Scroll to the bottom for info on how to enter into a giveaway for this brand new book.  note: Giveaway is open to residents of the United States only. Sorry, international shipping is killer, and not in that fun vampire way.

BSBBCnxn: Did you always want to be a writer?

ML Brennan: Writing is always something that I’ve really enjoyed, going all the way back to a very young age, but I didn’t think about it seriously as a career path until late high school, and even at that point I came at it sideways. Thanks in a very big way to The West Wing, I decided that I wanted to be a political speechwriter, and I headed to college with the intention of going into writing and political science. I lost interest in going into politics around my second year, but at that point I was majoring in writing, so I decided that a better career option would be to become a lawyer. I pursued that all the way into my first year at law school, which was the point when I finally just gave in to the inevitable and realized that what I really wanted to do was write fiction. So I left law school and headed into an MFA program.

So I guess the short answer is that while writing has always been a big part of my life, the idea of actually being just a writer was something that I really struggled with and against – largely because I grew up in a household where money was very tight, so I’ve never had a very romantic view of the life of a struggling artist. I envisioned having a secure career and writing in my off-hours. That ended up not happening – my day job that pays the bills is pretty unreliable and the pay fluctuates hugely, but it does give me the time I need to write.

BSBBCnxn: Who are some of your favorite writers?

ML Brennan: Gosh, that would be a very long list! Emma Bull, Brandon Sanderson, Anne Bishop, Sharon Shinn, Sheri S. Tepper, and Orson Scott Card are all longtime favorites. Lately I’ve really been enjoying Cassie Alexander’s Edie Spence series, and I got a sneak peek at debut author Django Wexler’s incredible military fantasy The Thousand Names, and I can tell you that I’m already dying for the sequel!

BSBBCnxn: Give us the quick rundown on Generation V.

ML Brennan: Sure! The elevator pitch of my book is that Fortitude Scott has a useless degree, a minimum-wage job, a cheating girlfriend, and a roommate who stiffs him on the rent. And he’s a vampire… mostly. But when a little girl is kidnapped, suddenly he’s the only one who is willing to try and do something about it, so he teams up with a wise-cracking shapeshifter and heads off for a rescue mission that will very likely kill him.

A lot of what I was trying to do in this book was explore the ideas of heritage and responsibility – Fort is a vampire who doesn’t fit in with the rest of his family because of the empathy he has toward humans. He’s afraid of whether growing up will involve losing that empathy, but at the same time it will mean becoming stronger and faster, which right now are traits that he very much lacks and needs!

BSBBCnxn: How can someone be “mostly” a vampire? Isn’t that something that’s fairly cut and dry?

ML Brennan: In the majority of vampire fiction the vampire is a human who has been transformed into a vampire, and through that transformation process they are now ageless, immortal, and undead. I’ve always found this kind of idea a bit problematic – for one thing, a creature that reproduces just through a tiny blood donation? Talk about a population explosion! For another, a character that never gets older and will never die – that’s a fairly static character with very few outside pressures. I was never interested in writing about an immortal character.

The big change that I made for my vampires is to make them a separate species. These aren’t transformed humans — they have a lifecycle that includes growing up, old age, and ultimately death. They also have a reproductive cycle that is rather finicky and difficult, and it gives a good reason why vampires haven’t just overrun the planet – in fact, my vampires are a species in total crisis, and right on the edge of extinction.

Fort being “mostly” a vampire refers in a large way to the fact the he is very young. In a species that can live 600 years, and who don’t reach complete maturity until 250, Fort is walking around at 26. One of the ways that I viewed my vampires was like alligators – an alligator has a very long growing period. Once they are fully mature, an alligator is basically the toughest animal in its environment – but when it is young, it’s pretty much just a dinner bell for most things around it. Fort’s mother and two siblings are full-size alligators, while he’s just this little yearling. At the point that this book begins, Fort’s older sister can punch through walls, while Fort would get beaten in an arm-wrestling contest by most humans. What this really did for me as a writer was that I had protagonist who was outclassed in power by just about everyone around him – that means that he can’t solve the problems he faces by punching his way out. Fort has to outsmart his opponents, or make allies, or find unusual solutions to the issues he faces.

BSBBCnxn: Generation V also features a shapeshifter out of Japanese folklore. What was your inspiration for that type of supernatural creature? What kind of research did you do for her?

ML Brennan: I love shapeshifters in fiction, but the one that is usually seen in urban fantasy is the werewolf. I really enjoyed the challenge of rethinking the classic vampire, but I didn’t want to do the same thing with another UF staple, so I wanted to bring in a type of monster that filled that kind of shapeshifter niche that I had, but gave me a chance to do something newer and interesting. To a certain extent I was also aware that a lot of the kinds of folklore and mythos that are usually seen in UF tend to be Eurocentric, and I wanted to have a wider cultural basis. All of this led me to the kitsune, which is a lovely piece of Japanese folklore about a fox that can turn into a woman. If you read Japanese fairy tales, there’s an incredible flexibility in the way that kitsune are presented – sometimes they are the villains of the story and must be driven out. Sometimes they are helpful creatures that, once done a good turn by the hero, will loyally assist the hero later. And other times they are simply tricksters that have a wildness and an unpredictability that I really enjoyed. That was the interpretation that I used when I created my kitsune character, Suzume Hollis. She is an unpredictable prankster who has a solid dollop of self-interest, and isn’t going to go out of her way to endanger herself for anyone outside of her own family. She’s a powerful character, with a strong physicality, and she is also entirely comfortable with who she is – all of these were traits that contrasted with my protagonist, but the two of them end up forming the beginnings of a real friendship.

In terms of research – I did quite a bit. Since I unfortunately don’t speak Japanese, I was limited to secondary or translated sources, but I read as many Japanese fairy tales as I could – my favorites were The Moon Maiden and Other Japanese Fairy Tales by Grace James, and Kwaidan: Ghost Stories and Strange Tales of Old Japan by Lafcadio Hearn. I also read several books by Western authors that were analyzing both the myth of the kitsune and its place in Japanese culture – the best of these were Fox by Martin Wallen and The Fox’s Craft in Japanese Religion and Folklore by Michael Bathgate.

BSBBCnxn: Complete this sentence: If you like _______, _______ or _____, you’ll love Generation V.

ML Brennan: If you like fresh urban fantasy, non-typical characters, or Star Trek jokes, you’ll love Generation V.

BSBBCnxn: Now that Generation V is out in the wild, what other projects are you working on?

ML Brennan: I just put the finishing editorial touches Generation V’s sequel, Iron Night, which will be published by Roc in January 2014. The reception and reviews for Generation V have been really warm, so I’m very hopeful that people will enjoy Iron Night. I’m also putting together notes and ideas for the third Fortitude Scott book, which I’ll be writing over the summer.

BSBBCnxn: Any plans for a book tour, or local book-signing events? Any upcoming Convention appearances?

A: Big news is that I’ll be attending ConnectiCon in July, and WorldCon at the end of summer.

BSBBCnxn: (This question is just for Bookstore Bookblogger Connection) Here at BSBB we love talking about Bookstores. Tell us about a great experience you had at a bookstore.

ML Brennan: I love bookstores – some of the most amazing reading experiences I’ve ever had started by running my hand over a line of fresh new books in a bookstore and finding something new. When I was a college undergraduate, I was living in Pittsburgh, and one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon was to catch the 61-C bus and go to the Forbes/Murray intersection. Right next to the movie theater on Murray was a beautiful two-story Barnes & Noble, and I spent many happy hours browsing the shelves and reading books in the café there. The last time I visited the city, the Barnes & Noble was gone, and I was absolutely heartbroken.

Color me intrigued! Generation V sounds incredible, doesn’t it?  You want to be the first person on your block to have a copy of this, don’t you? To Enter into the giveaway, just post a reply in the comments that you’re interested.  If WordPress doesn’t ask for your e-mail address to leave the comment, please leave me a way to reach you, such as an e-mail or twitter handle.

This giveaway closes at Midnight, Eastern Time Zone, on Wednesday June 19th.

note: Giveaway is only available to residents of the US.  because international shipping bites.

Tell us a little bit about Love at First Book. How long have you been book blogging? What got you interested in starting?

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What kinds of books do you most enjoy reading?

My heart skips a beat for zombies, dystopians and post-apocalyptic but I read pretty widely in both YA and adult fiction. I enjoy quite a variety of non-fiction too….especially books about entrepreneurship. 

Were do most of your books come from (bookstore, Amazon, library, publisher ARC, other)?

Again, a variety…I own a ton, a get a bunch from the library every week, I buy them. I’ve stopped accepting almost all e-copies so I don’t get many review copies anymore. They are just too hard on my eyes to read…I need a paper copy.

Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

She can also be found on twitter at @littlelovelybks

Today we’re joined by R. R. Reynolds, who started  in Arizona, found himself in California, and then wandered all over the world to Nepal, India, Denmark and northern Sweden. He  now resides in Florida and has completed work on his latest  novel, Masters Mysterium: Wisconsin Dells.

Thanks for joining us Robert, What can you tell us about your new novel, Masters’ Mysterium?

I originally had the idea for this book about ten years ago. Back then, it would have been a medieval story about a mason working on a new cathedral. Somehow, it turned into a modern day adventure through northern Wisconsin! The Mysterium is a mythical tourist attraction located in Wisconsin Dells. Think of it as a poor man’s Ripley’s Believe it or Not, a museum built by a huckster, to empty unsuspecting tourist’s wallets.  Now, veering dangerously close to bankruptcy, the proprietor, the Reverend Jay Masters is seeking a new exhibit to bring in the crowds and believes he has located the Hodag of Wisconsin lore.  The protagonist, is his daughter Trudy, whom he abandoned before birth. Let’s just say, they don’t see eye-to-eye on how the world functions.

I have written previously about the amusement industry and my book “Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers,” is still available on kindle. My previous background with the tourist industry actually prepared me for creating a non-existent attraction in Wisconsin Dells!

Living near Milwaukee, it isn’t difficult to drive up to Wisconsin Dells for the weekend and explore the area. I also visited Rhinelander and did the obligatory pose with their Hodag statue that is the area’s claim to fame.

Actually, I did.  My interest in the amusement park industry led me to write to various theme parks asking for information so that I could compile a book.  I was probably nine or ten years old at the time!  They were all very gracious and provided me with a lot of information, but I was just way too young to properly create a book on the subject. Fortunately, I was able later in life to write a biography on two pioneers in the field; Ed Morgan and Karl Bacon, who worked closely with Walt Disney in the creation of many early Disneyland ride systems.

I tried to outline, but it was a miserable failure. I even purchased some software that was meant to help me through the outline process and create the classic three act story, complete with spiffy scene structure and all of that.

Now, my process is akin to herding cats — I have a general idea of where I want to go, and I put down the characters and try to keep them heading in that direction. The characters are not always so appreciative of my assistance, and tend to fight me all along the way!

Do you have any marketing tips or advice for other writers who are trying to get their names (and books!) out there?

Rule one, is always to write something of quality.  Then after you are happy with it, have qualified editors rip it to shreds for you.  Rinse and repeat. A strong book will stand the test of time, and bring readers back for more.

Shameless self-promotion doesn’t hurt either.

What types of fiction do you enjoy reading? Where do most of your books come from? (online retailer, bookstores, library, other?)

Being raised in California, Steinbeck was required reading. I continue to go back to his work when I need to remember why writing is important.

I like anything that shows the human condition such as the fiction of C.S. Lewis. When I’m on vacation, I’ll lean towards the satire of Carl Hiaasen or some epic fantasy.

It’s been a sad time in my area as independent bookstores have closed.  The closest bookstore then became Borders, which also ended up closing. Choices are very limited here, so if you are a bookstore owner, consider opening a store in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.  If you do, I’ll buy you dinner!

To be honest, I hated Amsterdam when I first moved there, but I grew to love it. On one hand it is a dirty, crime infested, drug ridden, land of red lights and debauchery. On the other, it is a city that makes you think about the past and especially World War II.  Unlike Rotterdam, that was bombed into rubble, Amsterdam survived, but still shows the scars.  You can’t help but be moved by a visit to the Anne Frank Museum, or just in awe of walking into the Begijnhof, a small courtyard, surrounded by residences and a church that transport a visitor three hundred years back in time.

Although Sweden is perhaps closest to Wisconsin in fauna and climate, at the time, having grown up in Santa Monica, California, it was definitely unusual for me. I remember my first experience with the northern Sweden delicacy of sour herring, probably the most disgusting food ever invented by man. You buy it when the can appears ready to burst, due to trapped gasses, and should always open it outdoors, because it will spray a foot or so into the air; and the smell – dirty diaper pail.  Need I say more?

Many of my experiences in Nepal ended up in the book as part of Maggie’s backstory. I was working with a non-profit that assisted Americans and Europeans who had reached the end of the drug trail and had basically given up on life. The embassies would have these individuals stay with us, which was preferable to jail, until they were clean enough to face the legal system and eventually make their way back to their home countries.

My website – or should I say, the Reverend Masters’ website is: MastersMysterium.com.  The website is meant to look as if there is an actual tourist attraction in Wisconsin Dells by that name.  Hopefully, nobody will end up hunting for it while on vacation!  I am also on twitter at @Creekside_WI.

Click here to purchase Masters’ Mysterium: Wisconsin Dells on Amazon. At the writing of this interview Amazon Prime members can borrow it for free on their Kindle.

I recently found out I’m headed to California for a while this summer for work.  three weeks away from my family, I”m not really looking forward to it.  The silver lining? I may finally be able to visit what might be the quirkiest bookstore I’ve heard of. DIESEL Bookstore, with locations in Oakland, Malibu, Brentwood (and soon Larkspur!), they feature a huge selection of books,  a creative staff who are passionate about books and the community, and the interest in trying new things and new projects. This is a place I gotta go!

John Evans of DIESEL Bookstore was kind enough to answer some questions for me.  Good luck reading this interview and not adding this place to your  bucket list.

As for the bookstore community, my fellow booksellers at other bookstores are such a passionate, diverse, interesting, opinionated, engaged cast of characters, they provide me great pleasure and support.  As far as the readers who support that community of independent bookstores — the most committed of them are of similar ilk: full of ideas, curious, interactive, good listeners and very articulate.  Independent booksellers and independent readers are the same sorts of people and I’m glad to be able to work with all of them!

Sounds simple?  Not to me!  which is why i’m a reader, and John and his co-workers are the professionals!

Find DIESEL on their website (Blog is the center column), facebook, and twitter.

Readers, have you been to DIESEL?  what was the last thing you bought there? And more importantly, can a midwestern girl like me get there from the San Fran suburbs without getting completely lost?

It’s my pleasure today to interview Mike Allen. You know him from his Clockwork Phoenix series of anthologies, but he’s also a poet and author. This guy wins at everything he touches.

Tell us a little about your blog, Over the Effing Rainbow. How long have you been book blogging? What got you interested in doing this?

I’ve been blogging seriously now for about six months; I started my blog properly in November, last year. I’ve been interested in books for as long as I can remember, though anyone who knows me would tell you that “interested” is a massive understatement! I am a bookworm, and proud of it! As for what got me into this, I think it was basically a combination of a lot of free time (I work part time, in evenings) and constantly reading something and thinking “I want to talk about this!” If I review those books online, then I can take that excited edge off without having to wait around for someone, anyone, to read that book as well! So in a way, I suppose this is my therapy …

I get a grin on my face everytime I visit your blog because of it’s name. What’s the story behind the Effing Rainbow?

It comes from the phrase I’m always using to describe myself! I tend to daydream an awful lot … “Effing Rainbow” is a bit of a concession to the fact that it’s always possible my mother might read my blog. I can swear, but never in front of her … I know, not very rock and roll, but one can be naughty and still be nice!

What are some cool things happening on your blog in April? Any upcoming or recent book reviews or author interviews you’re super excited about?

First up has to be the Stardust Readalong, hosted over at Stainless Steel Droppings. I’m relatively new to Neil Gaiman, so what better way to change that? I had fantastic fun with a couple of recent Terry Pratchett Readalongs (as well you know), so I’m hoping to continue that trend. Then there’s the Emoticon Generation Blog Tour, with Guy Hasson. It’s been posted by now, but I have my very first author guest post up! That was amazingly cool, and Guy is genuinely very nice – and I apparently convinced him to buy a book after he read a review I wrote! It was a book I love already – Gemsigns, by Stephanie Saulter. Reading and reviewing that one was awesome for me, so I’m thrilled that I could get someone else into it.

As for upcoming reviews, that’s easy – I’m currently taking part in the Once Upon A Time Challenge, also at Stainless Steel Droppings. Five fantasy novels of my choice, and two months to read them? Easy!

On top of that … we’ll see what comes out of the pot, but I have a couple of eARCs waiting to be read – The Blue Blazes by Chuck Wendig, and The Darwin Elevator by Jason M. Hough. I’m really excited for both, so they’ll likely be bumped up the list.

You’re a huge Jim Butcher fan. Which is your favorite Dresden book so far?  Did you like the Dresden Files TV show? How did it compare to the books?

Do I have to pick just one?! Hmm … there are a couple (ie. the last two) that I haven’t reread nearly as much as the rest (yet!), but right now I have to say my favourite is Small Favour. I won’t say too much because I hate spoilers as much as the next fan and I never know who’s read what, but Michael Carpenter is one of my favourite characters in the Dresden Files series so far, and that book wrings so much emotion out of me every time I read it. Definitely a favourite!

As for the TV show … I liked it in and of itself, but nowhere near as much as I like the books, I’m sorry to say. Some adaptations from book to screen have gone really well, but I don’t think this was one. I really am a huge fan of the books, and they made too many changes for my liking. Though if I had found the TV show first I would probably have gone looking for the books, so there’s that.

Along with a handful of other bloggers, you’re following John Scalzi’s serialized Human Division novel.  By the time this interview posts, you’ll have read the end of the book. How is reading a serialized story different than reading a paper or e-book?

Oh, good question. With The Human Division, I got the feeling almost right away that it was a lot like watching a sci-fi TV show, whereas reading more traditional novels can be more like watching a film. It changes the pacing quite a lot, and depending on whether you’re a fan of serials over novels, that more episodic pace can either be a good thing or it can be an annoyance … Personally I think Scalzi handles it very cleverly, and I’d like to see more of this kind of thing!

Where do you get most of your books? (online retailer, local bookstore, library, other?)

I have a Kindle Fire now that I love, so a lot of my books are downloaded onto that, but that said I grew up reading ‘real’ books, and that love hasn’t gone away. E-readers are fantastic for convenience but sometimes there’s just no substitute for a well-loved paperback, or a pretty edition with good cover art. I love browsing bookstores, and Waterstones has two stores within easy shopping distance, so … guess where I spend a lot of my spare time?

With so much out there to choose from, how in the world do you decide what to read next?

Hah! I’d say luck of the draw, if I didn’t nearly torture myself trying to choose one most of the time … Between books is a terrible place to be sometimes! Though my ‘to be read’ pile is more than big enough to see me through a good long while… How I choose a book mostly depends on what I’m in the mood for at the time, I think. If I finally get my hands on a book I’ve waited a while for, then that will usually go to the top of the list. Otherwise, I let my mood decide.

What’s your favorite part about the book blogging community?

How nice everybody is! Seriously, I’ve gotten a lovely “these are my people” kind of satisfaction out of joining the blogging community, and this corner of it in particular is full of awesome folks (I hope they know who they are!). And every opinion is a valid one. I like that; if you love a book, that’s cool. If you don’t, then that’s okay too. Either way, I’ve enjoyed all the conversations and feedback immensely, and hope they continue!

Tell us a little about your blog, Mr. Rhapsodist.  How long have you been blogging, and what made you decide to start? What do you focus on at your blog?

I’ve been blogging for almost three years now.  I started my current blog, Mr. Rhapsodist, on May 10, 2010.  While I’ve been writing my whole life, I was more focused on trying to write a novel that never got anywhere during college.  After I got laid off from my first post-college job, I decided to focus on blogging and generating an online audience.  I decided to share my passion for the science fiction and fantasy genres, which later extended to the medium of anime, and these three are what my blog focuses on.

What’s the best book you’ve read in the last year?

The best book I read last year was Redshirts by John Scalzi.

where are your favorite places to get books? (Amazon, other online retailers, bookstores, library, other)

I usually get books from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  And since I read a lot of novels now as ebooks, I tend to purchase and download them through Barnes & Noble in particular.

Where are some of your favorite places to get book recommendations?

I usually check John Scalzi’s blog “Whatever” for book recommendations.  His Big Idea posts will highlight authors and give them a chance to discuss the themes in their latest novels, which is a good way for me to gauge my interest.  I also tend to listen for books that my friends might recommend.

Your short story collection, Digital Eyes, Family Ties, came out just about a year ago. How long did it take you to write that? What was your publishing experience like?

To get somewhat personal, you and I share a love for Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist. So I have to know, which anime do you like better, the first one, or Brotherhood?

Definitely my favorite is Brotherhood.

For well considered review of science fiction, fantasy and anime, flash fiction pieces, commentary on the industry and more, check out Mr. Rhapsodist. Alex can also be found on twitter, and goodreads.

Do you live or have you visited Albuquerque? Take a look at Bookworks’ website, this looks like a place I could spend days and days at!

Amanda Sutton handles marketing and events at Bookworks, and she was kind enough to answer a ton of questions I sent her way.  Amanda handles all their event marketing, including handling their social media, like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.  Amanda’s pretty amazing as is the entire Bookworks family, read for yourself:

Can you tell us a little about the history of Bookworks?

Bookworks was founded in 1984 by Nancy Rutland, who owned the store for about 25 years, first near the campus of the University of New Mexico and Nob Hill, then later from its present location next door to Flying Star Cafe in Albuquerque’s North Valley. Danielle Foster and Wyatt Wegrzyn, former employees of Ms. Rutland, bought the store from her and are our current co-owners. Bookworks has always been a staple in the Albuquerque literary community. The store continues to bring in nationally touring authors with new releases in literature, history, biography, politics, science and other fiction and nonfiction genres, as it has since its inception.

Ruth Ozeki’s A TALE FOR THE TIME BEING, Emily Rapp’s THE STILL POINT OF THE TURNING WORLD, Louis Erdrich’s ROUND HOUSE, Junot Diaz’s THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER, Sherman Alexie’s BLASPHEMY, Robin Sloan’s MR. PENUMBRA’S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE.

Independent bookstores across the country share some of the same triumphs and challenges. It’s great to have the camaraderie to be able to share ideas with one another and learn from our respective histories, victories, and maybe mistakes.

I have only been working at Bookworks since mid-December but have been a book publicist in the area for more than a decade. One of my favorite events I helped plan was the Librotraficante caravan’s stops in Albuquerque last March, which featured many amazing writers including Lorna Dee Cervantes, Dagoberto Gilb, and Richard Vargas. I’ve helped organize several fun readings with the Albuquerque Cultural Conference as well, and for poet laureates for both Albuquerque and Santa Fe. So far at Bookworks, I really enjoyed hosting Emily Rapp for her new memoir and Rilla Askew for her new novel. This spring and summer with Bookworks, I am especially looking forward to April events with Amy Stewart on her Drunken Botanist tour, Anthony Bourdain at the Kiva Auditorium, and Augusten Burroughs at the University of New Mexico. We have Rudolfo Anaya at the store May 4, which will attract hundreds, and he is an absolute pleasure. In June, we have Khaled Hosseini is at UNM on June 9, which is going to be huge, and June 29 during Pride weekend we host Zach Wahls, author of MY TWO MOMS, at North Fourth Art Center, which will be very cool.

We are on Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Duke City Fix, Instagram, Yelp, Four Square. What did I leave out?? Yes, social networking is huge and necessary. I’m interested to see how much social networking actually affects book sales and events. It’s been interesting that often on Facebook many more people RSVP “yes” for an event than actually show up for it. Generally, though, we get a ton of good ideas, event leads, promotional opportunities, reading trends, and community information from social networks.

Thanks so much Amanda, for answering my questions and helping us learn more about Bookworks.  Anthony Bourdain? are you kidding? Me thinks I have some frequent flyer miles to cash in for a trip to New Mexico!