Interview with Suzanne Selfors

Suzanne Selfors is a Young Adult and a Middle Grade writer. Her books are Coffeehouse Angel, Saving Juliet, To Catch a Mermaid, and Fortune's Magic Farm. She is a local author and has a signing about a ten minute walk from my house. She lives in Bainbridge Island with her family.

1. Nordby is a fictional town based on the town of Pouksbo. What are some of your favorite things about Poulsbo?
I love Sluy's bakery. And Liberty Bay books and Hot Shots Java. I really like the ambiance, the town is so cute and welcoming. And the library has some really beautiful art.

2. Malcom is quite an interesting character. Where did you get the inspiration for him?
Well, I have to make a confession. I have this thing about guys in kilts--Scottish guys in particular. Originally, I tried to make Malcolm Scottish, but writing the accent was really difficult and my early readers didn't like it.
Malcolm is an angel, but he's not a traditional angel. I combined a number of mythologies when I created him, including the Christian/Jewish/Islamic tradition of the angel as a messenger. Malcolm wears a kilt and carries a satchel because much of his character is based on Hermes, the Greek messenger God. I'm crazy about Greek mythology.

3. All of your books have some sort of magical twist. What is your favorite part of writing with magic?
I never sit down and say, okay, I'm going to write another story with magic. It just always happens. I get bored with the real world, I guess.
Fantasy is the ultimate thrill for a fiction writer because anything goes. And I love that.

4. What do you like most about writing both Middle Grade and Young Adult?
It never gets boring. It's a constant challenge to move between the two genres and I love that.

5. What books can we look forward to in the future from you?
In May, 2010, my 3rd middle grade book, Smells Like Dog, will be released. It's a very funny story and I just got a sneak peek at the cover which is adorable. I'm currently writing my 3rd teen novel. I don't know if it will be released in 2010 or 11 at this point. But it's about Cupid.

6. What are some of your favorite Young Adult and Middle Grade books?
Loved The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Loved When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. ANd I'm a huge Harry Potter fan.

7. Is there anything that you would like to add?
There will be a Coffeehouse Angel mini tour this fall. The dates and locations will be listed on my website by the end of summer. And I love hearing from readers, so please visit my website at http://www.suzanneselfors.com/.
Thanks for the interview!