Interview with Andrea Cremer and Giveaway - December 8, 2010

Please welcome Andrea Cremer, author of Nightshade, to The Qwillery. Please see my review of Nightshade here.

TQ:  Earlier this year Nightshade was the subject of a censorship attempt before it was even published. Could you tell us about that?

Andrea:  Given that just a few days earlier I’d posted a blog in support of Laurie Halse Anderson, whose book Speak had been challenged in Missouri, and that I’d posted about how I thought someday Nightshade would be challenged on Page Turners Blog I felt a little like the universe testing my sense of irony. I expected challenges, but I simply wasn’t prepared for an objection on my first day visiting a school. Standing in the principal’s office I felt very small and a bit like I’d been sucker punched. I was a very well behaved child, and at age 32 this was my first time being sent to the principal’s office, told what I’d done wrong and how I should behave. The principal went on to request that I keep things from getting “PG-13” and that I didn’t say anything like encourage the students toward “vampire conversion.” Vampire conversion? Okay, first of all, there are no vampires in Nightshade. Secondly, do any authors give presentations at schools that promote vampire conversion? I wanted to know if Heather Brewer and Richelle Mead get this question at their school visits. As I went to the auditorium I felt a bit ill. I was already nervous and now I worried about having to censor myself when I spoke and answered questions. But then I started to get angry because I remembered who I am. I teach for a living. I know how to talk to students. I wrote a book I love and I don’t think it’s at all inappropriate. I have a Ph.D. in history and I understand the ways in which violence, religion, and sexuality have shaped societies. I use that research to inform my novels. These subjects shouldn’t be avoided or hidden. They need to be discussed. Running away from the more difficult topics of history only makes it more likely that patriarchy, inequality, and ignorance become more deeply rooted in our cultures. Fortunately I was saved by the wonder that is young readers. Over the course of the day I spoke to about 400 students. They were all amazing. Their questions were smart and engaging. Their ideas were fantastic. Each session was buzzing with intelligence and enthusiasm. When I finished, my voice was pretty much gone but it was one of the happiest moments of my life. And nothing about that trip to the principal’s office mattered. Not one bit. One of the event organizers did some digging and found out that the objection had come from a parent who hadn’t read Nightshade. She’d just seen my blog post supporting Laurie Halse Anderson. Turns out my first encounter with censorship stemmed from my speaking out against it. All it does is make me determined to barrel ahead without fear. And I’m not doing it for myself. I’m doing it for each of those students, who gave me more with their questions and ideas than I could ever hope to give them.

TQ:  Do you think it has affected you as a writer?

Andrea:  It has made me both more determined and fearless about speaking out in support of books with 'controversial' subject material and to work hard to raise awareness about the damage done by challenging and banning young adult literature.

TQ:  You teach early modern history (1500s to 1800s). Do you see any parallels between the censorship that was taking place during those times and censorship today?

Andrea:  It's important to keep in mind that the idea of censorship only exists given the assumption and advocation of the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Both of those rights are inventions of the 18th century - rights aren't won without a struggle and I think in our contemporary culture we often take those rights for granted. Prior to the 18th century censorship as we know it didn't exist. For example attempts in medieval Europe to print the Bible in vernacular (common languages, i.e. English, French) instead of Latin were 'censored' by burning the printers at the stake for heresy. That's not exaggeration and I think it simply reinforces how important freedom of speech and the press are - we've come a long way in terms of protecting the right to knowledge and discussion of all issues. Regression in that arena is not something that would benefit society.

TQ:  What advice would you give aspiring YA writers about both self-censorship and dealing with censorship by others?

Andrea:  One thing I worry about for aspiring writers is that they will censor themselves for fear that writing what they truly love or believe in won't sell, so they'll restrain themselves or stick to 'safer' subject material. Writing to sell is the worst mistake an author can make and will only lead to failure and writing misery. It's a mistake to write for other people rather than writing for your own passion. The most important thing is to be true to your self. Writing that reflects the heart and soul of the author is the best of the craft. Regarding censorship by authors, it's simply important to be educated yourself and to educate others about book censorship and censorship attempts. I've found the experiences and advice of oft-challenged authors like Laurie Halse Anderson and Ellen Hopkins to be priceless. They are true heroes for authors, readers, book sellers, librarians and educators.


About Andrea's Books

Nightshade
Nightshade 1
Hardcover, 528 page
ISBN 9780399254826
Philomel, October 19, 2010

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything—including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?




Wolfsbane
Nightshade 2
Philomel, July 2011

About Andrea

Photo: Gina Monroe

Andrea Cremer is the author of the New York Times bestselling debut novel Nightshade. She grew up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and now lives in Minneapolis, where she’s a history professor at Macalester College. She’s written about violence, sex, religion and power in history, and has used that research to create the world of the Nightshade series. Wolfsbane, the second book in the series, will be published in July 2011. You can learn more about Andrea at http://www.andreacremer.com/




Andrea's Links:

Website:  http://www.andreacremer.com/
Blog:  http://blurredhistory.blogspot.com/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/andreacremer

NightShade Website: http://www.nightshadebook.com/
Shay Doran on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shadowshay
Shay Doran's Blog: http://www.shaydoran.com/
Shay Doran's YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/shaydoran


The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a copy of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. This book has been provided by the publisher.

How:  Leave a comment telling The Qwillery what you are passionate about? Keep it PG-13 please! If you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who & When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.  Void where prohibited by law.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*