Oct 18, 2010

Interview/Giveaway with Devon Monk

Hello all! Today I bring you a short interview with Devon Monk!! Author of the Allie Beckstrom series and soon to come Age of Steam series which will be a steampunk series premiering in July 2011!

Devon's here today to answer a few questions about this and that that I thought of and there will be a giveaway at the end of the post so be sure to look for it.

Now, onto the interview!

JESSICA: What inspired you to be a writer?

DEVON: I’ve always been an avid reader and have loved escaping into the worlds and people writers bring to life. I wanted to give that same kind of escape for others, so I started writing. I love my job!

JESSICA: In your series magic is treated differently, what gave you the idea to make it come at a cost, even if it was used for good, unselfish reasons?

DEVON:  This aspect of the books is certainly one that I get a lot of comments about. For me, fiction, even fantasy fiction, should mirror reality in some way. So when I started thinking about magic and how it might really be used if we had it in the real world, I knew that there would have to be a trade-off.  But if the trade-off was something as easy as money, then only the rich would have magic. And while that’s an interesting idea, I wanted something we could all “pay” whether we are rich or poor, old or young. And once I decided the price for using magic was pain, there were suddenly a lot of moral questions about how and why magic should be used. That’s when I knew it was the right way to handle magic in for these books.

JESSICA: What would you give in exchange for using magic? Headaches? What memories would you be willing to lose? 

DEVON: Oh, I think I could handle a headache or two for magic! I’ve thought about memories I’d be willing to give up, and used to think I’d want to get rid of all my bad memories. But I’ve learned a lot from the bad times in my life, so I don’t want to lose those. The only kind of memories I wouldn’t mind getting rid of are maybe some of my most embarrassing foot-in-mouth moments. 

JESSICA: How did you come up with the character Stone? Did something inspire you for his purpose?

DEVON:  Stone was a surprise to me. When I wrote the scene of Allie and Zayvion going to the restaurant on their first real date, Stone suddenly came on the page and his part to play in the big picture of the series unfolded. I think Allie really needed a big bruiser buddy to look after her. Plus he’s a great mix of fun and deadly. :)

JESSICA: How many books do you have planned for the series?

DEVON: I’m contracted for six books, all of which are written. I’m hoping my publisher will pick up the last three in the series, bringing the total to nine books. I originally planned this as a nine book series.

JESSICA: What can you tell us about your next project?

DEVON: I’m starting a new series set in the steampunk alternate history of the American West. The first book, DEAD IRON is scheduled to be in stores July 2011 and has magic, curses, guns, love, and of course, gears and steam.

JESSICA: What do you like to do in your spare time?

DEVON: Read, knit weird stuff, bake, and right now I’m putting together a couple steampunk costumes.

JESSICA: What book are you currently reading?

DEVON: THE COLD KISS OF DEATH by Susanne McLeod and ON THE EDGE by Ilona Andrews.

JESSICA: Thanks for stopping by today, Devon.

DEVON: No problem!







Now onto the GIVEAWAY!

Devon has kindly offered up a SIGNED copy of Magic at the Gate to 1 lucky reader. And it's open to INTERNATIONAL readers!


To enter all you have to do is leave a comment here on the post saying who your favorite character from the series is and why. Or if you're new to the series, what intrigues you about the series to start it?

Be sure to leave your email address in your comment as well.

Guidelines:
Open to INTERNATIONAL readers, so anyone can enter!
Contest will end October 24, 2010 at 11:59 PM Central

Winner will be announced on Monday, October 25, 2010 here on the blog and I will contact you as well, from there you will have 48 hours to respond to claim your prize.

A word of note as well, when speaking with Devon last week, she had said she had not received her author copies of Magic at the Gate yet. She expects to get them in 1-2 weeks, from last week. Hopefully by the time the winner is announced she will have them or will have them very soon after.

There you have it! Start commenting!

58 comments:

  1. Fantastic interview! I loved her explanation for creating the idea of magic coming at a price and the moral questions that come into play when using it. I'm new to this series and am looking forward to reading it!

    supernaturalsnark@gmail.com

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  2. Hi Jessica & Devon!
    Thanks for the interview and giveaway ^^
    I haven't started reading this series yet, but I own the first 3 books at home. It was suggested to me by friends. I really need to start reading them!

    Have a great week <3
    TyngaUF(a)gmail.com

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  3. I would love to read this because I think the magic system is very unique. I would love to enter that world! Also, I look forward to your steampunk series! I love steampunk! Next big thing! Thanks for making this international.

    k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

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  4. Jenny--Hope you enjoy the books when you get a chance to check them out!

    Tynga--You have awesome friends! ;) Thanks for commenting!

    Kulsuma--Thank you! I'm excited about the steampunk too!

    And as luck would have it, my copies of MAGIC AT THE GATE arrived this morning!

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  5. So far I have only read the first book but my favorite character was Zayvion. There is something about him that in at least that book is hard to figure out and makes me want to know more.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  6. Yay for a new author to add to my "Must-Read" list!
    First off, I must say that the covers of the series are pretty kick-ass (especially "Magic on the Storm" and "Magic at the Gate")!
    What I find so intriguing about this series is Devon's take on magic- seriously, power for pain? I just find that a lot of the time in books the character never gets hurt, or if they do they can fix themselves pretty easily, but to see a character actually go through pain for realsies? Very intriguing!

    Anyways, great contest/ thanks!
    Avery
    elfee_2_ava@hotmail.com

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  7. I haven't had a chance to start this series yet, although I do have some of the books on my TBR shelf. I'm intrigued by the price for using magic being pain, I think that is a great premise to base the stories on. I'm eager to get started on the Allie Beckstrom series and really looking forward to the Age of Steam books.

    Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. Great interview. I haven't had the chance yet to read the books but I do have them sitting on my shelf.
    I've read so many good reviews for this series,I can't wait to start the books.Love the covers too.
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  9. I haven't gotten around to reading these but have heard good things about them.

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  10. shoot forgot my email addy
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

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  11. Great interview! I love this series! I'm having trouble deciding between Allie and Zayvion. I love them both!

    miranda.grissom@gmail.com

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  12. Hi Jessica

    Thanks for the interview & giveaway, I have heard about this series & have never got around to try it.

    I like 2 things about it namely:
    1] The main character has memory problems and has a book to remember her life[shades of Memento] & it just makes the story that much more exciting since the reader cannot be 100% sure of the protagonist's recall

    2] The author has a clear cut 9 book arc plotted out, somehow knowing that about the story makes me feel elated that the author isn't just prolonging the series unnecessarily.

    Mihir
    MihirTwu(at)Gmail(dot)com

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  13. I love, love, love these books! I had the huge honor of having lunch with Devon at this year's RT and although I at least got pictures w/ her, I'd already brought my books back to my room, so winning a signed copy would be awesome! Anyways back on topic- Hmmm so many great characters...I'm going to choose Shame, just because he's a riot and I love his quirkyness! :) Great interview/contest Jess!
    *Nikki*

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  14. I love this series. I've read it 3x already. Now i'm anxiously waiting for Magic at the Gate. Allie is such a strong character. She does things her own way. I can't wait to see whats in store for her & Zayvion!

    mprncssbail@comcast.net

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  15. I'm an avid fan of the series - it is by far my favorite across the YA, UF, and PNR genres that I read.

    The main reason (MAY CONTAIN SPOLIERS):

    I love Shamus Flynn! He is...amazing, just amazing. Everything thing from his look, to his abilites (very unique), to his statements (make my day), to just his personality (which makes him so...real. The way he smiles through everything, has such inner strength (like when resisted taking the life energy out of the crystal, and let himself be knocked out to defeat Chase's control), and his facade that hides a wonderful trait of loyalty).

    More than anything, I love how he doesn't have to be there in every scene, doing a whole lot of stuff, and yet we know he's (out) there, and he does things that effect how things play out. An unsung hero (and he likes it that way!).

    I can also say that his interactions with a certain somebody *cough*Terric*cough* makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time.

    It's hard to find a read with a character you can not just like, but one you can connect with, or care about to the point where you'd cry if they got badly hurt or died, sure. But it's rare that one is written so that taken outside of the story context you can know exactly what they'd do if confronted by someone or something in life, because they're just that vivid. He is a very strong - and welcome - presence in the story.

    *clears throat* So yeah, Shame is my favorite character.

    Thanks for the interview (and contest, of course!)

    EMAIL:
    saint_of_gemini[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  16. I am jealous of all of you who have just started reading, the series just keeps getting better and better! My favorite character does not show up right away (had to give everyone else a headstart) but when he does he is worth the wait. I am speaking of course about Shame, ice cube thrower extraordinaire (when you get to Magic on the Storm you will understand).

    No need to enter me in the contest, thank you for the interview and getting some new blood interested (come on book 7!).

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  17. Gonna sound crazy... but I think my favorite character might just be Shamus Flynn. He's so quirky! The insane part of that is that my favorite characters are typically one of the main peeps... if not both of em! Don't get me wrong, I love Allie and Zayvion - but Shamus Flynn simply intrigues me! =)

    By the way, thanks for this awesome opportunity!

    patterson1219[at]live.missouristate.edu

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  18. Sounds like a great urban fantasy series!

    educationwatch(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. I love this series. I recommended to all my friends

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  20. I have read all the books out so far. And I have to say my favorite character is Zayvion Jones. He is a intriguing character. There was so much mystery about him in the beginning and now I find myself feeling sorry for him at times because he seems so lost until he makes a connection with Allie. You can see him holding back sometimes because he is afraid of something terrible happening to her. You just know he is in love with her…He’s strong, protective, caring and has a bit of the bad boy persona. I can’t wait to find out where this fantastic journey will lead Allie and Zayvion next!

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  21. I just started reading this series and I love it. There is so many UF stories that are just alike but Devon Monk is in a class of her own.

    My favorite character is of course Zayvion Jones. He is delish. A man of mystery. He seems to truly care for Allie and it is so sweet how he tries to remind her of things but it broke my heart that she couldn't remember their relationship. However, seeing as I just finished Magic in the Blood things may change. A brand new start so to say.

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  22. Seriously? You want me to pick just ONE?

    i have read everything that is out and I love them all.
    I guess I can give you my top four - Allie, Zayvion, Shamus and Stone.

    Love, love,love the addition of Stone. ;)

    I also love the setting. Portland is near and dear to my heart and I can so vividly see it in your "alternative" world.
    Keep the books coming and I'll keep my fingers crossed for all nine of these Allie Beckstrom books to make it into print with no glitches.

    I bought all the books but have shared them with my daughters so would love to have a signed set that I could keep for my very own.

    Congratulations on your success,

    Laurel N

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  23. My favourite is a toss-up between Allie herself (I especially love the fact that she loses memory, it's so different from all the other urban fantasy I've read) and Stone (just cute and awesome).

    I'd love to enter this competition, not least because I believe the book comes out rather later here in the UK than in the US, so if I won I'd get to read it earlier! Thank you for hosting the competition.

    My email is atalanta@mayitbe.co.uk

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  24. Dear Devon, if I had to pick one character it would be Allie because even though she looses pieces of her self to her magic, her memories and aches and pains, she is a kick-ass heroine and can take care of her self in the most unique way. I never get tired of reading about Allie and hate to see the end of these books!
    Thanks for the wonderful interview!
    Cindy Bailey oldbookwormcb@yahoo.com

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  25. I love this series, and cannot wait to read the latest book - so am I ever putting my hand up to win a copy!

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  26. Daniel Beckstrom is one of my favorite characters in the series. He's such a blend of white and black magic, love and disrepect, that it's fun watching how Devon Monk balances his contribution to the series

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  27. I love Allie. Even though, she goes through a lot of hardships in order to protect her loved ones/do what's right, she still face whatever problems come her way. I think she's a very strong character :)

    (tamara525@gmail.com)

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  28. Allie is my favorite, but I do love Zay, too.

    Found your site through Devon Monk's blog--I'll definitely be back!

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  29. I love all of the charactors but I really like that Allie has Nola as an anchor and a "keeper" of at least some of her memories. ktlittlemck@gmail.com

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  30. Thank you for the opportunity to read the book before the release date.
    I have read the series and I must say that I just can't to see what happens to Allie and Zavion I love them!

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  31. My current favorite character is "Momma" She is SO powerful and yet so secretive. I want to know more like how is she keeping the magic well hidden.

    I have been waiting on the new book since the day after the last one made it to the kindle. I really hope there isn't another 3 week delay.

    dpb(at)bl{dot}com

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  32. I haven't gotten aroundreading ths serie yet but I do have the forst one on my shelf at home. I heard so much good thing about this serie that I really want to read this one. And the covers are just great!
    kimvanaken@live.nl

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  33. My favorite is allie because she is willing to do a job which dosn't have major upsides and seems to do it because she has a talent and this is the most effective way of using it to help other people.

    Email is spat(at)worldrolling(dot)com

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  34. I love the books, and am looking forward to the new series as well.

    I like most of the characters Devon creates, because of their flaws. I'd have to say that I like Allie's dad the best. I was extremely disappointed when he died in the first book, and was overjoyed at the clever way he was brought back. His character became even more interesting when he took up residence inside Allie's head, as it enables all sorts of internal conflict, and sometimes hilariously uncomfortable situations ensue.

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  35. Hearing that Stone wasn't quite planned was an interesting quirk. He fits in so well!

    I'd have to say that really... Shame is my favorite character. He's that lovable third wheel to the budding realtionship. He's the quiet master of his art with just enough snarkiness to back it up if someone questions it. Seeing the interactions between the gang when he's around is always something I look forward to since he was introduced. That and who can't resist that scene with Shame herding him into the car like they just robbed a bank. "Go go go!"

    armiyana[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  36. Shame- he just seems like he'd be a fun person to hang with.

    Sunscented[at]gmail[dot]com

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  37. I love this series! Allie, Zay, and Shame are all awesome :) I think I like Shamus the best though. He's a great character with a great attitude.

    d.mccaw@hotmail.com

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  38. Hi, I'm new to this series, but I love what the author said about magic having a cost, and how Ally needed a big bruiser buddy. This sounds like my favorite kind of series.

    jlynettes @ hotmail . com

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  39. oops I forgot to leave my email addy...its dragonsally2 at gmail.com

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  40. I love Shame! I was able to read an excerpt from this book on another site (which has made it darn near impossible to wait patiently for the release by the way!) where Shame asks Allie to get his wallet out of his pocket and makes the usual sexual comments.
    I can't wait to get back to this series!
    arwenboeger@yahoo.com

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  41. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  42. My favorite character is Zayvion...he is so mysterious and interesting. I think an entire novel could be dedicated to what he doesn't say, and what happened in his past...and I can not wait to find out. However, Ally is also my favorite character. I love her attitude and independence, and even her stubbornness.
    I can not wait for this book to come out...After reading the previous one when it came out last spring/summer, I have been on pins and needles ever since...and since I didn't think I should suffer alone, I introduced the series to one of my friends and addicted her as well, so now we are waiting on pins and needles together. Thank so much Devon!

    My e-mail is Corrie.Martian@gmail.com

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  43. I haven't read this series yet, but I've had it on my wishlist for a while. I like the fact that there's a high price to pay for using magic.

    spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. Great interview!
    May favorite character is Zayvion of course!!

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  45. I LOVE this series!!! Im dying for Magic at the Gate!

    My fave character?? hmmm Im between Zay and Stone! Love them! Love Allie too =D

    larissa@larissaslife.com

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  46. I have not read this series yet... it sounds great! I love urban fantasy, so I am excited to have another series to check out. Magic in real life is so fun to read about. Thanks for sharing!

    seescootread[at]gmail[dot]com

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  47. Hey! Great interview!! I read these books in 4 days and I have been telling all of my friends to read Devon Monks work. I love these stories and am so glad i work at a book store so when those books hit the shelves i will be there to get it!!

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  48. Awesome interview!

    My favourite character is definitely Zayvion (this should be self explanatory).

    spettolij AT gmail DOT com

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  49. shamus ofcourse.. hes such a tortured soul.. but soo funny!! love him.. was very happy when he was introduced to the series.. would love to read more abt him.. in short story format or novel... whatever devon can/wants to do :)

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  50. When I first started reading the series my favorite character was Zayvion Jones because he was just awesome and kick ass. =D But when Magic in the Shadows came out and introduced Shamus Flynn to the story, he became my new favorite character. He's so hilarious!

    I can't wait for the next release! I need to know what will happen to Allie and Zayvion. >__< I got hooked to this series from the start. =D

    lylconfusedazn@yahoo.com

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  51. This is a great series, and I'd love to win a copy of Magic at the Gate! Other than Allie and Zay, my favorite character is the little gargoyle, Stone. Anyone can have a dog. It takes a special person to claim a gargoyle for a pet!

    debbie_mumford at hotmail dot com

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  52. Great Interview! I've heard such goos things about Devon Monk. I want to read these books! Count me in. :)

    natashajennex(at)gmail.com

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  53. This is such an awesome series! I've been waiting very patiently (obsessively) for the next installment and am happy (relieved) that my wait is finally over. I love the characters and Devon's vision of Portland. Love Shame... everyone should have one to knock you upside the head when you deserve it, or to have your back when you need it. :)

    Thank you, Dame Monk!

    geirskogul at hotmail dot com

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  54. Everything about this intrigues me! The set and characters look really unique and mysterious.

    mika.apostrophe@gmail.com

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  55. Haven't read this series yet, but I always love the idea of magic costing something, and that has me interested to read!
    littlebearries@yahoo.com

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  56. I will be new to this series but it looks like a strong female character is the lead - always a plus point!

    ~Chrizette
    baychriz at gmail dot com

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  57. Read all five books in one go earlier this year.
    I hope I'm still in time to get an early copy.

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  58. I have just started the series. It was recommended to me at one of our favorite local book shops, Escape fiction.
    Characters, I may be off the norm, but I find that locations have a huge part in how a story reads and are in themselves characters.. And Portland is an incredible setting. Being in Oregon myself, how could I resist a 'hometown' story setting.

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