BLOG TOUR! Of Poseidon by Anna Banks Interview + GIVEAWAY!

Posted May 28, 2012 by Asheley in Uncategorized / 34 Comments


What’s up, you guys!
Today is my stop on the
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks Blog Tour!

I read Of Poseidon back in March and posted my thoughts at that time. It was such a fun book!  You can read my thoughts on Of Poseidon Here.


I’m so excited that I have the chance to share an interview with Author Anna Banks with you today because – you guys – she is really hilarious! When she emailed me these responses, I laughed for a good, long while…

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Anna Banks!
Thanks so much for stopping by today!


1. Congratulations on Of Poseidon! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and the book?

I’m a southern girl who loves fried chicken, chocolate, and Starbucks. My favorite book is Divergent (so far), my favorite color is red (therefore my favorite nail polish is “I’m Not Really A Waitress”), and my favorite TV show is The Walking Dead. I once broke my ankle falling off the toilet (don’t ask, because I simply will not tell you).

Of Poseidon is my debut, and it’s full of sarcasm, humor, and romance. Probably you should check it out. It’s about mermaids and secrets and upchuck.

2. Of Poseidon is YA Fantasy with a little bit of Paranormal, a little bit of Mythology, and a lot of Romance. Personally, my favorite parts were the romance! Which aspect of the book was your favorite to write?

Oh, I love writing bickering couples (Gilbert and Anne, anyone?), so all the interaction between Galen and Emma was my favorite. HOWEVER, I have to say that keeping them apart was hard. I don’t know how Jane Austen did it with Mr. Darcy and Lizzy in Pride and Prejudice. I watched that movie recently (the one with Kiera Knightley) and the whole time I was all, “OMG just kiss her already!”

As an author, I understand that it has to be done. As a reader, I just want to throw the book across the room.

3. How did the idea for the story of Emma and Galen come to you?

The idea of mermaids came from an article I read about how they’d discovered the colossal squid—something scientists thought was only fishermen’s lore up until 2005. It got me thinking, what else could be out there? Mermaids, perhaps?

Emma and Galen specifically came to me as I wrote. I knew I wanted to create a modern, twice-removed cousin of The Little Mermaid, where the guy was the fish prince and girl was the human. It grew from there.

4. It took me a little while to warm up to Emma but I loved Galen instantly. Likewise, it was a bit hard for me to like Rayna as much as I liked Toraf…Which characters were your favorites and why?

I love love love Toraf. He’s so easy going and good natured. He’s not as serious as Galen, because he doesn’t have as much responsibility as Galen. And since he has far less experience in the human world than the other characters, it’s excessively fun to explore how he might interpret things.

5. Oh! The ending was a killer! I’m already impatient for the rest of the story…Can you tell us anything – anything at all – about the next book in the series?

Yes, I’m sorry! I think I’m getting a black eye on tour because of that ending.

The sequel is tentatively titled Of Triton. I think you can guess that the Gift of Triton will make an appearance. That’s all I can really say…Sorry!

6. I adore a book with a pretty cover and Of Poseidon certainly has a beautiful cover! Can you tell us anything about its design?

Only that I had nothing to do with it, I wish I could take credit for it because look at it for crying out loud, and I almost cried when they sent it to me, because I knew I was one freaking lucky author to get a masterpiece like that as my cover. Also, I lub it.

7. I have never been able to imagine myself as an author because I am admittedly not very disciplined in terms of my time; I need a certain amount of structure and order in my day to function at an acceptable level. What does a typical writing day look like for Anna Banks?

I get up at 4:45 in the morning and write for a couple of hours. Unfortunately for me, I’m sharpest in the morning time, because in the evenings I tend to drink wine. I’ve tried to switch it up and drink wine in the morning instead of the evening, but it didn’t work out so well.

Sometimes I can sit down and write a couple thousands words in one sitting. Sometimes it feels like writerly constipation and I can only squeeze out 100 words. But if I keep my routine and actually write, no matter how many words, then I don’t have a guilty conscience the rest of the day and I can really enjoy my evening wine instead of brood in it…

8. You’ve mentioned before on your blog (here) that music gets you in the mood to write. What music are you reaching for these days when you are looking for inspiration?

I choose music per scene. For romantic scenes, I choose love songs (for Of Poseidon, there was a lot of Bruno Mars, and 80’s music. The theme song would have been Animal by Neon Trees). For funny scenes, I choose songs like, “I Want to Break Free” by Queen or “Clumsy” by Fergie. If it’s a fight scene, I’ll go with Marilyn Manson.

9. Have you read anything lately that stuck with you? Are there any titles that you are looking forward to reading this summer or fall?

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green stuck with me, because I read it shortly after my mom died of cancer in October (not super smart of me, right?). Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi stuck with me because of her glorious writing style. And Cinder by Marissa Meyer because it was so stinking original.

10. You’re going on tour this summer with MacMillan and Fierce Reads…Tell us all about that!

I’m touring with Jennifer Bosworth (Struck), Leigh Bardugo (Shadow and Bone), Emmy Laybourne (Monument 14), and other authors such as Marissa Meyer and Ann Aguirre (Enclave). Looks like we’re crashing 14 cities in 13 days, or something crazy like that. For stop sites, you can check the Fierce Reads Facebook page. I’ve also got it posted on my blog.

So far we’ve been cutting up on Twitter together. What I’ve gathered so far about my tour mates is: Leigh and I argue a lot, Emmy is a sweetheart, and Jennifer is generally cooler than me in every way. I think we’re going to get along just fine. (Also, Leigh is a makeup artist, and she promised to make me look like a zombie on tour.)

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Thank you, Anna!
Thanks for being here today! You make me laugh so much!
And I loved Of Poseidon!

Check out these other websites!
Anna’s Blog
Fierce Reads Facebook Fan Page
Tour Dates for Fierce Reads

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GIVEAWAY!
Author Anna Banks & MacMillan Publishing
are offering one copy of
OF POSEIDON to ONE WINNER!
(US/Canada Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to stop by the other stops on the
OF POSEIDON by Anna Banks Blog Tour!
(Hint: There may be other giveaway opportunities.)

Monday 5/21                        Mermaid Vision Books 
Tuesday 5/22                       
Two Chicks On Books 
Wednesday 5/23                  
Live To Read 
Thursday 5/24                   
    The Book Goddess 
Friday 5/25                        
   Moonlight Book Reviews 
Saturday 5/26                    
   A Cupcake and A Latte  

Sunday 5/27                         The YA Sisterhood 
Monday 5/28                       Into the Hall of Books
Tuesday 5/29                       The Book Cellar
Wednesday 5/30                  Bookalicious.org
Thursday 5/31                     Good Choice Reading
Friday 6/1                           Pretty Deadly Reviews
Saturday 6/2                       That Artsy Reader Girl


Of Poseidon is currently
available for purchase!

Asheley

About Asheley

Asheley is a Southern girl. She loves Carolina blue skies, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and NC craft beer. She loves all things history but prefers books over everything.

You can find her somewhere in North Carolina, daydreaming about the ocean.

Find Asheley on Litsy @intothehallofbooks!

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34 responses to “BLOG TOUR! Of Poseidon by Anna Banks Interview + GIVEAWAY!

  1. This was a great interview! Anna was so charming and fun. I love that she managed to break her ankle falling off a toilet. It sounds like something I would do! Lol.

    It's funny that you should post this today, because I have my review of Of Poseidon scheduled to go live in about five minutes. I don't think I liked it quite as much as you did (I took a peek at your review), but I enjoyed it enough to check out the sequel! That ending…Haha!

  2. It was interesting, and pretty funny, to read your answer to how you write. I am an early riser also and I go to bed at 9:00 p.m. It's much easier for me to write in the morning. For some reason I tend to nod off over the computer in the evening (and there's no wine involved). Thanks for the interview and for giving us a chance to win your book!

  3. Christina K.

    I love learning about how authors got the idea for their books. How cool is it that a giant squid led to such an awesome mermaid story!

    It's great that authors want their love stories to work out and also have a hard time keeping the couple apart – just like we want to see them together!

    Awesome interview! Thanks so much:)

  4. Anna sounds so funny and I think I'm am going to love Of Poseidon. Thanks so much Anna for the great interview and writing such a great book I really cant wait to read it.

  5. I really need to read John Green's latest novel. I'm so behind!! I really loved Cinder earlier this year. Shatter Me completely hooked me. Adam….le sigh….

    Great interview!! Thanks 🙂

  6. Na

    I do wonder about the mermaid's existence. Who knows? Is it lore or something more real? I didn't know about the collosal squid being thought of a fisherman's lore and that it wasn't until recently that thought changed. Very interesting.

  7. What an awesome interview! Anna, you had me laughing out loud more than once. I completely agree with you about literary romance situs in which couples are kept apart. I've actually thrown my book across the room from frustration. But, the suspense makes it all worth while in the end.

  8. Thanks Anna, the tour sounds like it's going to be a hoot. No chance of it coming near my little burg though. Oh well, I'll just have to bury myself in the book itself.
    Thanks again, have a wonderful time.

  9. These interviews on the blog tour are hilARIOUS! I expect the same kind of hilarity in Of Poseidon. From what I've seen so far, I doubt I'll be disappointed. Thank you Anna Banks! This has been so fuh. Also, fun.

    I noticed I love all the same books as Anna Banks. I'm certain this means something significant in the cosmos, but I haven't pieced it all together yet. Still working out the formula for the equation…

    Thanks very much!

  10. How can she tell us she broke her ankle falling off a toilet and not give us the full story?! Oh that is positively evil. Fantastic interview, I'm even MORE excited to see them on the fierce reads tour and I didn't think that was possible!

  11. I agree with you about wanting to throw the book across the room. I have wanted to do that more than once myself. But I have to much respect for a book to do that. I loved all your answers. You had me laughing a couple of times there also. Thanks for the wonderful interview and stopping by to chat with Asheley and letting us get to know you a little better.

  12. I read the preview on tor.com and now I've been following the blog tour! Can't wait for the Fierce Reads book tour to come to my local bookseller!

  13. Wow… I want to see you as a zombie. That would be great. I still can't believe that you got injured because of a toilet… I mean, I've kicked a toilet, but only suffered a broken toe.

    I've read Of Poseidon and am in love w/ Galen and Toraf!! Galen is so sweet and Toraf is so amazing!!

  14. I'm sorry…4:45 in the morning?! If I had to write anything at that time, it would come out sounding something like the campaign speech Charlie wrote for Dennis on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia!

  15. Anna, based on your comments alone, I expect this book to be both hilariously sarcastic (my kind of humor) and entertaining at once.. I can't wait to read it! 🙂

  16. I really appreciated what Ms. Banks said about realizing the difference between the reader and the writer, in terms of pacing and romance. As a reader, you want things to happen already!! I guess the secret is dragging it out in a way that the reader enjoys the journey – both of which Jane Austen and LM Montgomery did well! I've been obsessed with mermaids since The Little Mermaid came out, so I'm looking forward to reading Of Poseidon!

  17. "I get up at 4:45 in the morning and write for a couple of hours. Unfortunately for me, I’m sharpest in the morning time, because in the evenings I tend to drink wine. I’ve tried to switch it up and drink wine in the morning instead of the evening, but it didn’t work out so well."

    I have a 4 yr.old and a 9 yr. old so I tend drink wine in the evening's as well. But I don't get up at 4:30am unless the house in burning down or something. I'm usually sleeping off all the wine from the night before (just kidding, kinda:)

    Great interview, so glad you stopped by Asheley's blog! And I am hoping to catch you on tour in Pensacola in a couple of weeks!

  18. Uggh! I don't know how you stayed disciplined by getting up at 4:45AM every morning, with or without the wine!!! Couldn't do it! I am impressed! thanks

  19. Alyssa Susanna

    OH MY GOSH you canNOT get up at 4:45… I go to school for 7:50, and the earliest I can do is 6:20. Sarcasm, humor, and romance? Definitely my type of book. Thanks for writing and have the tour and giveaway!

    Alyssa Susanna

  20. I loved this book! It was simply amazing, and I was so upset I had to give the ARC back to the person who lent it to me! I can't wait for more of Banks' writing. (:

  21. Hahahah, Asheley, you are totally right, this interview is hysterical! I LOVE it, best interview ever!!! Anna is absolutely hilarious, her answers send me spraying coffee everywhere and snorting it through my nose (not a very pleasant experience BTW). Falling of the toilet and breaking an ankle? I can't help it, I'm so curious!! 😀 And yet, I agree, as a reader I really can't stand when couples biker too much, although I also don't like when the romance part is rushed and forced, and I do understand how hard it is to find just the perfect balance.. How many times did I feel like throwing a book out the window because the romance part was not believable or simply awkward? MANY TIMES 🙂 Reading Anna's answers makes me very curious to find out how she handled that part in her book!

    Love chicken, chocolate and Starbucks, too! Feel like we're friends already, Anna! 😀 Great, fun, entertaining AND informative interview, ladies! 🙂

    And Asheley, thank you so much for the chance to win a copy! 🙂

  22. Great interview! I can't believe how early Anna gets up to write. I'm a night owl, so getting up at 7:15a for work is bad enough. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Sara M

  23. Anna you are definitely one of my new favorite people! I like to throw books across rooms too, and throw pillows at televisions screens when the wrong things happen. I'm all excited for your book! And thanks Ashley for the giveaway!

  24. 1)I'm not really sure how I feel about giant squid being the inspiration for Anna's mermaids since giant squids freak me the heck out. 😛
    2) Sometimes I feel like I was made to be an author because I have the most terrible sleep schedule ever. Sometimes I have to just turn the lights out at 4am because I figure I need sleep though I'm not really tired.

  25. This is the first time I'm reading an interview hosting Anna Banks and am I glad! Thoroughly enjoyed the interview! I can actually relate to her! (as a human being of course, I have zero talent in writing!)

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