Yasmine Galenorn-Interview with the Author

With the January 29, 2013 release of HAUNTED MOON-the 13th story line in the Otherworld series, The Reading Cafe would like to introduce the fabulous author-YASMINE GALENORN

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TRC: Hi Yasmine and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the new release-HAUNTED MOON.

For anyone who does not know Yasmine Galenorn, would you please tell us something about yourself?

Yasmine: Well, my bio reads as such: New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy for Berkley: both the Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon Series for Berkley and the Indigo Court urban fantasy series. In the past, she wrote mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and nonfiction metaphysical books. You can reach her at her website, Twitter, and on Facebook. Yasmine has been in the Craft for over 32 years, is a shamanic witch, and describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland WA with her husband Samwise and their cats.

What my bio doesn’t say is that I collect Old Country Roses china, my favorite magazine is Victoria Magazine, I collect daggers and have a kick-ass sword. I’m heavily inked and planning out my next tattoos, everything I do is tinged with my spirituality, I’m low carb and blog a lot about my food allergies/intolerances/and low carb lifestyle. I wanted to be a writer since I was three years old. I’ve had over 34 books published, not including anthologies, I’m a Capricorn and work my ass off, but I also like to play hard. ~smiles~ There’s a lot more but it would fill a book.

TRC: HAUNTED MOON (Book #13) is the latest release (January 29, 2013) in your OTHERWORLD series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

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Yasmine: Camille and her sisters are facing down Gulakah, the Lord of Ghosts and his minions, in this book, they have to face him down and hopefully defeat him. Camille and Morio find their relationship shifting, thanks to Aeval and the Courts of Fae, and their descent into the world of death magic grows stronger, and more intense. At the same time, Telazhar is escalating the war in Otherworld. And, of course, Menolly and Delilah are experiencing their own changes as well. Oh—and Iris is very pregnant. ~grins~

TRC: If you could virtually cast the lead characters in your OTHERWORLD series, which models or actors would best represent your ideal images?

Yasmine: To be honest, I wouldn’t. Except for Rozurial, and I can so see a long haired Hugh Jackman as Rozurial. But I’ve yet to see any actress I’d cast (looks-wise) as any of the sisters. For one thing, my characters aren’t human, they have an otherworldly look that would be hard to get. For another, I just can’t see the series as live-action movies. However, I would love to see the books come out as anime—I think as an anime series, it would work, much like InuYasha.

TRC: You have a very specific playlist of music and musicians that you listen to as you write each of your novels. How much influence do the songs and musicians have on your writing or does your writing influence the type of music you listen to?

Yasmine: Well, it’s synergistic. I never add music to my playlists that I wouldn’t normally listen to, but within the scope of my musical tastes (which is fairly large, barring country, folk, and easy listening), the playlists are chosen for the mood of the book, and the main character involved. You’ll always find Gary Numan, Mark Lanegan, and a few other artists on every list, and a few songs make every single list.

TRC: NIGHT VISION is the next installment (July 2013) in your INDIGO COURT series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Yasmine: Destined to become the Fae Queens of Winter and Summer, Wind Witch Cicely and her cousin Rhiannon are eager to assume their roles and marry the loves of their lives. But while Myst hides in the shadows, seeking to regroup her forces, a closer danger is lurking. Renegade vampires Geoffrey and Leo manage to free the Blood Oracle and set him upon New Forest, Washington. Not satisfied with wreaking havoc on the town, Leo ups the ante by kidnapping Rhiannon. Now, Cicely must lead her forces in a bloody battle to save her cousin before everything they’ve worked for crumbles to dust.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about you?

Yasmine: That depends on who you ask. I’m hardcore Pagan, yes, but I’m not at all Wiccan, I’m a shamanic Witch and High Priestess. I’m practical and extremely goal oriented, and I am so NOT a new-ager type. I’m a hardcore carnivore. I’m not a pacifist, I’m learning to use a gun properly and am not anti-gun, though yes—I do believe we need stronger gun control laws. While I am extremely socially liberal, I am also very conservative when it comes to dealing with certain perverted elements of the criminal world.

As an author, I’d have to say that the biggest misconception is that I have all this spare time in which to goof around. I write 60-80 hours a week. Any spare time is time carved out, not extra time lying around. What success I’ve had is success I’ve created, not luck falling into my lap. Life is what you choose to make it. While not everything that you want will happen—there are no guarantees in life—nothing good happens without working your butt off for it. ~smiles~

TRC: If you could change something about yourself personal or professional, what would it be and why?

Yasmine: Professionally: Well it’s not something I can guarantee, but I’d love to hit the top of the NYT. Always have wanted that. I’d like to see my readership increase dramatically. And if I could—I’d love to be able to write a fourth novel each year. There are so many stories I want to tell for my readers. And for myself. ~smiles~

Personally: I’m making major changes in my body, so it’s more of a matter of how far I can take them as opposed to wishing I could make them. I went low carb almost two years ago to counter mild type 2 diabetes, and my life has changed in absolutely wonderful ways. I’m so much healthier, my blood sugar has normalized, I’ve dropped six sizes so far, the lack of sugar and starch has loosened up my joints and taken away a good share of the chronic pain I was in. I’m still losing weight (and can well afford to lose weight—and want to), and I feel fantastic. I’ve also been exercising for three years now and that has been good for me too.

TRC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

Yasmine: There is no one person who has been the biggest influence, but there are a number that have had huge influences on various parts of my life. The short list (of a longer list):
The writers who influenced me the most artistically: Ray Bradbury, Daphne du Maurier, Richard Adams.
The writers/friends whose work ethics I most admire (and tend to be most like): Laurell Hamilton, Stella Cameron, Sherrilyn Kenyon.
The friend who constantly reminds me to stay on my spiritual path, through action rather than words: Angela.
The friend who reminds me to have fun and not grow up too fast: Jayelle.
The friend who reminds me that my age doesn’t have to stifle me: Carol.
The friend who rules the universe with me: Daniela.
The friend to whom I cannot lie: Andrew.
The person who reminds me that yes, someone can be in love with me and find me attractive: Samwise.

TRC: Who is the first person you think about when you need someone to talk with and why?

Yasmine: That depends on the situation. ~grins~ The list includes: Samwise, Angela, Jayelle, Daniela, Carol, Scotty, Marc, Andrew, Laurell, Lisa, and Linda. And the reasons why? Are as varied as the people involved.

TRC: What are the goals you would like accomplish in the next ten years?

Yasmine: Expand and continue the Otherworld Series in ways that my readers do not even yet expect. Hit the top of the NYT list, of course. Increase my readership by a wide margin. Start another series that I’ve been thinking about after I finish up the Indigo Court Series. Write several standalone novels.

And on a personal level: reach a point (in the next year or so) where I stabilize my weight and health. Be healthier than I’ve ever been (trust me, I wasn’t that healthy as a teenager). Be in better shape and look better than I have in years. Be stronger than ever. Increase my magickal practice (am working on that now) in the new direction its taking. Make being “middle aged” fun and sensuous and brilliant, rather than a long slide down.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Yasmine: I’m writing Autumn Whispers, after which I’ll write Crimson Veil (book 15 in the OW series). And—as I answer this—I’m gearing up for the release of Haunted Moon.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Foods: Steak, lobster, raspberries.

Favorite Dessert: Berries (I don’t eat dessert anymore)

Favorite TV Show: Criminal Minds. Chopped.

Last Movie You Saw: Worlds Away (at the theatre).

Dark or Milk Chocolate: I prefer milk chocolate but cannot eat it due to the dairy and the sugar, so very dark chocolate has to do (dairy free, and as low carb as I can find it).

Do you have any pets? LOL, everybody who follows me knows I’m the crazy cat lady. I’m an ailurophile. We have four kitties. They are my babies.

TRC: Thank you Yasmine for taking the time to answer our questions.
Congratulations on the latest release. We wish you much success will all of your future projects and novels.

Yasmine: Thank you!

Berkley/NAL, Penguin Group USA is offering a paper copy of HAUNTED MOON to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway open to USA only.

4. Giveaway runs from February 14-18, 2013