My Interview with KC Neal the author of "Pyxis"!

Okay, so I've been extremely lucky, because I have been given the opportunity to interview KC Neal, the author of Pyxis, which actually hits online e-book stores this week (November 4th) and book shelves December 2nd.  I reviewed this book a couple of weeks ago, and loved it!  It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and I when it was over I kept thinking to myself, "NOOOOOO!! I want more MORE!!!"  Luckily, I was able to get a few of my questions answered by none other than the author of this sure to be wonderful series: KC Neal:

1.The Romance Bookie: How did you come across the word "Pyxis"?

KC: I wish I could remember exactly! I think I was searching for Latin or Greek terms that related to potions, and that led me to medicines, which led me to the word “Pyxis,” which is a Greek word.

2.  TRB: What inspired you to write this story?

KC: I wish I had a great answer for this because I get asked this question a lot. :) I started reading a lot of YA last year, which I’m sure inspired me to try writing something in that genre. I’m not really sure where the idea came from, but the first seed of the story was the pyxis box with the bottles full of mysterious colored liquids that influenced people’s emotions. I thought the story would center around the potions, but it grew into something much larger.

 

3. TRB: What's made you want to become a writer?

KC: Reading great books is definitely part of the motivation, but I think for me there’s also just this sense of feeling compelled to write things down. I liked to write when I was a kid - when I was 9 or 10 I started writing a novel in a spiral notebook - and wrote a lot as a teenager. I got away from fiction writing in my 20s, when I majored in Chemistry and worked science-related jobs. I started writing my first novel about three and a half years ago, after having a dream and waking up inspired. At the start of 2011, I wrote the first draft of Pyxis, and I knew it was something I wanted to get published.

4. TRB: What can readers, like me, expect from the second novel in the Pyxis Series?

KC: You’re in for a ton of revelations in Alight, Book 2 of the Pyxis series. I set up a lot of mysteries and questions in Pyxis, and Alight addresses many of them. Right off, you’ll learn what the pyxis bottles do and what they’re for, as well as who the 2^nd Guardian is. There will be some new characters, too, as Corinne learns that she’s not the only Pyxis, and there will be a new love interest. In Alight, Corinne begins to come into her own as far as her strengths as Pyxis, and she discovers how to consciously enter the dream world. She’s be under a lot of pressure to get the pyramidal union functioning well together, deal with some pretty awful things that begin happening in Tapestry, and protect the convergence, so she’s definitely tested. If Pyxis left you wanting more, I think you’re going to love Alight.

5. TRB:  Have you decided how many books will be in the Pyxis Series?

KC: I’ve planned it as a trilogy. There also may be a companion novella that’s a combination prequel to Pyxis and journal entries from Corinne. I’m still toying with that idea, though.

6. TRB: I really felt the realisticness of Mason and Corinne's relationship, the awkwardness when deciding if they want to take their childhood friendship to the next level.  There will be more on Mason's and Corinne's relationship in the next book, right??

KC: Definitely! Although like I said there will be a new love interest, too. And you know love triangles always mean trouble. ;)

7. TRB: Will we be getting closer to finding out who the second guardian is? (I have one guess , but I don't think Corinne would handle it very well, if my guess were the Guardian, haha).

KC: Yes, you’ll find out early in the next book. And I bet you’re guessing right. ;) It won’t be easy for Corinne, poor thing.

8.  TRB: When can we expect the second novel Alight, to be released?

KC: I hope it will be out in late spring 2012, but I’ll have to see how the writing and editing go. I’m still very new to this, and it can be hard to predict. But I’d love to get Alight out as soon as possible.

I just want to say once again to KC Neal for giving me this opportunity, taking the time out of her busy schedule, especially with the release of her new book Pyxis this week.  So if you get a chance, stop by KC's website: http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ where you'll find more information about the series, and the release dates, and even a contest where you can enter for a chance to win a Kindle and a giftcard!  

Oh and for more information you can also find KC Neal on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5163997.K_C_Neal

& on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#%21/KCNealTweets. 

Thanks everyone! I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween, and let's make November a good one!  

The Romance Bookie :)