Here are many reader questions that have piled up over the last month. If you have questions, post 'em over on the message board at Olivernocturne.com!
1. A general question from many readers: When does book 5 come out?
The answer is April 15th. Look for it online a week or two before that.
2. Cameryn asked: hey kevin r u going 2 make any others series that have 2 do with vampires or something?
No vampires in addition to Oliver at the moment, but I am working on a novel that has to do with alien abduction and mind control and creepiness of that nature.
I'm also in the early stages of planning out a new series, one that will be dark and fun, but that's hush hush for now!
3. sammy asked: how many book will be left? if its only to the 5th book that will be sad.
And Savanna asked: So Kevin i was wondering how many books are you going to make?
Book 5 is not the last book in Oliver's story. Many things get resolved, but Oliver, Emalie and Dean still have quite a bit of work to do! I have plans laid out for books 6-8, with an additional bridge book between 5 and 6 called An Orani's Account (this would be like the Emalie's Account that I posted, and the additional ones that I promised but still haven't posted!). But I cannot tell you for certain when these books will come out. There will definitely be a break in the action, here, for a bit.
4. Jaden asked: Hey, Kevin, just wondering, how did half-light find a way to sire a child and create a demonless vampire? Will that be explained in later books?
This will be explained in bits over time. The basic premise is that Half-Light discovered how to combine DNA from two parents, in a procedure that's like a cross between in vitro fertilization and cloning. What forces and enchantments they applied to these embryos in order to get them to grow without a demon is top secret information, even to the inner members of Half Light. There is a handful of scientists who knows, and maybe Malcolm LeRoux. Here's an interesting question: Oliver doesn't want to get his demon, but what would happen to a child vampire who never received one? The kids are only engineered to survive into their teens, when they will get a demon to complete them.
5. Hayley said: a few questions: 1: why did u write the books? 2: out of the four books, which one is your favorite? 3:do u know what will happen if a vampire accidently eats garlic? smells garlic? 4: in book 3, what did dean eat on the charion? was the explosion in book four on the 23rd floor the same one that bane was in? 5: besides possum blood, what are choco Tacos made of?
1.I wrote the books for many reasons. I like some vampire stuff, though not all of it. I thought up Oliver when I was new to Seattle, and the weather was having an effect on me. He seemed like an interesting character. Also, I hadn't seen much done with kids as vampires, or with the idea of seeing a modern vampire's life from the vampire's point of view. It seemed like a unique thing to do in the vampire genre that would be fun.
2.I love all four books, but maybe the 4th the most. Though not as much as the 5th! The reason is that by book 4, I knew the characters really well, and so they felt like real people in my head. I could ask myself, what would Dean say right here? And there was this complete character in my head who could answer. Or something like that. Also, my favorite scene between Oliver and Emalie is in book 4 (except for one coming up in book 5!) But I love the other books for other reasons. My favorite setting is in book 2. My favorite new character is in book 3. My favorite family moment is also in 3. Book 1 will always be my first love, though, cause it came first.
3.I think a vampire would throw up if he ate garlic. Smelling it would be like smelling anything that you think is gross.
4.On the Charion, Dean probably had some blood, some chocolate, and survived, but he probably felt pretty hungry!
5.The answer to the explosion question is 'yes.' I don't want to get too much into the details in case readers haven't gotten that far yet.
6.Choco Tacos are a real and magical food:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choco_Taco
6. Kian asked: so i hear every ones typing about a movie (including me) ? oh pretty pretty please Kevin. i will do anything.
There is no movie news yet. There is maybe going to be some news, though, soon, about such things. That's all I can say for now.
7. Kian asked: Kevin i was wondering how you got those cover pics of Oliver and Eimile,oh and how you got oliver's eyes red.
The art department at Scholastic took those pictures, and I assume they colored the eyes using a photo editing program.
Thanks, minions!
kevin
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
December Reader Questions
I received this list of questions from Oliver readers Renee and Lynn. Goood questions! My answers pertain to the Oliver Nocturne vampire world, and do not apply to other vampire worlds.
1: can vampires get a tan?
For about three seconds before they would burn to ash.
2: how do vampires take baths? wouldn't they rot?
A vampire could and would shower or bathe in Oliver's world. They take care of rot by taking herb pills, drinking toxins that kill bacteria, and they would likely use special lotion on their skin after bathing that included anti-bacterial agents.
3: Lynn wants to know if her brother is a vampire 'cause he is scary.
The quickest way to check is a mirror.
4: where can i find a coat like the one Oliver's brother wears?
Goodwill! Or any good vintage/thrift store.
5: what is oliver's Fave kind of blood?
He's a fan of pig and panda. Also, the juices of tarantulas. Ostrich blood is apparently good for breakfast. It's tangy, like orange juice.
6: what is the average life span for a vampire?
Normal would be around 450 human years, which is 90 in vampire years. In book 1, Oliver meets a very old vampire in his six hundreds. He's practically a walking skeleton.
7: if black is normal 4 them wouldn't bright colors be their Gothic?
That's funny! Possibly, except bright colors would make them stand out when they're hunting humans and whatnot, so that would be considered a safety hazard.
8: what kind of music do they like?
Bane likes the trans-dimensional dub that is pirate-broadcast in Seattle, but in general, vampires like melancholy classical music. They are incredibly talented musicians, and prefer music that is really complex and subtle.
9: do grown up vampires have a sense of humor?
They do, but it's refined, in an evil way. They would like things that were witty and dark, but not slapstick type stuff.
10: what would a vampire get 4 Christmas?
They celebrate Longest Night, which is on the winter solstice. For gifts they would probably get sleek black coats, special moon-spun scarves, weapons like ancient katana swords or throwing stars, perfumes... Oliver would definitely want video games.
11: do vampires laugh? if so how?
Vampires don't need to breathe, but they do inhale air to speak / make their vocal chords work. So they could laugh same as humans if they wanted.
Thanks for the questions!
1: can vampires get a tan?
For about three seconds before they would burn to ash.
2: how do vampires take baths? wouldn't they rot?
A vampire could and would shower or bathe in Oliver's world. They take care of rot by taking herb pills, drinking toxins that kill bacteria, and they would likely use special lotion on their skin after bathing that included anti-bacterial agents.
3: Lynn wants to know if her brother is a vampire 'cause he is scary.
The quickest way to check is a mirror.
4: where can i find a coat like the one Oliver's brother wears?
Goodwill! Or any good vintage/thrift store.
5: what is oliver's Fave kind of blood?
He's a fan of pig and panda. Also, the juices of tarantulas. Ostrich blood is apparently good for breakfast. It's tangy, like orange juice.
6: what is the average life span for a vampire?
Normal would be around 450 human years, which is 90 in vampire years. In book 1, Oliver meets a very old vampire in his six hundreds. He's practically a walking skeleton.
7: if black is normal 4 them wouldn't bright colors be their Gothic?
That's funny! Possibly, except bright colors would make them stand out when they're hunting humans and whatnot, so that would be considered a safety hazard.
8: what kind of music do they like?
Bane likes the trans-dimensional dub that is pirate-broadcast in Seattle, but in general, vampires like melancholy classical music. They are incredibly talented musicians, and prefer music that is really complex and subtle.
9: do grown up vampires have a sense of humor?
They do, but it's refined, in an evil way. They would like things that were witty and dark, but not slapstick type stuff.
10: what would a vampire get 4 Christmas?
They celebrate Longest Night, which is on the winter solstice. For gifts they would probably get sleek black coats, special moon-spun scarves, weapons like ancient katana swords or throwing stars, perfumes... Oliver would definitely want video games.
11: do vampires laugh? if so how?
Vampires don't need to breathe, but they do inhale air to speak / make their vocal chords work. So they could laugh same as humans if they wanted.
Thanks for the questions!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
longer, busier nights... not just for vampires
Hi there.
So, we've fallen back into early darkness, and brooding rain here in Seattle. It's the time of year for glowy lights, and the dark corners beyond them. For extra cups of coffee, or hot chocolate.
Oliver Nocturne #3, Blood Ties came out this month, and I've heard from a few of you out there who have enjoyed it. That's so cool! Cuz, you know, I liked it too. What's weird in the world of publishing though, is that I recently turned in the final manuscript for #5. 5!!! The rest of the world is just catching up with Oliver's book 3 adventures, and I've been busy finishing up the harrowing events to come. I wish I could share the secrets now, but alas...
It was a little sad for me too, to turn in #5, because as of now, that's the last scheduled book in the series. But the series doesn't END in book 5. Many things wrap up. It feels like the end of a TV season in that way, but there are still huge questions. And yet, will I get to answer them? Well, that's up to the world and its interest in the stories. So tell your friends!
This week I heard M.T. Anderson speak. If you haven't read his teen book Feed, well, I loved it! I haven't yet read his newest books, Octavian Nothing, but they win huge awards and are supposed to be pretty incredible. He spoke at the downtown Seattle Public Library. And he's a super nice guy.
So, Waning Sun has passed in the vampire world, and Longest Night approaches. I'm looking forward to decorating a tree with demons in cages, like the Nocturnes, and making Blood Angel cake (I have a recipe in development).
Any other fun ideas for the dark, vampire-friendly time of year? Let me know.
ok, back to work.
remember, Oliver Nocturne himself is on Facebook, as am I, and you can always say hi on the message board at www.olivernocturne.com
-kce
So, we've fallen back into early darkness, and brooding rain here in Seattle. It's the time of year for glowy lights, and the dark corners beyond them. For extra cups of coffee, or hot chocolate.
Oliver Nocturne #3, Blood Ties came out this month, and I've heard from a few of you out there who have enjoyed it. That's so cool! Cuz, you know, I liked it too. What's weird in the world of publishing though, is that I recently turned in the final manuscript for #5. 5!!! The rest of the world is just catching up with Oliver's book 3 adventures, and I've been busy finishing up the harrowing events to come. I wish I could share the secrets now, but alas...
It was a little sad for me too, to turn in #5, because as of now, that's the last scheduled book in the series. But the series doesn't END in book 5. Many things wrap up. It feels like the end of a TV season in that way, but there are still huge questions. And yet, will I get to answer them? Well, that's up to the world and its interest in the stories. So tell your friends!
This week I heard M.T. Anderson speak. If you haven't read his teen book Feed, well, I loved it! I haven't yet read his newest books, Octavian Nothing, but they win huge awards and are supposed to be pretty incredible. He spoke at the downtown Seattle Public Library. And he's a super nice guy.
So, Waning Sun has passed in the vampire world, and Longest Night approaches. I'm looking forward to decorating a tree with demons in cages, like the Nocturnes, and making Blood Angel cake (I have a recipe in development).
Any other fun ideas for the dark, vampire-friendly time of year? Let me know.
ok, back to work.
remember, Oliver Nocturne himself is on Facebook, as am I, and you can always say hi on the message board at www.olivernocturne.com
-kce
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Are they Scary?
I've had the very cool experience in the last month of seeing a book I wrote appear in print, and not just because I turned on my wheezing old Brother laser printer... Horray!
Since the first two Oliver books came out, a number of parents have asked, with some concern, whether or not the books are scary. After all, vampires are traditionally part of the horror genre. Further, most all vampire books are written for the YA age group, meaning high school, and are usually scary and icky. Plus, there's a super popular YA vampire series right now that focuses on topics that aren't exactly appropriate for middle grade readers.
But Oliver is VERY different. I'm not even a horror fan. I was careful to write these books for younger readers, and Scholastic was very careful to edit them that way. An author never knows with total certainty how a book will be perceived, but my goal was to make it spine-tingling instead of scary, and gross instead of gory.
Oliver is as much about families and fitting in as it is about vampires, zombies and wraiths. It's chock full of action, surprises, and comedy. I did my best to focus on what fascinates middle grade readers, and create something that took the fantastical ideas of the horror genre and twist them into a meaningful story about growing up and learning who you are.
As a former elementary school science teacher, I was most concerned with thinking about how modern vampires might live in a sustainable way, and like, what kind of diet they might have.
So, I can't say for sure that the books aren't scary, but I CAN say that I don't think they are. I do think they are creepy and a whole lot of fun! What do you think?
Since the first two Oliver books came out, a number of parents have asked, with some concern, whether or not the books are scary. After all, vampires are traditionally part of the horror genre. Further, most all vampire books are written for the YA age group, meaning high school, and are usually scary and icky. Plus, there's a super popular YA vampire series right now that focuses on topics that aren't exactly appropriate for middle grade readers.
But Oliver is VERY different. I'm not even a horror fan. I was careful to write these books for younger readers, and Scholastic was very careful to edit them that way. An author never knows with total certainty how a book will be perceived, but my goal was to make it spine-tingling instead of scary, and gross instead of gory.
Oliver is as much about families and fitting in as it is about vampires, zombies and wraiths. It's chock full of action, surprises, and comedy. I did my best to focus on what fascinates middle grade readers, and create something that took the fantastical ideas of the horror genre and twist them into a meaningful story about growing up and learning who you are.
As a former elementary school science teacher, I was most concerned with thinking about how modern vampires might live in a sustainable way, and like, what kind of diet they might have.
So, I can't say for sure that the books aren't scary, but I CAN say that I don't think they are. I do think they are creepy and a whole lot of fun! What do you think?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Hey, it's a blog
Herein I will talk about stuff. Very soon. But tonight I am too tired. Time for Lucky Charms and the Daily Show.
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