Guest Post Monday is a feature we started here at The Deranged Book Lovers where we invite authors or bloggers to have a little chat with us.
This week's guest is the acclaimed author, Jon Courtenay Grimwood. He have written more than 10 novels. He won British Science Fiction Association (BSFA) Award for his novel Felaheen in 2003 and won another BSFA Award for best novel for End of the World Blues in year 2006. This time he's taking a turn from science fiction to historical fiction mixed with fantasy in his latest novel, The Fallen Blade: Act 1 The Assassini Trilogy, which will be released on January 27, 2011.
Jon Courtenay Grimwood wrote his first book at seven, about a monkey that stole a space ship and escaped to the moon. Because he considered writing was hard, he ended up drawing the last two thirds. Somehow he had always written stories in his head, with stories going on for years (Jon: not normal, I know; Lyn: don't worry, for that we’re on the same boat. But then again, I'm not normal as well). For him it was just a case of putting it down on screen. Before he was a published writer, he was an editor and spent several years editing and sometimes rewriting other people's work. Finally after a while he decided it's time for him to do it for himself.
Jon Courtenay Grimwood wrote his first book at seven, about a monkey that stole a space ship and escaped to the moon. Because he considered writing was hard, he ended up drawing the last two thirds. Somehow he had always written stories in his head, with stories going on for years (Jon: not normal, I know; Lyn: don't worry, for that we’re on the same boat. But then again, I'm not normal as well). For him it was just a case of putting it down on screen. Before he was a published writer, he was an editor and spent several years editing and sometimes rewriting other people's work. Finally after a while he decided it's time for him to do it for himself.
According to Jon, being a full time writer has its advantage and disadvantage. "The downside is you get no holidays but the advantage is you work for yourself and if you miss deadlines you have only yourself to blame." He claims to have simple life; spend his morning by writing in a cafe, go for a walk or ride his motorbike in the afternoon, and back to work in the evening.
I asked one question I always ask to the authors: How's your life changed when you became an author and/or what were you doing before being an author?
“The greatest thing about being an author is that you can do it anywhere. So if you have a lap top you can work. I spend a lot of time researching the novels. For the Fallen Blade, the first of the Assassini trilogy, I made three trips to Venice to map out where things happened and make notes and drawing of the locations. I also bought as many vampire DVDs as I could find (writing a book is a pretty fantastic excuse for doing a lot of things you want to do and calling it research). Before I was a full time writer I was a freelance journalist for a number of magazines and newspapers, and before that I worked in publishing, first as a production assistant and then transferred to editorial.”
Thank you Jon Courtenay Grimwood! For dear readers, this is only a start. I will post my review on his latest book, The Fallen Blade, Act I of the Assassini Trilogy few days later and also the interview post with Mr.Grimwood about his latest book, The Fallen Blade that will be released on January, 27 this year. Visit Jon Courtenay Grimwood's website if you want to contact him directly. Now onto the giveaway!!
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12 comments:
Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! I truly admire how the author went to Venice to do some added research into the places he incorporated into the story. It is truly an added appreciation to his work.
moonlightgleam(at)gmail(dot)com
Great giveaway! this looks like an amazing book I cant wait to read it!!
Ohh I saw this book somewhere I can't remember... Maybe Goodreads ? Or Amazon... Ugh, I can't remember! Anyway, I saw thhs book, and it immediately caught my attention!
Thank you VERY much for this giveaway ;)
This is the first time I've heard about this book, and it sounds like a gret read. Thanks for the awesome contest. ^_^
I loved hearing what the first story he ever wrote was about - monkeys and spaceships - classic 7-year-old boy.
(writing a book is a pretty fantastic excuse for doing a lot of things you want to do and calling it research).
I absolutely loved this response to being a writer. As a fledgling writer myself, I find research definitely gives you an edge of getting inside your characters minds. Thanks for the interview! (Hugs)Indigo
i think the being able to work anywhere and for yourself sounds marvellous! I can only imagine how fascinating all the research is, i think the saying "you learn something new everyday" would definately apply:)
Thank you for this giveaway!
He wrote his first book at 7? Wow, that's awesome!
And I love that he traveled to Venice for research, it shows his true dedication and I enjoy knowing that when I read the book.
Thanks for the giveaway, looks like a great book!
This has been on my wishlist for quite awhile now! Looks like a great start to a new series!
Kristin
MyBookishWays
This is a great interview! I can't believe he wrote his first book so young! And its wonderful that he went so much in depth do do research! Sometimes I get kind of annoyed if the setting of a story is unrealistic or an author doesn't take the time to fully research an aspect of a story. Thanks for the giveaway as well!
Between your review, your entertaining interview and this guest post I'm convinced this is a pretty darn good book and it's going on my TBR list. Oh, what a life to "have" to go to Venice to do research!
Thanks for the amazing post and giveaway. I had never heard of this book until now and I am really intrigued :)
mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com
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