NOTE: #2 The Shade and The Unholy Priest released middle of Feb, 2012 and #3 The Shade and His Redemption, to be released late 2012.
Hi Tannis, where were you born and where do you call home?
Born in the small fish town of Madeira Park, B.C – I don’t really call anyplace home thought since I moved a lot. But I can see myself calling San Diego home. J
Tell us about something that has just happened or is about to happen in your life that you would like to share.
About to make the leap from Canadian citizen to San Diego-er! (within the year.)
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?
It’s the second book in The Shade Series; The Shade and The Unholy Priest. The second book is darker than the first, more action packed and a hint of forbidden (for now) romance.
If you gave one of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
Simple: “No dice.”
Riley is my favourite character to write about, but if given the chance to say something, she would turn it now.
Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I am just completing the cover for the second book in The Shade Series and already writing the third, The Shade and His Redemption. I am not sure if the series ends after the third book. It will be as much of a surprise to me as anyone else.
What books have influenced your writing?
I like John Locke himself more than his books, which are great, but he as a person, is an influence. And for a darker, high action packed book with all sorts of forbidden fruit kind of love like mine, I can only mention one man: Brent Weeks. His Shadow Series is brilliant.
Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?
Brent Weeks.
Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?
Funny enough, I usually have the book I like in paperback or hardcover and as an eBook. When I am on the go, say on a sky train or a passenger in the car, I like to read the book from my iPhone, but when I am home, I want to hold the book in bed or the bath.
Where do you prefer to buy your books?
Online though Amazon, borrowed from or suggested by a friend, or Chapters.
Are you a self published (Indie) Author?
I am for sure a part of the self-published and indie author club.
What book would you like to read again?
I sound like his spokes model, but any and all of Brent Weeks’ Shadow Series. Who doesn’t love sexy assassins?
Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?
I would get stoned to death if this were the old days, but… I liked Interview With a Vampire as a movie much more than a book.
What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)?
I write in third person and my friends know I want to write in first someday, and since my best friend really liked The Hunger Games, she brought me all the books and now I am hooked and envious.
Patti Says: I have been reading the Hunger Games – one the last one now and really enjoying them! Looking forward to the movie!!
Are there any Authors that have grasped your interest recently and why?
Amanda Hocking and John Locke, not because of their books but how they, much like me, self-published and a small fish in the big sea of people, made it.
Who designed the cover of your book?
I did and I hate it. I had a model for the front but when contracts were brought up, I said screw it, sat for the picture myself and had my friend ass mist and so on. I had just finished The Shade and The Nine Lowe Levels and was so excited to have it open for others to read, I rushed through the cover page process. Now that #2 is done and #3 is being written, I want cohesion for the cover and it will be re-done when #2 is released near the middle or end of Feb, 2012.
Patti Says: Make sure you LOVE your cover!!! – lots of readers DO judge a book by the cover – me included! They wont even get to the synopsis if the cover doesn't grab them!! There are lists on Goodreads where people vote JUST on the cover!!
Do you buy a book by the cover?
Do you buy a book by the cover?
I become interested in a book by its cover but buy it for the interesting synopsis.
Do you have a book trailer?
Nope.
What are your thoughts on book trailers?
Uh…I think some are done well, but most are tacky. It could be because I am used to the high quality trailers in commercials or movies and that is what I have come to expect, which isn’t do-able for most.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
All I can really say is if you’re starting out, acknowledge that you get something out of your writing. For me, it is the ability to create something creative. If I looked at it like a pay cheque, then with the hours I put in, I should be getting paid for eight hour weeks. That mind-set will sap you. Eventually you’ll ask what the pay off is and when you’re starting out, financially it is very little or nothing.
Now, if I was financially stable as a writer or in some other way, I would look at my words and books like employees and expect a pay-off from them.
Do you write under a pen name?
I use Tannis Skye, though my last name is Campbell (until Aug26th anyways.) Skye is myself given middle name as I dislike the one I was born with.
What date were you born? - you can leave off the year if you like.
March 11th, 1988, Pisces.
Do you have a nickname?
Do you have a nickname?
Tanned-ass, T-Bird.
Did you have a favourite toy as a child?
No really. I really liked riding my horse
An early childhood memory -
Looking for my mom and always finding her in a scolding bath with bubbles and a romance novel.
Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
I writing this in my PJs.
What are your pet peeves?
Novels with more conversation than description – I need to be able to see the picture. Biting nails – which I do, so I am a horrible hypocrite. Disorganization. Snow, rain, grey skies, cold.
Anything that you would like to tell us about, share a pic?
I owned and competed with my horse for several years until I moved. I would share a pic of the cats I owned, but it would make me too sad as I needed to give them away when I randomly, after two years, became very allergic.
White wine or red?
Bleh.
Coffee or tea?
Peppermint or green tea.
So you like to cook? Do you have a favourite food?
I love to ‘cook’ in the sense that I am a mostly raw-vegan, so any ‘cooking’ I do is dehydration or for my fiancé` and I love it. Another creative outlet.
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream?
Chocolate almond or chocolate coconut ice cream is criminal. Yum!
What do you normally eat for breakfast, of do you skip it and get straight to work?
Eat it. Always. It’s usually a fresh veggie and fruit juice or cinnamon mini wheat in almond milk.
What are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?
Laptop. iPhone. Book. Lunch. (Car keys and house keys or money can always be snatched from the fiancé!)
Sleep in or get up early?
Sleep in. I like to wake up around 8:30.
Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop
Your favorite gadget -
iPhone – my books, calendar, GPS, twitter, face book etc are all on there.
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I can write anywhere that is a little darker and reasonably quiet.
Your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad -
They’re exciting. Even if someone doesn’t like my book, just knowing it was read is a thrill. They’re also shattering. There is nothing more personal than my books so when they’re not as well liked, it is like you’re saying you don’t like me.
If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Mantracker, any cast member from The Big Bang Theory and anyone who has survived Survivor.
Where is one place in the world that you would really love to visit someday?
Any 3rd world country because I believe everyone should try and make a difference; for a more selfish desire, I really want to visit Australia and Japan.
Patti Says: Australia is pretty awesome – but then again, I am biased!
One of your favourite quotes –
“What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve.”
List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend?
The Hunger Games #1 and #2, John Locke’s “How I sold 1,000,000 eBooks in 5 months.”
List 3 of your favourite movies?
Interview with a Vampire, Priest, Underworld Rise of the Lycans.
An actor or a book character you have a crush on –
Shane West, actor in Nikita. Any strong female kick-ass lead.
What is a movie or TV show that you watched just recently and really enjoyed?
BombGirls as a TV show.
If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters? Feel free to add pics.
If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters? Feel free to add pics.
That is a hard one. I have looks of people that fit what I have in mind, but no faces of Hollywood actors/actresses to match my ideas. I would likely, such as Harry Potter, mostly find a bunch of talented unknowns.
Riley: wild red curls, obnoxious, vocal, cocky and lethal.
Fly: shot – like 5’0 short, mousy brown hair, big glassy eyes. Shy, but spicy when needed.
Willow: motherly, average height, identical to her little sister Fly.
Kai: British solider, shoulder length wavy hair, pale grey eyes, average male height and a haunting secret.
Abaddon: Denzel Washington.
Fly: shot – like 5’0 short, mousy brown hair, big glassy eyes. Shy, but spicy when needed.
Willow: motherly, average height, identical to her little sister Fly.
Kai: British solider, shoulder length wavy hair, pale grey eyes, average male height and a haunting secret.
Abaddon: Denzel Washington.
Where can your readers stalk you?
My blog: www.tannisskye.blogspot.com
My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/
My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/user/
Twitter: @TannisSkye
Amazon: The Shade and The Nine Lower Levels by Tannis Skye
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/
Is your book in Print, ebook or both?
eBook! Paperback by demand.
Ebook short description
When the Upper and Lower Levels wage war on each other, Abaddon sends out his army of demons to retrieve souls. If a soul is taken and the body does not die, they live on as a shade. Unwilling to let the resident vampire turn Riley, Kai faces Keetes and reveals his superior strength as a stronger vampire; he is a shade. Kai sets out to the Lower Levels to reclaim his soul. With it... he is human.Extended description
Below our feet, where the damned roam undetected, a whole other world exists. Once a distinguished, high ranking tier nine angel, Lucifer challenges the vision of The Light King. Before a rebellion can be formed, Lucifer is banished from the Upper Levels, where he plummets to the center of the Earth...... (Read more)Buy your copy in all ebook formats - HERE - just 99c
Published: Oct. 26, 2011
Words: 70685 (approximate)
Language: English
What a fascinating interview! I learned so much about the author. I just read the Hunger Games because my co-author kept raving about it. I loved it and I am amazed by Suzanne Collins writing (I read her MG series- Gregor the Overlander and loved them as well, though they are different than the Hunger Games). I like to sleep in, too!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this giveaway! The books sound so interesting! Thanks for offering this.
haightjess at gmail dot com