Meet Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of the Lost Cities

Welcome The Debuts, a series of posts introducing you to brand, spanking new authors you really should get to know.

Meet Shannon Messenger!

Byrt: If one of the top Hollywood voice-over guys was narrating your book trailer (in a hammy Hollywood way), what would he say?

SM: “In a world where telepaths serve as the Keepers of secrets, one 12-year old girl must uncover the mysteries hidden in her mind…”

Byrt: So what’s the story behind your story?

SM: Keeper of the Lost Cities started as a short story, and Sophie was actually only a side character in it. But the more I worked on it, the more that little girl took over my life with all her secrets and adventures, and I realized she belonged to a series that I NEEDED to write. She’s been bossing me around ever since.

Byrt: If you like ________, you’ll like my book

SM: Lord of the Rings, X-Men, and Harry Potter. There are little hints of all three.

Byrt: The silliest/craziest author moment you’ve had so far?

SM: Oh, there have been MANY (I have a gift for causing shenanigans). One that stands out was when I — in true nerdy Shannon form — asked Lisa McMann if I could hug her when she told me she’d emailed my editor, agreeing to blurb my book. Luckily for me, she graciously agreed, instead of calling security, like she probably should have done.

Byrt: Book you own with the most tattered, scotch-taped cover, the most battered spine? (And why you love it)

SM: Yikes — that’s hard because my family was pretty broke growing up, so I really didn’t own any of the books I read. I was a loyal library supporter. And while I did buy all my favorites for myself as an adult, I bought pretty hardcover copies that aren’t all tattered and worn. That being said, IF I’d owned it, instead of it being a library copy — I’m sure my most tattered book would be Frog and Toad Together. I read those stories over and over and over. Especially the one about the cookies.

Byrt: Book you’re reading right now?

SM: I can’t tell you the title — since I don’t think it’s been announced. But I’m actually reading a draft of the sequel to Mind Games, by Kiersten White. BE JEALOUS! IT’S AMAZING! (Ahem. Sorry.)

Byrt: Biggest Fangirl/boy moment you’ve ever had?

SM: I wish I could say something deep and meaningful, but sadly the first thought that came to my mind was when I got to see Gavin Rossdale – the love of my teenage life – in concert and we were so close to the stage that he reached out and touched my hand. Now if only he hadn’t been grossly sweaty…

Byrt: The TV show/movie you feel guiltiest admitting you love?

SM: The Voice. Mostly it’s like a bad version of American Idol — but dang if those blind auditions with the spinning chairs aren’t addicting.

Byrt: First song lyric that comes to mind right now. Go.

SM: Ha – thank goodness it wasn’t something embarrassing. I was just listening to The Hunger Games Soundtrack so: “Come morning light, you and I’ll be safe and soooooooouuuuuuund.”

Byrt: What’s up next for you?

SM: Well, Keeper releases October 2. Right before that I owe the final draft of Keeper 2 to my editor. And somewhere in there I have to write the sequel to Let The Sky Fall and get ready for that series to launch on March 5th. So…lots to keep me busy. (And probably not a whole lot of sleep between now and then).

Thanks again to Shannon, for stopping by the Yurt!

For more on Shannon, check out her website here.

And you can read an excerpt of Keeper of the Lost Cities here.