EJ: When did you begin writing?
Cat: I decided to begin writing seriously about nine years ago. Before that I quite liked the idea of being a writer but wasn't all that keen in putting in the hours. I still prefer having written to the actual writing part.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Cat: I've always been fascinated by the Other - and the symbolism of supernatural and paranormal creatures and humans as they relate to our society.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Cat: Probably a vampire, since I'd get to live more or less forever. All it would cost me is my soul and I'm not using it anyway, I mean, I can't even remember where I left it.
I'd be a very orderly and ordinary vampire - sunblock and sensible clothes and blood donors and art exhibitions for the free wine. Also it would give me more time to learn to play the ukulele.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Cat: When the Sea is Rising Red would probably appeal most to readers who want to immerse themselves in a fantasy world rich with social strata and grey moralities and human emotion, and aren't looking for the usual love story.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Cat: Since it's unlikely that I'd get any say in casting, I'd just have to hope that if ever a movie was made, that the actors would be talented unknowns who more or less match up to their literary counterparts.
When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen.
After seventeen-year-old Felicita’s dearest friend Ilven kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege. She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg’s magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik. Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven's death has called out of the sea a dangerous wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned . . . or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg's caste system, and the whole city along with it.
Thank you Cat for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Cat Hellisen and her books, please visit her website.
Great interview! I liked your answer of why you would want to be a vampire. :)
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