The next big thing.: seanan

The next big thing.

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.

autographedcat

December 12 2012, 17:09:27 UTC 4 years ago

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

seanan_mcguire

December 12 2012, 17:45:24 UTC 4 years ago

It would be so strange, and SO FUN.

wendyzski

December 12 2012, 17:49:04 UTC 4 years ago

"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

December 12 2012, 19:05:04 UTC 4 years ago

Probably.

Deleted comment

December 12 2012, 19:05:45 UTC 4 years ago

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

December 12 2012, 18:16:23 UTC 4 years ago

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.

December 12 2012, 19:05:56 UTC 4 years ago

I do not know!

liddle_oldman

December 12 2012, 18:37:31 UTC 4 years ago

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.)

December 12 2012, 19:06:08 UTC 4 years ago

Aw, thanks. :)

bookblather

December 12 2012, 20:15:30 UTC 4 years ago

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.

December 13 2012, 15:46:11 UTC 4 years ago

They are wise.

yellowblackhaze

December 12 2012, 21:30:59 UTC 4 years ago

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'.

December 13 2012, 15:46:35 UTC 4 years ago

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

wake_the_dragon

December 12 2012, 21:33:59 UTC 4 years ago

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.

December 13 2012, 15:46:46 UTC 4 years ago

Yay!

Gus Hinrich

December 12 2012, 21:54:53 UTC 4 years ago

Is the cover art by Aly Fell again?

December 13 2012, 15:46:55 UTC 4 years ago

Yup!

indilwen

December 12 2012, 23:11:50 UTC 4 years ago

Woo! I can't wait :)

December 13 2012, 15:47:04 UTC 4 years ago

Me, neither.

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

livejournal

December 12 2012, 23:23:09 UTC 4 years ago

User

charlesatan referenced to your post from December 13, 2012 Writing, Publishing, and Speculative Fiction Links and Plugs saying: [...] Seanan McGuire [...]

joeyeah_right

December 12 2012, 23:46:17 UTC 4 years ago

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

December 13 2012, 15:47:20 UTC 4 years ago

It would make ME happy...

vincentursus

December 13 2012, 02:24:28 UTC 4 years ago

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.

December 13 2012, 15:47:30 UTC 4 years ago

Yup.

greyduck

December 13 2012, 02:57:18 UTC 4 years ago

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

December 13 2012, 15:47:39 UTC 4 years ago

ladymurmur

December 13 2012, 15:15:02 UTC 4 years ago

#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." :-)

December 13 2012, 15:47:49 UTC 4 years ago

Awesome.

sini74

December 13 2012, 18:16:02 UTC 4 years ago

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!

December 17 2012, 17:30:45 UTC 4 years ago

Hooray!

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