I have been tagged by the ever delightful Catherine Lundoff to participate in “The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.” Before I start, you can read Catherine’s entry!
Okay, on with the questions.
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What is the working title of your next book?
I have the title for this one pretty much set in stone at this point. It is the A Study in Violet.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I’ve written and published two stories that featured the character Arkady Bloom, The Horror at Cold Springs, a steampunk & weird west tale and The Curious Case of the Jeweled Alicorn, a steampunk spy-thriller novella focused on Bloom in Her Majesty’s Secret Supernatural Service. My publisher, Sam’s Dot Publishing, has been pretty pleased with the performance of the other two books, and we wanted to keep the series going as long as people are interested in reading it. My wife and I had been reading the Sherlock Holmes stories—including A Study in Scarlet–and we had both recently read Neil Gaiman’s homage to both Conan Doyle and Lovecraft, A Study in Emerald. My wife (who actually created the Bloom character and handed him to me to play with) pointed out that we had established that elf-blood (Bloom is a half-blood) was violet. We were both excited to create our own steampunk homage to Sherlock Holmes tales and yet put a unique twist on the genre.
What genre does your book fall under?
Steampunk/Fantasy/Science Fantasy/Victoriana/Detective
What is the synopsis or blurb for this book?
When a minor lord who is arranging marriages between the sons of prominent English nobles and the daughters of the elven court is murdered, Arkady Bloom—a half-blood poet and agent of Her Majesty’s Paranormal Services—is ordered to assist the investigation. Bloom is quickly plunged into intrigue and possible treason against the crown, even as his own loyalties are called into question.
What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Arkady Bloom: My wife and I have both always pictured this character as looking a lot like Orlando Bloom in tails and top hat.
Mr. Chillblood: Give Idris Elba scars and Victorian clothes and he’d be great as the silent, brooding bodyguard of Bloom.
Katarina: Bloom’s elven changeling ward is physically based on a friend of mine, but could easily be played by Dakota Fanning.
Theodora: Katarina’s automaton creation is physically based on urban fantasy author Caitlin Kittredge and I really can’t see her any other way. Caitlin was an extra in a movie once, so she totally counts. By the way, Caitlin is also doing “The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.” Reader her post here!
Inspector Highmore: Richard Leaf really has that tired, world-weary look, coupled with striking blue eyes.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m hoping my publisher of the previous books will like this one enough to buy it, but I don’t have a contract. If they don’t buy it, I’ll have to consider other options.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About three months. I’m hoping to have it ready to deliver in March or April of 2013.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I think I answered that above. A Study in Violet is a steampunk detective story homage to both Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet and Neil Gaiman’s A Study in Emerald. From a technical craft aspect, I took on the challenge of writing a story completely from the point of view of a character who doesn’t speak (Chillblood).
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
The whole series has some League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in it. Mostly I would compare it to Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, and Jekyll and Hyde.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
If you are a fan of steampunk, Victoriana, Holmesian detective stories, and chaotic action sequences, this is for you!
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And there is my contribution to the Blog Hop! I will now tag five terrific writers to share what they’re up to next.
Because I asked and she said, “Yes!”
Dana Baird
Because I asked and they didn’t say, “No!”
Lyda Morehouse
Kelly Barnhill
Scott Lynch
Because I meant to ask, forgot, and decided to tag her anyway:
Rae Carson
You changed the title to match the Holmes story? Or you mistyped?
I’ve never been a robot before. That’s cool!
Eric – A total mistype. I have corrected it.
Caitlin – I’m pleased that you’re pleased!
Re: Orlando Bloom as Arkady Bloom – Interestingly, the name similarity is not intentional. The character of Arkady Bloom was conceived before I saw Orlando Bloom play Legolas. My image of an Elven male in a top hat came from artwork in a steampunk issue of Dragon Magazine, November 2000, page 96. I don’t know where I got the name, but I believe that I had it before that, so it is just a coincidence. To me, Arkady is more mature than Legolas was, so Orlando might be the right age now. He has the right build and boning.
Re: the casting for Chillblood. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje was part of the visual reference for when I created that character. But I could easily accept your casting. Just don’t forget the dreads.