Photo courtesy Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare is undoubtedly one of the hardest-working women in publishing right now. She’s the author of the best-selling Mortal Instruments series, and is hard at work on a fourth book in the series -- City of Fallen Angels, due out in 2011. She’s also writing a trilogy of prequels to The Mortal Instruments, called The Infernal Devices, with a rigorous publishing schedule of one book per year – starting in 2010.
As if that weren’t enough, the movie rights to her original Mortal Instruments books have been optioned by Unique Films and now there’s a chance fans could see their favorite characters come to life on the big screen. The Mortal Instruments are also being adapted into graphic novels by Th3rd World Studios.
Beyond all that, Clare still takes the time to respond to fan e-mails personally (though she does maintain a lengthy FAQ page on her site for the most frequent questions sent her way) and appearing at an end-of-summer Mortal Instruments party in New York City.
Clare was kind enough to take some time out of her very busy life to answer some questions about her work for Portland Books Examiner. Here’s what she had to say:
What are you most excited to explore in the 4th Mortal Instruments book, City of Fallen Angels?
I'm looking forward to exploring what happens to Simon. He ended the Mortal Instruments series as a very powerful vampire, who can walk in daylight and bears the Mark of Cain. The consequences of the Mark of Cain weren't really explored there, as there wasn't time or space — but now Simon has to live with what it means to be basically cursed, though with a curse that also protects him. The consequences are . . . explosive, to say the least. I'm also looking forward to checking in with Jace and Clary and seeing what's up with them.
What can fans expect in the prequel books The Infernal Devices?
Well, I think the series are tonally similar in that they contain a mixture of adventure, action, romance, and fantasy. A lot of the fun I'm having with the Infernal Devices series is in playing around with what it was like to be a Shadowhunter before we had modern technology. They don't have machines to sense demons, and they can't text or call each other. I'm also having a lot of fun with the new characters, especially the love triangle between Tessa, Will and Jem.
Why do you think there is such a crossover of fans between The Mortal Instruments and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga?
I suppose because our books explore similar themes of forbidden love and destiny in an contemporary-fantastic context.
For fans of your books eagerly awaiting the first installment of The Infernal Devices and City of Fallen Angels, what book(s) would you recommend they read to satisfy their craving?
Francesca Lia Block is one of my favorite writers. I'd read all her books, and look out for the new one — it's a vampire tale called Pretty Dead that comes out this fall. Other new books to look for: Beautiful Creatures by Margie Stohl and Kami Garcia is an updated southern gothic YA with a paranormal twist, and Ash by Malindo Lo, which is a lovely retelling of Cinderella.
What is the one interview question you always wish someone would ask you?
Well, my books are set in New York, because I love the city. I always love answering questions about New York. So how about: what's your favorite place in New York?
Now answer that question.
The Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a gorgeous place. They only grow plants that were mentioned in Shakespeare's plays there — wormwood, eglantice, primrose. My second favorite place was a dive bar called Stingy Lulu's but it's closed now!
Comments
Ok, well, i am a HUGGGGGGGEEEEEEEE fan of city of bones, city of ashes, and city of glass, so i sooooo wish this one would be out sooner than 2011..hopefully it comes out sooner. CANT WAIT. SO GLAD THERE IS ANOTHER :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) !!!
Wow thats awesome. I thought that it was just a trilogy and that after City Of Glass, that's all she wrote (no pun intended)
Hearing that no only is there a prequel but a FOURTH book?!? now i have something to look forward to ^_^
Not only a fourth book, but a fifth and sixth too! I soooo can't wait. So there'll be six books, plus the three prequels... Nine altogether! Now I just have to bide time until they're released...
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