Friday, May 8, 2009

An Interview with Chloe Neill


Instead of the regular Free Book Friday fun today we have an interview with Chloe Neill who is the author of the new Chicagoland Vampire series.

Some Girls Bite is her debut novel and the first in the series- and it is in stores now. The second book, Friday Night Bites, will hit stores in October.

The interview is followed by a double giveaway so stay with us.

Let's start out with some info about her debut novel.

Here's an excerpt from Chloe's website for Some Girls Bite:

They killed me. They healed me. They changed me.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was mine. I was doing fine until Chicago's vampires announced their existence to the world-and then a rogue vampire attacked me. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker... and this one decided the best way to save my life was to make me the walking undead.

Turns out my savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now I've traded sweating over my thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan "Lord o' the Manor" Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four hundred year old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects my gratitude-and servitude. Right...

But my burgeoning powers (all of a sudden, I'm surprisingly handy with some serious weaponry), an inconvenient sunlight allergy, and Ethan's attitude are the least of my concerns. Someone's still out to get me. Is it the rogue vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches?

My initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war-and there will be blood...

Now let's learn more about Chloe!

So Chloe, have you always wanted to be a writer or is it something you discovered along the path of life?

I came to writing very late--I actually didn't start writing until 2005, and consider myself very fortunate to have achieved publication in such a relatively short amount of time.

How has your writing path evolved? Where did you start?

I jumped directly into full-length manuscripts. I had an idea for my first paranormal series, and wrote the entire first book in about four months. SOME GIRLS BITE was the second full manuscript I wrote, which I drafted in 2006.

Do you commit to a daily writing goal? Like so many words or chapters?

I do. In order to keep up with my various editing and writing deadlines (not to mention the day job and my other obligations), I decided that a minimum word goal was a necessity. I try to write between 500 to 1,000 words a day, depending upon where I am in a novel. (Closer to the end = longer word minimums).

If you could give a new writer one piece of advice, what would it be?

Treat it like a job--do a bit every day, give that bit your best effort, and be willing to put in the time to send queries, edit manuscripts, market and publicize.

Are you a long time paranormal fan or new to the “Other” world?

LONG term fan. Sherrilyn Kenyon and Kim Harrison are on my nightstand, and I've been reading urban fantasy and paranormal romances for years.

How did the idea for your newest book/series come about?

I actually had the idea for Ethan Sullivan, the Master vampire and hero, first. I had a mental image of him--blond haired, green-eyed, very handsome, and a little pretentious. The rest of the book--and the series--evolved from there.

Tell us a little about your newest book.

SOME GIRLS BITE was released on April 7, and it's the first book in the Chicagoland Vampires series. SOME GIRLS BITE is the tale of our heroine, Merit's first two weeks as a vampire--from graduate student to Sentinel in Chicago's Cadogan House. She'll learn that the transition from PhD to vampire warfare isn't easy, especially when the boss--blond-haired, green-eyed Master vampire Ethan Sullivan--isn't sure what he wants...and that might be her.

What books are currently on your to-read list?

I'm in the middle of ACHERON, by Sherrilyn Kenyon, and PILLARS OF THE EARTH, by Ken Follett. I'm really excited to pick up LOVER AVENGED, the newest Black Dagger Brotherhood book from J.R. Ward, as well as VAMPED, the new YA novel by debut author Lucienne Diver (also my agent). My book club's next read is Lionel Shriver's "We Need to Talk About Kevin," which I need to get started on.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

In the paranormal romance world, I'm a huge fan of Kim Harrison, Rachel Caine, Vicki Peterson, and Faith Hunter. I also pick up everything I can find from Neil Gaiman and Christopher Moore.

If you could entertain a character from a book, who would it be and what would the evening be like?

Wow. That's a tough one. Celina Desaulniers, the bad girl, she-vamp of my Chicagoland Vampires series, is a pretty fascinating woman, with a very interesting history (she was made a vampire during the French Revolution). I'd love to pick her brain.

What is your strangest habit?

I'm not sure it's a strange habit, but I absolutely adore fountain Diet Coke. There's usually one by my side.

If you weren’t a writer what would your career be?

I'm only a writer in the evenings. :) I have a full-time day job, so I'd say that's my career. It's an office-type setting.

When you are not writing, what can you usually be found doing?

Working at my day job, playing with my dog, baking, or watching Comedy Central.

Thanks Chloe for joining us today at Fang-tastic Books. I can't wait to read your books. I bet many of our readers here are looking forward to them as well.

Now it's time for the contest. Chloe is offering two SOME GIRLS BITE gift packs.

Here's the stuff in each:

1. Signed copy of SOME GIRLS BITE, Cadogan House bookmark, Chicagoland Vampires pen

2. Signed copy of SOME GIRLS BITE, Some Girls Bite magnet

So everyone get commenting and make sure to leave your contact info so we can get in touch with you. US and Canada entrants only.

Good Luck!

Thanks for having me, Roxanne, and good luck to the contest entrants!!

~Chloe

PS: Want more of Some Girls Bite? Read Chapter 1 at Chloe's website!

36 comments:

Tabitha said...

Great interview! Looking forward to reading more about Ethan and Merit and all the others characters in the Chicagoland Vampire series.

Tabitha said...

Forgot to leave my contact information for my post:

chedore@hotmail.com

Do love the series. Really great first book!

Kimber Leszczuk. said...

This sounds like a great book - I am looking forward to reading it. Congratulations on your debut novel. Good luck to you!

Chris said...

Welcome, Chloe! I've already gushed about Some Girls Bite on your website, so I'll try to contain myself. ;) It was a great read and I can hardly wait until October for Friday Night Bite.

CrystalGB said...

Great interview. Some Girls Bite sounds good.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

The Scarf Princess said...

Great interview! The storyline and characters from the series sound great. I'll have to add them to my tbr pile.

gogi1_2@yahoo.com

Cheeky Girl said...

Thsi sounds like a great news series - and since she likes all my favorite authors it semes liek a perfect fit for me.

Sabrina

MDOBSON said...

I havent read you book yet but I have heard some wonderful things about it. After reading your interview I am going to have to get myself a copy. I look forward to reading it and many more books by you.
Skips_loving_wife@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Great interview, especially the advice about treating writing like a job, even if you already have a day job.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

tetewa said...

Enjoyed the interview this is my favorite genre to read. I'm always looking for new authors and series to read, count me in!

tetewa said...

Forgot my e-mail: tWarner419@aol.com

donnas said...

Great interview and excerpt. I would love to be included. I love the sound of this series and am very excited to read it.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Cathy M said...

The first chapter had me hooked and I would love to read more of this story.

caity_mack(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chloe Neill said...

Thanks for reading the interview, everyone! And good luck with the contest!

~ Chloe

~Michelle~ said...

I love the book, but since I read it on my Kindle, I would love to have a hard copy to call my own (and lend out to a couple of girlfriends). :)

Jacqueline C. said...

I loved SGB! Chloe's debut novel was perfect and has me on edge waiting for the next book. Great interview - it's always fun to learn about new authors.

Jac8604@hotmail.com

Estella said...

I'm looking forward to reading your Chicagoland Vampire books!

kissinoak@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

Great interview. The books sound great,Can't wait to read them.
Please enter me in the giveaway
EJG
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

Karen W. said...

Hi, Chloe,

I enjoyed the interview! It's ironic you're here today because I just saw SOME GIRLS BITE at the bookstore today and lusted after it. :) It sounds great, and I'm sure it will do well for you!

karenwitkowski AT aol.com

robinky42 said...

Sounds like a great new series. looking forward to reading it.
robinky42@yahoo.com

Rylie said...

Thanks for the interview -- I'm looking forward to reading this book.

-Rylie
bcanyon at hotmail dot com

Debby said...

Wow, your book sounds great! The hero sounds delicious. Do you have your own fountain?

debby236@att.net

Chloe Neill said...

I'm glad folks are noticing SOME GIRLS BITE in stores and for those of you who haven't yet had a chance to pick it up, I hope you enjoy reading it!

~ Chloe

Wendy said...

Hi, Chloe! I can't wait to read Some Girls Bite, it sounds awesome!

And I love the cover. *g*


Wendy
omgitswendy[at]gmail.com

Wendy said...

You're reading Acheron?! Oooh, how is it? I haven't read it yet but hopefully soon and I want to read Lover Avenged, too!

Grrr, so many books! So little time..

Kimberly B. said...

What a terrific interview! I haven't read "Some Girls Bite" yet, but as a grad student myself, I'm thrilled that your heroine is (or was) one. It's definitely going on my virtual TBR pile!

Carolina said...

Nice interview! I really liked the questions and the author's responses. I really want to win a copy of this book! :)

Melodious said...

I loved this book. I read it in one sitting. I am looking forward to reading Friday Night Bites.

skin702@yahoo.com

Ms. Asphyxia said...

Great taste in books! I have some Harrison and Kenyon, I just haven't gotten around to finishing their series' yes.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Carlene said...

I just wanted to say - What a great interview. I am looking forward to reading Chloe Neill's books.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net

-.- said...

This is on my TBR list, so I'd love to win a copy.

~ Popin
proudbookworm[@]gmail[dot]com

Carolina said...

I just realized that I forgot my email: bookluvercarol(at)gmail.com

TdBttrfly said...

I remember seeing the cover for her book a few weeks ago in a newsletter. When I read what it was about, it got me thinking, 'I should read that.' I will put it on my to read list. The interview was enjoyable to.

timidbutterfly2008@yahoo.com

Using Powers _
Contact me. Congrats! You are a winner. _

LOL Thanks.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great new series. I hope I am not too late to enter the contest. I would love to read Some Girls Bite.

butterflybelle37 ay aol dot com

Unknown said...

i think your books sound like great stories!
and looking forward to them

blackroze37@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love your book Some Girls Bite can't wait till Friday Night Bite. I can't wait to see what happens to Merit, Ethan, and Morgan!

DianaL87@yahoo.com

 
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