Author Interview + Contest: Sophie Jordan

Do you know what tomorrow is? Besides Tuesday and the day we all have to go back to work? Did you guess the release of Sophie Jordan's spectacular YA debut Firelight? Then you're right! And to celebrate, Sophie has been kind enough to answer a few questions for me. I've also got an ARC to giveaway, which I will get signed/personalized for the winner when Sophie is in Dallas October 1 for a signing!


What kind of draki would you be?

I don’t know if I’ve created a draki for me yet. Maybe I’ll have to work on that. Although I love the water. It would be lovely to be a water draki and have the ability to remain underwater for however long I wanted.

If you were faced with the option of staying a draki or acclimating to the human world, which route would you want to take?

Yikes. That is tough. I suppose I would be like Jacinda, compelled to be what I am at the core – a draki.

But then I can perfectly understand the danger and the uncertainty faced with remaining a draki. Not just from human hunters, but the dangers that threaten at every side among my own kind. Ha. I guess I did my job as a writer … I left my protagonist with two imperfect solutions. It’s an all around sucky situation. Any choice she makes (or in this case me if I’m in her shoes) she loses out on something.


Which part of creating the draki world was the most fun for you?

Imagining the draki and how they look, imagining the pride, especially inventing their customs and the rules that govern them … I could go on. But all of that has truly been a lot of fun. And, of course, inventing all the draki talents! I don’t even know how that concept dawned on me, but I’m so glad it did. Different talents keep occurring to me and probably will all the way to the end of the series. By the way, I’m open to suggestions for any new draki talents.

If you could pair Will and Jacinda with any character from any book, what would be your picks for them?

Wow. It’s difficult to think of pairing them with anyone else. Well, I’m in love with Jay from Kimberly Derting’s The Body Finder. He’s just an all-around nice guy who might be loyal enough to stand by Jacinda through her trials. Gosh, this feels like sacrilege! I don’t think I can entertain the notion of Jacinda and Will cheating with another character. :)

Is there some background info or tidbits about Jacinda that didn't make it into Firelight that you're willing/able to share?

Beware -- this answer may contain slight spoilers. Nothing too big, however.

I covered Jacinda fairly well in book one, but you’ll actually get to see her within pride life in book two and this will give you a different taste of her, revealing her in a new slant of light.

You’ll also learn more about Cassian. We’ve just scratched the surface with him. Jacinda will have a lot more interaction with Cassian and members of his family (Severin, Corbin and Miram).

And you’ll see a new side to Tamra, too. Stuck back again with the pride, readers will get a taste of all she’s had to live with.

What is the most private thing you're willing to admit here?

Wow. Private? It’s no secret, but not a lot of people realize that author Tera Lynn Childs is my critique partner. It’s just amazing that we ended up with the same publisher. Back in the day, when we were simultaneously sending out query letters, we never would have dreamed it.

Oh, and I adore Tinker Bell. Yes, that’s right. Admittedly, there’s something in general about all things Disney that just warms my heart. I mean when I stand before that castle in the Magic Kingdom I never want to go home. But there’s something extra special about Tinker Bell. Maybe because she’s such a dreamer … and can fly! She’s with me every morning as I drink my tea from an awesome Tinker Bell mug.

What kind of cookie would you describe yourself as?

Hmm, maybe the Magic Cookie bar? It’s got lots of ingredients. An odd sort of mélange. I’m pretty eclectic like that. You’re not sure you’re going to like it at first (like a lot of people aren’t sure they’re going to like a book about “dragons”). I mean I don’t really like coconut. I absolutely do NOT like butterscotch. But when it’s all combined together in that cookie, it’s some kind of awesomeness.


Thank you, Sophie, for those fantastic answers!

Now for your chance to win a signed/personalized ARC of this fantastic book, fill out this form and tell me what kind of draki YOU would be! And you must give me an actual answer, no "I don't knows" or N/A or --... those answers will be discounted because that just takes the fun out of it.

Also note, comments are welcomed and appreciated, but no entries will be taken through the comments so be sure to fill out the form above!

The ARC will be random draw, but the most creative draki answer that I like best will get a swag pack!

US/Canada mailing addresses only. Contest ends Sunday, September 26 at 6 pm CST.