October 03, 2014

Author Interview with Christy Effinger

Please help me welcome Christy Effinger to Write with Fey! She is telling us all about your paranormal NA, Say Nothing of What You See, a novel that promises chills, thrills, and love.


Christy, tell us about your current release.

When her aunt steps off a grain elevator into the emptiness of a prairie evening, Mira Piper loses her one protector. Chloe, her flighty mother, impulsively drags her daughter to Bramblewood, an isolated spiritualist retreat in northern Michigan, run by the enigmatic Dr. Virgil Simon.

Chloe plans to train as a medium but it's Mira who discovers she can communicate with the dead. When her mother abandons her, Mira discovers a darker aspect to Bramblewood: the seemingly kind doctor has a sinister side and a strange control over his students.

Then one winter's day Troy Farrington arrives, to fulfill his mother's dying wish and deliver her letter to the doctor. But calamity strikes and he finds himself a captive, tended by a sympathetic Mira. Haunted by her dead aunt and desperate to escape Bramblewood, Mira makes a devil's deal with Dr. Simon. But fulfillment comes with a steep cost...betrayal. 

Genre: Paranormal New Adult
Length: 282 Pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Released: August 29, 2014

BUY LINKS:

1.    What inspired you to write Say Nothing of What You See?

I’ve long been interested in cults, communes, and other fringe groups. The follower mentality perplexes me. Why will some people do whatever they’re told, even to the point of mistreating others? The fascinating thing about humans is that we can rationalize anything.

Say Nothing began as an exploration into power, control, and jealousy—but also love, which is stronger than the other three. Stronger than anything, really.

2.    That is so fascinating! How did you pick the title for your book?

Mira sees her aunt jump off a grain elevator, but tells no one she witnessed the suicide. That is the title’s most obvious reference. But the phrase also refers to something subtler—the sinister game of revenge at Dr. Simon’s isolated retreat. And then there’s the element of Dr. Simon’s voyeurism. But you’ll have to read the book to put all these pieces together. 

3.    I MUST read your book now! Why did you choose the setting for Say Nothing of What You See?

I wanted Dr. Simon’s retreat for mediums to be in a sparsely populated area with harsh winters. But it also needed to be in the Midwest, since Mira and her mother were from Illinois and didn’t have much money to travel far. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was the perfect setting.

4.    Michigan definitely has harsh winters! Did you do special research for Say Nothing of What You See?

I read books and articles on paranormal activity, mediums, and spirit communication.

5.    If your book had a soundtrack, give us a list of songs that would be on it.

“Hide and Seek” – Imogen Heap
“Be the One” – Moby
“Cosmic Love” – Florence + The Machine
“Halcyon + On + On” – Orbital
“Northern Skies” – Dido 




About the Author:

Christy Effinger’s poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in various print and online publications. She lives near Indianapolis. Her website is www.christyeffinger.com.

AUTHOR LINKS:
Thank you, Christy, for telling us about Say Nothing of What You See! I am thoroughly intrigued and I love all of the songs you picked for the soundtrack. :)

Please leave Christy a comment as a show of support.


29 comments:

  1. That must have been interesting to research indeed. Would never want to be in a Michigan winter.

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    1. I was born in Michigan and lived there until I was about two, so I don't remember the winters. I'm not sure if I'd survive them. lol

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    2. I love the beauty of snow, but I don't like that trapped feeling when the roads are bad. But it was necessary for my characters to be trapped, in more ways than one.

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  2. Thanks for hosting me on your lovely blog, Chrys. I had fun answering your interview questions.

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    1. You're very welcome! I can't wait to read your book, it sounds so good! I wish you much success with it! :)

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  3. This is Def on my TBR list! I love paranormal stories and all the chills that come with them. The soundtrack was a total bonus, too--great tunes!

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    1. Thanks, Ash. I hope you enjoy the book.

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    2. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview,. Ash! :)

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  4. Best wishes with your book release! I love ghost stories with a twist - and yours sounds tantalizing.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Ashantay.

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    2. Thanks for showing Christy support, Ashantay! :)

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  5. Sounds "cultishly" scary! Good luck with your launch, Christy.

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    1. I love that it sounds "cultishly" scary. ;) Thanks for stopping by, C Lee!

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  6. Ooooh, an isolated estate, paranormal activity--a delicious combination. Plus, auntie stepping into a grain elevator, which somehow really resonated with me--not because I've done or seen it, but because I grew up in a farming community and was so used to seeing them!

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    1. Thanks, Barbara. I love grain elevators. One of my (many) weird obsessions.

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    2. I'm glad you enjoyed the blurb, Barbara. It hooked me, too. :)

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  7. I love paranormal stories. I may have to check this one out!

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  8. I loved hearing Christy's inspiration for writing this book. It reminds me of a movie I watched last night called, The Reaping with Hillary Swank. I haven't seen or read something about cults in a long time and this book does sound interesting!

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    1. The Reaping is a good, creepy movie. I'm glad you liked the sound of Christy's book! :)

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  9. Interesting and scary subject. As for cults, they are a good back drop for a book. Good luck.
    Nancy

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  10. I'm coming in a little late, but I love the premsis of your book! I'll have to check it out.

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  11. In a way, the title of the book, is like a summery of the book. Very nicely chosen.

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  12. The book sounds wonderfully scary...
    I love the idea for the setting. You must have had some interesting moments when doing the research.
    Congrats to Christy.

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    1. I love everything about this book. I can't wait to read it! : Thanks for leaving a comment for Christy. :)

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