Interview with Kalayna Price and a Contest!

Kalayna Price is the author of the Alex Craft Novels, a new dark urban fantasy series from Roc, and the author of the Novels of Haven from Bell Bridge Books. She draws her ideas from the world around her, her studies into ancient mythologies, and her obsession with classic folklore. Her stories contain not only the mystical elements of fantasy, but also a dash of romance, a bit of gritty horror, some humor, and a large serving of mystery. She is a member of SFWA and RWA, and an avid hula-hoop dancer who has been known to light her hoop on fire. To find out more, please visit her at Kalayna Price.

Kalayna was awesome enough to agree to an interview with me. Take a look below and then go forth and buy all of her books. ;-) Interview:

Demon Hunter--1.) How did you come up with the concept for Grave Witch?

Kalayna Price--Determining where ideas originate is always hard, so I'm not sure where the initial inspiration for the book started. Early on a series of "what if" questions like "what if I had a woman who could talk to murder victims?" "what if this was a known ability so she could work with the police?" "what if I had a killer who could silence the dead?" From there, the characters and the world began building off each other.


DH--2.) How much research did you conduct for Grave Witch?

KP--Tons. I researched folklore. I researched firearms. I researched a whole bunch of information on law enforcement and talked to someone with EMS training. Now, can I point to that research in the books? It would be a challenge as a lot of it is in the background. It always amazes me how you can do hours or days of research and only use that information in a single sentence.


DH--3.) Will you eventually write in other genres? If so, what will they be?

KP--I will probably never leave the fantasy classification, but I hope to eventually write in a couple different subgenres within fantasy. High fantasy was my first love, so one day I plan to once again pen a big epic fantasy, but more than likely if I diverge anytime soon it will be with a fantasy YA or with a cyberpunk or steampunk novel.


DH--4.) What are your favorite genres to read?

KP--I read all over the board. Urban Fantasy is currently my favorite genre (which is why I write it) but I’m also loving the new surge of YA novels I see happening. I read about every subgenre in fantasy but also add to the mix mysteries, thrillers, horror novels, and romances just to shake things up. I’ll read about anything well written—I just love books.


DH--5.) What is currently your favorite television show?

KP--No contest, that would be Vampire Diaries. I usually don’t watch much TV, but something about that show caught my eye last year and I’ve been addicted ever since. It is deliciously dark and twisted—I love it.


DH--6.) What are your writing rituals/habits?

KP--I don't have very established writing rituals. I prefer to have tea and music when writing but flexibility and the ability to write about anywhere in whatever time available is more important to me than a set ritual.


DH--7.) Do you have any advice for unpublished writers?

KP--Write every day, even if it is only a couple sentences a day. Also, getting published can be a long and, at times, a discouraging journey. You need a thick skin and a dream you can believe in. Stick with it!

I'd like to thank Kalayna for taking the time to stop by to answer a few questions for us. :-D Now for the contest.



For a chance to win a signed copy of GRAVE WITCH by Kalayna Price, all you have to do to enter is to leave a comment and tell me why you'd like to win a copy. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the world. The contest will end on October 4, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be picked at random and announced on October 5, 2010.

Even if you don't win, don't forget to pick up a copy of GRAVE WITCH, which will hit stores on October 5, 2010.

I'd like to thank Kalayna for stopping by. Good luck everyone! :-D