We are so pleased to be part of the VENTURESS blog tour! Below, check out our Q&A with author Betsy Cornwell! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway as well!
- Tell us about the world of Venturess and what inspired you to write it?
Venturess is set in two countries, Esting and Faerie. Esting is a steampunk version of imperial England, full of advanced steam-powered machinery, elegant balls and tea parties, and fancy Victorian dresses – as well as racism, nationalism, and colonial violence. Faerie is the oppressed colony of Esting, as well as a source of the magic that is so crucial to the way Esting functions. Faerie is partly inspired by the colonial history of Ireland, where I’ve lived for the last four years.
World-building is always one of my favorite parts of writing, and I loved getting to build on the settings of both Esting and Faerie that I introduced in Mechanica.
- Describe your writing space!
It’s a bit of a mess right now! Well, it’s always a mess, but I had a baby three months ago and in spite of all my Virginia Woolf “A Room of One’s Own” aspirations, baby gear has infiltrated my office, at least for now. My desktop computer sits on an octagonal table that is also covered with books, papers, journals, pens, yarn, and knitting patterns. There’s a sewing machine and a microphone for podcasting next to me, and bookshelves all around. This is technically our guest room, too, so there’s a spare bed and . . . well, a lot of pacifiers and wipes and baby clothes and stuff at the minute!
- Name us a few of your favourite steampunk books!
I adore Gail Carriger’s Soulless series, and I’m going to count Frankenstein too.
- If you could visit anywhere in any of your books, where would it be and why?
While I’d love to see the magical jungles of Faerie, I think I’d rather spend time on the airship that brings my characters there. I love spending time on regular old ocean-going ships, and this one not only flies, but has a well-equipped library, good food, and small submarines for underwater sightseeing.
- Animal, mineral, or vegetable?
FOR WHAT PURPOSE? I’m going to say animal.
Title: VENTURESS
Author: Betsy Cornwell
Pub. Date: August 1, 2017
Publisher: Clarion Books
Pages: 320
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Find it: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, iBooks, TBD, Goodreads
Young inventor Nicolette Lampton is living her own fairy tale happy ending. She’s free of her horrible step-family, running a successful business, and is uninterested in marrying the handsome prince, Fin. Instead, she, Fin, and their friend Caro venture to the lush land of Faerie, where they seek to put an end to the bloody war their kingdom is waging. Mechanical armies and dark magic await them as they uncover devastating secrets about the past and fight for a real, lasting happily-ever-after for two troubled countries—and for themselves.
About Betsy:
Hi! I’m Betsy Cornwell, an American writer and teacher living in a stove-heated cottage in west Ireland, together with my horse trainer spouse, a small herd of dairy goats, and an increasing number of other animals. I write fiction and nonfiction and blog about Irish folklore, travel, wild food, goats (of course!), homesteading, and growing up.
Find Betsy on the web:
Website|Twitter|Facebook|Goodreads|Tumblr
GIVEAWAY!
3 winners will receive a finished copy of VENTURESS. US Only.
Don’t forget to visit the rest of the stops on the VENTURESS blog tour:
7/24/2017- Two Chicks on Books– Interview
7/25/2017- Here’s to Happy Endings– Review
7/26/2017- BookHounds YA– Guest Post
7/27/2017- The Book Nut– Interview
7/28/2017- jrsbookreviews– Review
7/31/2017- Nicole’s Novel Reads– Review
8/1/2017- Novel Novice– Guest Post
8/2/2017- History from a Woman’s Perspective– Review
8/3/2017- YA Book Madness– Interview
8/4/2017- Sarcasm & Lemons– Review
Great interview! Steampunk fairy tales just may be my new favourite thing. I’m definitely excited to read this book.