Rookie Wednesday: Michelle Zink

The awesome Michelle Zink (who's debut novel Prophecy of the Sisters is amazing!!) is this week's featured Rookie.

What's one random tidbit about yourself?


I have BIG feet! Size 11!

What were you doing when you found out Prophecy of the Sisters sold?

It was actually an all-week thing. My agent had been calling me on and off for two days to give me updates, but when he called me with the official offer, I was just hanging out at home with my kids because it was July and no one was in school!

What has been the best book that you've read over the last six months?

The Hunger Games. I was riveted.

Was the process of writing and publishing your first novel what you expected it to be?

Pretty much, except for the fact that by the time I get to the official release date of Prophecy, it will have been over two years since the book sold. I knew it took awhile, but I had no idea it could take THAT long. That said, I wouldn't have it any other way, because Little Brown has used every minute of that time to plan the publicity, marketing, cover and everything else that has gone into making Prophecy the book it is, and they've done a fantastic job!

Give us one embarrassing author moment:

Oh, man... I was signing ARCs at BEA when a nicely dressed guy came up and asked me to sign a book for his wife. I usually look at the name tags at conferences so I can address people by name, but sometimes they're flipped as it was in this case. We made small talk and the guy asked me if Prophecy was my first book, to which I replied, "It's my first published book, but my fifth finished book, which I guess just goes to show you that you can't give up!" I may have even smiled brightly as I gave this last bit of advice. *cringe*. He just smiled back, nodded, and said, "That's definitely true." So then later my editor and publicist are kind of laughing next to me, and when I ask them what's so funny, they tell me the guys was Nicholas Sparks. Yeah. That pretty much sums it up. I kinda-sorta gave writing/life advice to one of the most well-known, prolific writers of our time.

What would you most like potential readers to know about you and/or your book?

That it's not a book you'll find anywhere else. That I really worked to create something original. Something dark, and chilling, and atmospheric. Something with fallen angels, demons, and apocalyptic consequences. Something that has a little romance, a little terror, and three fearless, bad-ass girls who know how to take matters into their own hands when the occassion arises!

Choose 3-5 characters from the novel and do word associations for them.

Lia = strong

Alice = complicated

James = devoted

Sonia = sad

Luisa = crazy

What's your favorite thing about Prophecy of the Sisters?

Gah! That's so hard! I guess I love that it breaks the YA mold a bit. There IS a hunky devoted guy, but Lia's life doesn't revolve around him. In other words, she loves him but isn't dependant on him, and she makes the decisions she makes while thinking about her own destiny, the safety of her family, and the well-being of her friends, NOT just the implications to her love interest. Lia does what she has to do, even at great personal sacrifice and even when she's really, really conflicted. Plus, it's just a very dark book with loads of atmosphere. And that's the kind of book *I* love to read!

What other projects do you have in the pipeline?

Ooooooo! That's sooper sekrit! Lol! I write a lot (generally 2-3 books a year), and right now I'm just trying to decide what to focus on next. In the running are another dark fantasy set in Victorian England with a steampunk lean, a contemporary fantasy, and a spin-off series of Prophecy. The one thing my books all have in common is that they tend to revolve around ancient myths and legends that I've twisted to suit my crazy-weird imagination!

Any final comments?

I'd just like to say thank you to all the bloggers and online reviewers who do so much to spread the word about our books. It's truly a labor of love for most of you, and it DOES make a difference. I've enjoyed getting to know you all so much, and I really appreciate all you've done to get the word out about Prophecy! <3

From Amazon.com:

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

Visit Michelle's site

Check out the amazing book trailer that Vania, of Reverie Book Reviews, made.