Interview with Ellen Connor! Why you Should Buy Nightfall & a Giveaway

Ellen Connor is the collaborative writing team of Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty. According to their website, the pen name comes from putting together the names of two “bad-ass female SF characters: Ellen Ripley (from Alien) and Sarah Connor (from The Terminator).” Tomorrow their first book in the Dark Age Dawning series, Nightfall will be released.

I recently got a chance to ask the team a few general questions and am excited to share their answers.

Q: I read on your website that the Dark Age Dawning series stems from a dream Ann had which made me wonder if  the Ellen Connor partnership a long-term deal? Do you see yourselves pairing up to write other novels?

A: We have ideas for two more projects. Whether those sell depends on how well the Dark Age Dawning series does. As ever, demand drives the market.

Q: What makes the Dark Age Dawning trilogy standout from other post-apocalypse books on the market? What’s one reason why a reader should buy Nightfall?

A: There aren’t many paranormal apocalyptic romances. In fact, I can only think of one other author who’s dipped a toe into these waters, so our project is certainly fresh. The other aspect of why our books are different is that we’ve devised a magical apocalypse instead of technology or bio-weapons or pollution or the atomic bomb. Finally, people should buy Nightfall if they’re looking for a different sort of romance. It’s dark, gritty, and intense with lots of action and elements of horror and fantasy in addition to the relationships, smoking hot sex, and emotional resonance.

Q: Who would sing the theme song for Nightfall if it were made into a movie?

A: Candle by Vast should be the theme song, as Carrie listened them a lot while writing the book. It would be awesome if they could do the whole soundtrack. Their music has an edge of male desperation and loss. Perfect for a hero at the end of the world!

Q:  Do you read reviews of your work? Why?

A: Carrie–My husband has a Google alert for my name and book titles. He sends me the ones I should read. Too much negativity does horrors to  my confidence!

A: Ann–I think reviews are for readers. If I read too many of the good ones, it may make me arrogant. If I read too many bad ones, I may lose faith in myself. It’s better for readers to write them for each other and for me to write my books. So no, generally, I don’t.

Q: Do you eat while you write? What’s your go-to snack?

A: Carrie–I’ve been trying to intentionally add nutrition to my daily intake, which means my snacks are almost exclusively fruit, especially melons and berries. I save higher calorie food for times when I’m relaxed and can appreciate them.

A: Ann–Honestly, I don’t know what I eat when I’m writing. Mostly protein bars, I guess, because I tend to be so involved with  what I’m writing that I lose track of the outside world.

How about a giveaway? Just comment on the post or ask the authors a question. I’ll try to get the authors to visit the blog over the course of the week. On June 13, 2011, I’ll select a winner using a random number generator.  I’ll use either Amazon or the Book Depository to send the winner a copy of Nightfall, so if your country is listed here you can enter. Please, one entry per person.