What inspired you to write this book?
When I was in college, I
studied the Classics which is the study of ancient civilizations. At some
point, I learned about various mystery rites—religious ceremonies we don't know
much about. My favorite was the Bacchanalia, a celebration dedicated to Bacchus
(the Roman god of wine, frenzies, and festivities). The rite included feats of
inhuman strength such as uprooting trees, tearing apart a bull with one's bare
hands, and eating its raw flesh. And from there the idea grew.
What can we expect from you in the
future?
Her Majesty’s Fury,
book 2 of the Immortal Relics, will come out this fall (my goal is by end of
October). I’ll write book 3 during November’s NaNoWriMo challenge with the goal
of publishing by spring. I have plans to keep going with the series, including
2 novellas which will be origin stories for the Bacchae characters Solomon and
Danae (Bacchae = vampire in my world). After that or while I’m working on
those, I have a YA post-zombie apocalypse series I can’t wait to start.
Where did you come up with the names in
the story?
For some, I waited until the
characters themselves told me their names. Serafina Finch is one of those. For
others, I did some research. For example, I looked up common slave names of the
1800s to name Solomon Jones. It didn’t connect at first that my two POV
characters both began with the letter ‘S’ so I tried to change his name to a
few others but nothing stuck. He was Solomon. Danae I had known for a long time
as it came from my studies in college.
Who designed your book covers?
Hampton from TS95studios! I can’t say enough great things
about his art and his professionalism. He will be doing all of the Immortal
Relics covers.
If you had to do it all over again,
would you change anything in your latest book?
That’s a tough one. The
thing is, it’s my debut novel. I’ve learned a lot from writing Birth of the Bacchae, and I worked
really hard to edit it as I learned new things. Could there be improvements?
Absolutely. I’m well aware the book is more of a slow burn than dropping right
into major action. But you write what you love, and I love a slow burn. I’ve
also embraced the fact that the series will show my writing progression, and,
not to toot my own horn too much, but I think I’m starting out at a pretty
decent place.
Did you learn anything during the
writing of your recent book?
So much! But I’ll focus on
writing itself. I started out as a bit of a pantser, but I discovered I’m much
better with a loose outline. I’m not a full-blown plotter, but I need to know
the major plot points so I don’t get muddled down in the mundane. I actually
had no experience with all the various ways one can structure a novel, but I’m
really glad I found one that resonates with me (K.M. Weiland’s “Structuring
Your Novel”).
How did you come up with the name for Birth of the Bacchae?
It literally popped into my head when I was daydreaming
during class. I know the name is going to trip some people up (Bacchae =
BOCK-eye), but changing the title was like trying to change Solomon’s name. It
just couldn’t be done. I chopped close to 10k words from my story during
editing, so I’m not afraid to make changes. But some things just are.
What is your favorite part of this book
and why?
There’s a scene near the end
that started the entire story. It’s part of the climax, so I don’t want to
spoil it, but it starts with the words, “Drip… drip… drip…” It’s best read
while listening to Marilyn Manson’s cover of “Sweet Dreams,” which I listened
to about a thousand times while writing the scene. It’s dark and full of angst,
just like the scene.
Convince us why you feel your book is a
must-read.
I’ll share my favorite
review from Goodreads as an answer: “(I've read
roughly 47 million vampire novels, and I can honestly say that this is the
first time I have read this particular origin story -- so 47 million points to
Gryffindor for that.)
In this
universe, vampires are the creations of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and
madness, made to be his companions. However, they have gone astray from his
ways and become violent predators, betraying their creator. When Serafina
discovers an ancient Bacchic relic on an archaeological dig, she sets of [sic]
a chain of events, inserting herself in the middle of that struggle.
I
thoroughly enjoyed the story, and I appreciated the fact that it didn't feel
like I had already read it before. My predictions weren't all true, and I enjoy
being surprised. Plus, it's always fun when the vampires are good ole' fashioned
monstrous bad guys, not sparkly love interests.
*adds
author's next book to release calendar*”
"Vampires,
Immortals, Bacchae—they’re all the same. The name may change, but
their appetites never do."
Ever
since archaeology student Serafina Finch found an ancient Roman
amulet on a dig in Italy, she's been having dreams. Strange dreams
that leave her with an eerie sense of foreboding. But between a busy
college schedule and a boyfriend she's hoping to marry, she doesn't
have time for strange.
Then
a mysterious cult takes an obsessive interest in the artifact.
Serafina finds her life in chaos as she's thrown into the
supernatural world, where Immortals and witches alike claim ownership
of the amulet. Her amulet.
As
her connection to the amulet grows, she discovers a dark secret about
her past. Serafina realizes she must protect the powerful relic at
all costs--even if it means losing one of the people she loves
most.
“Invisible.
Powerful. Immortal. We are Bacchae.”
BIRTH
OF THE BACCHAE is a New Adult Urban Fantasy novel exploring the
origins of vampire lore in a modern setting. Where do the stories
come from? How were vampires created? Do they still exist today?
Stephanie
Mirro's lifelong love of ancient mythology led to majoring in the
Classics in college, which wasn't quite as much fun as writing her
own mythology stories as she did as a child. But that education,
combined with an overactive imagination and being an avid fantasy
reader, resulted in a writing career.
Starting
her days with coffee and ending them with wine means Stephanie can
usually be found juggling household chores, keeping the kids alive,
and trying to write, edit, publish, and market the stories that haunt
her dreams.
Born
and raised in Southern Arizona, Stephanie now resides in Northern
Virginia with her husband, two kids, and two furbabies. This thing
called "seasons" is still magical.
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the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
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