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Sunday, August 12, 2012

PSC: Interview & Giveaway with Suzanne Lazear

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Steampunk is getting more popular recently in YA fiction and Suzanne Lazear is adding to the genre this summer. Her debut novel, INNOCENT DARKNESS sounds incredible and I can’t wait to read it. Today, Suzanne is here to talk a little bit about her take on summer camps and answer a few questions about her book. Also, don’t miss the book giveaway her publisher is offering at the end of the post!

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Camps originated in America in the 1880s part of a back-to-nature trend. They were an attempt to give children from the city a chance to experience “country life.” Around that time we started seeing the long summer vacations we all know and love. “Country kids” had chores to do. But upper-and middle class children, especially, had long summers of idleness. Where part of the camp movement sought to take urban kids, especially the poorer ones, out of the city and give them a childhood and a chance to experience nature, another part sought to save children from a summer of loafing and getting into trouble.

Camps back then were often more rustic than they are now – often campers had to dig their own latrines. Also, many camps were sponsored by religious organizations. They were also mostly for boys in the early years. Yeah, unfair. Why should they have all the fun?

In INNOCENT DARKNESS, Noli, being a girl of “gentle” breeding, with a very old-fashioned mother, was never sent to camp when she was young—even if there had been a suitable camp meeting her mother’s approval. Instead, she, her brother, and her mother would spend much of their summers with Noli’s maternal grandparents at their “summer house.” Many wealthy people had cottages and houses, both large and small, in the country—a place to escape the grime and pollution of the city for the weekend or the summer.

Noli still experienced the outdoors, going on hikes, boating, and other summerly pursuits. Though as she got older they’d be more ladylike – like painting the forest instead of hiking it in. Not that Noli would let propriety keep her from doing what she wanted.

Her grandparents had a grand summer home, and an actual “summer house” – which was more like a gazebo, where Noli could spend lazy summer days, sewing, reading, and playing on the grass with her brother. The experience was probably more like family camp in a mansion with a gourmet cook than staying in a cabin and eating in a dining hall.

As Noli got older and her family’s financial situation changed, she’d spend summers helping out at home while her mother worked, tinkering on her flying car, hoverboarding, getting into mischief with V and James, and doing odd jobs for money when her mother wasn’t looking.

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Steampunk seems to be gaining some popularity lately, especially in YA novels. Did you always plan to write a Steampunk book/series? What other genre would you associate your book with?

I call INNOCENT DARKNESS “fairytale Steampunk” since it blend faery lore, classic fairytale elements, and steampunk. I didn’t set out originally wanting to write Steampunk, but once I discovered it as a genre, I really wanted to write a Steampunk YA – and that story became INNOCENT DARKNESS.

Who is your favorite character in INNOCENT DARKNESS? When writing, with whom did you have most fun with?

I love James, because he is so “devil may care” to his brother V’s “fussy old bodger” nature.

Your book is set in two very different worlds than ours (an alternate Los Angeles and the Otherworld). Did you have any difficulties writing about these worlds? What are some of your favorite aspects about them?

Yes. The mortal realm is very steampunk – flying cars, hoverboards, air pirates, and the like. And we see this when we’re in Los Angeles and San Francisco with Noli. However, the Otherworld is not as steampunk, though the High Queen and her palace is a bit Clockpunk. She has a penchant for clockwork animals and other such amusements, but how much is magic and how much mechanics, we don’t know. Trying to get the balance right between the faeries and steampunk was difficult, especially since we don’t spend much time in book 1 in the mortal realm. I had a lot of fun researching things and using history as a springboard for creating the things in my world.

Because of INNOCENT DARKNESS, we have a couple new words to add to our vocabulary, like dollymop, hoyden and aether. Why was it necessary for you to add this vocabulary in your book?

I wanted to add a little Victorian color while still making the book accessible. Hoyden is the best word to describe Noli. She’s a Victorian tomboy in a society that disproves. Dollymop, well, Noli uses it more colloquially than its true definition of “amateur prostitute.” She uses it more like we might use “skank,” “ho,” or “hoochie mama.” (And I’ve just dated myself because I’m pretty sure no one says any other those any more. Aether is one of those things that sneaks into many steampunk books, though I’ve given it my own twist. The idea of Aether as an element actually goes all the way back to Greek mythology.

According to you, what makes the best scary camp stories? Vampires, werewolves, ghosts or “insert monster here”?

I always was more scared by the realistic stories – like ones about killer dolls and lawn gnomes. Vampires, well, they’re probably not real. But dolls? How do we *actually* know they don’t get up and walk around when we’re not looking? ~shudders~

What is your favorite summer treat and/or drink ?

I like chocolate malts! (with whipped cream and a cherry)

Thanks for visiting us today, Suzanne!

Thank you so much for having me on!

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More about INNOCENT DARKNESS, which was released, August 8th, 2012!

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Noli Braddock and her best friend V’s incident with a flying auto have landed them in a heap of trouble. And when Noli is sent to a spirit-squelching reform school in San Francisco, she’s sure that her rebellious adventures are over.

Meanwhile, Kevighn Silver has been ordered by the Faerie Queen to bring a mortal girl back to the Otherworld. The magic requires a blood sacrifice every seven years, and only a mortal girl who shines with the Spark—a girl like Noli—will keep the Otherworld from complete destruction.

When an ill-timed wish sends Noli tumbling into the Otherworld, she’s more homesick than ever . . . until V arrives to save her from an untimely demise. But who exactly is V? And if he helps Noli escape, who will save the realm of Faerie from utter annihilation?

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

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Flux is offering a copy of Innocent Darkness to one (1) lucky winner!

To enter the giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Open to US and Canada only

Ends Wednesday, August 5th, 2012
(like all of our Paranormal Summer Camp giveaways)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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suzanne lazear

Suzanne Lazear’s young adult Steampunk dark fairytale, chronicling the adventures of Noli Braddock, INNOCENT DARKNESS, Book 1 of The Aether Chronicles, will be released from Flux in August 8, 2012. Visit her website at www.suzannelazear.com or the series site www.aetherchronicles.com. She’s also part of the Steampunk group blog Steamed http://wwww.ageofsteam.wordpress.com.

 

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42 People left their mark' :

  1. This book sounds really fantastic. Awesome interview. I think it's really cool that there are 2 alternate worlds. I Lol'd at hoochie mama!! I guess that dates me since I have used those words too. I am currently listening to Leviathan on audio and the most recent book I actually read that was steampunk is probably Clockwork Prince.

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  2. The last steampunk I read was Camera Obscura by Lavie Tidar.

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  3. It's been a long time since I read Steampunk. The last one I read was Goblin Secrets by Will ALexander

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  4. I've read the Iron Seas series by Meljean Brook, which I enjoyed!

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  5. Thanks for the giveaway! This will be my first steampunk novel, though there are a few I've been meaning to read for a while now!

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  6. Thanks for a great post and giveaway! I haven't read any recently, but I've read some great series by Gail Carringer and Meljean Brook. I love, love, love steampunk :)

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  7. The last steampunk book I read was Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding.

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  8. I sadly haven't read any steampunk, but I do have a few sitting on my Nook waiting for me!

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  9. The last steampunk I read was Cinder, and before that I read Clockwork Angel. I tried Leviathan, but it just didn't work. I may try again.
    This book sounds so good! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  10. I haven't read any lately. Thanks!

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  11. I fell in love with the genre with Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan.

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  12. The only steampunk I really read was Boneshaker and I really enjoyed it!

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  13. I recently read and enjoyed Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard.

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  14. I've read quite a few steampunk books and I have quite a few more on my TBR shelf waiting for me to read them. Some that stand out are Devon Monk's Dead Iron, Meljean Brook's The Iron Duke and Heart of Steel, Theresa Meyers' The Hunter and The Slayer, Clay & Susan Griffith's Vampire Empire and Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series.

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  15. I am not much into them, unless they are paranormal, the only ones i think I have read is the Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare, and Moonglow (Well, the Darkest London series), Firelight, and Ember by Kristen Callihan.
    thats about all I think I ever have read that takes place in the olden days, (as I refer to these types, lol) But all the ones i listed are paranormal's and thats my favorite type, well all I read really, lol.
    thanks

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  16. I am fairly new to steampunk, but the one that stands out the most is Affinity Bridge.

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  17. I have yet to read any steampunk books. I have a couple, just keep putting it off. lol I think I'm afraid because it's a new genre for me.

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  18. I have to be honest but i have not read any but always wanted to and this book sounds great and right up my ally to try. thanks alot for the giveaway joannie

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  19. I haven't read any steampunk books yet, but I can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  20. I have not read a steampunk novel before but this sounds interesting and I would love the chance to.

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  21. I actually haven't read any and have only recently heard of the genre! I hope "Innocent Darkness" will be my first one! Thanks for the giveaway. :D

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  22. The last steampunk book I read was Pastworld by Ian Peck. Thanks for the chance to win! I've really been wanting to read Innocent Darkness for awhile now.

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  23. I am barely getting into the steampunk genre, but I bought a steampunk anthology that I am barely going to start reading!

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  24. No I haven't read any steampunk yet but I would like to. Tore923@aol.com

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  25. I've read Leviathan recently - really awe-inspiring world building! =)
    Levina

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  26. I've never read any steampunk novels yet but they sound interesting so I'm willing to give it a try

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  27. I haven't read any steampunk, but they look interesting.

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  28. I really enjoyed Dearly, Departed and The Native Star.

    I guess I didn't really think of Cinder as steampunk, but if it is, I loved that one as well!

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  29. I haven't read any steampunk lately :( I haven't found a good one yet.

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  30. I haven't read any Steampunk books lately.

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  31. Oh this sounds so good. I just finished the Vampire Empire series as well as the second book in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. Yep, I like a good steampunk! :D

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  32. I haven't read any steampunk books lately, but I do like the Infernal Devices series.

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  33. I haven't read any, lately. The last one, that I read was the Iron Duke

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  34. I've never read one but I've noticed a number of them!

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  35. I haven't read much steampunk but I enjoyed the ones that I have read.

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  36. I haven't read any lately other than The Peculiars, which I didn't like too much.

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  37. I read The Doorknob Society by MJ Fletcher which had a steampunk element. I want to read a lot more steampunk novels. :)

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  38. I don't think I have ever read a Steampunk-themed novel. But, I would love to read this one.

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  39. I am just getting into steampunk novels. I really enjoy Theresa Meyers. Thanks for the chance.

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  40. haven't read any that i can remember, but this genre looks promising!

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  41. i've only read one steampunk novel before and it's called
    Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe its a really good steampunk novel! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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