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!