Interview: Eva Gordon, author of Werewolf Sanctuary

Today the lovely Eva Gordon has graced us with an interview about her series, The Maiden Chronicles, and her passion for werewolves.

What got you interested/started in writing?

When I was teaching biology full time I always enjoyed telling my students science fiction stories based on whatever lesson I was on. I even told them I was married to a werewolf and had to dash home to bolt his cage closed. I travelled through time and discussed evolution with Darwin. I soon had a reputation as being a story teller.

What have you learned about yourself since you began to seriously pursue writing?

I have learned that I am self motivated and are well disciplined in terms of having a set writing schedule and goals. My work station and magical table is where I work.

How do you prepare yourself before writing a new book?

Any specific sources of inspiration? I start by choosing a time period. For example for Beast Warrior: Viking Werewolf I knew the time the date would around 880 AD. I research the historical time period and get the terms for clothing, coins, ships, etc….Then I start jotting character notes about the hero and heroine. Then I let my fingers channel the story from the recesses of my mind. The novel is like a movie that unfolds on my laptop. My other inspiration is my story board or collage of characters, and scenery.

What is it about werewolves that has captured your imagination?

I have always loved wolves, especially being a biologist. They are loyal to their pack, are keystone predators, mate for life, and are just beautiful to watch. The wolf is a common archetype and totem animal in numerous cultures. Naturally, I’ve always enjoyed the werewolf legends and I felt sympathetic toward the character that was ‘bitten’ or ‘cursed’ to become a wolf. I do workshops on both werewolf and wolf lore and am always finding some cool fact whenever I research the topics. I hope to someday write a non-fiction on the topic. On each full moon, I interview a werewolf or related creature or magical person on my blog http://evagordon.blogspot.com/ Writing about lycans is just downright fun for me. I also donate a portion of all my Wolf Maiden Chronicles sales to The Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary where I once volunteered.

What can readers expect from The Wolf Maiden Chronicles?

A long series of books. The Wolf Maiden Chronicles, each depicts historical romances between alpha Males and their human wolf maidens. I created a fantasy universe and mythology about my werewolves. The first in the series Werewolf Sanctuary, These special women bear the five-toed paw lycan print or mark of the wolf on their left hip. The first in the series is a contemporary titled, Werewolf Sanctuary an action packed romance and race to save the lycan cubs from some unknown disease that is killing them.

Since ancient times, the Lupercal Council has kept their people’s werewolf identity a well-guarded secret. Referring to their kind as lycans, they shift into a bear-sized wolf, bearing unique markings reminiscent of Maori or Celtic tattoos. The pack shifts during the full moon and are under the control of their alpha male leader. The alpha male and alpha female are not bound by the full moon and can shift at will. Beta lycand can only breed with their kind. The female alphas are sterile and the alpha males can only mate and produce offspring with the human women with the ‘mark of the wolf’. Book 2, Beast Warrior: Viking Werewolf takes place during 840 AD and will be released in late July 2009. It will be followed by White Wolf of Avalon: Werewolf Knight in the fall and in 2010 by Lycan Gladiator: Werewolf of the Coliseum.

Which character in the series have you enjoyed writing about the most? Why?

Gosh I liked them all and was always sad when I ended the book. This is like choosing which of your children do you like the best? Sigurd, my Viking wolfskin or werewolf almost made me lose myself into Norse Mythology and never come out. I had to think, breath and react like not just a fearless Viking but a werewolf that had lost his pack to rabies and lived for revenge. Emilisse, the Frankish wolf maiden, born a runt, was spunky and determined to live with humans. I can go on and on about Wyatt and Madeline from book 1. Then there is Bledig (my reluctant werewolf) and Annora in book 3, my Arthurian ‘werewolfhistorical’. From jealous she-wolves to berserkers (bear men), I also love my villains. Don’t even get me started on the sidekicks and other fun secondary characters.

Where do you want this series and your writing to go in the future?

As mentioned earlier, I hope to have at least 10 or more books in this series. A movie would be nice. That goes for my forthcoming Realm Trilogy as well.

What else do you have in the works?

I have a fantasy trilogy coming out at the end of the Summer. Book 1 Mystic Stone of the Tenth Realm is a revised re-release of the American English version of my UK novel, The Stone of the Tenth Realm. It will be followed by Alchemist of the Tenth Realm and Portal into the Tenth Realm. This is a fantasy trilogy with a strong romantic element. Gaia’s Keeper an “environmental” romantic fantasy is my youngest ‘child’ combining my love for the earth, animals and mythology.

If you were an interviewer, what question would you ask yourself?

Who would play your characters in a movie? For Werewolf Sanctuary, Hugh Jackman can play Wyatt Weylyn and Ann Hathaway can play Dr. Madeline Styles. My novel is on storycasting.com where I have fun imagining which actors would play my characters.

Any final comments?

My first fantasy, now called Mystic Stone of the Tenth Realm, the Realm Trilogy is being re-released in the United States in American English. Should be out end of summer 2009. My ‘green’ fantasy; Gaia’s Keeper coming soon. I would like to thank you for the great interview and complement you on your blog.


Thanks Eva for the great interview!!


Make sure to check Eva out at her website to learn more about Werewolf Sanctuary and her other novels!