Q & A with Afterlight’s author Elle Jasper (Giveaway)
Everyone please welcome Elle Jasper back to Paperback Dolls! Elle is here on her second visit to answer some questions about her debut urban fantasy, Afterlight, releasing tomorrow and give one lucky follower a chance to win a signed copy.
Elle Jasper spent her youth buried in the pages of Mary Shelly, Edgar Allen Poe, Bram Stoker, and Stephen King. Growing up on the salt marshes of Savannah, Georgia, she was always fascinated by the city’s ancient cobblestones, eerie church spires and Gothic Revival architect—as well as the dark, not-so-publicized side of Savannah, both steeped in tumultuous history. After an education at Armstrong Atlantic University, she forged her love of Gothic literature with an active imagination to pen her own stories. She is now a full time writer and lives amidst the moss and shadows of Savannah.
Hi Elle! The girls and I would like to welcome you back to Paperback Dolls!
Would you tell our readers a little more about your novel Afterlight and your series the Dark Ink Chronicles? Do you know how many books in the Dark Ink Chronicles your planning to use to bring Riley’s story to light?
Oh yeah! So far, 3 books are set for The Dark Ink Chronicles: Afterlight, Everdark, Eventide (which I’m writing now!). Set in my city of Savannah, Afterlight is the first book in The Dark Ink Chronicles. The story revolves around the protagonist, Riley Poe, who was a stinker of a kid. I’m talking troubled teen to the nth degree. Drugs. Sex. Gangs. Fighting. Juvy. Jail. It wasn’t until an obsessed boyfriend murdered Riley’s mother–whom Riley found, strangled in her bath tub–that kicked Riley into gear. Along with her brother, they were left to be raised by her mother’s employers and closest friends: a Gullah root doctor and his wife who owns a potions shop on River Street. (Gullah is a culture of folk descended from the African slaves who escaped to the barrier islands off the coast of southern Georgia and South Carolina) When Riley’s kid brother gets involved with a prank at Bonaventure Cemetery, and inadvertently set free an entombed pair of evil strigoi vampiric brothers, the city’s youth become the target of a vampire uprising. Unbeknownst to Riley, a family of “guardians” have resided in Savannah for nearly three centuries. The Dupres, vampires theselves, made a pact with the Gullah to keep the city safe in return for “humane nourishment”. Now Riley’s brother is in the “quickening”, soon to become a bloodsucker, and Riley must join forces with the Dupres to save him and the other teens from becoming the living dead! Riley, though, has wicked-drugging blood to a vampire, and her Gullah “grandfather” has been keeping it masked for years to keep her safe. When Riley encounters the Dupres eldest son, Eli? Sparks fly and sizzle! And so begins the first book!
We read in your for our Passport to Georgia feature that you named Riley’s shop after a real tattoo shop in Savannah called “Inksomnia” Why did you choose for Riley to be a tattoo shop owner and artist? Is there any significance to her beautiful dragon tattoo?
When our readers finally have the chance to read Afterlight for themselves, they will find out about Riley’s troubled and rebellious past. Does Riley mirror your own life’s story or somebody you know?
We know your busy right now with the debut of Afterlight tomorrow and then Everdark (June 2011) and Eventide not that far behind next year, but are there any other series or genres your just itching to dive into?
How do you keep track of your world building? Are you a plotter, pantser, or a combination?
With all the social networks, friends, family and obligations, what would you say interrupts or interferes with your writing the most?
What would you like people to know about you?
We’re all book lovers here, so we just have to know; what books are on your “To Be Read” pile?
And because we are the Paperback Dolls, we can’t just let you get away without answering a couple of Paperback Proust questions now can we? LOL! No! Shoot!
What is your greatest fear?
I have two: Shark attack and bear mauling. I’m obsessed with both. Shark week in August I’m glued to Discovery. LOVE the salt water. Aint gettin’ in it! LOL! LOVE to hike but will only do so in Scotland, England and Wales where there ARE NO BEARS!!!! Yet I’d love to PET ONE! They have such CUTE fuzzy EARS!!! EEEK!
Who is your favorite fictional hero?
Who are some of your real life heroes?
What is your most treasured possession?
What is your chief characteristic?
What is your main fault?
What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
We all accept our faults and still love each other regardless. And we’re all retarded. Can I say retarded without getting in trouble?
How would you wish to die?
What is your motto?
Thank you so much for visiting with us again Elle! We had a wonderful time and your welcomed to come back anytime!
Elle is offering ONE signed copy of AFTERLIGHT to ONE lucky follower. All you have to do is answer what you would do if you found out that vampires were real?
This contest is international and we will always give you more ways to win:
+1 for each place you post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your comment.
+1 subscribe to Paperback Dolls – either via a reader or email (see the RSS button at the top of the right sidebar or the entry form to the left sidebar.)
Giveaway ends November 13th and the winner will be chosen by random.org on November 14th. We ask the winners to post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out. Also, we will try to contact the winners, but we ask that you check back to see if you’ve won.
Elle, thank you so much for sharing! Good luck with the new book!!!!
P.S – I'm also terrified of shark attacks. The music from Jaws gives me the hibbie jibbies
If I found out Vampires actually existed I would probably 1st be really scared. Really, besides on t.v. there is no blood subsitute. My first reaction would probably be to lock the doors and hang garlic and break out all our crosses. I know, kind of silly. Gotta protect my kiddos :) 2nd, I would probably die of curiosity and would need to than find out for myself if they are good or bad or anything like t.v. and books. It's better to be educated than to go out into the unknown. So, I would probably try to find one after my initial freak out
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I agree with Jolene. I would also be very careful about approaching anyone. But if they were real, I would hope they would be the kind of vampires that are basically good. And then I would love to meet some of them.
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~Chrizette
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Thanks for the post and the contest. This series sounds really good. I am a follower.
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If I found out vampires were real I would probably have a total freak out session, and then start researching everything I could find. :)
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Scoot
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I would probably freak out at first but if they are good and don't really harm anyone than I'd be fine with it.
van
Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com
this cover caught my eye. I love it :) Can't wait to give it a try.
thanks for the chance to win
Would like to read this book!!
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I would definitely be freaked out and would probably become very paranoid, but it all depends on how the vampires behaved.
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throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Fun interview! Thank you so much Elle for taking the time to answer our questions!
Thanks Elle for visiting with us again and answering all our questions!
If vampires were real I'd be incredibly intrigued. Yes there would be some fear until I found out if they were Ilona A., Jeaniene F. or Yasmine G. type vampires but curiosity always kills the cat.
If I found out vampires exist I would find one and make them turn me…
Okay, no. I would probably spend the rest of my life paranoid and too scared to go out in the dark.
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Amber –
Great interview. Thanks.
If I found out vampires were real I think i would be thrilled. A little terrified but thrilled. I love it when things get dark, and my imagination can runaway.
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Thanks for the interview! I hadn't heard of these books before, but now I'm interested!
If I found out vampires were real, I'd try to look further into what kind of creatures they were; I'd be super curious.
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Thanks for this giveaway and interview!
Hmmm, if I found out that vampires really did exisit, like I'm sure many others would, I would have a little freak-out session. Then I'd read every vampire book that I could get my hands on and try to figure out what in the heck is going on and what kind of vampires I'm dealing with.
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If I found out vampires were real I would probably be extra paranoid to go out after dark, especially alone, but beyond that I'm not sure I would do anything else. I mean unless the world drastically changed, they've been around all this time and I didn't know about it, how is the world really any different now that I know? unless I get drawn into their world somehow…
jlynettes @ hotmail . com
If they were real I think I would panic a bit,but then I'd want to find out all I could about them,are they all evil, are there some that a kind and friendly.
And if they were the friendly type then maybe I'd want to be turned :) eternal life and all.lol
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elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
Can't wait to read this book.
I love the tattoos, I have many myself.
Errr… What!? Vampires are not real?
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Thanks for the giveaway!
If i found out that vampires were real i would be really scared. I don't want them to suck out my blood! :)
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jessica b
If I found out vamps were real the first thing I would do is ring my friend Kat to see if she knew. We'd probably both freak at first but honestly who wouldn't be interested. I think I would end up going out looking for them to see whta they are really like. :D
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Thanks for a great comp guys. Love the cover of these books. Beautiful!!
Well, if I found out Vamps were real Id ring my friend Angie and a hunting we would go !! Mind you we would be all prepared and ready,, but the idea of some hot , vamp is quiet sexy yet scary but alluring !! The hunt would be on !!! ;)
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Katrina Whittaker Great comp check it out !!! Pbd PaperbackDolls +1
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Love the covers very eye catching !!! Thanks for the great comp !!
Katrina
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After freaking out a bit, I'd probably try to figure out how they compared to the various types of vampires I've read about in so many different books. If it was possible to meet with them without becoming dinner, I'd probably try to, especially if the one(s) I met with had long histories that they were willing to talk about. It would be amazing to talk to someone who was alive during the height of the Egyptian dynasties, or someone who could give truth to the religion of the ancient Celts.
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Hi :)
Thank you for the fun & informative interview with Elle Jasper and thank you to Elle for sharing. I'm looking forward to reading her book!
If I discovered vampires were real, I'd want to meet one. Maybe an interview with a vampire? :)
All the best,
RKCharron
Wow. Nice interview! I want this one so bad!!!! Thanks for hosting the giveaway. :)
If vampires were real, I'd probably have a severe panic attack but then I would want to do serious research and find out as much as I can about them. As fa as meeting one, that would be really cool but I doubt I'd have the courage…
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If I found out that vampires were real, the geeky scientist in me would have to study them to find out what it was.
I am a email subscriber.
Thanks for the giveaway. I am a follower and email subscriber. If I found out vampires were for real, I would freak out as well. I would get a bunch of crosses, holy water and lock all my doors. But if they werent hurting anyone, I would probably want to meet one and maybe even go out on a date with one especially if they look like Edward from Twilight lol. Please enter me in contest.
Depends on the side affects of vampirism. I wouldn't want to give up sunlight with my kids right now, but seriously, I want to see the space age. That would be one way to do it.
Even though I do find vampires sexy, I would would be scared if I found out they were real.
Great contest thanks. If I found out vampires were real First I think I would faint, and then I would see what they are really like and then run and hide!!
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natcleary at gmail dot com
I'd take a boring, pragmatic approach and collect as much info as I could. But if they've been living among us all this time with no problems, I guess I wouldn't have too much to worry about.
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b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
I'd surely freak out if vampires existed and I would want to have all the details XD
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If I found out Vamps were real I would go stock up on garlic and stakes, lol
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If I learned that vampires are real, I'd just freak out. I like reading about them, but I don't want them for real:) I'd probably also stock up on some vampire repellent, just to be on the safe side:)
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This looks like a great series. Vampires are currently my favorite of the paranormals. I would be excited to learn that they were real, but also anxious about their ways.
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I think if I found out Vampires were real… I wouldn't be at all surprised. I've always been good with "weird" LOL… but if Vampires can exist so can all those other paranormal creatures…
I subscribe by e-mail also…
I would invest heavily in garlic and wood because most likely they'll be the animal/killer type and not the 'we're basically good as long as we drink animal blood' type.
Also, I posted this on my blog's sidebar – – and I'm a follower via email.
Thanks for the giveaway! I'm really looking forward to this book, regardless of if I win.
As much as I love reading about vampires, if I found out they were real, I'd be scared witless. Then I'd try to find out if they were evil or not, and how to deal with them if they needed taking out. Not that I'd be able to do that, but knowledge is power.
Congrats Elle on your debut book, Afterlight. I sounds like a fantastic story.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
I read all sorts of books about vampires and what I figure is if Vampires were real they would have different personalities. So I would try to figure out what type of personality they have and go from there. But I would try to invest in some garlic perfume and master the technique of fighting with a wooden stick!
If I found out that Vampires were real, I would want to be friends with one or two. I really would.
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If I found out vamps were real I'd find a hot one to turn me. ;) To have super speed, super strength and be able to see in the dark…oh yeah, bring it! LOL. Thanks for the awesome interview and giveaway!
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If we are talking about old style vampires, who were evil and either turned you into a vampire or killed you then I would do the following.
Take to carrying a sharpened stick and hammer around with me.
Wear a garlic necklace.
Avoid men wearing cloaks and women dressed in Victorian style.
Carry a handgun loaded with silver bullets.
Thanks
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I am already a Follower via GFC
If I found out vampires were real, I guess I'd go back home to sleep and hope when I wake up it would turn into something I dreamed. :-)
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I'm not sure what I would do. I have read so many vampire books that I guess it would depend on what type it is. I may run screaming or try and get one as my boyfriend. :)
Thanks for the awesome contest!! I'm a gfc follower.
THanks so much for hosting this interview and giveaway!!
I have been reading a lot about this book and it looks fabulous! XD
Hmmm, if Vampires were real… I don't know but I see myself as another Lois Lane, desperately trying to interview their leader or something. Trying to be near them and understand their existence! XD
I am a follower on GFC (Kelly A.) and a email subscriber and I shared this on:
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Kelly yvantis[at]hotmail[dot]com
hi! love the giveaway!!
i´m in :)
what you would do if you found out that vampires were real?
hum… depending the vampires :) if it´s a vampire like in twilight i will be sacred but happy to find that vampires and things like that exist… i will probably want to meet one LOL xD
but if it´s bad… well, the same xD
i announced in my blog:
thanks!
It really depends on the vampires… If they're about to launch a full-scale attack on humans, I'd take a video on my phone and rush to the authorities/military. If there's a small band (or one or two) 'good' vampires holding back the 'evil' hoard, I'd probably see what I could do to help. If the vamps are mostly 'good' or are just trying to stay to themselves, I'd leave 'em be. And, of course, if there's a hawt man-vamp, I might settle for a bite ;)
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I think if vampires were real, I'd stock up on the garlic!
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lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com
If I found out Vampires were real? I would probably start off a fangirl, become disillusioned, and follow in the footsteps of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Hell yeah!
Of course if this was a book I'd probably meet some vampire and end up falling in love with him. :p
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If I found out vampires were real I would watch the entire Buffy the Vampire Slayer series to learn how to stake them.
I'm a big researcher, so if I found out vampires were real — following a short freak out — I'd start learning everything I could. …and if it looked good, then, you know, I could be game for joining the ranks. LOL.
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Thanks so much for a brilliant giveaway!!
Mmmm I would probably pour myself a glass of wine and contemplate life :)
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If I found out vampires existed, I'd freak out, and then try to get to know everyting 'bout them – both out of curiosity and to know how not to die… or something :/
Even if I love vamps, I don't think I'd be all happy, cuz vampires can be scary and dangerous
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I would hope to find a nice one and ask a million questions.
I'm a follower.
If vampires were really? Well it depends, are they the real deal, or the sparkly, angsty ones?
If they were real vampires, I would be excited, but still scream and run away. The sparkly ones would be hit repeatedly with a shovel and buried in my backyard.
missy1549[at]gmail.com
Oh, LMAO @ Melissa! Gee, you're not a fan of the sparklepires?
If I found out vampires were real, my reaction would completely depend on whether they were evil, predatory types, or more like humans with unusual dietary needs. If they were real and not super-deadly, I hope I'd have enough self-control not to become a groupie!
I think if I found out vamps were real, I'd just try to stay as far away from them as possible and not draw any attention to myself. We like to pretend that they are harmless, but I'd hate to find out otherwise.
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I would check to see if they sparkle in the sunshine or not and if so, swoon:/
k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
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I'm a very curious person. If vampires were real, I'd start googling them and if they live near my place, I'd probably even buy them a visit :)
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@Elvie
Sparklepires? The ones with too much gel in their hair and looks like they're wearing lipstick? The ones that watch you while your sleeping?
No thank you.
http://bit.ly/btgnrE
I think it's pretty neat that the protagonist is a tattoo artist and shop owner. It's a first for me. I love that name for the tattoo place too.
That's really terrible about your friend and her late mother. I can't even imagine.
Regarding vampires coming out into the open, hmm it depends. Are these vampires friendly or sociopaths? With either kind I think I'd be in disbelief because they are the stuff of myths and legends. I'd also be quite curious about them. If they happened to be the nice kind, I'd probably try to find out if any of my friends or extended family were one and then bombard them with questions.
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Man, if vampires were real then I would be scared at first mostly for my children, but then I would learn ways to protect my family. I would real lots of history books about vampires and learn as much as I could about them and teach my kids how to protect themselves from vampires. I would probably be Buffy's biggest fan, lol! I would also find people to join me and live life trying to keep our mortality.
Life would be hard, but eventually you will learn to adapt.
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Umm well first I would find out if there weere going to kill us all first or farm us for our blood haha but otherwise maybe I would go to a few vamp clubs hehe
Great giveaway.
If I found out vampires were real, I probably wouldn't believe it at first. I would hope I would be open minded if they were willing not to kill.
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I'd probably hide in a closet with a stake and a pail of holy water… no matter how sexy they are.
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Wow, I would totally celebrate. Then I would find one and beg them to turn me of course.
Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com
I'd probably freak out and hide somewhere safe, hoping that they can't walk in the sunlight.
hunterofartemis at yahoo dot com
it depends on what they look like. I'm shallow like that. if they're cute like True Blood vampires, I'd probably be intrigued. if they look like Nosfuratu, I might cower.
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Thank you for the great interview and giveaway. I love the name of the tattoo shop "Inksomnia" ~ very cool.
I really don't know how I'd react if I found out that vampires are really out there. Probably fear and then major curiosity! I'd most likely want to meet one – if they looked like Damon…
Thanks again,
Jules
onebookshy at yahoo dot com
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Thank you for this contest.
If I had just found out that vampires existed, I wouldn't be too surprised, because they would have been able to blend in with the human society so much that we hadn't even noticed them.
I posted the link to this contest on my fb wall:
I'd also really like to be friends with one. Many think of them as just bloodsuckers, but they have feelings as well. I'd like to think I'd understand what they're trying to say.
lnhphm24 at hotmail dot com
These books look awesome. I would love to win as I haven't read any of these yet.
Hum what would I do if I found out Vampires were real. *Pee my pants* That would be my first reaction. My next reaction would be to start making stakes, finding any weapons that would be beneficial in protecting myself, and then moving to the church. Then *pee my pants again*
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If I found out vampires were real, I would naturally freek out….then if you can't beat them I would try find someone who could, and hide behind them! :D
If I discovered vampires were real, I would hide until I discovered there intent and weaknesses. Then I would take action depending on my discoveries.
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marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
If I found out Vamps were real I would probably be stunned at first then I would probably secretly seek them out and beg for them to make me one & join the DARK side! :) Tehe! Sheila ~
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Thanks A Million & The Books Look Awesome!
Can't Wait To Read Them***