GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Sheep Interview: NYTBS author Marjorie Liu + Giveaway! | I Smell Sheep

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Sheep Interview: NYTBS author Marjorie Liu + Giveaway!

By: Katie Dalton
Founder & Head Writer


I Smell Sheep is honored to have back with us the talented New York Times Best Selling PNR & SciFi author Marjorie Liu. In addition to the PNR world this busy lady writes some kick butt comics for Marvel like Dark Wolverine and Black Widow. If you're unfamiliar with Liu's work NOW is a great time to dive into her world, you wont regret it!

Check out the full interview below and stay tuned until the end for an awesome giveaway.


Katie: Welcome back Marjorie! How have things been with you since we spoke last year?

Marjorie: Fantastic. And crazy.

Katie: Sounds like my life at the moment too! Are you loving it?

Marjorie: You bet I am!


Sharon: Hello, I wasn’t around for your first interview so I got to ask, what’s under your bed?
Marjorie: Dust bunnies. Sometimes I feed them socks to keep them from nibbling on the books stacked around my bed.

Katie: You write some of the best series of books on the shelf today. For those that don't know about the Hunter Kiss or Dirk & Steele novels can you give them a little insight?
Marjorie: You're very kind.

The Hunter Kiss series is about a woman covered in living demonic tattoos that peel off her body at night to form a little army made up of five ferocious (and somewhat quirky) demons – affectionately called, “the Boys”.

The Dirk & Steele novels deal with a detective agency (of sorts) where the investigators are creatures of legend, urban and otherwise – mermen, shape-shifters, gargoyles, psychics – all dedicated to using their powers, in secret, for the greater good.

The latest Dirk & Steele novel, WITHIN THE FLAMES, just came out. In it, a young man – a pyrokinetic – is sent to New York City to find and protect a woman who is being hunted by witches who want to drain her blood – because she’s a dragon shape-shifter.
I’m excited about this novel. The hero, Eddie, has been with the Dirk & Steele series from the very beginning, and I’ve been waiting for what feels like forever to tell his story. I had to, though! It was all about finding the right heroine! Lyssa, however, finally slipped into my mind: a woman in hiding beneath the streets of New York City, disfigured, living in fear of hurting others with the fire that rages through her dragon blood – and terrified of being discovered by her enemies.

Katie: I've waited patiently (not really) for the latest edition in the Hunter Kiss series, The Mortal Bone, what can we look forward to with Zee and the boys?
Marjorie: The next Hunter Kiss novel, THE MORTAL BONE, finds Maxine Kiss dealing with an event more terrible than any she could have imagined: the Boys, her little demons, are stripped from her body, their connection to her completely severed…leaving Maxine unprotected and alone. Worse, without that connection, the Boys might revert to their old ways – as Reaper Kings, the devourer of worlds.

In other words, big trouble. Maxine’s life changes forever after this book.

To celebrate the release of the novel at the end of this month, Penguin is e-releasing a brand new short story called “The Silver Voice”, which set in the Hunter Kiss universe and bundled with a previously published novella, “Armor of Roses.”
Katie: *picks up a paper bag to breathe into* OMG….I love it and I can’t freakin wait!!! *passes out for a few minutes*
Sharon: *waves essence of vampire under Katie’s nose*

Katie: Sorry about that, okay moving on. This might be a spoiler question but I need to ask, will Maxine ever get pregnant? *leans closer to Marjorie*
Marjorie: Hm. Good question!
Katie: That’s it?! Oh Marjorie come on just a little taste! Give a gal something!!!
Marjorie: Sorry!

Sharon: As an author, what features do you like/dislike in a review blog? We are always looking for advice on how to improve our site.
Marjorie: I love critical honesty in a review, good or bad. That, and links: to the author’s website, along with places to purchase the title.

Katie: What are three things you couldn't live without?
Marjorie: Hope, integrity, and love. Hahaha. That, and pie.
Katie: What kind of pie? Banana cream?
Marjorie: Pumpkin!
Sharon: *makes ‘yucky’ face behind Liu’s back- Sharon gets hit in the head by flying book from Katie*

Sharon: Do you have any rituals you follow when you write, like a snack or drink you need?
Marjorie: I need to be comfortable. A good night’s rest helps, too. Other than that, I’m flexible.
Sharon: Me too! *touches toes*

Katie: As the big vamp lover that I am I gotta ask you a VERY important question, how many vamps do you know and can you hook me up? *winks*
Sharon: *pokes Katie* psst…ask about shifters too…
Katie: Right, I will. AFTER the vamp one. *looks expectantly at Marjorie*
Marjorie: Ha! Sorry, no vamps in the family or amongst my friends. At least, I don’t THINK so…
Katie: Bummer…
Sharon: See no vamps Katie but it sounds like there could be a shifter or two…

Katie: Where can folks find you in the coming months?
Marjorie: No public signings or evenings. Mostly, I’m just buckling down and working on the next book. I might attend C2E2 in Chicago, and I’ll be teaching a weeklong course next July in San Diego. You can find more information at the Clarion website: http://literature.ucsd.edu/affiliated-programs/clarion/index.html

After that, San Diego Comic Con!

Katie: We now move on to our famous rapid fire round, you know the drill so here we go!

Katie: Hair up or Down?
Marjorie: Depends on what I'm going for. I now have bangs, so mostly down.

Katie: Punch or Smack?
Marjorie: Punch. Once you start a fight, ladies, you might as well go all the way.
Katie: See? This is why I love Marjorie so much.
Marjorie: Aw!

Sharon: Thin crust or Thick?
Marjorie: Thin, thin, thin.

Katie: Tucan or Flamingo?
Marjorie: Flamingo!

Sharon: Mother Goose or Dr. Seuss?
Marjorie: Mother Goose!

Katie: Roman Castle or Scottish Castle?
Marjorie: Is there a time-traveling Highlander involved? The more wind-swept and bare-chested, the better.
Katie: Again. Why I love Marjorie. hahaha
Sharon: *wipes drool from mouth* I like wind-swept and bare…er, chested too ;)

Sharon: Bikini or One-piece?
Marjorie: The last time I wore a bathing suit was in high school, and that was a one-piece. And traumatic.

Katie: Babylon or Atlantis?
Marjorie: Stargate Atlantis?
Katie: I’ll take that answer...wait didn’t that show have Jason Momoa?!
Marjorie: Conan the Barbarian and Khal Drogo!
Katie: Oh we'll be getting into some GOT after the interview for sure!

Richard: Modus Ponens or Reductio ad absurdun?
Marjorie: Hi Richard! I’m all about the absurd consequences, so let’s go for Reductio ad absurdum.
Katie: *jumps* GEEZ! Richard, how the frel did you get in here?! Figures you found a way to pick the lock!
Richard: Pfft. Mere mortal locks can't keep me from this interview...um, yeah. sorry about the door though... M, good choice. I thought the attorney in you might pop up and Modus Ponens the response!
Sharon: *scratches head* Modus, huh?

Sharon: Soft and chewy or Hard and crunchy?
Marjorie: That’s like asking me to choose warm gooey brownies over…er, wait. Um, soft and chewy.

Katie: Rolling Stones or Beatles?
Marjorie: Neither. Give me the entire Michael Bolton collection and I’ll wallow, happily, in all the sweet love of the 80’s and 90’s!
Katie: Uhhhh……moving on! hahaha

Sharon: Peppermint or Butterscotch?
Marjorie: Peppermint. That is, if there isn’t chocolate around. Or mango flavored ice cream.

Katie: Grey Skull or Autobot City?
Marjorie: Autobot city. Absolutely, unequivocally, Autobot city. I would polish Optimus Prime’s windshield anytime.
Katie: Oh no…we might just witness a cat fight….um Marjorie? Sharon is OBSESSED with Optimus. *hides behind a chair*
Sharon: Ha! Katie’s funny, but she is right I do have a major crush on Prime. It’s his deep voice that makes me turn to Jell-o. *holds pumpkin pie up ready to throw just in case she needs to protect her man, er…robot*

Katie: Thanks again for coming back to chat with us, would you like to add anything before we wrap?
Marjorie: Just that you’re all wonderful! And thank you to my readers for their lovely support and enthusiasm. I appreciate it more than I can say.
Katie: We feel the same way. Keep holdin it down for the ladies M. and we’ll have your back till the bitter end!
Richard: *sigh* Marjorie Liu thinks that I’m *wonderful*…happy panda….
Katie: Oh geez! Someone call security!
Marjorie: Ha! I love you guys!

***GIVEAWAY***

Marjorie Liu is offering up two of her latest works: Dirk & Steele novel and Hunter Kiss BOTH signed! We can’t thank her enough for this generous offer. So in the comments below make sure to enter both things and double entries for followers.

1. Your Email Address
2. Marjorie’s latest book (Within the Flames) talks quiet a bit about power and the fine line one can walk before turning that power to evil. If YOU could have ultimate power what would you do with?

Contest ends December 11th at midnight.

Good luck!

31 comments:

  1. Great interview!
    It was I Smell Sheep that introduced me to Marjorie's books so i'm getting a bit sentimental and nostalgic right now. *lost in thought for a moment*

    But anyway:
    I would totally plot world domination and when I was overlord of the world I would round up all my favorite authors and make them write stories about a team of shape-shifting pigs who rid the world of zombies and other nasty critters while finding true love along the way.

    sullivanmcpig(at)gmail(dot)com
    (international entry/follower)

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  2. I power to control peoples every action and mood. But would it be for evil or good? BWAGAHA!
    You'll never really know. Would ya?!
    pamblakekenlilly@yahoo.com

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  3. Awesome interview ladies :)

    I've had the Hunters Kiss series on my wish list for a long time

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  4. OH WOW! I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv Marjorie M. Liu. Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv the Hunter Kiss series. I'm just starting on the D&S series so I'm kinda glad that I'm so far behind in that series cuz that means more for me to read w/out waiting ;) Thanks soooo much for an awesome interview!

    If I had ultimate power, I'd probably hide. I don't have enough confidence in myself to believe that I wouldn't cross the line into bad so I'd just ostrich. Maybe find a way to do a Charlie's angels things and work through other people.

    Thanks again for an awesome post and giveaway! *pick me* *pick me!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

    efender1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Oh my..Thats a hard one. I would have to say The ability to read peoples minds. I would definately use it to make sure that those who were thinking horrific thoughts never acted on them.. :)

    Awesome interview!!!

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Old Follower!!!!

    kristinaparmenter51(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. if i had ultimate power i first wouldn't tell anyone about it i'd probably just try to be a good person and help people but like you said there's a fine line and i'd probably end up going dark side i would definitely need some one in my life to ground me and remind me who i am and kick my ass when i start to slip.

    good luck to all!
    terri_dion@hotmail.com

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  7. Thanks for the terrific interview -- really enjoyed it!

    While I love "the Boys", I'm fascinated by the premise of the Dirk & Steele series.

    Hmmm... ultimate power... can I fly? That's what I'd want for myself. But having power brings a certain responsibility. There are so many wrongs to be righted in this world and yet you can't interfere TOO much. A very tricky balance. I'd keep it a secret for sure and leave global efforts to somebody else. I'd focus on improving the lives of ordinary individuals one by one. And maybe THEY would change the world. And of course, I'd also fly. A LOT!

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  8. Loved the interview, thanks for that.
    I think I would probably help others, when I was in need of help and someone was nice enough to help me I always said I would do the same thing if I was ever in the spot to do so.


    gfc follower
    miztik_rose@yahoo.com

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  9. heyy i hope this one is open to canada!
    i would probably become evil.. or i would be like a fat blob who uses power to do everything.. lol

    i follow.. pretty much everywhere i think

    alainala AT hotmail DOT ca

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  10. Thanks for a great interview! I love Marjorie's stories -- both D&S & Hunter Kiss...and I love dragons...so totally salivating here!

    The power I'd love to have -- the ability to travel anywhere in the blink of an eye. Oh so many possibilities...I could be a heroine and rescue people from fires & warzones & other bad situations. In between rescue work, I'd holiday wherever I pleased :)

    rkhan AT wcc DOT net

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  11. Have I mentioned my writers are crazy? Because they are.

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  12. Sounds great.

    Im sure I would use it to make my life easier and to get what I want. But I also like to think I would use it to help others as well.

    Im a follower

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  13. Ultimate Power? That's a hard decision, let me thing.. mmm I would like to have a healing power, yeap! I would love to have the hability to help people when they need me to!
    - GFC follower
    (INTL/ENTRY)

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. hm that's a tough questions. i don't know what i'd do with it. probably nothing evil. being evil requires way too much work. maybe i'd round up all the evil people like those who litter and don't like dogs into one place and they can annoy each other.

    thanks for the giveaway. love marjorie's books!
    twee66(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Ultimate Power huh? Hmmmm let's see, I would have to say reading minds, humans and animals. I would want to know how to help any animal who needed the help. I am a major animal lover and I can't stand to see them suffer.

    elmorulez2007@gmail.com

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  16. Hmm, lets see. My ultimate power would be being able to play with time, so I could write twice as much and be half as prolific as Marjorie. And still get sleep. (:
    P.S I'm an INTL entry, hope that's okay?
    rskrabl7(at)bigpond(dot)com

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  17. If I could have ultimate power, I would use it for good, really. :D I'd make sure myself and my loved ones were healthy and happy and then I'd try to help others.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  18. I'm a follower - Under the Covers

    Wow, that's a tough question. Reading minds would be a cool ability. But the line is very easy to cross. invading someone else's mind can be a touchy subject so I think mind reading would be an ability with the potential to go either way.

    I'm from Canada, hope that's ok.

    Annie
    alltherhage AT gmail DOT com

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  19. If I could have the ultimate power it would be to have healing power. I would love that

    GFC-Persephone
    wingepersephone at gmail dot com

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  20. I would love the power to time-travel, provided I can easily return to my time.

    GFC: Na
    Cambonified{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  21. 0ooooooh pick me charvahon@yahoo.com

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  22. I'd love the power of invisibility. I'd use it only for sneaking into book stores after hours to indulge.

    GFC- Lisa Richards
    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

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  23. Okay (rubbing hands together trying to think of something profound for the use of my ultimate power) I would definitely use it to conjure up a highlander with the wind whipping through his hair while bare-chested he presents me with my pumpkin pie (I just knew I was going to like Marjorie) and chocolate, as I brewed a steaming fresh ground cuppa and we sat on the moor over looking the Castle - uh hum indulging and subsequently planning our fight against the ultimate evil - oh yea! I think that would work, profound or not it is definitely on the schedule for further fantasizing, I mean research while dreaming tonight :) I would love to read Hunter Kiss. I have only read a short of Marjorie Liu's in an anthology in the past and would love to explore this world more. Thank you so much for taking the time for this awesome interview today and for the wonderful giveaway opportunity.
    GFC - Denise Zaky
    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

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  24. Great interview and giveaway! What a question! In a nutshell...I'd want to use my powers for good, but I am only one person...so, I'd have to choose a good team that I could DELEGATE tasks to...and I would also LOVE to be able to teleport, 'cause I'm always late!

    barbbattaglia@yahoo.com

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  25. That was a great post I love this author's books. Well with that unspeakable power I would dance the darkside a bit and get some retribution on an abusive deadbeat ex, then I would do some worldly good while also hoping I had some mechanical power to fix my car that just died. Yes santa I want superpowers for Christmas!

    terilhack at yahoo dot com

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  26. These types of interviews are so great! You do such a good job!
    I love Marjorie's Dirk & Steele series. I think I am up to number 5 or 6. Can't wait to read the rest of them. I would so love to win these so I don't have to wait for them to be available at the library.
    Hmmm power, yummy. What would I do with it? Actually I'd probably do what the Dirk & Steele folks do, right wrongs, etc.

    Follower
    WildAboutBones (at) gmail (dot) com

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  27. Thanks you this is a great interview and i'm happy to discover this author so thansk you for the giveaway too

    the ultimate power....it's means a lot of responsability too so if i can't use it without hurting something i think i will try to get rid of it ^^;;;

    follower miki

    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. Oh wow, In the Dark of Dreams was the last book I read in this series and I totally loved it.

    Ok if I had the altment powers I would do everything I could to please the ones I loved and respected. I would do the best I could to keep my head on straight and rid all the evil around us - take a bite out of crime so to speak.

    Also, I would probably think of myself last and enjoy myself a little to get some satisfaction, I wouldn't want to be lonely with all the power - LOL

    GFC Follower

    Ronda Tutt
    mrsqueentutt@yahoo.com

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  29. This contest is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter and a BIG thanks to our main squeeze M. Liu. We love ya right baaaaaack! ;)

    The winner is: Kristina

    You've been emailed and will have 5 days to respond back. Thanks again folks and stay tuned for more fun coming up! xoxoxo

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  30. Thank You so Much!!! I have emailed you back! Happy Reading! You Rock!

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