Book Chick City: Author Interview & Contest with Mary Naylus [NOW CLOSED]

Author Interview & Contest with Mary Naylus [NOW CLOSED]

Thursday, December 10, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

Mary Naylus lives in London with her family, and has recently pulled back from her job in publishing to focus fulltime on her writing. In the past she has worked as a writer in advertising, a journalist and an editor for women’s titles, but having discovered a penchant for history, is now concentrating on producing two more teenage titles for Prospera – The Plaguemaker and a third, as yet untitled novel that features Picky Robson.

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BCC: Welcome to BCC Mary. What gave you the idea of slipping on a dress and travelling back in time?

Mary: I just love English history and was toying with the idea of writing something about the 1600s. The idea came during that research, discovering for example how the Londoners were so affected and loved clothes as much as we do today.

BCC: Was is difficult writing as a thirteen-year-old?

Mary: Yes in the sense that I didn’t want to alienate readers by being too over the top, and no because I have a teenage daughter so a lot of the phrases etc were care of her.

BCC: How did you research The Dresskeeper?

Mary: Just read everything I could on the time period. It’s a period in which so much happened, yet I found there is far less written about that time than say 100 years before or after. Most fascinating were some of the original sales slips for clothing. Men in particular spent an awful lot on their outfits, much more so than today. Some spent the equivalent of a maid’s yearly salary on a vest!

BCC: If you could travel back in time, where and what time in history would you go?

Mary: Well I have so many it is hard to choose, but perhaps Egypt (I am inspired by the British Museum), and Florence during the Renaissance period. Having dinner with the Medici’s would be cool.

BCC: Do you have a specific time and place you like to write?

Mary: Definitely. Mornings in a café, and I prefer generic chain cafés because they have lots of seats and power outlets for my trusty laptop.

BCC: How did you celebrate your publication day?

Mary: Thinking about my next novel ‘The Plaguemaker’ and its due date (early 2010).

BCC: Describe your writing in three words.

Mary: Fast-paced history.

BCC: Can you reveal a little about your next novel, The Plaguemaker?

Mary: Sure, this time it’s ghosts and history, with 15-year-old Blessie finding herself suddenly haunted by plague victims from the 1600s and trying to discover why.

BCC: What's next for you?

Mary: After The Plaguemaker I am reintroducing Picky in another time-travelling escapade, this time to Egypt (and to her horror she is not wealthy and the wandering eye doesn’t disappear!).

Thanks Mary!

If you would like to know more about Mary and her books then visit her BLOG

You can read my review of The Dresskeeper HERE

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Okay, on to the CONTEST!

Thanks to the lovely people at Prospera Publishing I have FIVE copies of The Dresskeeper to giveaway to five lucky winners. All you have to do for the chance to win a copy is the following:

1. Blog/Tweet about contest. Leave link with comment.

2. Please leave comment/question for the author.

3. Leave email address with comment.

UPDATE: As the interview day has passed, you do not need to leave a question for the author to enter contest.

That's it!

This is open WORLDWIDE and ends 31st Dec . Winner will be announced on the 2nd Jan.

GOOD LUCK!

Labels: Author Interviews, Giveaways, Mary Naylus

48 comments:

~*Ruby*~ said...: Question for the author: Do you find you read books in the same genre as the ones you write?

+1 tweeted:
http://twitter.com/rubyreads/status/6525632064

rubs.escalona[at] gmail.com; 10 December 2009 08:09
RKCharron said...: Hi :)
An excellent interview with Mary. I enjoyed learning more about her and her writing. I've got THE DRESSKEEPER on my Get&Read list already. I love the concept and the main character. I'm happy to read that there is a sequel.
Will Mary join Twitter? It would make it easier to promote her novel.
:)
I Tweeted!
I posted on my blog for my 5am EST Dec 10th post.
:)
Happy Holidays,
RKCharron; 10 December 2009 08:57
Mary Naylus said...: Hi guys this is Mary. Many thanks for your interest in my books. Yes Ruby, I love reading historical novels, but oddly I am not so intrigued by those concerning the monarchy. I find the day to day happenings of ordinary people far more interesting. And RKCharron, many thanks for your kind comments and yes, I am certainly going to begin twittering asap. Things have been so crazy since Dresskeeper was published I just haven't got around to it. Thanks again everyone, and keep those questions coming. All the best, Mary.; 10 December 2009 10:45
Milka said...: Great giveaway and interview.
I would like to ask how much research you did for this book? It sounds really interessting, I would love to read it.

milkavainamo[at]lyseo[dot]edu[dot]ouka[dot]fi; 10 December 2009 10:49
Bunny B said...: Hi Mary, I love the plot! Time traveling stories intrigue me cos I like to see how people from our time react to being put in the past. If your book was made into a movie, who do you playing Picky?

+1 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/bunnyb/status/6528074235

bunnybx at gmail . com; 10 December 2009 11:03
Sharmaine said...: I found this contest via RKCharron's tweet! :) The power of social networks is in effect- I'm adding this book to my buy list too. Once RKCharron said "time-traveling teen" I was SO there. One of my favourite books is Somewhere Around the Corner by Jackie French, it's about a young teen that travels back to Australia's Great Depression era and it helped me appreciate my country's history a whole lot more!

I'm always curious (and highly intimidated) when it comes to heavily researched books, so my question for Mary is: if you continued to research the history while you wrote, did you find that the character of your protagonist changed? Or was your main character set pretty strongly in your mind/ on planning documents already? I remember reading that Tom Stoppard had a mind-blowing moment with the twist in his 'Real Inspector Hound' play (the body under the couch) and I was wondering if you experienced something similar, like finding a letter or something that made a new plot development tussle in your mind with your original plan!

I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for The Dresskeeper, it looks like a story to ready to gobble up!!! Good luck with the competition! I've followed RK's suit and tweeted :) to spread the word!!

http://m.twitter.com/rawstatic/status/6528425948

Sincerely,
Sharmaine
maineambition (at) gmail (dot) com; 10 December 2009 11:30
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com said...: No need to enter me. I just wanted to say: Yah Mary! I love your book!; 10 December 2009 15:43
Silent Raven said...: Hi! Great interview! My question is simple: what are your favorite books?

carianmoonlight at gmail dot com; 10 December 2009 17:37
cait045 said...: This sounds like the cutest book idea ever. I wish I could travel back to past and London would be one of the places I would pick.

+1 Retweeted http://twitter.com/cait045
usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom; 10 December 2009 17:44
dor said...: Great interview and a big thanks for the giveaway. I do not twitter but left a link on my facebook.....Doreen Rio
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=name&id=100000384250939

My question is: Do you ever want to change stuff after a book has been published?

dorcontest at gmail dot com; 10 December 2009 18:30
Rosie said...: These books have great story ideas. I love time travel AND ghosts, so the books that you discussed really caught my attention. Thanks for stopping by today!

rosie0512 @ hotmail . com; 10 December 2009 19:24
skyla11377 said...: I Blogged And Twitted About This.
http://skyla11377.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/skyla11377

Hey Mary Your Book Sounds Awesome. Have You Always Wanted To Be A Writer?

skyla11377(At)AOL.(Dot)Com; 10 December 2009 22:02
Nikki @ Bookizzle said...: 1. I re-tweeted but that damn new RT feature doesn't let me copy a link. I promise it's there! (http://twitter.com/nikkinizzle)
2. For Mary: What are your writing "must-haves"?
3. nikkinizzle at gmail.com

Thanks for the opportunity! :D; 10 December 2009 23:43
Martha Lawson said...: Another new to me author!! I really enjoyed learning about you and your books. They sound excellent.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com; 11 December 2009 04:02
Erotic Horizon said...: Thank you the heads up on Mary's work..

The British Museum is a wonderful place to stir the imagination..

lovely interview..

E.H>; 11 December 2009 06:43
Mary Naylus said...: Hi guys, Mary again. Thanks for your comments, I continue to be blown away by the positive support!

To Milka regarding research, I was very conscious of trying to keep the writing natural and history correct, so I not only did research but tried to read books and notes and letters of the era as well so that the story sounded as natural as possible.

To Bunny B, I would probably like to see someone like the girl who plays 'Whitney' on Eastenders play Picky. Sorry I don't know her name but she strikes me as very talented and she has amazing eyes. of course, somehow one eye would have to be made to wander...

To Sharmaine, thanks for finding me via Twitter, and yes, the plot did change during research, mostly in relation to Christopher Wren. I actually changed the time from 1700 to 1685 to better accommdate the story of the secret dome and the Pope.

Hi to Silent Raven, one of my favourite books is Pompeii by Robert Harris. A great mix of history and adventure.

And finally to Nikki, my book 'must-haves' are a fast-moving plot, sneakily incorporated history and some sort of (hopefully not to obvious) story twist.

Thanks everyone, and good luck with the competition.; 11 December 2009 10:36
Jessy said...: The Plaguemaker sounds really good. What kind of research do you do to write your books?

+1-Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Emma015/statuses/6580302713

findjessyhere at gmail dot com; 11 December 2009 22:15
love_fk said...: I'd love to read this book.It sounds really interesting

tweeted:
http://twitter.com/elikoleva/

love_fk[at]abv[dot]bg; 12 December 2009 08:04
Spav said...: Nice interview.

Tweet: http://twitter.com/Sparima/status/6699579332

spav05@gmail.com; 15 December 2009 15:55
Jennifer said...: Tweet Tweet: http://twitter.com/knittingmomof3/status/6735612490
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com; 16 December 2009 17:02
Jennifer said...: This novel sounds fantastic as I adore this time period and from the interview noticed a lot of study was involved, which means it will be accurate. I also love the fact there is another in the works.
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com; 16 December 2009 17:03
Jennifer said...: The Dresskeeper sounds like a novel I would very much enjoy. Thank you for this opportunity.
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com; 16 December 2009 17:04
Jennifer said...: The contest is on the right side of my blog under "Giveaways" http://www.rundpinne.com
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com; 16 December 2009 17:09
mariska said...: i love to read The Dresskeeper. it's an interesting book to read.

uniquas at ymail dot com; 17 December 2009 04:23
Precious said...: The Dresskeeper sounds like an interesting book and I very much want to read it!

+1 tweeted
http://twitter.com/precious_shusky/status/6760023627

Thanks!

precious_shusky@yahoo.com; 17 December 2009 10:03
Beleth said...: I've read some interesting reviews about this book :D it would be nice to read it.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/beleth22/status/6760644876
Thanks.

battyaboutbats at gmail.com; 17 December 2009 10:40
Aye.Me? said...: Question= What is your favourite era to write about?

I tweeted Here

Email= amy_is_not_@hotmail.com

~Aye.Me?; 17 December 2009 11:56
Gaby said...: Hello :D

1. Twitter: @magabygc http://twitter.com/magabygc/status/6762778170

magabygc AT gmail DOT com

Thanks; 17 December 2009 12:45
Suzanne M said...: Hello

I tweeted.

http://twitter.com/SuzanneMann/statuses/6765010581

suzannemann[at]gmail[dot]com; 17 December 2009 14:37
austenfan said...: I would love to win this! :)

+1 tweeted:
http://twitter.com/austenfanblogs/status/6822740609

Thanks for the giveaway! :)

austenfanblogs[at]gmail[dot]com; 19 December 2009 06:47
Katy said...: This sounds like a fun little read. :)

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/afewmorepages/status/6837318753

srfbluemama at gmail dot com; 19 December 2009 19:30
justpeachy36 said...: justpeachy36@yahoo.com

I tweeted the giveaway here:

http://twitter.com/justpeachy36/status/6971475312; 23 December 2009 17:53
Bethie said...: Please count me in. Thanks for the chance.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com; 24 December 2009 04:50
Kim said...: I'd love to win this book!; 24 December 2009 20:14
Sarah said...: Please enter me in this giveaway!

+1 tweeted: https://twitter.com/saemmerson/status/7051594629

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson; 26 December 2009 04:06
Sheila (Bookjourney) said...: Oh this would be a wonderful book to win..... I am tweeeting this up now.... (bookjourney)

I have always wanted to be a writer. My question is what was the deciding factor for you to go for it and get published? I would love to know what that felt like and of course actually seeing your book for the first time in print...

Thank you for the opportunity :)

journey through books @ gmail dot com; 26 December 2009 18:11
ck.twilighter said...: Wow.... What a great interview!!=)

I would love to travel back in time and feel for myself what life wa like in certain eras!!=)

honu_369@yahoo.com; 27 December 2009 00:22
misskallie2000 said...: Mary, I have not read any of your books but after this iinterview I will add them to my list and once I finish will pass on to my grand daughters as I know they will enjoy.
+1 I tweeted I think?? @misskallie2000
Don't have blog

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com; 28 December 2009 23:33
Vision said...: Tweeted! : http://twitter.com/ThuyTNguyen/status/7150981271

Thanks for making this contest available worldwide.

vision.nguyen AT gmail DOT com; 29 December 2009 06:29
Deb K said...: Please enter me~I would love to win this book!

Tweet!
http://twitter.com/Deb55106/status/7151382066

deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com; 29 December 2009 06:43
sarah said...: i would love to win a copy please - i have tweeted here
http://twitter.com/sbroadhurst/status/7154753381; 29 December 2009 09:26
Coistycat said...: Congrats on an excellant interview, it was a great insight into the lady behind the book.

Thank you for running this great giveaway, i have my fingers crossed.

Hello Mary

I was wondering what genre of book you read & if it is the same as you write are they a good sorce of information?

I have tweeted this contest
http://twitter.com/Coistycat/status/7154691944

donnabarrie@blueyonder.co.uk

Good Luck Everyone xx; 29 December 2009 09:31
Beleth said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 29 December 2009 10:09
Larissa said...: awesome review darling! this looks like such a great book! =)

I have re-tweeted this contest here:

http://twitter.com/larissa_sarah/status/7155373224

email: larissa@larissaslife.com

=); 29 December 2009 10:28
Anonymous said...: Just read the interview and this book and her next sounds a great read.; 30 December 2009 07:35
Anonymous said...: sounds like interesting book, and would love to go back to past ;-)

gwenpaterson@btinternet.com; 30 December 2009 17:08
~The Book Pixie said...: I've really been wanting this book. It sounds so original. Count me in please. :D

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/thebookpixie/status/7208431100

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com; 30 December 2009 20:57
rem said...: I've read some interesting reviews about this book

twweted: http://twitter.com/rem_pdg/status/7235676863

rem_pdg(at)yahoo.es; 31 December 2009 14:49