside a book. Which book is it?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. No contest.
What’s the worst thing you got into trouble for at school?
I rarely got in trouble. I was kind of a do-gooder. But I was once sent to the Dean’s Office in middle school for talking during a silent fire drill.
About Jeanmarie Anaya
Jeanmarie Anaya writes contemporary romance novels about teens and twenty-somethings. She loves food, wine, the beach, and preferably all three of those things at the same time. She grew up in a small beach town, which means she owns more flip flops than actual shoes. After many years drafting contracts as a lawyer, she finally followed her heart and her keyboard down the path of novel-writing.
Jeanmarie’s stories are full of romance, falling in love, longing, love triangles, heartbreak, tons of (mostly unnecessary) drama, and the beautiful ache of first love. She lives in New York with her husband and three daughters.
Check out more book news from Jeanmarie and subscribe to her newsletter at her website – www.jeanmariewrites.com – and connect with her on social media.
Facebook ~ Instagram ~ TikTok ~ Goodreads
If you missed my interview with Jeanmarie about In Between Them, you can read it here. Also remember to sign up for my newsletter which goes out on the first Friday of every month – next month’s will be out 4th August, with a brand-new author interview.
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Read, Scream, Repeat – Waterstones Special Edition!
Some exciting news landed today: Waterstones are doing a special edition of Read, Scream, Repeat – the spooky Middle Grade anthology I’ve contributed a story to – and it will have exclusive sprayed edges! Isn’t the design and the colour amazing? Perfect for Halloween, I reckon.
There’s not long now until it comes out on 31 August (the official start of spooky season, if you ask me, and definitely the time to be building your Halloween reading list) so if you’d like to preorder this sprayed-edge edition, you can do that right… here.
A reminder what it’s about from the publisher, Farshore:
‘Read, Scream, Repeat brings together thirteen bestselling, award-winning authors: Kirsty Applebaum, Jasbinder Bilan, Aisha Bushby, Joseph Coelho, Rachel Delahaye, Kat Ellis, Phil Hickes, Polly Ho-Yen, Sharna Jackson, Jennifer Killick, Elle McNicoll, Dan Smith and J.T. Williams. The collection is curated by Farshore’s queen of middle-grade comedy-horror, Jennifer Killick!
‘Read, Scream, Repeat is a truly diverse anthology that taps into everything young readers are looking for this spooky season.’
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5 Random Questions with Cecilia Vinesse, author of The Girl Next Door
In my June newsletter (catch up HERE if you missed it) I interviewed Cecilia Vinesse about The Girl Next Door – her latest gorgeous YA romcom, where Cleo’s boyfriend has just dumped her for the girl who was dating Cleo’s former best friend, Marianne. So Cleo and Marianne decide there’s no better way to make both their exes jealous than by fake-dating each other… except the dating starts to feel real as Cleo catches feelings for her ex-bestie. With so much history and shared exes between them, can Cleo and Marianne figure out a happily ever after?
The Girl Next Door is the perfect summer read – it has everything I love in a YA romcom, and I can’t stop (won’t stop) recommending it to readers. I also couldn’t resist finding out a bit more about the author herself…
Enter the 5 Random Questions!
Do you believe in ghosts? Why?
I actually don’t believe in ghosts at all, but I would really love to! I would love some proof that our world is much deeper and stranger than it seems on the surface. So if any ghosts are out there listening, come say hi! But only if you’re a nice ghost. And also quick hellos only, please. No hauntings.
You have a magic ticket to travel anywhere in the world for one day. Where will you go?
I spend an embarrassing amount of my time daydreaming about visiting theme parks, so I’m going to say Tokyo DisneySea, which is, hands down, the best theme park I’ve ever been to. I want to eat buckets of popcorn and go on the Journey to the Center of the Earth ride over and over again and browse all of the cute Duffy merchandise. Truly my perfect day!
What’s your favourite thing to cook?
My younger self would be stunned to hear this, but I love cooking! I love that hour or so when I put on a podcast and chop up ingredients and watch as something fragrant and nourishing materializes almost like magic. My favorite thing is always the most recent thing I’ve cooked, so I’ll say these blueberry and rosemary scones which are so flaky and packed with flavor. I went vegan about a year ago and was convinced that scones could never be as good without butter, but I was very happy to be proven wrong!
The last movie that made you cry?
Guardians of the Galaxy 3!!I started crying from pretty much the opening moment until the end. I didn’t look at any reviews beforehand so I had no idea just how harrowing it would be! (And honestly? Now that I have looked at reviews, I can say that most of them downplay it!)
There’s a time machine that can take you to any time and place in the past. Where would you go?
I’m pretty scared of the past(!), but I think I would go see an early showing of an iconic movie before anyone knew it would be iconic. Maybe Halloween because it was so low budget and so surprising and scary and innovative. I’d love to sit in a roomful of people who’d never seen anything like it before and feel their palpable shock.
About Cecilia Vinesse
Cecilia Vinesse is the author of young adult novels Seven Days of You, The Summer of Us, and The Girl Next Door. She was born in France but grew up between Tokyo, Japan and Greenville, South Carolina. Her obsession with Nora Ephron movies led her to New York City to attend Barnard College and then to live in New York for three years afterward, working in children’s book marketing and living in an apartment furnished mostly by stacks of novels. Now she’s in a small Edwardian house in England where she splits her time holding late-night writing sessions, daydreaming in libraries, and having Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathons with her fiancée Rachel and a pup named Malfi.
Connect with her on Twitter @cookieplease, Instagram @ceciliavinesse or visit her website at www.ceciliavinesse.com
If you missed my interview with Cecilia about The Girl Next Door, you can read it here. Also remember to sign up for my newsletter which goes out on the first Friday of every month – next month’s will be out 7th July, and will feature an interview with Jeanmarie Anaya about her stunning YA debut, In Between Them.
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READ, SCREAM, REPEAT book cover reveal
In case you missed the announcement last week, Farshore Books have revealed the cover of the brand-new middle grade horror anthology they’re publishing this August, which is curated by MG horror queen Jennifer Killick (author of the Dread Wood and Crater Lake series) and features stories by a fantastic host of authors: Kirsty Applebaum, Rachel Delahaye, Aisha Bushby, Sharna Jackson, Phil Hickes, Elle McNicoll, Polly Ho-Yen, Dan Smith, Joseph Coelho, Jasbinder Bilan, J.T. Williams – and me! Check out the animated cover reveal with sound on for maximum creep factor!
Don’t you just love that creepy cover? It and the illustrations inside are the work of artist Mathias Ball, as well as the cover reveal animation above.
It’s described by Farshore as a ‘spooktacular collection of horror stories that will chill, thrill and delight middle-great readers, keeping them on the edge of (or hiding behind) their sofas! Do you dare to turn the pages and see what’s lurking inside…?’
This is my first time writing for this age category (9-12) and I couldn’t be more excited to have my story out there in time for Halloween! While I can’t reveal too much about the story yet, there’s no harm in dropping a teeny hint, right? So I’ll say that my story is based on a local legend I grew up hearing (but decided to make loads scarier). And I definitely can’t wait to read the other stories in the collection!
It’s available to preorder if you’d like to make sure this pre-Halloween treat arrives as soon as it’s out.
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5 Random Questions with Claire Fraise, author of They Stay
In this month’s newsletter (catch up HERE if you missed it) I interviewed Claire Fraise about They Stay – the first book in her YA supernatural thriller series, where Shiloh’s little brother is abducted, and it seems like the only clues she can find as to what happened to him come via the spirits haunting the local cemetery and an unlikely set of teens from her school. I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read the next 2 in the series before book 4, They Hunt, is released this December. It was such a fantastic thriller, full of great characters and so many twists, and I couldn’t resist finding out more about the author herself…
Enter the 5 Random Questions!
Question 1: What’s the best thing that’s ever happened on your birthday?
When I turned 6 or 7, my dad took me fishing at a lake near where we lived. He took me out on the canoe, and it was this magical morning where the water was completely still and I caught a huge bass with every single cast I made. Neither of us had experienced anything like it. We must have caught 19 fish that morning.
Question 2: Do you believe aliens are real?
Definitely. The universe is too big, and we have discovered so little of it that I think it’s highly unlikely that we are the only life out there.
Question 3: What’s the best non-bookish thing you’ve ever made?
I love crocheting stuffed animals and have made a bunch of them, but my favorite has to be the crocheted Tigger doll I made.
Question 4: If you had to explore either outer space or the bottom of the ocean, which would you choose?
The bottom of the ocean – even though it might make my imagination run wild when I’m swimming.
Question 5: Murder weapon of choice?
Poison.
About Claire Fraise
Claire Fraise is an award-winning author of ghostly young adult thrillers. Her books include the They Stay series and her debut novel Imperfect which she published when she was 16. When Claire is not writing, you can find her crocheting amigurumi animals, baking gluten-free desserts, or hanging out with her dog. Even though it goes against every introverted bone in her body, she is on social media.
Connect with her on YouTube at Write with Claire Fraise, Instagram at @clairefraiseauthor or visit her website at www.clairefraise.com
If you missed my interview with Claire about They Stay, you can read it here. Also remember to sign up for my newsletter which goes out on the first Friday of every month – next month’s will be out 2nd June, and will feature an interview with Cecilia Vinesse about her gorgeous new YA romcom, The Girl Next Door.
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5 Random Questions with Melissa Welliver, author of My Love Life and the Apocalypse
In this month’s newsletter (catch up HERE if you missed it) I interviewed Melissa Welliver about her latest YA novel, My Love Life and the Apocalypse – a post-apocalyptic romcom where a teen synth named Echo and Pandora – a teen girl survivor of the apocalypse – team up to find answers to what happened to Pandora’s family and the rest of Earth. I loved hearing how this futuristic, banter-filled roadtrip adventure came to be, so I just had to find out more about the author herself…
Enter the 5 Random Questions!
Question 1: Where would you ride out a zombie apocalypse?
I want to say something sensible like build a survival team, find a boat, start farming on an island. But I am not sensible, so I’d probably go clear out Buckingham Palace and swan around there. Or the Trafford Centre, that place is a fortress and a city rolled into one! Plus it has a Lego Land!
Question 2: Film you’ve watched the most times?
A genuine tossup between Twilight, and Independence Day. TAKE FROM THAT WHAT YOU WILL seeing as I write Speculative YA romance for a living…
Question 3: What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
Non book related, I’d go dog breeds. I’ve had six dogs, everything from pedigree to Heinz 57s. Book related though I would go Hunger Games, I think I would bury that (books and movies!)
Question 4: If books no longer existed, what would be your dream job?
Hint in the previous question – I would love to work in a dog rescue centre, like Woodgreen Pets on The Dog House. Maybe that’s where I would also like to ride out a zombie apocalypse. Can I change my mind again?!
Question 5: You’re about to be marooned on a desert island and can choose 3 celebrities to keep you company. Who do you choose?
Bear Grylls – because, duh, he’d keep us alive AND have us out of there in no time!
Ru Paul – because he could teach me how to do makeup while Bear builds the life raft.
Boris Johnson – because we could leave him there when we sail away.
About Melissa Welliver
Melissa Welliver writes speculative fiction about how the end of the world is never really the end of the world. After studying Creative Writing at the University of Manchester, she went on to complete Curtis Brown Creative’s Writing for Children course. Her work has listed in Bath Novel Award, Mslexia, the Hachette Children’s Novel Award and the Wells Book for Children Competition. Melissa lives in the North of England with her doodles, Maude and Zelda.
You can follow Melissa on Instagram and Twitter, and visit her website here.
If you missed my interview with Melissa about My Love Life and the Apocalypse, you can read it here. Also remember to sign up for my newsletter which goes out on the first Friday of every month – next month’s will be out 5th May, and will feature an interview with Claire Fraise about her YA supernatural thriller series opener, They Stay.
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A Taste of Darkness – announcing a new YA horror anthology
I always love reading short story anthologies. They’re perfect for just dipping into when you have a few spare minutes, and have introduced me to tons of new authors whose longer novels I then go on to read.
Which leads me to my exciting news: I’m thrilled to have been asked to contribute a short scary story for a brand new YA horror anthology coming this September from Scholastic! The anthology, titled A Taste of Darkness, will feature 13 stories by different authors and curated by Amy McCaw, author of Mina and the Undead and Mina and the Slayers, and Maria Kuzniar, author of The Ship of Shadows duology. As well as curating the collection, Amy and Maria will each contribute a story alongside Kat Dunn, Kat Ellis (me!), Rachel Faturoti, Kathryn Foxfield, Dawn Kurtagich, Amy McCulloch, Cynthia Murphy, Melinda Salisbury, Louie Stowell, Rosie Talbot and Mary Watson.
It’s out in September – the perfect time for spooky reading – and is already available for preorder. The gorgeous cover has just been revealed – isn’t it a stunner?! I love the colours and the creepy trees and the shadowy figure who I’m pretty sure is controlling those birds…
Maria Kuzniar said, “I’m delighted that this anthology has found a home with Scholastic, and beyond excited for readers to discover our collection of thrilling and creepy stories by a selection of very talented authors this spooky season!”
And Amy McCaw added that she is, “absolutely thrilled to have co-curated this anthology that celebrates UKYA horror and allows readers to enjoy new works by familiar authors and find some new favourites.”
Amy has also posted a YouTube video introducing all the authors who are part of the anthology and their previous work:
I can’t give away any details about my story yet, but I will say that it’s inspired by a chilling Welsh folk tale, and I’ve gone all-out on the creep factor. It also includes a character named by request of a student from a recent school visit who asked me to use his name – hi, James!
If you can’t wait until September, or just feel like reading something short and creepy in the meantime, I have written a short story called Christmas Lights which you can read for free. It’s about a girl named Ellie who’s helping to pack away her grandmother’s Christmas decorations after she passes away suddenly, when Ellie finds something terrifying lying in wait for her underneath the stairs. Despite its title, it’s not especially festive and can be enjoyed at any time of year… as long as you like your stories horrifyingly creepy!
I’ll be sure to share any more details about A Taste of Darkness when I have them, and in the meantime, don’t forget to preorder a copy, and sign up for my newsletter to hear all my latest news and adventures each month.
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5 Random Questions with J.P. Rose, author of The Haunting of Tyrese Walker
In this month’s newsletter (catch up HERE if you missed it) I interviewed J.P. Rose about her YA debut, The Haunting of Tyrese Walker – a terrifyingly gripping horror story about a boy who goes with his mother to visit their family in Jamaica following the death of Tyrese’s father, and finds long-buried secrets and bone-chilling local legends waiting for him there. I loved everything about this book, so after interviewing J.P. about Tyrese, I just had to find out more about the author herself…
Enter the 5 Random Questions!
Question 1: Last book or film that made you cry?
Oh God, I cry at everything and anything. I love rewatching movies. I might write horror and gritty crime but give me a Nicholas Sparks movie or an epic saga, or Catherine Cookson or Danielle Steel and I’m in my element. I must have watched Legends of The Fall, twenty odd times. I love a good cry. What’s life without a constant box of tissues?
Question 2: If you could time-travel to any point in history, where/when would you travel to?
I often think about this as I’m such a history buff. I think I would travel back to England 1485, which is the beginning of the Tudor reign. A fascinating but brutal 118 years of a time in history. Though I would need to come be able come back, there was a lot of early death and disease! If not the Tudors I think maybe 31 BC when Augustus Caesar declared himself as the first Roman emperor. That would be fascinating and as I studied Latin at school, I might do ok.
Question 3: Murder weapon of choice?
Haha, I’m not a Marvel fan but I love the idea that you can kill with a kiss, like the character Poison Ivy did, so my murder weapon of choice would be my kiss, failing that, pushing someone into a sea of sharks is a pretty good one.
Question 4: What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Laura Branigan, Self Control!!! I love that song.
Question 5: What’s your best party trick?
You don’t want to know!!! Hahaha!
Thank you, J.P.! I’m imagining all kinds of possibilities for that party trick…
About JP Rose
J. P. Rose was born in Manchester, adopted early and grew up in the Yorkshire countryside where racial tolerance ‘wasn’t even a concept’. Feeling isolated, it was animals and writing stories which kept her company. Today, J.P. is the bestselling author of over 14 adult crime novels. As a Black author with dual heritage, her passion to smash down barriers and to tell stories to ensure that all children see themselves reflected in the books they read has never left her. J. P. lives in the countryside with her family surrounded by her horses and several other animals. Having trained as a pet bereavement support worker, in her spare time she volunteers at veterinary practises and other organisations helping people come to terms with the loss of their much-loved animal companion.
You can follow J.P. on Instagram and Twitter.
If you missed my interview with J.P. about The Haunting of Tyrese Walker, you can read it here. Also remember to sign up for my newsletter which goes out on the first Friday of every month – next month’s will be out 7th April, and will feature an interview with Melissa Welliver about her brand-new YA post-apocalyptic romcom, My Love Life and the Apocalypse.
Kat Ellis Writes 