Welcome to The Debuts, a series of posts introducing you to brand, spanking new authors you really should get to know.
Meet Miriam Forster!
Byrt: If one of the top Hollywood voice-over guys was narrating your book trailer (in a hammy Hollywood way), what would he say?
Miriam: In a world where caste lines are fixed, and everyone has a place, one girl will change an entire city. Amid murder, betrayal, and politics, she will fight against those who would use her as a pawn. She will find her past, and save her future. If she survives.
Byrt: So what’s the story behind your story?
Miriam:One day I had one of those moments where a bunch of things I was reading and thinking about came together. I suddenly had this whole idea of a city where girls were trained to be different things, a place where you always knew what was expected of you. And there was a girl in this city that no one expected anything of. What would happen to her? How would she figure out who she was? That was the start. It took years of writing and rewriting before I actually got a good story out of the idea, but I still remember that click of ideas sliding into place.
Byrt: If you like ________, you’ll like my book
Miriam: The Girl of Fire and Thorns. (And if you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for. It is SO SO GOOD.)
Byrt: The silliest/craziest author moment you’ve had so far?
Miriam: Haha, well I write under my maiden name and not my married name, which has caused a few hiccups. I got the chance to sign ARCs at the Pacific Northwest Bookseller’s Association trade show this fall. It was my first signing and I was so nervous that I signed the first three books with the wrong name! Fortunately everyone was nice about it.
Byrt: Book you own with the most tattered, scotch-taped cover, the most battered spine? (And why you love it)
Miriam: I have an omnibus of Patrica Wrede’s Enchanted Forest Chronicles (Dealing with Dragons, Calling on Dragons, etc.) It’s completely falling apart, cover falling off, glue tearing. But I love it so! Fractured fairy tales, improper princesses and practical witches. So funny and amazing.
Byrt: Book you’re reading right now?
Miriam: I’m reading an ARC of A Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black. It’s out December 24th and is a paranormal thriller set at a ballet academy. It’s intense, with some gorgeous writing. I like it so far.
Byrt: Biggest Fangirl/boy moment you’ve ever had?
Miriam: I got to meet Lois Lowry this year in Spokane and get a new copy of The Giver with her signature in it. I tried to be cool when I met her, but I failed. There was lots of babbling.
Byrt: The TV show/movie you feel guiltiest admitting you love?
Miriam: I adore the 1993 Disney version of The Three Musketeers. It’s cheesy and inaccurate and goofy and I love it to death. Oliver Platt’s Porthos is hilarious and Tim Curry is villainous and there’s bonus baby-faced Chris O’Donnell!
Byrt: First song lyric that comes to mind right now. Go.
Miriam: I’ve been thinking about Steer by Missy Higgins a lot this morning. It’s an amazing song, and the second verse got stuck in my head.
Hold this feeling like a newborn.
Of freedom surging through your veins.
You have opened up a new door.
So bring on the wind, fire and rain
Byrt: What’s up next for you?
Miriam: I’ve got another book coming with HarperCollins, a companion to City of a Thousand Dolls. It’ll be out sometime in 2014. Other than that, who knows? It’s been an adventure so far, and I’m excited to see what’s next.
Thanks again to Miriam for taking the time!
For more on Miriam, check out her website here.
And you can read an excerpt of City of a Thousand Dolls here.
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