Tell us about your book in a nutshell.
Do you have a music play list for the book or songs you listened to while writing it ?
Do you have a scene or a chapter you left out or cut that you can include to tell us about?
Unlike the first book, which had a few deleted chapters, Crimson Rising didn’t have much that got cut. I did have some things that I ended up saving for the third book, but when it came to revising this one, it was more a case of adding and combining chapters, rather than taking them out.
Most of the main characters in these books are fifteen years old, so I think it’s really hard to pick well-known actors. You definitely don’t want that stage school/celebrity angle going on. My favorite movies starring kids and teens feel incredibly natural because of the casting. If the books were to be turned into movies, I think I’d really love a cast of relative unknowns for the roles of the kids. I adored the cast they assembled for Super 8 last year. Something like that!
What lessons do you hope to pass on to your readers and teens?
I’m rarely trying to pass on lessons, per se, but I do hope that there is a bit to chew on amidst the action and adventures and explosions. I think there are definitely political and social parallels in the future world I’ve created that will hopefully resonate with readers. Anytime a writer can bring a fantasy or sci-fi world fully alive, a reader is bound to find their own reflection somewhere within the book.
If there is something you want readers to walk away with after reading your book what would that be?
Above all, I want my readers to be entertained and eager to see where the adventure goes next. If I’ve achieved that at least, the series has been a success.
As a kid, I was a voracious reader of comic books. Of course, they didn’t sell them anywhere in little Anacortes, so it was a thirty-mile drive “off island” to get them. At that age, it wasn’t even about the pictures. It was one hundred percent the stories. I was always attracted to the big drama and dialogue.
I started writing seriously when I entered college. Five “practice” novels later (some weirder than others) and I started querying what was to become Skyship Academy. Then I was lucky enough to find a fantastic publisher in Flux. And next comes the moment when I get to share my debut novel with readers.
Visit Nick James on his website/
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We have one copy of Crimson Rising to give away to our U.S. addresses courtesy of Flux. Fill out the form below to enter.
Jasmine Rose
Thanks for the giveaway. I’m looking forward to what’s happening in the sequel :]
M.A.D.
I think that is truly wonderful that Nick’s teacher had the students not only write stories, but also publish, bind and present them! Kudos to both Nick and his amazing teacher <3
Mary DeBorde M.A.D.