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Published: June 4th 2013 by Spencer Hill Press
Page Count: 312
Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.
After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.
Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.
After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.
Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.
Q & A with Michelle K. Pickett
Thank you Michelle for taking the time to answer our questions! We are glad to have you here today!
Q: Tell us a little bit about your main characters.
A: Eva is my main character in PODs. The story is told through her eyes. We follow her journey beginning just before news of the virus through the selection of the POD residents, her stay in the PODs, and the struggle she faces trying to rebuild her life after the PODs are opened. Some readers have found her very likeable, and that is my intention—likeable, intelligent and kind. Other readers haven’t cared for her as much, and that’s okay. Not everyone will like every character. The main thing I hope people realize when they read Eva’s character is that she is just seventeen and she has just lost her entire world. So the way she acts and behaves is going to be frustrating at times. There are times she just doesn’t know how to cope. I don’t think any of us would in that situation.
The male main character is David. He is a good guy. Intelligent and kind. He and Eva have an instant bond, but it isn’t an instant “love.” Some readers have mentioned that they would have liked to see it grow a little more. I wish I could have spent more time on that. But the book was getting too long. But if you read the sections in the PODs, you’ll see mention of them talking and spending time together throughout their stay. They become almost inseparable and their friendship does turn into love. There is one spot in the story, after they have exited the PODs, that David does something that shocked many readers. I’m not going to tell you what (you have to read the book!) but when you read the book, you likely know what I’m referring to. Anyway, in order to describe David, I have to reference that scene. (listen to “Can’t Let You Go” by Adam Lambert for the inspiration behind David’s actions) It shows his sacrifice. He’d give up everything and everyone he loves to keep them save—even when it devastated him to do so. He’s just a really good guy.
Q: What was your favorite scene to write?
A: It probably sounds horrible, but my favorite scene (it’s actually broken up into two scenes, one’s a flashback) was when Eva has to leave her parents. I really felt the emotion while I wrote it. I actually cried thinking of how hard it would be to leave my parents and then I thought about my own children and how hard it would be to watch them leave me. It was just very emotional to write. If you’re interested in the song that I listened to for inspiration while writing the scene, listen to “I Miss You (slipped away),” by Avril Lavigne.
Q: Who designed the cover for PODs and what is that process like for you as an author?
A: My editor and I designed the cover together. It was a fun process picking out the photo and fonts and I think my editor (who pulled it all together) did a great job. My understanding is at other publishing houses authors don’t have much, if any, say in their cover design, but at Spencer Hill Press the author is very much involved. A cover won’t be used if the author is 100% happy with it.
Q: What is the best advice you have been given?
A: Don’t stop. Anything worth having is worth working for. That was from my dad. He was probably my biggest supporter. PODs is dedicated to him. He died six months before PODs was released. He never got to see it.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge for new authors and what have you been doing to overcome that?
A: The biggest challenge is getting noticed. There are so many talented authors and so many books for readers to choose from. It’s hard to get your book noticed in the sea of books. This is especially true now with the explosion of self-publishing. I think self-publishing is a great outlet for authors. There are so many wonderful self-pubbed books on the market. I’ve read many and have self-pubbed authors that I follow. But, it does make it very hard to get noticed.
To overcome the problem is to do exactly what I’m doing here. Get on as many blogs as possible to promote my book, but also to connect with readers. That’s my goal. I want to connect with readers, not just push a book in their face. I think building a relationship with readers is very important.
Q: In a post-apocalyptic world, what three things could you NOT live without?
A: Considering my family is a given, I would have water purification tablets, guns and ammo, and as many canned goods as I could get my hands on.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
A: The ability to never need to sleep. I definitely need more hours in the day.
Q: What book are you reading now?
A: I’m reviewing:
“The Elect” by Rachel Van Dyken and “Addicted for Now” by Becca and Krista Ritchie.
Both are really great books and I’m enjoying them a lot.
A: Eva is my main character in PODs. The story is told through her eyes. We follow her journey beginning just before news of the virus through the selection of the POD residents, her stay in the PODs, and the struggle she faces trying to rebuild her life after the PODs are opened. Some readers have found her very likeable, and that is my intention—likeable, intelligent and kind. Other readers haven’t cared for her as much, and that’s okay. Not everyone will like every character. The main thing I hope people realize when they read Eva’s character is that she is just seventeen and she has just lost her entire world. So the way she acts and behaves is going to be frustrating at times. There are times she just doesn’t know how to cope. I don’t think any of us would in that situation.
The male main character is David. He is a good guy. Intelligent and kind. He and Eva have an instant bond, but it isn’t an instant “love.” Some readers have mentioned that they would have liked to see it grow a little more. I wish I could have spent more time on that. But the book was getting too long. But if you read the sections in the PODs, you’ll see mention of them talking and spending time together throughout their stay. They become almost inseparable and their friendship does turn into love. There is one spot in the story, after they have exited the PODs, that David does something that shocked many readers. I’m not going to tell you what (you have to read the book!) but when you read the book, you likely know what I’m referring to. Anyway, in order to describe David, I have to reference that scene. (listen to “Can’t Let You Go” by Adam Lambert for the inspiration behind David’s actions) It shows his sacrifice. He’d give up everything and everyone he loves to keep them save—even when it devastated him to do so. He’s just a really good guy.
Q: What was your favorite scene to write?
A: It probably sounds horrible, but my favorite scene (it’s actually broken up into two scenes, one’s a flashback) was when Eva has to leave her parents. I really felt the emotion while I wrote it. I actually cried thinking of how hard it would be to leave my parents and then I thought about my own children and how hard it would be to watch them leave me. It was just very emotional to write. If you’re interested in the song that I listened to for inspiration while writing the scene, listen to “I Miss You (slipped away),” by Avril Lavigne.
Q: Who designed the cover for PODs and what is that process like for you as an author?
A: My editor and I designed the cover together. It was a fun process picking out the photo and fonts and I think my editor (who pulled it all together) did a great job. My understanding is at other publishing houses authors don’t have much, if any, say in their cover design, but at Spencer Hill Press the author is very much involved. A cover won’t be used if the author is 100% happy with it.
Q: What is the best advice you have been given?
A: Don’t stop. Anything worth having is worth working for. That was from my dad. He was probably my biggest supporter. PODs is dedicated to him. He died six months before PODs was released. He never got to see it.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge for new authors and what have you been doing to overcome that?
A: The biggest challenge is getting noticed. There are so many talented authors and so many books for readers to choose from. It’s hard to get your book noticed in the sea of books. This is especially true now with the explosion of self-publishing. I think self-publishing is a great outlet for authors. There are so many wonderful self-pubbed books on the market. I’ve read many and have self-pubbed authors that I follow. But, it does make it very hard to get noticed.
To overcome the problem is to do exactly what I’m doing here. Get on as many blogs as possible to promote my book, but also to connect with readers. That’s my goal. I want to connect with readers, not just push a book in their face. I think building a relationship with readers is very important.
Q: In a post-apocalyptic world, what three things could you NOT live without?
A: Considering my family is a given, I would have water purification tablets, guns and ammo, and as many canned goods as I could get my hands on.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
A: The ability to never need to sleep. I definitely need more hours in the day.
Q: What book are you reading now?
A: I’m reviewing:
“The Elect” by Rachel Van Dyken and “Addicted for Now” by Becca and Krista Ritchie.
Both are really great books and I’m enjoying them a lot.
Thank you so much for having me.
It was fun answering your questions. I love to hear from readers! If
anyone wants to contact me, I’d love to hear from you.
About the Author: I'm a wife, mother, author, reader, although not always in that order. I've been an avid reader since a young child. I began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a degree that didn't encourage creativity is a mystery to me. I'm addicted to Reese's peanut butter cups and eat way too many while I write. I have a weird obsession with hoodies and can't write without wearing one. I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows.
I'm an unabashed romantic and love swoon-worthy happy endings that give me butterflies for days.
Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, I now reside in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three amazing school-aged children, a 125-pound lap dog, and a cat that thinks she's queen.
I write adult and young adult Sci/Fi, urban fantasy and paranormal romances.
I love to hear from readers and other authors, so drop me a note and say "Hi!"
Social Links:
Website: www.Michelle-Pickett.com
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Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog. Bloggers like you really help authors in so many ways. I'm truly grateful that you'd open your blog to me and PODs.
ReplyDeleteMichelle :)