Author Interview: Julie Kagawa

Saturday, November 6, 2010 |


Books (Young Adult):
  • The Iron King (2010)
  • The Iron Fey (2010)
  • The Iron Queen (2011)
  • Winter's Passage (2010)

Julie Kagawa:
Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.

Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.

The Iron King:
Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart.
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Did you ever think you were going to be an author?
To put it simply, yes. I was bound and determined to see my book in print someday. I knew it was a long (looooooooooooong) process, but I was going to keep at it until I was there. Guess I’m stubborn that way. :)


What is your favorite thing about being an author?
Not having to be at work at a certain time, or clock in, or having to answer to anyone, really. (Except my editor, who is fabulous) I can work when I want, and stop when I want. Also, it rocks getting to show up at “work” in your pjs.


How are you and Meghan alike? Different?
Meghan and I were both outcasts at school, not part of the “popular” crowd, being basically ignored by everyone. However, Meghan’s a great deal more patient than I was, especially at sixteen, and not as violent. Her response for being humiliated in school is to run into the bathroom and cry; mine would have been to punch that person out. (I was a rather angry teenager.)

How old did you start to write?
I can’t give you an exact age, but I do remember being in high school and thinking I would get my first book published before I went to collage. (Yes, you can stop laughing now.) Ah, naiveté.


If you could ever pick a theme song for The Iron King, what would it be? Why?
I like Forsaken by Within Temptation. I think it captures the grim theme of the book, particularly in the Iron Realm.


If you weren’t an author, what would your dream job be?
I love working with and training animals, especially dogs. (I was a dog trainer before I became an author.) I think my dream job would be training animals for commercials and movies.
What is the best piece of advice for young writers?
Persevere. Don't let anyone tell you you're too young, or too old, or too inexperienced, or too whatever. Learn everything you can about your craft. Go to conferences, workshops, and critique groups. Read books on writing. Strive to make yourself a better writer. Accept criticism graciously. But don't let anyone discourage you. Above all, keep trying. As someone once told me: "If you want something bad enough, you'll get it. If you didn't get it, you didn't want it bad enough.


Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Just thanks so much for the interview!
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Thanks for stopping by Julie!

I have a signed copy of The Iron King bookmark, and yes, it's a super small 'thing', so I'm not going to even call this a contest or giveaway. Whoever comments on this post (about the interview in general), will have the chance to get this bookmark. Don't put your email addresses down (it will be removed if you do), I'll just hunt your email addy down. Thanks!

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi :)
Thank you for the interview with Julia & thanks to Julia for sharing. It was fun to learn more about her & I liked how you put Julia's bio & the book blurb before the interview. Very classy!
All the best,
RKCharron

Maidenveil said...

Hi, Mavie, great interview! I love Julie and I'm so happy you got to interview her.

Cheers!

-Len of Musings of a Reader Happy
maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com

Kelly aka yllektra(I Work For Books) said...

Thanks for hosting this interview!
I got this book and the Iron Daughter too but I haven't started them yet.
I did browse through them though, because I'm impatient like that and they look so great! XD

OMG, I didn't know she was married, silly me!!
But yeah, it must be such a great feeling to be able to work in tour pjs! lol

Anonymous said...

I haven't dipped into this series yet but it does sound really good. Another to add to my wish list I think. Great author interview.

Have you noticed a personality trend for stubbornness in a lot of authors? Lol. I know it must be so heartbreaking to be turned down by the publishers time after time so that stubborn streak is necessary, but doesn't it make you wonder how many fabulous books we are missing out on because some people just won't keep pushing?

Laura H. said...

Sounds like Ms. Kagawa has quite the sense of humor! Not too many people would publicly admit they'd "punch that person out" if someone made them mad (when they were younger). I enjoyed the interview and look forward to reading this series.

Vivien said...

I absolutely LOVE this series. I'm just dying for The Iron Queen to come out. I wish I could freeze myself until then, just like Cartman did lol. I am totally Team Ash by the way ;) He is so yummy. I was an angry teenager too, still might be a little violent. I might not have grown out of that. Love the interview. Love Julie. Wish I lived closer to her so I could get The Iron Queen signed. Sigh...

Pisinat said...

I haven't read her series yet, but I so much want to do it. I've read so many good reviews on it!
And Julie seems so sweet (I love dogs too ^^)

Dani said...

I LOVE Within Temptation. I'd like to know why Frosaken is the best song for the book! and i AM angry teenager! Punch on people face is my job ;) Okay.. not all the time.. =D

Jaz.parks

Ginger @ GReads! said...

Just found your blog & I think it's super cute!! I love discovering new ones :-) Anyways.. hope you enjoy The Duff. It is one of my fav reads so far in 2010. I seriously loved it!

Ginger @ GReads!

Chrystal said...

Great interview!

Jéssica said...

I just bought The Iron King and i'm so anxious to start reading, because i've read so many good reviews on it!

Great Interview!
Jéssica.

Edna said...

Oh yay for Sacramento! I've lived north of the city for majority of my life (now I'm south of it, lol) and like Julie, nothing exciting happened to me around this area either.

All that determination paid off. Now you get to work in your pjs. That is the life. :P

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