TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Hannah: I don’t think I have any real writing quirks – I pretty much hold tight to “butt in chair, hands on keys.” I will, however, not stop on any number 13. Not on page 13 or chapter 13 or – god forbid – word count 1313.
TQ: Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Hannah: I love female Southern authors – Jill McCorkle, Lee Smith, Kaye Gibbons. I really think that they laid the foundation for the whole “Chick Lit” genre with stories filled with strong, hilarious women dealing with terrible situations – cheating husbands, bad boyfriends, big thighs… Jill McCorkle’s Crash Diet was probably the most influential collection I’ve read in terms of finding a writing voice. In the fantasy genre, Juliette Blackwell is a huge influence. Her characters are fun, use of magic is excellent, and she has some of the best-written prose I’ve ever read.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a panster?
Hannah: Under Wraps was a panster, but books 2 and 3 in the series are plotters. I’m not crazy about plotting/outlining in general, but for a writing career (complete with deadlines, synopses and expectations!), I’m finding plotting is a must!
TQ: What inspired you to write Under Wraps?
Hannah: I would love to say something awesome like “it came to me in a dream” or something equally dramatic but that’s so not the case. My agent was pitching my first novel, an as-yet unpublished romance called Rebound Guy, and though it was ultimately rejected, the editorial team came back with “we’re into paranormal. Can she do that?” To which I answered a resounding “no.” Then I called my agent back a day later and said, “Okay, this is what I’ve got.” Then UDA took on a life – and personality – all it’s own!
TQ: What sort of research did you do for Under Wraps?
Hannah: Whether you believe in demons and spooks or not, it was really important to me to get the legendry right. This is serious business! I researched demons, demonology and “creatures” in fiction, mythology, film and legend, not to mention the myriad of cultural mentions of vampires, werewolves, etc. I’ve always been fascinated by the way something like the vampire myth spreads from culture to culture, how it is so remarkably similar throughout different countries. UDA gave me a great excuse to read every book and article on the subject!
TQ: Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in the book?
Hannah: I think my favorite scene has to be when Sophie decides to prove how very “normal” she is and decides to make a pot roast, and drink a bottle of wine while doing so. Nothing tickles me more than airborne meat. I'm also partial to scenes that include Steve, the love-struck troll.
TQ: How many books are planned for The Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles? Will there be any short stories or novellas set in the UDA world?
Hannah: So far there are three novels – book 1, Under Wraps, which is out now, book 2 will be released 11-11-11, and book 3 will follow early in 2012. As for more books, short stories and novellas? Stay tuned!! Something tells me both Steve and Nina might like to have their moments in the literary sun…
TQ: What's next?
Hannah: I’m just putting the finishing touches on UDA book 3 (yet untitled), and finishing up a cozy mystery set on the Monterey Peninsula called Deadly Ever After.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Hannah: Thank you so much for having me! I hope everyone enjoys Under Wraps!
Hannah's Books
Under Wraps
Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles 1
(March 1, 2011)
Call the Underworld Detection Agency.
As a human immune to magic, Sophie Lawson can help everyone from banshee to zombie transition into normal, everyday San Francisco life. With a handsome werewolf as her UDA boss and a fashionista vampire for a roommate, Sophie knows everything there is to know about the undead, the unseen, and the uncanny…
Until a rash of gruesome murders has demons and mortals running for cover, and Sophie finds herself playing sidekick to detective Parker Hayes. Dodging raging bloodsuckers, bad-tempered fairies, and love-struck trolls is one thing. But when Sophie discovers Parker isn’t what he seems, she’s got only one chance to figure out whom to trust. Because an evil hiding in plain sight is closing in…and about to make one wisecracking human its means to ultimate power…
Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles 2 will be released on 11-11-11, with a third book in early 2012.
About Hannah
Hannah Schwartz is a freelance writer and editor in the San Francisco bay area. In addition to short fiction, Schwartz is the author of the romantic novel Rebound Guy and co-authored the self-help book Crisis Queens: Guide to Your Quarterlife. She shares an apartment with two neurotic, feet-attacking cats, and has created a little dance to go along with the thundering tick of her biological clock.As an avid reader and writer of chick-lit, finding chicklit.org was a natural (and a godsend!), discovered by wiling one too many hours away on the company clock.
Hannah's Links
Website
Facebook
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a signed copy of Under Wraps directly from Hannah.
How: Leave a comment telling The Qwillery the name of your paranormal organization? Make something up. You can even tell The Qwillery what your paranormal organization does! Please remember - 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 and 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 Thursday, March 10, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.
Website
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a signed copy of Under Wraps directly from Hannah.
How: Leave a comment telling The Qwillery the name of your paranormal organization? Make something up. You can even tell The Qwillery what your paranormal organization does! Please remember - 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 and 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 Thursday, March 10, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.
*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*
Hi! I'm a follower.
ReplyDeleteMy paranormal oraganization, Moon Mirror, is dealing with the paranormal creatures, that don't follow the paranormal rules.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Demon Busters! I love the old Ghostbusters movies what can I say I am corney. I remember as a kid having one of those shirts with the red circle line (no) shirt. Pure AWESOMENESS there.
ReplyDeletetruckchick(at)hotmail(com)
Im a follower, I twitted & FB, I blogged.
I am loving the cover to this book!
Thanks for the interview! This really seems very promising so I'll add it to my wishlist asap ;)
ReplyDeleteAs for the organisation, feel free to call the LiBRA.
Do you grow tired of gnomes? Are babbling fairies keeping you awake? Do imps form a plague?
Don't hesitate and call the LiBRA. Always to your service, 24/7, we at the Little Buggers Removal Agency will try to help you out the best possible way. In doing this, we try to maintain the balance -hence Libra- between the natural and supernatural.
Cheers!
Jannick.
blog follower and FB-fan
jannickv[at]hotmail[dot]com
Agency name: Dead Until Dawn
ReplyDeleteWe will rid you of you Zombie & Rogue Vampire infestation, or die trying.
I stalk you, commented, and tweeted (http://twitter.com/#!/TakingItOneBook) 3 all together
Jessica
takingitonebookataitme@yahoo.com
Unwanted Friends Upheaval Service have a friend that has over stayed their welcome just call us and we'll make them go.
ReplyDeleteOhh I had not heard of this book but the descriptions looks awesome. I love finding new authors through interviews.
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 GFC
It's a bit unoriginal, but since I'm in Boston, I would have to call my agency Watch & Ward (after the original folks who brought us 'banned in Boston') -- and my tagline would be 'Banished from Boston!' or something like that.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview -- thanks to you both. I tweeted and am a follower!
I don't know why this just popped into my head, but my place would be for general witchery, and be called Charmed, I'm Sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm a gfc follower
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
LOL, what a great question. Mine would be Triple X! I have no idea why, but I picture Men in Black and an awesome XXX business card :)
ReplyDeleteFollower of The Qwillery.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/IntenseWhisper/status/43463816167698432
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Oh I have had this one on my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteMy organization is the Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover Paranomal Information Services... or just Don't Judge. We deal in correct information about paranormal others. At least that is the public face of the organization. I am forbidden to reveal our true purpose. ;)
I'm a follower
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/BooksThings/status/43479907518529536
Put on giveaway list: http://melissawatercolor.blogspot.com/p/contestsgiveaways.html
My organization would be Dark Side Investigations. We find out what's happening when the lights go out.
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
GFC follower
Just got Under Wraps and finished it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down! I laughed so hard at Vlad and the blue cheese smelling troll I needed Depends not to stain the couch! The only bad thing, I have to wait for number two.
ReplyDeleteLoved the read! Thanks for turning me onto a new author.
Marlee
Great interview. Shah. X
ReplyDeleteWe would be called "Royally Zombies"..we are Queen, we don't eat brains we devour books!
ReplyDeleteWe follow you on Twitter & FB!
http://twitter.com/#!/CLMcCUNE/status/43812277807366144
Zeus Investigations. Specializing in all those mythology beings that keep reappearing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book. Really looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing!
Im a follower
tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/44319368301117440
blog - http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/2011/03/qwillery-interview-with-hannah-jayne.html
bacchus76 at myself dot com
My paranormal organization would be D.E.A.D (Dealings in Extraterrestrial and Aliens Department). And the occasional ghost.
ReplyDeleteMy organization will be called Misterious Misteries and will deal will all paranormal creatures and events that take place in the natural, supernatural and preternatural world!
ReplyDelete+1 follower
+1 comment
aliasgirl at libero dot it
I'd call my paranormal department CUSP (Creepy Undead Supernatural or Paranormal) and we would specialize in hunting down corrupt baddies. ;)
ReplyDeleteashley@ashleymaclennan.com
My paranormal organization will be Deal With the Dark (DWD) :)
ReplyDeleteComment (1 entry)
Follower (+1 entry)
Twitter (+ 1 entry) : http://twitter.com/#!/becunique/status/44944909953798144
uniquas at ymail dot com
The name of my paranormal organization would be called Otherworld Investigates! It will be an organization that investigates anything out of the "ordinary". (lol, I'm not that great at coming up with uber awesome names, if you can't tell...)
ReplyDelete+1 GFC follower
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
Mine would be SCRAps. Supernatural Creatures Removal Agency.
ReplyDeleteFollower & tweeted ~ http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/45684059292188672
gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com