Visit with Hilary Wagner

http://www.nightshadecity.com/

I'm really excited to be visiting today with author Hilary Wagner, whose debut novel, NIGHTSHADE CITY, was published by Holiday House on 10/1/10!



Deep beneath a modern metropolis lies the Catacombs, the kingdom of remarkable rats of superior intellect. Juniper and his maverick band of rebel rats have been plotting ever since the Bloody Coup turned the Catacombs, a once-peaceful democracy, into a brutal dictatorship ruled by decadent High Minister Killdeer and his vicious henchman, Billycan, a former lab rat with a fondness for butchery.

When three young orphan rats--brothers Vincent and Victor and a clever female named Clover--flee the Catacombs in mortal peril and join forces with the rebels, it proves to be the spark that ignites the long-awaited battle to overthrow their oppressors and create a new city--Nightshade City.



"Fans of Redwall and the Warriors series will love this heroic tale of good versus evil in a subterranean society of rats. The world of the Catacombs is so compelling readers will wonder if it really might exist under our city streets. Expect great adventures in Nightshade City.* ~ Rick Riordan, Author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series."

Publishers Weekly Review:
Wagner's debut novel is a labyrinthine saga about warring factions of rats living beneath a human city. Residents of the grim Catacombs are ruled by High Minister Killdeer, a lecherous drunkard who took control after staging a bloody coup and assassinating the beloved Trilok. Now, 11 years later, Loyalists led by a rat named Juniper are plotting to overthrow Killdeer and Billycan (his sadistic second-in-command), liberate the oppressed rats, and bring them to live in the newly constructed, idyllic Nightshade City. Aided by earthworms adept at burrowing tunnels, the Loyalists invade the Catacombs and pull off their mission in a mostly peaceful showdown. Though an abundance of details and ruminations can bog down the action, Wagner has a talent for characterization, and she fills her sprawling cast with compelling villains and heroes. The outcome feels inevitable, yet readers encounter ample bravado, humor, and pathos along the way. Billycan's mysterious disappearance, Juniper's adoption of a foundling infant rat, and a finale that intriguingly recreates the prologue leave open the door for further adventures in Nightshade. It's a door many fantasy fans will enter eagerly. Ages 9 up.(Oct.)

**I had the chance to ask Hilary a few questions about her life and writing, and I hope you enjoy her answers as much as I did!

If you could bring any character from one of your books to life, who would it be and why?

It would have to be Billycan from NIGHTSHADE CITY, but for my own protection he'd need to be caged at all times!

Your own six-word memoir.

Funny, funky, needy, crazy, obsessed!

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I seriously wanted to be so many things! I loved anything artistic, singing, acting, dancing (though I have two left feet!). I wanted to be an anthropologist, archeologist, historian, scientist...the list goes on and on. I'd still like to be all of those things!

Your favorite subject in high school – and your least favorite.

Favorite: English, Least Favorite: Gym (This only confirms that I'm a dork, doesn't it?) ;)

The one book everyone in the world should read.

NIGHTSHADE CITY! I've heard it's sheer genius!

If your mom wrote the author profile for the jacket of your next book, what would she write?

"I can't believe my quirky, flaky daughter wrote a book and about creepy rats no less! Her father and I always knew she was weird! I told her she should be writer. If only she'd done it sooner!"

You’ve invented a new national holiday. What is it called, and what does it celebrate? (Plus, would we get the day off of school and work??)

National Well Day! The opposite of a sick day! Everyone get's the day off of school and/or work with no guilt. I think everyone needs a day where they can just do whatever the heck they feel like--have fun with the family, go to the movies, write all day long, sleep the day away, whatever you feel like!

Using the letters J L W (my initials!), create the title of your next bestseller. (For example, Jumping Love Walrus.)

Jerks Loathe Waffles! Because you'd have to be a jerk to not like waffles! ;)

What is your ultimate vacation destination?

Vegas, baby!

If you weren’t an author, what job would you be doing?

I would love to have an on-line cookie business! I think I'd be great at it! I make a darn good cookie and I'd love to design all the packaging!

A movie is being made of ONE of your books. Which book is it, and who will star as the main characters?

It would have to be NIGHTSHADE CITY. Liam Neeson would play Juniper, the main good guy. Billycan, the main bad guy, would be played by Johnny Depp, who I think could make him extra diabolical!

The paranormal genre is big in teen/YA literature right now. Most bestsellers feature vampires, werewolves, faeries, angels, or the like as a main character. In your opinion, why are teens currently fascinated with all things paranormal?

Even as adults, we all need an escape, but with teens especially so. Teens want excitement and to be thrown into world where amazing things do happen! Where exams and curfew aren't the main concern and popularity is the least of their worries. It doesn't hurt that writers make vampires so darn charming and handsome! Every girl loves a bad boy!

You’re writing a book where you can change one major historical event. Which event do you change? (For example, Abraham Lincoln wasn’t assassinated, or Japan never bombed Pearl Harbor.)

America was never discovered--not until now. How would that impact the rest of the world--not having that American influence? What would the inhabitants of the newly discovered America be like in the present day--kept away from the rest of the world?

Remember those “classics” that you were made to read in high school English class? What was your favorite, and which title should students never have to be subjected to reading?

I loved JANE EYRE and WUTHERING HEIGHTS. I seriously can't think of a book I was made to read in high school that I wouldn't recommend.

Someone tells you that you’ll never publish another book that you write. Do you still keep writing?

I never let anyone tell me never!

A group of teens ask you the best way to become a published writer. How do you answer the question?

Gosh, that's a tough one! I'd have to say develop your own voice and stay true it. Don't write in way you "think" your story should be written. In other words, don't write it a way you think an agent or publisher will like. Write your story the way you want to write it. Always follow your instincts and everything else will eventually fall into place.

**Thanks so much to Hilary for visiting with us today! Be sure to check out the awesome NIGHTSHADE CITY website, listed above! You can also find Hilary at her Blog, on Facebook, at Twitter, or email her directly at h.wagner@nightshadecity.com.

We're going to be giving one lucky poster today a copy of NIGHTSHADE CITY, so be sure to leave any comments or questions you have for Ms. Wagner in the comments section. She'll be stopping by later today to see what we're discussing!