AHH!!! I am so excited to welcome Michelle Modesto to the blog today because REVENGE AND THE WILD is one of my favorite books I read last year - seriously, this book is like nothing else out there and is amazing!
Thanks, Michelle, for stopping by to chat about the book today! Let's get to it:
1. REVENGE AND THE WILD is quite possibly one of the most original books I have ever read – can you talk about what inspired you to write it?
I loved reading weird westerns as a teen—especially the Jonah Hex comics. Some of my favorite authors tackled the subgenre brilliantly. When I started writing for teens I knew I wanted to eventually write one set where I live in Northern California. It wasn’t until I was passing through the nearby town of Truckee—where the Donner Party was stranded—that all the ideas for the book came together.
2. How much research went into writing REVENGE AND THE WILD?
It’s mostly fantasy so I just added things I thought would be fun. The majority of my research went into the lay of the land and learning more about the Wintu.
3. Talk about your experience about becoming a published author
I think the majority of the excitement on the road to publication, for me, was getting an agent, when all that hard work started to feel like it was paying off. Little did I know that “all that hard work” was nothing compared to what was to come after the book deal, when I was forced to dig deep into my creativity pool and come up with new scenes on the fly with a deadline attached. Things felt slightly more like work after that. From deal to publication seemed like such a long time at first but I was so preoccupied with edits and writing my next book that suddenly it’s two weeks away and I don’t feel prepared at all. It’s terrifying, really.
Thanks, again!
About the Book:
Title: REVENGE AND THE WILD
Author: Michelle Modesto
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Pages: 384
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.
Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.
But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.
This thrilling novel is a remarkable tale of danger and discovery, from debut author Michelle Modesto.
Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.
But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.
This thrilling novel is a remarkable tale of danger and discovery, from debut author Michelle Modesto.
About Michelle:
Michelle Modesto is a writer, hockey fanatic, lover of most art forms, terrible cook and her social skills aren't that great either. Her debut YA novel, REVENGE AND THE WILD comes out from Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, early 2016. She lives in Northern California in a double-wide mobile asylum with two mastiffs who don't listen to her and two teenagers who also don't listen to her.
Michelle Modesto is represented by John Cusick at The Greenhouse Literary Agency.
Giveaway Details:
10 winners will receive a finished copy of REVENGE AND THE WILD, US Only.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
1/25/2016- IceyBooks- Interview
Week Two:
Great interview! This book looks very unique and intriguing. :)
ReplyDeleteI CANNOT WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON THIS BOOK! :) Great Interview!
ReplyDeleteGreat Interview! I can't wait to read this book.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview, Hannah! It was interesting to learn a little bot more about Revenge and the Wild and Michelle. :)
ReplyDeleteI wasn't too sure about this book at first, but I think that's probably because I've never read a Western. I'm pretty sure this one will be my first. :)
This post is the one that talked me into reading this right now. I loved it! This is a great interview!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for this book! I've been looking forward to it for such a long time now. aaah, so happy it's out!
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to this book! A new author for me to get to know.. YAY!!
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to this book! A new author for me to get to know.. YAY!!
ReplyDelete