February Debut Author Spotlight: Victoria Aveyard! {Interview & Giveaway}














Our February Debut Author is....Victoria Aveyard!


About Victoria Aveyard

Victoria Aveyard a screenwriter/YA author who likes books and lists. Goodreads is the nexus of her universe. Her book Red Queen will be published Winter 2015 from HarperTeen at HarperCollins. Victoria is repped by the incomparable Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. The genres she's into include YA, Fantasy, Historical, Adventure, Apocalyptic - if people are dying, she's buying.

Keep in contact with Victoria on:




And now, our interview with Victoria!



First of all, what is Red Queen about?
Red Queen is, at its heart, about growing up, choosing who you want to be for better or worse, choosing between the familiar and the unknown. Every character, no matter their age, in at least some small way, makes this decision over the course of the series. A lot of the story concerns the affect of parents on children, and how this relationship harms or helps. I didn't set out to write a book about this at all, but this thread definitely came out over the course of discovering the story and the characters. 


What was your inspiration for Red Queen?
I was definitely inspired by a single image. After I decided to try my hand at writing a novel, one day I was struck by the thought of a teenage girl who seems completely beaten, weak, defeated - who turns the situation on its head and is actually a force of nature. A storm in human form. This of course became Mare, and the rest of Red Queen grew out of this image and the world it required.


Why do you think readers will enjoy Red Queen? What makes it special?
Hopefully readers are, first and foremost, entertained. I tell stories to entertain, both myself and an audience. In its purest form, stories are an escape and I always try to create a paper-and-ink respite from the real world. Beyond this, because of Mare's age and the central theme of entering adulthood, a lot of readers can relate and latch on to this familiar experience. Either you're currently discovering who you want to be, or you've made the choice already. It's something every single person understands. And, quite selfishly, I think Red Queen is just a fun time. There's battles, twists, intrigue, romance, kickass characters. I basically threw in everything that gets me excited, so I think some other people might like it too.


How does it feel to be a new author? What's scary about it? What's great?
Very strange. It's easy to get wrapped up in the romance of being a working, publishing author, and I try my best not to get ahead of myself. This is a dream, but it's also a job. This is how I pay my college loans. It's a great way to do it, and it's really awesome that this has somehow happened, but at a certain point, I have to push that away and just work. Overall, it feels really great, but I try not to dwell on it so my head doesn't explode. The scariest part is definitely the fear of the unknown. There's absolutely no road map for this. Every single publishing journey is unique, which is awesome, but there's not really anywhere I can go to see what's happening next. Luckily I have an amazing team keeping me on the straight and narrow, not to mention wildly supportive friends and family. And in case this hasn't come across yet, I get to write all the time. All. The. Time. It's awesome. I'm so excited to continue this journey and see what happens on the other side of pub day.


What do you think about the relationship between the blogging community and new authors?
I had little to no knowledge of the book blogging community before I found myself right in the middle of it and I have to say, everyone seems great. You guys really are the grassroots end of publishing, getting the word out and doing so much groundwork for books big and small. And when it comes to new authors like me who are just kind of running around like headless chickens, you guys are SAINTS. I personally feel so welcome and lucky to have this community all around me. Regardless of how people feel about anything I write, the blogging community are always professional, kind, and above all else, so dedicated. I'm constantly floored by the amount of work you put in, for nothing more than your love of books. 


What has been your best experience as a new author so far?
Seeing a book cover, and then actually holding said book cover, was a really wild moment. I mean, I've got a big list of wild moments, but that really hammered into me how real this situation was. I came into publishing non-traditionally and did not expect the amazing support I've been given, so every new development has been kind of an "Um what? Really? Is that good? Cool!" moment. But the Red Queen cover was something I finally understood. This book is real, and it looks damn good. (Note: It definitely does, Victoria!)


What's been your worst?
Red Queen sold in April of 2013 and publishes in February 2015, so the wait felt kind of brutal at times. Of course, every second was well spent preparing, and now that I'm almost a week away, I'm missing the grace period. Oh, and of course going on submission with the original manuscript was downright painful. I didn't query, so I had no idea how this would go. I ended up glued to my inbox for two weeks, reading every rejection that came in like a total masochist. Somehow I made it through alive. 


Do you plan on writing a sequel to Red Queen, or writing any other books in the future?
Red Queen is, at present, under contract as a trilogy. Book 2 just finished its first round of edits and I'm currently drafting book 3. I know how the series ends, now it just becomes whether or not I can do it in three books. :)


About Red Queen:

17878931

Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: February 10th, 2015
Summary: The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers. To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red Girl from the Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change. Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the center of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possess a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control. But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

You can find Red Queen on:


***Giveaway:***

Lastly, to celebrate the release of Red Queen on February 10th, we're giving away ONE (1) Hardcover Copy of Red Queen from The Book Depository!

28 comments

  1. I LOVE debuts! It is so exciting, because not only is the reader excited, but the author is so excited! Now, I am sure non-debut authors are also excited when their books release, but there is just something extra special about a debut! Thanks so much for the chance to win :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome interview! I can't wait to read this book!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's already hard enough trying to find a publisher who wants your book, but you have to compete with all of the other authors out there. Not like it's a competition, but it's hard to get your book out there when there are literally THOUSANDS to choose from. So I think it's really important to support those newcomers and help them get their debut book in the hands of excited readers. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Because putting out a book is a very long process, and debut authors deserve to have their writing dreams realized by a welcoming audience.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Because putting out a book is a very long process, and debut authors deserve to have their writing dreams realized by a welcoming audience.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Because every author is a debut author once, and I LOVE authors :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Because new voices and stories are always needed!

    thank you so very much :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Debuts are chances to discover new stories and new voices and we never know if they will become out next favourite book or authors!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Supporting debut authors is something I love doing. You can talk to them and help promote their book because they are new to the author life and they deserve all the support they need.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Debut authors are completely new, needing all the support they can get, especially if their publishers will let them continue with a series. Saying you've been there since the debut is always a bonus when you can watch the author get mega. Speaking of which - can't wait to get my hand on the rest of this trilogy!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's great checking out new authors and going out of your comfort zones and encouraging them to keep writing and doing what they are doing. Thank you SO much for the giveaway! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love debut authors because they always bring something fresh to the table and I love when they're so appreciative of the support. We have to welcome them into the book world with open arms. Thank you for the giveaway!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I can only imagine how hard it must be to be a debut author and I think most people don't realize that book two isn't easy. This sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Debut authors have an exciting new edge sometimes! I'm hearing great things about Red Queen!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I LOVE debut authors! I know it has to be hard to get your name out there in a genre full of powerhouses. However, if we don't support the debut authors, we'll just get the same stuff over and over. It's so important to have new voices, because they offer fresh perspectives and ideas. A genre can't grow and evolve if you have the same 20 people!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Debut authors bring new stories and ideas to the literary world. You never know if a debut author will become your new favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love to help debut authors by supporting their books. It takes years and years to prove yourself and get a book published, and when you do, it's nice to show some love towards someone who is just starting. They're usually grow through their work and you kind of give them a push to write more amazing books. It's a win-win situation.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's so hard to get a book published (even though it seems like there are millions always coming out). Authors who have been doing this for a while already have, usually, a established fan base. But debut authors are going to have a harder time being recognized if they don't have enough publicity. They are also an indication of what is to come in the future of the books we read.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Because they don't have a whole editorial team that makes them easier all marketing.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I don't know, but I just love debut authors because I'm curious about their writing, about what stories they write or if their works are amazing. :) Simple like that.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It helps get their name out there!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I think it is important to support debuts, because if there are no debuts sometime in the future there will be no more new books.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I think it's important because if you don't support new authors we won't have new authors! Not to mention that we don't support new books we won't get the stories we love so much!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Because why not? What does it hurt to be nice? Besides, established authors HAVE a support system. Debuts have zilch.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Because we, as readers, need new voices and new stories to read about; and debut authors are those new voices and new stories, so we have to support them :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love new authors! It is so fun to find a book that you love and know that the writer has a whole career ahead of them so I'll get to read more from them in the future!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think it's super important to support debut authors because there are so many great books that are just coming out and if we stick to only authors we know then we'll miss out on many amazing books. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think it's so, so important to support debut authors and their books 'cause without support of the readers, debut authors would never get the chance to become second time authors or third time authors. And ultimately, we would miss all the amazing books we love today.
    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete

Please note that if your comment doesn’t appear right away, it’s because we have to approve it. Make sure to click the Notify Me box so you can check back once your comment has been approved! ❤️