Spotlight Interview & Giveaway with E.J. Stevens & The Spirit Guide Series

Bio:

E.J. Stevens writes poetry and young adult paranormal novels. E.J. is the author of the haunting collection of dark poetry From the Shadows, the chilling collection of paranormal poetry Shadows of Myth and Legend, and the young adult paranormal Spirit Guide Series, including She Smells the Dead, Spirit Storm, and Legend of Witchtrot Road.

When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she can be found blogging at From the Shadows, a paranormal book blog, or hanging out on Goodreads and Twitter.

E.J. is a graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.

New Release:  Legend of Witchtrot Road (Spirit Guide Series #3) by E.J. Stevens

Title: Legend of Witchtrot Road

Series: Spirit Guide Series #3

Author: E.J. Stevens

Imprint: Sacred Oaks Press

On-Sale Date: 10/04/11

ISBN: 9780984247547

Description: The night of Samhain may be behind them, but Yuki and her friends have only begun to face the challenges of their paranormal gifts. Tensions are rising--in the pack, at school, and within their tightly knit group of friends.

Surviving agitated ghosts, irritated witches, angry werewolves, and the horrors of high school has never been so hard.

Ages: 12 up

Tags: Paranormal, Ghosts, Werewolves, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Mystery, YA Lit

http://spiritguideseries.blogspot.com/
http://www.fromtheshadows.info/
http://about.me/EJStevens

GIVEAWAY Enter and comment to win a fantastic prize package that includes a signed copy of She Smells the Dead and a Spirit Guide Series swag pack including bookmarks, romance trading cards, and postcards. Open to US only. Ends September 24th at 11:59 PM CST The giveaway winner is Juhinareadsitall

Interview

Do you hear from your readers? What kinds of questions do they ask?

I love hearing from readers and receive over 100 emails, Twitter DM's, and Goodreads messages each week.  Readers often want to know when they can expect the next book in the Spirit Guide Series.  She Smells the Dead and Spirit Storm, the first two books, are now available and Legend of Witchtrot Road, book three, releases October 4, 2011.  A Spirit Guide Series supplemental novella, The Calvin and Yuki Diaries, is currently in the works.  Brush with Death and The Pirate Curse, the fourth and fifth Spirit Guide Series novels, are expected to release in 2012. 

The second most common question is if I personally know, and can introduce the reader to, the models who portray Calvin and Simon on the Spirit Guide Series romance trading cards.  Sadly, I do not.  ;)

When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?

I make time to sit at my writing desk each morning and evening.  I usually write for about two hours mid-morning.  After a substantial break to refuel and run errands, I return to my writing desk to write for 1-6 hours each evening.  If I am feeling inspired and on a roll, then I may write for 8-10 hours. 

Where do you research for your books?                     

I enjoy book and internet research, however I find interviews and hands on research the most rewarding.  I love discovering tidbits of knowledge from practitioners of the occult.  Immersing oneself in the world of the paranormal, such as visiting sensitive locations and discussing first-hand, eye witness accounts, provides a three dimensional element to textual research that is invaluable to anyone writing within the genre.

My YA paranormal series is set in southern Maine.  In the Spirit Guide Series, Yuki has the psychic gift of clairalience--the ability to sense the dead through smell.  There are many ghosts that Yuki and her friends struggle to aid in this series and I draw upon the wealth of local history, urban legend, and folklore when creating these supernatural encounters.

While researching this rich local history, and the paranormal, I have visited many locations throughout New England including multiple trips to Salem Massachusetts.  

Do you have a Website or Blog?

I have a paranormal book blog, From the Shadows, where I shine the spotlight on paranormal authors and their books.  On a typical week at From the Shadows, I interview two paranormal guest authors, discuss book news, and host giveaways for books, ebooks, and swag.

The official Spirit Guide Series website features up-to-date information about the series, including my current tour schedule, with links to reviews, free reads, awards, and giveaways.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

Though I don't listen to music while writing, I find it too distracting, I do use music to get in the mood to enter the Spirit Guide Series world.

Spirit Guide Series Playlist:                                 
Not In Love by Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith
Walking With A Ghost by Tegan and Sara
Howl by Florence + The Machine
Pearl's Dream by Bat For Lashes
To Die For by The Birthday Massacre
Loretta Young Silks by Sneaker Pimps
Duvet by Boa
Twilight Galaxy by Metric (Che Andre remix)
Hysteric by Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National
Breathe Me by Sia
Wind in the Wires by Patrick Wolf
Butterflies and Hurricanes by Muse
Bring Me To Life by Evanescence
Final Destination by Within Temptation
Teignmouth by Patrick Wolf
We Are Pilots by Shiny Toy Guns
Enjoy the Unknown by And One
The Dream by The Birthday Massacre
Loretta Young Silks by Sneaker Pimps
Headlock by Imogen Heap
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
The Perfect Girl by The Cure
Ghost Town by Shiny Toy Guns
The Howling by Within Temptation
Skeleton by The Good Natured
Haunted (when the minutes drag) by Collide (Love and Rockets cover)
Walking in My Shoes by Depeche Mode
Blind by Wolfsheim
Static by Echostream
Numb by Portishead
Thanatos by Soap & Skin
Moon and Moon by Bat For Lashes
All I Need by Within Temptation
Glass by Bat For Lashes
Werewolf by Cat Power
Her Eyes Are Underneath the Ground by Antony and the Johnsons
A Thousand Hours by The Cure
What are your favorite TV shows?

I don't own a television, but I do have a few TV shows that I'll watch on DVD using a projector and my magic wall.  Supernatural (oh Dean Winchester, why must you be so yummy?), Moonlight (why do the networks cancel shows with Alex O'Loughlin?), Firefly (Nathan Fillion in leather pants.  Need I say more?), and The Vampire Diaries (Damon, Damon, Damon...) are a few of my faves.

Thanks so much, EJ!!  It's been such fun chatting with you and learning more about your creative processes.   I am so looking forward to reading the Legend of Witchtrot Road.

GIVEAWAY Enter and comment to win a fantastic prize package that includes a signed copy of She Smells the Dead and a Spirit Guide Series swag pack including bookmarks, romance trading cards, and postcards. Open to US, only. Ends September 24th at 11:59 PM CST

 

THANKS FOR LOOKING!