The next big thing.

[seanan_mcguire]

I have been tagged by the ever-lovely NK Jemisin to do the "next big thing" meme that has been floating around, and as I am an amenable soul (when I want to be), I thought I'd give it a go. So...

1. What is the working title of your next book?

Midnight Blue-Light Special. Which is probably the final title at this point, since the ARCs have been printed and I don't enjoy having things thrown at me by my publisher. They're generally amiable over at DAW. I try not to push it.

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

At the end of Discount Armageddon, Verity was in a pretty good place as re: basically everything. She defeated the bad guy, solved the mystery, kissed a pretty boy, and pretty much won at life. So I started from the position of "how can I ruin her day?", and it all went downhill from there.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

Urban fantasy, with just a hint of paranormal romance. The CW, rather than HBO.

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Can I have a TV show instead? If I could have absolutely anyone, no barriers, I'd cast Alona Tal (Jo from Supernatural, Meg from Veronica Mars) as Verity, and Ryan Cartwright (Mr. Nigel-Murray from Bones, Gary from Alphas) as Dominic. And I think Amber Benson would make an amazing Sarah.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When cryptozoologist Verity Price finds herself dealing with a Covenant purge of Manhattan, she quickly has to redefine her idea of "bad situation."

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I am represented by Diana Fox, of Fox Literary. Midnight Blue-Light Special will be published by DAW Books.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

About six months, give or take a trip to Disney World.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

It has a similar structure to Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld, and a similar snappy feel to Tanya Huff's Keeper Chronicles or Gale Girl books.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Honestly, Verity did. The character has a lot of momentum behind her. At this point, I just point her at things and watch what happens.

10. What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Talking pantheistic cryptid mice worship the main character as a living conduit to the gods. And also to the baked goods section at Safeway.

Comments

[autographedcat.livejournal.com]

I really kinda of want a "Stories of the Bible" style animated cartoon series featuring the Aeslin mice.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

It would be so strange, and SO FUN.

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

"So I started from the position of "how can I ruin her day?", and it all went downhill from there."

She and Toby are going to get together and kick the crap out of you one day

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Probably.

[beasting-quest.livejournal.com]

Thumbs up to Alona as Verity! I'm more partial to Ryan Cartwright than to Dominic (*hides*), so in my eyes, this casting would certainly keep my interest high. Amber is not like I pictured Sarah at all, so that, too, would be fascinating to see.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

No need to hide; everyone has their tastes in men. :)

My original casting for Sarah was Zooey Deschanel, but I think she's too locked into her persona these days.

[wenhaver.livejournal.com]

How is it that I didn't realize that Gary and Mr. Nigel-Murray were played by the same actor until now?

I'm usually the one who knows who "That Guy" is, and just flat out missed this. I feel stupid.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

I do not know!

[liddle-oldman.livejournal.com]

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Also, um, that you wrote it. That's enough of an imprimatur for me. :)

(Not that I'm not looking forward to visiting the mice again.)

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks. :)

[bookblather.livejournal.com]

And now I must reread Discount Armageddon with Mr. Nigel-Murray playing Dominic. I anticipate even more enjoyment than the first time.

I see the mice know where the cake is at.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

They are wise.

[yellowblackhaze.livejournal.com]

Alona Tal as Verity, oh God yes! Let's get this show made! I've loved Alona Tal ever since I saw her as Meg in Veronica Mars and I'm still bitter about what they did to her character in Supernatural. Every time my wife and I see her on something we always call her 'JoMeg'.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

I stopped watching Supernatural after that. Walked away cold turkey.

[wake-the-dragon.livejournal.com]

I loved Discount Armegedon, I can't wait for Midnight Bluelight Special.

Now that you mention it, I can definitely see Jo from Supernatural as Verity.

Talking pantheistic cryptid mice worship the main character as a living conduit to the gods.
The Aeslin mice are awesome.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[gus hinrich (from livejournal.com)]

Is the cover art by Aly Fell again?

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Yup!

[indilwen.livejournal.com]

Woo! I can't wait :)

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Me, neither.

December 13, 2012 Writing, Publishing, and Speculative Fiction Links and Plugs

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User charlesatan referenced to your post from December 13, 2012 Writing, Publishing, and Speculative Fiction Links and Plugs (http://charlesatan.livejournal.com/875219.html) saying: [...] Seanan McGuire [...]

[joeyeah-right.livejournal.com]

Amber Benson as Sarah? Ooh! That's just possibly perfect!!! Please, somebody, somewhere, make this happen! :-)

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

It would make ME happy...

[vincentursus.livejournal.com]

Verity was in a pretty good place as re: basically everything. She defeated the bad guy, solved the mystery, kissed a pretty boy, and pretty much won at life.

Put that way, it's downright unnatural for your characters.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Yup.

[greyduck.livejournal.com]

Oh, the Aeslin mice: Taking an already-great-fun book and turning it into an absolute-hoot-and-a-holler.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[ladymurmur.livejournal.com]

#8 - Yes, YES! I was trying to describe Discount Armageddon to a friend, and the result was "Enchantment Emporium meets Monster Hunter International, with a side of Strictly Ballroom." :-)

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Awesome.

[sini74.livejournal.com]

I just read Discount Armageddon, which kept me chuckling all the way a three hour train ride and hoping it would have lasted longer, so I could have read the whole book on one sitting... So really looking forward to Midnight Blue-Light Special!

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Hooray!