MY LADY JANE is tied for the best book that I read in 2016, and so I am beyond thrilled to be participating in the official MY LADY JANE tour!!!
If this Q&A doesn’t convince you that this trio is incredible- I’m not quite sure what will. Of course, I can’t pick favorites, but if I had to pick a favorite Q&A…let’s just say this would be at the top of the list. š But don’t just take my word for it!Ā Get a taste of this novel by reading the prologue here!
Q&A
1. The US and UK covers are quite different- which do you think best shows the spirit of the book?
J: I think they both show the spirit of the book, but in different ways. The US cover really conveys the historical aspects, while showing just a hint of mischief — that everything isnāt as it seems. The UK cover, on the other hand, really embraces the silliness of the book in a delightful fashion.
2. What was the inspiration for making MLJ a mixture of true history and not-so-true history?
B: I think it started from an admiration of Lady Jane, and a grief about her demise. But Cynthia had the idea, so maybe she should share.
C: Yes–Iād always loved the story of Lady Jane Grey . . . except how it ended. I thought about writing a novel about her a few times, but it would always have to have such a sad ending. Until I realized that Iām a writer, and I can do what I want with history. We could make her story funny. That was an incredibly freeing thought.
J: For me, it went like: Brodi and Cynthia said they were going to write a book together and did I want to write it, too? I didnāt even know what it was about. I just said yes.
3. Are there any Easter Eggs hidden in MLJ?
B: Weād hate to give anything away, but Iāll just say⦠Shmakespeare. And the Shrimpcess Bride. And the Shmonty Python.
J: There are a lot of Easter eggs in the story. But strangely enough, I donāt think there are actual eggs.
4. Did you know from the start that you wanted there to be Eāians and Verities? Or was that something that you came up with while writing?
C: I knew pretty early on that I wanted there to be shapeshifters and humanists, literally, instead of the struggle between the Catholics and the Protestants that were involved in the real history. But we came up with the names and the exact nature of the magic as we were writing.
5. Mixing historic and fantastic elements in a novel is something that I’ve never read before. Kudos to you three for creating such an amazing blend of the two! How did you approach writing MLJ in both a historical and fantastic manner?
J: I donāt think that I really thought of it as too different from what I normally do — writing fantasy. 1553 is so different from the world we live in now that it might as well be another world, which Iām totally used to writing. There was quite a bit of research involved, though, to make sure we got the historical details right . . . when we wanted them to be right!
6. I’m sure that everyone who reads MLJ will be dying for more. Do you have any plans on co-writing books together in the future?
B & J & C: We are always writing, and we plan to keep writing together for the rest of our lives. This could possibly involve more Janes. Weāre here to save Janes from history! But only Janes. If your name isnāt Jane, too bad.
7. Can you share a funny story about researching MLJ?
J: So we went to the Tower of London. It was great. I mean, it was sad, because we saw where Jane died and where she was buried and we made pathetic meeping sounds all the way through the guided tour, every time the yeoman mentioned Lady Jane Grey. But the best part of that was probably after, when we were heading back to see where Jane was buried (again, for more sad staring), and we met a yeoman whoād done a ton of research on Jane specifically. A conversation went like this:
Him: Have you seen where Guildford carved Janeās name in the wall?
Us: We are going to look!
Him: He carved it twice.
Us: That means he loved her!!!!!
Him: . . . No, I donāt think so. They hardly knew each other.
Us: You donāt just carve someoneās name into a stone wall — twice!! — if you donāt love them.
Him: . . .
Later, when weād gone into the tower to see the carvings (totally a declaration of love, if you ask us!), he came up to make sure weād found them. I think he secretly liked our theory best.
B: Another story: We researched the homes of both Jane and Gifford. Janeās home was a lovely park, with trails and wildlife and gorgeous scenery. Then we went to Gās home, which was a sad little zoo, where the main animals on display were āthings that were creepy in a castle.ā Maggots, bats, worms, lice, āthings in your nightmaresā. Even now, we still randomly itch at things during the day. Iām itching now.
8. What is the hardest part about co-writing?
C: The hardest part is definitely figuring out the times for us to meet to work–we generally have to carve out a week or so at a time to hide out together and write the book. The planning is hard. All the rest of it is a pure joy. We have so much fun.
J: Great fun. Weāre having fun right now!
9. If you were an Eāian, what animal would you turn into?
C: A horse. Iād like to enjoy running.
J: A ferret.
B: A bird. To poop on everyone.
10. What was your favorite snack to eat while writing MLJ?
B: Tomatoes.
C: Tomatoes! And fudge. But not together.
J: FUDGE.
About the Authors
We’re the authors of the upcoming young adult novel, MY LADY JANE, which was released byĀ HarperTeen on June 7, 2016. Our group is made up of Brodi Ashton (author of the EVERNEATH series and DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY), Cynthia Hand (New York Times bestselling author of the UNEARTHLY series and THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE), and Jodi Meadows (author of the INCARNATE and the ORPHAN QUEEN series). Between the three of us we’ve written thirteen novels, a bunchĀ of novellas, a handful of short stories, and a couple of really bad poems, but this is the first time we’ve taken a stab at writing a book together. We’re friends. We’re writers. We’re fixing history by rewriting one sad story at a time.
FIND THE LADY JANIES: WEBSITEĀ ||Ā TWITTERĀ || FACEBOOK
Now, I don’t know about you, but I CERTAINLY want to check out the rest of the blog tour to see what else the Lady Janies wrote re MY LADY JANE! Curious like me? Check out the blog tour schedule below!
DATE | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā TOUR | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā SCHEDULE |
June 6 | Angie @Ā Lady Knight Reads | Sarah @Ā The YA Book Traveler |
June 7 | Sarah @Ā What Sarah Read | Lauren @Ā Love is Not a Triangle |
June 8 | Lauren @Ā Bookmark Lit | Stephanie @Ā A Dream Within a Dream |
June 9 | Mary @Ā Mary Had a Little Book Blog | Nori @Ā Read Write Love 28 |
June 10 | Bonnie @Ā A Backwards Story | Gail @Ā Ticket to Anywhere |
June 13 | Kelly @Ā Belle of the Literati | Lisa @Ā Lisa Loves Literature |
June 14 | Lori @Ā Writing My Own Fairytale | Alyssa @Ā The Eater of Books |
June 15 | Mishma @Ā Chasing Faerytales | Sarah @Ā Aphonic Sarah |
June 16 | Jessica @Ā Step Into Fiction | Jen @Ā The Starry-Eyed Revue |
June 17 | Kassiah @Ā Swoony Boys Podcast | Lisa @Ā Lost in Literature |
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
There will be a tour-wide giveaway for three (3) copies of My Lady Jane for three lucky winners! The giveaway will be open internationally, as long as Book Depository ships to them.
Just looked up the UK cover. WOW what a difference!
And just because here’s one of Horrible Histories’ Lady Jane Grey sketches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqBG7mt4gNQ
RIGHT?!? The difference in the covers is insane. Also ooooh thanks for the link!!!
For the question: Hmmmm … Maybe the Empress Josephine. Although there is a sort of poetic justice about the way the whole story turned out. I would just want to see her in the after life looking back down at Napoleon
I’ve been hearing a LOT of good things about this book lately – especially the fact that it’s very humorous and fun to read! I love comedic books, and since My Lady Jane is retelling as well, then I’m most definitely going to read it. Loved reading the interview! xD
I want to read this SO BADLY.
Whoops I forgot to do the blog comment entry. I know this has been done many times before, but I would love to re-write Cleopatra’s story.
I’d probably rewrite the story of Joan of Arc…she seems very mysterious.
It would be great to write a story about Marie Curie.
Now you’re making me think of a Steampunk Marie Curie story!
I’ve always been interested in Pocahontas. Her story is a sad one, I would love to see a more realistic approach to her story through her own eyes. But of course with things going in her favor. Her thoughts, feelings, day to day life. Maybe in diary form.
These ladies are fantastic! Loved MLJ. š
I’ve heard so many great things, I can’t wait to read! I’ve loved all of these authors books and can’t wait to see what they’ve written together. Hmmm. I’ve always loved Cleopatra, so maybe her! Thanks for the chance!
I’m hella excited to read this. Whenever someone references Monty Python, you know it’s going to be a great read.
Someone from WW2!
ACK THIS BOOK WAS FANTASTIC! This interview was so fun to read! Lucky you for being able to interview them!
Lincoln