Thursday, October 14, 2010

Guest Author Interview: Krisi Keley + Giveaway!













Please welcome today's guest author Krisi Keley!  Krisi is the author of On the Soul of a Vampire.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Krisi:
  I wrote my first full-length novel when I was eleven.  It was a story about the female lead singer of a rock band who couldn’t deal with the stresses involved in sudden fame.  I tried submitting it to a few publishers, unaware at that age of the “must have agent” rule and, of course, received the standard “we don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts” letters.  That ended my fiction writing career for quite a number of years, but that first story did inspire many years of writing poetry and song lyrics.  On the Soul of a Vampire’s first draft was written fifteen years later, but after a few “a bit deep” and “awfully soul-searching” responses from literary agents, fiction writing again got put on the back burner while I attempted other goals.  Fast forward fifteen more years, a theology degree and many life experiences as the basis for the book’s rewrite, and On the Soul is published.  Which seems to indicate that if there’s a writer in you, that word person is going to make him or herself heard eventually, no matter what other life circumstances may try to intervene!

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Krisi:
  I’ve always been a big fan of the horror and supernatural genres because they essentially examine metaphysical questions:  How are good and evil defined?  Is there more to life than the material things we see with our eyes?  What do our myths, our dreams, our fears have to say about human nature?  Stephen King and William Peter Blatty have been hugely inspirational for me and Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles directly inspired my writing of On the Soul.  Her literary style of looking at deeply spiritual concerns through the vampire legend was the catalyst for my own ideas on the subject.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be?
 

Krisi:   I honestly never wished for a supernatural talent of any kind, I think because I believe there is so much we human beings already possess but simply haven’t tapped into yet.  But if I had to choose, I’d say it would have to be being what I think is called an “empath.”  It would be painful to be that in tune with everything another feels, but enlightening too, and it seemingly couldn’t fail to make one a better person.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Krisi:
  Although On the Soul is a vampire story meant to entertain, it’s also a human story.  It’s about a person who had hopes and dreams, who wanted to fulfill his purpose in life, but because of many circumstances beyond his control and being forced to make choices he didn’t, and often still doesn’t, fully understand, these hopes and dreams are all but annihilated.  Through another, he learns that hope and faith are stronger than he could have imagined and that love and forgiveness are possible no matter how terrible the mistake.  I think readers will find comfort in the story and, I hope too, be inspired with a greater sense of the miracle and mystery of human nature and the human soul that this very different view of the vampire offers.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
 
Krisi: 
Well, despite the fact that there are a lot of actors I love and whom I think would do an awesome job with the roles, if I were casting for On the Soul, I would choose unknowns.  In part because the two main characters, Valéry and Angelina, have such distinctive voices that it seems it would retain their believability as real people better if the actors playing them weren’t already well-known, and in part because I’d love it if the story could offer a chance to a new performer looking to build a resumé.  Knowing how hard it is to break into any artistic field, it would be great if I could do something to give someone their first opportunity.






















On the Soul of a Vampire by Krisi Keley.

For some it takes a lifetime to discover their raison d'être. Imagine searching for eight centuries. In 1997 Philadelphia, 800 year old vampire Valéry Castellane comes face to face with his reason to be, in the person of Angelina Lacroix, a young mortal woman whose understanding of immortality is about to change all he's known as truth and which will take him, and his readers, on a journey into the human soul. Discovering a mortal who not only senses his presence, but also somehow knows his name, Valéry becomes obsessed with solving the mystery of how this might be. Confronting the girl, after learning she has knowledge of his entire existence, he is stunned and frustrated when Angelina seems more intent on convincing him that he's not the soulless monster of myth than she is with providing an explanation. Unable to take her life or give her immortality, Valéry embarks on a journey with Angelina that doesn't only take them from Philadelphia to his childhood home in the Provençal Alps, but on a journey into his greatest hopes and dreams, fears and disappointments, and into the strange and frightening past that shaped him. A novel about faltering faith and never-ending hope, On the Soul of a Vampire will not only alter everything you think you know about vampires, it will change the way you see your very soul.

Thank you Krisi for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Krisi Keley and her books, please visit her website.























** On the Soul of a Vampire International Giveaway **

Win a copy of On the Soul of a Vampire, and a t-shirt, mug, poster, and bookmarks featuring beautifully haunting On the Soul of a Vampire artwork.


To enter, please leave a comment with your email address.  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow!).  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!  Giveaway ends October 31st midnight EST.

65 comments:

  1. Awesome...I just love all things vampire. "On the Soul of a Vampire" sounds fascinating. Also looking forward to reading "She Smells the Dead" too.

    BookNoise at gmail dot com

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  2. Thanks a LOT for the contest and the interview! I would love to enter and ofcourse I am a follower.
    Misha
    mishamary@gmail.com

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  3. ive heard so many awesome things about this book soudns awesome! E.J im currently reading she smells the dead i been slow soon as i can ill post a review great post i been a follower



    mortalsinn@yahoo.com

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  4. This sounds like a great read! I follow.
    djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Thanks for this great contest :D

    reisei.no.mizumi@gmail.com

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  6. This book sounds great.
    thanks for the interview and the contest.
    kimvanaken@live.nl

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  7. That sounds awesome, plus there's an absence of sparkly vampires. I'm in. ^_^

    lcdmcg@gmail.com

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  8. I can't decide whether I like the cover or not.

    I keep vacillationg.

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    Thanks

    I am a Follower via GFC.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

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  9. thanks for the giveaway and the great interview :)

    elizabethjhoskins@gmail.com

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  10. Sounds like a good read. Please enter me.

    DreamyCowgirl@hotmail.com

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  11. the cover did scare me a little, but it seems okay, I guess.


    regards,

    maidenhealer@hotmail.com

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  12. would love to read this


    goddessbloom@hotmail.com

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  13. this looks really interesting and different! count me in please

    k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

    i'm a follower

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  14. OH I have had this on my goodreads to-read list for a while now what a great giveaway!!!

    kristen_babygurl@hotmail.com

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  15. This is awesome! Sounds like a great read, count me in!

    natashajennex(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. Sounds scary and amazing! Thanks for the gracious giveaway!

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  17. Love the interview.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  18. Hi. Thank you for the interview and giveaway. I see that you said you would want to be an 'empath' for a power but its not all its cracked up to be. You can't go out in public without being overrun by emotions, feel like you want to stay away from other people... so I heard hhmmm... It would be great if you could control it. I can't wait to read your book.

    -Brandy
    brandyzbooks@yahoo.com

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  19. I'm always looking for new authors to read, sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com

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  20. I'd love to win this book. I have a thing about vampires!
    I follow via GFC.
    mom1248(at)att(dot)net

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  21. Thank you so much, E.J., for the opportunity to be interviewed on your awesome blog and to be among so many wonderful authors! I really appreciate the interest and all the great comments from your readers and I hope anyone who checks out On the Soul enjoys the different view of the vampire it offers.
    Brandy, your comment made me think that maybe I already am an empath - LOL!
    buddyt and FairyWhispers: What the designers did with the cover scared me a little too, but they thought the close-up and aged look was more dramatic than the original painting which is on the giveaway swag, so I went with their version for the cover.
    Thanks so much again to everyone and I wish you all good luck in the giveaway!
    Krisi

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  22. Great interview Krisi!
    Great story about your determination to see your dream realized.
    Best of luck with "On the Soul of a Vampire"!

    Shannon Bailey

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  23. Hi Krisi -
    Nice interview! Best of luck on your book, & of course, I'd love to win it.

    Lea Ellen {night owl in IL}
    borg_66@hotmail.com

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  24. Count me in too please! Looks like an interesting read.

    thesecretwriter@boxbe.com

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  25. Thanks for opening this giveaway internationally!


    sauvadeavelle@yahoo.com

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  26. Wow!! Alot of great scary books coming out this month. This one looks great.Please put my name in the hat. I am a follower!!!


    magnolias_1@msn.com
    Judy

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  27. Added it to my wishlist... cover looks great!

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  28. Im A BIG VAMPIRE LOVER EVEN BEFORE TWILIGHT & WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS BOOK-ldlh1220@live.com

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  29. Great interview--intelligent and insightful! Congrats on this monumental achievement! ;)

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  30. Wonderful interview Krisi!
    Best wishes :-)

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  31. Great interview ...oh and I am addicted to anything vampire related.
    Thanks for a wonderful international contest!

    dennypsp@hotmail.com

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  32. That was a really good interview. It is always nice to hear what authors were inspirational to them. I would love to read this book.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  33. I'd love to be entered!
    littlebearries@yahoo.com

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  34. Just found your blog, and your books. I left a comment on the site about your books, the cover is so imspiring.

    I'd love to enter
    my email is tahlia@activ8.net.au
    I just sent you an email about me and my work.

    Should I win, an Epub ebook format is fine for me. If you have one. It'll save postage.

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  35. Man, I love Halloween time!

    skierra204@gmail.com

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  36. I want to read this ! enter me in please.

    uniquas at ymail dot com

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  37. This sounds good. Please enter me.
    juliecookies(at)gmail.com

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  38. Would love to enter. Thank you!

    Misha
    mishamary@gmail.com

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  39. Vampires rule! Can't wait to read this book, thank you for the chance!

    yumihamano@gmail.com

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  40. I would really like to read this book... Love vampire books :)
    Thank you!

    Daniela.
    dany7578@hotmail.com

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  41. Wow, this book sounds really good! Now I really want to read it! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    theresa9854@gmail.com

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  42. I'm intrigued, please enter me

    june111@att.net

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  43. New follower over here. Please enter me! (^_^)

    kaguya2000(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. I love this giveaway. I love any and all things vampire so this giveaway is right up my alley :)

    miztik_rose@yahoo.com

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  45. I'd love to read the book! Thanks for the chance ;p

    darlyn225 at gmail dot com

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  46. Great interview Krisi. I'll add your book to my list!

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  47. Super excited!! This book has been on my read shelf! I am an old GFC follower.
    amydelrosso@gmail.com

    Thanks for the interview and the contest! You rock! :)

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  48. hey Krisi

    great interview...was away and had time to read today

    grammy

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  49. I am vampire addicted.
    Wish I could subscribe by email. wink wink

    dorcontest at gmail dot com

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  50. flippin awesome!
    marlenejaberblue@gmail.com

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  51. Great interview! On my list!!

    Loripescatore@gmail.com

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  52. So cool!!!

    Erika

    moonlightbookreviews@gmail.com

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  53. This is exciting!

    jensrook@gmail.com

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  54. nicee! Thanks a ton!

    bethsanzo@gmail.com

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  55. Thanks Jen for the heads up! Thanks for the giveaway "from the Shadows"

    aliajabercoffee@gmail.com

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  56. wow the first time that I have herd of this book sounds Amazing I would love to win this book
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

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  57. Please Enter me !


    raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

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  58. Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the giveaway!!
    chickenherder@hotmail.com

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  59. Thanks for the interview and contest. I would love to read this.
    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  60. If an agent calls it too soul-searching, I'm betting it's great.

    Raven Corinn Carluk
    RavenCorinnCarluk at Gmail.com

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  61. sounds wonderful!loved reading about your journey to pub!

    longtime follower!!
    maddy56 at ufl.edu

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  62. I loved the book and enjoyed your interview Krisi!

    What a great website E.J.!

    Gigi :-)

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  63. Awesome interview! I need to sink my teeth into this one and soon ...

    apereiraorama @ gmail.com

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