This month my author guests all have a story in the anthology 'Those Who Fight Monsters'. When I looked at the line-up I had to wonder what author Julie Kenner was going to contribute. With so many great books under her belt I wasn't to worried about it being good but I secretly hoped for a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom short story.

Well I am happy to announce that Julie's short story is indeed based in the Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series and it was an amazing read. So of course I had to ask Julie to stop by and tell us more about it and of course what else she is writing!

Enjoy the interview and make sure you enter the contest!

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Amber - Welcome to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here as
a guest! You have a short story inside the new anthology Those Who Fight Monsters. Can you tell us a little about it?

Julie - It's an awesome anthology filled with "supernatural investigators." I hope everyone checks it out. I'm having a blast reading all the other stories.

Amber - So how did you pick what to write for the anthology? Did you know straight away that you would write a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom story?

Julie - I was asked to write either Kate or Lily from Tainted, and I chose Kate. I really wanted the opportunity to get into Allie's head, and this is the first time readers get to go there with me. The story is told from both Kate and Allie's points of view, and it was a lot of fun writing it.

Amber - Was it hard coming up with something new or was the story already filed away ready for something like this?

Julie - Well, the story wasn't filed away at all. But I feel like Kate and Allie and company are old friends, so it was just a matter of finding the right "between the books" incident. I was visiting a friend in D.C. when I was brainstorming. He helped me name the bad guy :)

Amber - The Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series has always been told from Kate's perspective. However in this short story Allie also takes the reins. Is she finally getting old enough to do that? ;)

Julie - Oh, absolutely. In the story, she's still 14, though in the book world, she's turned fifteen. She'd love her own YA series, actually, LOL!

Amber - I love the Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series and I am waiting for more! Will there be more books about Kate soon?

Julie - Nothing firm yet, but there's stuff in the works (and good news recently about the movie, so keep your fingers crossed!). Keep an eye on my website and my blog for all the news!

Amber - How do anthologies really work? Do you the authors get together and have a chat and a few drinks? Discuss your story ideas? Or is it all emails and no contact with anyone else?

Julie - In most anthologies where the stories don't twine together, you write your story and turn it into the editor. That was the case here. And Justin was an awesome editor! In a situation where there's something that weaves through the plot of all the stories, I've usually been in an email loop with the other authors so we can get those details worked out.

Amber - When you write a short story does the publisher set you limits or do you just write and hope the piece is long/short enough?

Julie - To be honest, this was only my second short story. I tend to write long :) And both had word count limits.

Amber - Have you read all the stories in Those Who Fight Monsters? Did you have any favourites?

Julie - Not yet, but I'm loving them so far. Believe it or not, I only got my copy recently, too, so I'm gobbling the stories up like candy!

Amber - What is next? Any projects or new releases you can tell us about?

Julie - Lots of stuff in the works. I'm doing a short story for a thriller anthology (details to come!) and I'm working on the next three J.K. Beck Shadow Keepers books. I've also got three back to back books from Harlequin coming in 2012, so that's going to be a busy year. Oh, and Dorchester has re-released my Aphrodite series. Those are out in e-format now, and are coming to print this summer!

Amber - What made you want to be a writer? Were there any books or authors that had an influence on you?

Julie - Everything I've ever read has influenced me, but to be honest, I wanted to be a story teller before I can even remember being a reader. So I think it's just in my blood :)

Amber - You have written a lot of books! Is there any genre you have not tried writing that you would like to?

Julie - I have a middle grade idea that I would absolutely LOVE to do, and also an idea for a mainstream women's fiction book that's been keeping me up at night. Hopefully I'll find the time to get those down and paper soon!

Amber - Could you write a book together with another author? If yes, which author would you like to work with and why?

Julie - Absolutely. I'm actually writing a screenplay with a co-author (fingers crossed we sell it!) and it's going great. We each bring something to the table, and I think it's making the screenplay better for it. A novel is bit of a different process, but the collaborative process can work there as well, and he and I have a few ideas we'd like to do as novels as well. In addition to him, Kathleen O'Reilly and I have talked about doing a book together (we have one idea in particular that we both want to do--but time is an issue). Fingers crossed!

Amber - What other paranormal creatures would you want to write about besides the ones you've already written about? Is there any you just don't like, and would never use in your books?

Julie - Hmmm. Honestly, I don't know. I doubt I'd ever write about selkies. But I've learned that it's best to never say never.

Amber - What are you listening, reading and watching lately? Any recommendations?

Julie - I've been listening to the Sherlock Holmes soundtrack as I write a lot lately, but that's about it. I'm more of a podcast and/or audiobook person than a music person. As for TV, I've recently discovered The IT Crowd. Love, love, love it.

Amber - If you could visit any famous person, alive or dead, who would you visit? and why?

Julie - That is a really hard question. I honestly don't know. I feel like as soon as I choose, I'll realize there was someone I'd rather have chosen. Actually, probably Roger Bacon. You see, I have this story idea, and there's this question I'd like to ask him....

Amber - Thank you so much for popping by! I hope you come visit again soon!

Julie - Thanks for having me!!!






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Contest Time

I am giving away another copy of the anthology 'Those Who Fight Monsters'!

How To Enter


Which of Julie's books do you most want to read? Or have you read them all?


No answer = No Entry


Earn more entries for each link you place about this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.

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You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.

Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries.

Keep the contests going by using the Bookdepository.com and Amazon.com links/Banners below and around the site!





The contest will stay open until Sunday 27th of March 2011 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.



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Who are Those Who Fight Monsters?

Danny Hendrickson - from Laura Anne Gilman's Cosa Nostradamus series.
Kate Connor - from Julie Kenner’s Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series.
John Taylor - from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.
Jill Kismet - from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.
Jessi Hardin - from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.
Quincey Morris - from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series.
Marla Mason - from T. A. Pratt's Marla Mason series.
Tony Foster - from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.
Dawn Madison - from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.
Pete Caldecott - from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.
Tony Giodone - from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series.
Jezebel - from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.
Piers Knight - from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.
Cassiel - from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.


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Labels: Author Interviews, Contests, Julie Kenner