Author Interview: Stacey Kade, author of 'The Ghost and the Goth' series

One of my favorite things about blogging about books? Author interviews. I love reading them and I love hosting them! This month, Stacey Kade was gracious enough to stop by and answer a few questions. Stacey is the author of 'The Ghost and the Goth' and its sequel 'Queen of the Dead', with more to come, I'm sure!


Make sure to stop by my most recent contest post where you can enter to win a copy of 'Queen of the Dead'!


A Bit About Stacey Kade...

As an award-winning corporate copywriter, Stacey Kade has written about everything from backhoe loaders to breast pumps. But she prefers to make things up instead.


From her first childhood scribbles about a magical necklace that would turn people into cats, Stacey has long been fascinated with what happens when the “ordinary” bumps up against “out of this world.” What if aliens landed on Earth? What if the afterlife is really just another dimension?


She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, Greg, and their three retired racing greyhounds, Joezooka (Joe), Tall Walker (Walker) and SheWearsThePants (Pansy). When she’s not reading or writing, you’ll likely find her parked in front of the television with her Roswell DVDs, staring rapturously at Jason Behr.


The Q and A Session:


Q: Probably the hardest question of all, who are you? Tell us a bit about yourself!
A: You're right! This probably is the hardest question... How about this? A writer, a reader, a hopeless romantic, a wife, a big sister, an aunt,a greyhound rescue devotee, and a firm believer that freshly baked cookies and/or a McDonald's Coke can solve just about any ill. :)


Q: Every writer has their writing 'quirks' (ie: writing at night, while drinking tea, in the wee hours of the morning, etc). What are yours?
A: Hmm. I've learned that pretty much whatever I've set up as a quirk, I knock down when I'm desperate to get something done, on deadline, or traveling. :) But if I have my preference, I love having music playing while I write. My Pandora stations usually. And I like to have a cup of Earl Grey tea when I can!


Q: What inspired you to start writing 'The Ghost and the Goth'? Was it your first foray into the publishing world? Had you imagined that 'The Ghost and the Goth' would have sequels while writing the original manuscript or did that idea come about later?
A: I often hear bits of dialogue or snippets of character thoughts in my head to start off a story and with Alona, it was something like, "Staring up at the undercarriage of a bus is a sucky way to spend your afterlife." I had published three novels for adults through a small press prior to The Ghost and the Goth. I was hoping there would be an opportunity for sequels to G&G. The big twist, so to speak, in the middle of Queen of the Dead was something I knew I wanted to do even while I was writing G&G.


Q: 'Queen of the Dead' came out recently. What can fans (who may not have read it yet) expect?
A: More kissing, more bickering, a few new people (alive and dead) and some pretty hefty complications. :) Will and Alona...it's never going to be easy for them, unfortunately.


Q: Now, onto a bit more fun... Have you ever experienced something supernatural or unexplainable? Please explain! If you haven't, do you believe in ghosts, aliens, psychics, etc?
A: No, I've never experienced anything supernatural, not really. But I'm actually pretty happy about that. I'd much prefer the ghosts haunt other people! I'd be too freaked out. And yes, I believe that there are things, phenomena, that we don't readily understand and try to explain away. I think there likely is a rational explanation but perhaps not one science has figured out yet. :)


Q: If you could choose to live in one genre (ie: supernatural, romance, musical, etc), which would you choose?
A: Romance. Hands down. Gotta have that happily ever after. But I'd rather have a blend of paranormal AND romance, lol.


Q: I'm a huge tv nut. What is on your DVR right now? What are your all time favorite TV Shows?
A: Oooh, new favorite show is Awkward. on MTV. Loving that one. What else is on my DVR? Um, Falling Skies, Alphas, Necessary Roughness, Suits, True Blood...and too many more to mention. I adore TV, watch way too much of it for my own good probably!


All time favorites:
Supernatural
Veronica Mars
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The O.C. (Season one)
Roswell


Q: You're going on vacation and can only take one of your favorite books with you to read on the plane. What book do you choose? Why?
A: Ack! You realize this is my nightmare scenario, right? I ALWAYS take a minimum of three books with me on a plane, just in case we're delayed or I'm not in the mood for a particular kind of book once I'm in my seat or whatever. So...probably Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I've read it countless times and I find something new to love about it each time.


Q: In the same sort of scenario, if you could choose any literary character to entertain you on a vacation, who would you choose? Why?
A: Probably Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. We'd have fun reading books--my favorite vacation activity--and I'd get to enjoy her sarcastic but funny commentary on everyone around us. :)


Q: If you were to cast 'The Ghost and the Goth', who would you cast as the two leads, Will and Alona? If your life were being filmed, what actress would play you?
A: Oh, dear. Casting is so tricky, even the imaginary variety! I love the models they found for the covers and think they are pretty close to perfect. So, people who look very similar to those models, I guess. I think Landon Liboiron would make a great Will. Don't have any specific suggestions for Alona, unfortunately. A movie of my life? Oh, let's hope not! :)


Q: And last, but not least, any words for your fans?
A: A huge THANK YOU! Telling stories is such a privilege and I'm so honored and grateful that you guys have given me a chance to do just that. It's truly a dream come true.