Ten Interview Questions for “The Next Big Thing” – Kristina Lareau

Thank you very much to Heather Demetrios-Fehst, for inviting me to be interviewed for The Next Big Thing. Check out Heather's amazing blog work at her site http://www.heatherdemetrios.com. I am truly honored that she thought of me for this project!

What is the working title of your book?

Claudette and the Bibliotheque

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The dusty recesses of my mind. I am a librarian. A Steampunk. And a lover of fantasy and magic. The idea for the book evolved from Claudette herself who entered from some writing exercise and took off from there.

What genre does your book fall under?

Middle-Grade Fantasy

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Claudette: Victoria Strauss (Judy Moody movie)

Verlee: Judi Dench

Adara: Blair Brown (Fringe)

Fifi: Emma Watson

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

 

Claudette finds herself--after the disappearance of her father and sister-- the apprentice of three librarians at who are grooming her to maintain the Special Collection--a secret and controversial collection of talents, skills and traits--that must be restocked and protected.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Hopefully represented by an agency, but I haven't gotten that far yet.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Whoo boy. I'll let you know. Still in progress...

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

 

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

The corners of the world of Harry Potter. I have always been fascinated with the old, with the antique, with the etiquette of the Victorians, and the culture and language of the French. This book puts together a world I would to explore with a character I am excited to write.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Claudette's romantic interest is the youngest of the librarian sisters--Fifi. This relationship evolved on its own and it is really exciting to write.

On next week’s Blog Hop please check out what the following Writers have to offer:

Mel Schuit, upcoming picturebook and YA author: http://melschuit.wordpress.com/

Caragh O'Brien, author of the Birthmarked Trilogy: http://www.caraghobrien.com/