Awesome Nalini Singh Contest and Mini-Interview!

Welcome to the start of our "Spooky Month" book giveways for October!

This will be our biggest book giveaway yet. Plus we have another big surprise because Nalini Singh has taken the time to answer some questions for us! And during the week, Nalini will also stop by to answer any questions or comments you post.

Writing an on-going series must be a daunting experience. How do you keep your writing fresh and keep readers interested in your Psy-Changeling Series? Do you keep a spreadsheet or outline handy to keep track of all the characters and plots?

I have a series "bible" and I try to put everything I might need later on in the series in there--from character profiles to maps. It's soooo useful. But the primary texts are still the books - I often end up searching through them when I want to make sure I'm maintaining continuity. I really love writing this series - I adore the fact that I can get to know the characters through a longer period than I would with a stand-alone book. I feel each book is fresh because I'm exploring the world along with the readers - I find out something new each time, and I hope readers do, too!

How did you break into the industry? And is there any advice you can give to up and coming writers and what to be aware of if they want to be published?

My first sale came about through a slush pile submission to Sillhouette. So my advice -submit, submit, submit. To do that, write, write, write! Luck is what you make of it. If you want to find that editor who loves your voice, you've got to be sending out stuff.

How important is it to you to have good reviews written about your work and including winning awards? How do you deal with negative reviews? Do you ignore them or do they make you try to be a better writer?

Good reviews/awards go toward building buzz for the book and that's always a good thing. It means one more voice out there saying people should read something.  As for negative reviews - I know not everyone is going to love what I write and that's ok - even megastar authors have people who don't get their stuff. Of course it hurts, but I don't think you can get too hung up on it - if an author tried to listen to everyone's opinions, and then tried to please all those different people, they'd probably end up with a book no one would enjoy.

You started out writing for Harlequin under their Silhouette Desire category series. How is that different from writing a full length novel?

It's a different skill-set, and one I'm glad I had a chance to learn. Category teaches you to write tight and tell a full story within a shorter span. It's a good skill to have once you get into single title - I'm always aware that there can't be any "fluff" in the story. Everything has to have a purpose. However, I love the broader canvas of single titles, the ability to explore relationships outside that of the hero and heroine, and also, the ability to create and explore new worlds.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects in the future?

I'm currently working on book 5 of my Psy/Changeling series (Dorian's book). Book 4 (Mine to Possess) releases Feb, so I'm excited about that. I'm also excited about a new series I'm working on - the first book (Angels' Blood), is about a bounty hunter who hunts down rogue vampires for their masters...the angels.

If you could be a tree, what tree would you be and why?

I think I'd be one of the stately Kauri trees they have in New Zealand. They're enormous and they're so old. I'd love to be able to see time pass over hundreds of years. Imagine the things you'd see!

Or if you could be reincarnated as anything, what would you like to come back as?

Hmmm, tough question! I think something with big wings - I'd love to be able to fly. Maybe an eagle? (Can I come back as a shapeshifting eagle? That way, I can have the best of both worlds!) 

As you can see, the eagle has landed!

And, what else have landed are five books, including Nalini’s newest release, Caressed by Ice  

Caressed by Ice Nalini Singh

Unleashed (anthology)

My Immortal Erin McCarthy

Night of the Wolf Elaine Barbieri

Phoenix Unrisen Kathleen Nance

 These are the three questions you need to answer to win this mega book pack:

What was the first book Nalini sold to Silhouette Desire?

Name one job Nalini had before she became an author.

Who is the name of the character who leadsthe DarkRiver Leopard Pack?

Good luck!

As for myself, I hope to come back as mushroom under a tree! How about you?

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