Ask the Author: Pippa DaCosta
Answered Questions (24)
Pippa DaCosta
We do have plans to release all the series in audio, yes. The Nightshade's Touch is currently in post-production, meaning it's finished, it just needs to go through the audiobook publishing process. There have been some hold-ups, but we think those are now rectified. I'm hoping it will be out near the end of September. The remaining two books may take some time as the production company and I are working around some contractural issues. Make sure you're on my mailing list and I'll email you when the audiobooks are ready. I'm sorry I don't have a more immediate answer.
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Elinor. Great question! I'm guessing you want no-nonsense sci-fi that's not bogged down with pages of mind-boggling description. You want fast-paced, action-packed, down and dirty sci-fi, right? Hm, I've checked back through my library, because I know I struggle to find books like this too. Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon comes to mind. It's dark and gritty. BUT, I couldn't get into the second book, at all. However, Altered Carbon can be read as a standalone. Tales of the Ketty Jay by Chris Wooding was AWESOME. It's more steampunk than space opera but full of double-dealing bad good guys. Debt Collector by Susan Kaye Quinn was bloody brilliant (yet more conflicted good-sometimes-bad characters). Justina Robson's Quantum Gravity series starts off brilliant (feels like urban fantasy mixed with sci-fi) - it gets a little OUT THERE with subsequent books, but the cyborg female mc is bad ass! That should keep you going for a while. Let me know how you get on with them ;)
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Elinor. Thank you for your question and for reading my work! <3 The 1000 Revolution novels are around 45,000 words - however, the last book "Trust" is 60,000 words, so significantly longer. The new season, starting with "Deliverance" in 2019, will likely be around 50,000 words each. However, this could increase, depending on the story and whether the characters behave! (I start writing the new season early next year) Each one is designed to read like a shot of adrenalin to the veins. I hope you enjoy them!
Pippa DaCosta
Hello Faelan, the Messenger Chronicles will be five full-length books in total. I hope that helps. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.
Pippa DaCosta
Hello Casper. Thank you for your question and I'm thrilled you're enjoying the Soul Eater series. I can recommend Kevin Hearn's books and of course, Jim Butcher's Dresden series. The Soul Eater is slightly different in that the series finishes in the next book which means the plot is more intense than some longer-running series' in the genre. Soul Eater is also darker and grittier, like much of my work. My Veil Series is urban fantasy but with a female lead. This too gets pretty 'gritty' at times but it has a little more romance than Soul Eater. The best thing to do is try them out and see what you think.
Happy reading and thanks again for your question.
Pippa.
Happy reading and thanks again for your question.
Pippa.
Pippa DaCosta
Hello, Donraj. Thank you for your question. At this moment in time, the Soul Eater series will not be going back into Kindle Unlimited. There are many reasons behind this decision, but the main one is that Amazon requires exclusivity, which means readers on iBooks, Nook, Kobo and Play are not able to read the series. This is something I am not comfortable with, as I have readers all over the world who purchase ebooks on different devices outside of Amazon and Kindle.
As a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, I understand this must be frustrating, and I urge you to contact Amazon customer services and give them your feedback on Kindle Unlimited, perhaps querying the exclusivity requirement.
Thank you, once again, for your question.
As a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, I understand this must be frustrating, and I urge you to contact Amazon customer services and give them your feedback on Kindle Unlimited, perhaps querying the exclusivity requirement.
Thank you, once again, for your question.
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Delia. Thank you for your question. The Chaos Rises series is a spin-off of the Veil, but as far as Muse and Akil go, I do not have any current plans to bring them back for future books (even though I get emails almost daily asking me to!) . Their story is complete at #6 Ties That Bind. They will always have a very special place in my heart - as does the entire Veil series - and I'm thrilled you enjoyed Akil, Stefan and Muse too.
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
Pippa DaCosta
Hello, Tracey. Thank you for your question. I'm so thrilled you enjoyed the Girl From Above series, it's one of my true favorites. I definitely have a soft spot for One and Caleb! You're not alone in wanting more. I'm always getting emails and messages asking for more from the crew, and I am listening. I do hope to return to the series with a whole new adventure putting our wayward misfits to the test, but it won't be until the second half of next year. I have some ideas, all I need is the time! Keep an eye on Goodreads and my mailing list for any news. Thanks again for dropping by!
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Amy,
Witches' Bane will be available in paperback this week. Look for it on Amazon very soon! The entire series will be in paperback, and the series will run to at least 7 books. The print versions do look gorgeous on the shelf ;)
Happy reading.
Witches' Bane will be available in paperback this week. Look for it on Amazon very soon! The entire series will be in paperback, and the series will run to at least 7 books. The print versions do look gorgeous on the shelf ;)
Happy reading.
Pippa DaCosta
This answer contains spoilers…
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Pippa DaCosta
Hi Michael. Good news! I'm working with the same producer on Book #2 right now. Books #3 and #4 will follow over the next couple of months. I'm so thrilled you're enjoying them! Thank you for dropping by & asking your question.
Pippa DaCosta
Hello Joana, I'm working with Hollie (she narrated the Veil Series) at the end of this month and into August. It's likely the audiobook will be finished at the end of August, and available early September. I hope that helps. Make sure you're on my mailing list and I'll keep you informed of the release.
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Sugar Honey. The Veil Series is definitely adult, although it's not as graphic as Girl From Above in terms of explicit sex scenes etc (let's face it, Caleb from Girl From Above doesn't hold anything back ;) ). Wings of Hope, the bonus Veil Series prequel, covers some disturbing themes, including slavery and abuse. The main novels in the Veil series get darker, deeper, and more emotional as the series progresses.
I tend to write on the darker, grittier side of each genre. That's where the fun's at. ;)
Thank you for your question. Happy reading!
I tend to write on the darker, grittier side of each genre. That's where the fun's at. ;)
Thank you for your question. Happy reading!
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Rachael ~ Books 4 & 5 are currently in audiobook production. The audiobook for #4, Drowning In The Dark is scheduled to be released around Christmas, and #5 Ties That Bind will be available toward the end of Jan, 2016 - as long as production goes according to plan. If you'd like to be informed of new releases, including audiobooks, please sign up to my mailing list and I'll let you know: http://eepurl.com/O5Aq5 Thank you for dropping by! :)
Pippa DaCosta
Hi, Ruth. Good news! We're working on the final two books in the series and hope to have them released on audio in the next couple of months. So they're definitely coming soon! Thank you for your question and I'm so thrilled you're enjoying the series.
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Cookie, and thank you for your question. I've recently (yesterday!) announced that I have to delay the next Girl From Above book due to other publishing commitments (including the City of Fae sequel). Here's my note from Facebook: There will be a delay for the release of Girl From Above 3: Trapped. I had originally planned for this to be published in October 2015, but due to other publishing commitments, I feel I can't give Caleb & Co the time and attention they deserve. This is not a decision I've taken lightly, as I know many of you are waiting on tenterhooks (I know I am!) to know what happens next. I do not have a firm future publishing date, but I will keep you informed via my newsletter. (Sign up to my newsletter via my website). I am hoping that the projects I'm working on go well, and I'll have some extra time to get back to Girl From Above as soon as possible.
In the meantime, there is a short story coming from Caleb & Fran in the 'Galaxy Chronicles', due out Aug/Sept. (Date TBC soon)
I've planned for 4 books in the series, but may combine 3 & 4 into a larger novel, because of the wait.
I hope that helps & thank you for asking!
Pippa.
In the meantime, there is a short story coming from Caleb & Fran in the 'Galaxy Chronicles', due out Aug/Sept. (Date TBC soon)
I've planned for 4 books in the series, but may combine 3 & 4 into a larger novel, because of the wait.
I hope that helps & thank you for asking!
Pippa.
Pippa DaCosta
Girl From Above was a completely random, out of the blue, slap in the face idea. And it came entirely from the cover itself. Authors get ideas from everywhere (literally, every-freakin'-where, it's distracting) but when I saw the GFA cover, the writerly part of my brain just went 'BOOM!'. I nabbed the cover quick, (you can buy 'pre-made' covers from cover artists. I collect them for later stories) put aside my current work-in-progress (which I'd been struggling with after burn-out from my epic Veil Series), and just let the ideas flow. It was amazing. Just like Book 1 in The Veil Series, Girl From Above took over my life. When I wasn't writing it, I was thinking about writing it—even dreaming about it! What interested me most was writing from the point of view of a machine. How does one do that? I worried whether #1001 (the synthetic human) would be too cold and unlikable as a main character. I needed a reason for her to be more human, so we could identify with her; and that's how her story started. Happy with her, I then worried whether Caleb was too much of an asshole to be a lead character. Then I wondered why on earth I was writing sci-fi when all my fans wanted urban fantasy.
GFA was a crazy thing for me to do. But the story gripped me, and I'm in a position where I can run with these crazy ideas and see where they take me. As it happens, the risk was worth it. Girl From Above seems to have hit a sweet spot with fans, and even those who don't usually read scifi, love the book.
Thanks for asking!
GFA was a crazy thing for me to do. But the story gripped me, and I'm in a position where I can run with these crazy ideas and see where they take me. As it happens, the risk was worth it. Girl From Above seems to have hit a sweet spot with fans, and even those who don't usually read scifi, love the book.
Thanks for asking!
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Milena, City of Fae can be read as a stand-alone novel, but it was written as the first book in a potential new series. With City of Fae we really just get a glimpse of an exciting new world. There's still so much more to explore! (I can't say any more without spoilers! A little hint; the tapestries have significance).
I am in talks with Bloomsbury (the publisher) regarding a sequel. I certainly think there's more to come from Reign and Alina. Keep an eye on my GR profile for news.
(Edited July 2015 - City of Fae 2 is COMING May 2016! Add it to your Goodreads shelves now.)
Thanks again for asking.
Pippa.
I am in talks with Bloomsbury (the publisher) regarding a sequel. I certainly think there's more to come from Reign and Alina. Keep an eye on my GR profile for news.
(Edited July 2015 - City of Fae 2 is COMING May 2016! Add it to your Goodreads shelves now.)
Thanks again for asking.
Pippa.
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Cassie, and thank you for your questions.
How long did it take you to get your first book published?
My first traditionally published book was written after I pitched the idea direct to the publisher, Bloomsbury. We were already in talks about the Veil Series, which they wanted, but I’d already self-published Beyond The Veil, and had the sequel Devil May Care scheduled to be published, and didn’t want to let my fans down by pulling those books from my release scheduled. So, I said no to the publisher (one of the hardest decisions of my life!), but a few weeks later pitched them the idea for City of Fae. They wanted it, asked for a synopsis and first few chapters, and the rest, as they say, is history. So, my road to publication is a little unusual. From when I first spoke with them (May 2nd 2014) to the publication of City of Fae (which happens to be tomorrow, May 7th 2015!) it’s taken almost exactly a year.
I’ve always written, but never submitted to agents or publishers before then, mostly due to a full time career in marketing, but also because it seemed like an impossible dream. It was only when I left my career to look after my two little girls, that I looked again at chasing my dream.
How often do you write?
I write every day. Sometimes just a few hundred words, other times a few thousand. It depends if I’m working on a first draft (I can write about 10k words in a day if it’s a first draft) or if I’m editing, in which case the word count drastically decreases (literally!). I also have two children and husband to look after, so I can’t write all day and often stick to just a few hours in the evening (I’d happily write all day if I could get away with it!).
Who is your publisher?
My publisher for City of Fae is Bloomsbury Spark, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (Bloomsbury also publish that little known series, Harry Potter. You may have heard of it ;) ). They’re an amazing bunch of cool people with their fingers on the pulse of modern publishing.
Do you edit your own work or send it to an editor?
I edit my own work as much as I can and then send it off to my editor, either freelance, or in-house via the publisher. My process usually looks something like this:
1, Finish first draft (oh my lawd, this stinks. I’m never writing again)
2, Immediate re-read (fix enormous plot holes and maybe cry a little because there’s SO MUCH WORK!)
3, Developmental edit (go deep and fix plot, pace, motivations, etc)
4, Line edit (rewrite scenes at the sentence level. This is where the book starts to resemble something worth reading)
5, Read through (Is my editor going to throw the manuscript back in my face and say: No, bad author! – p.s. She wouldn’t really do that).
6, Send it to my editor (resist the urge to continue tweaking it. Oh look, a shiny new idea for the next book! Get stuck into next first draft)
The editor sends it back. I take a deep breath. And repeat steps 2-6. In fact, that’s a pretty good summary of my everyday writing life right there!
Thanks for your questions!
Pippa.
How long did it take you to get your first book published?
My first traditionally published book was written after I pitched the idea direct to the publisher, Bloomsbury. We were already in talks about the Veil Series, which they wanted, but I’d already self-published Beyond The Veil, and had the sequel Devil May Care scheduled to be published, and didn’t want to let my fans down by pulling those books from my release scheduled. So, I said no to the publisher (one of the hardest decisions of my life!), but a few weeks later pitched them the idea for City of Fae. They wanted it, asked for a synopsis and first few chapters, and the rest, as they say, is history. So, my road to publication is a little unusual. From when I first spoke with them (May 2nd 2014) to the publication of City of Fae (which happens to be tomorrow, May 7th 2015!) it’s taken almost exactly a year.
I’ve always written, but never submitted to agents or publishers before then, mostly due to a full time career in marketing, but also because it seemed like an impossible dream. It was only when I left my career to look after my two little girls, that I looked again at chasing my dream.
How often do you write?
I write every day. Sometimes just a few hundred words, other times a few thousand. It depends if I’m working on a first draft (I can write about 10k words in a day if it’s a first draft) or if I’m editing, in which case the word count drastically decreases (literally!). I also have two children and husband to look after, so I can’t write all day and often stick to just a few hours in the evening (I’d happily write all day if I could get away with it!).
Who is your publisher?
My publisher for City of Fae is Bloomsbury Spark, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (Bloomsbury also publish that little known series, Harry Potter. You may have heard of it ;) ). They’re an amazing bunch of cool people with their fingers on the pulse of modern publishing.
Do you edit your own work or send it to an editor?
I edit my own work as much as I can and then send it off to my editor, either freelance, or in-house via the publisher. My process usually looks something like this:
1, Finish first draft (oh my lawd, this stinks. I’m never writing again)
2, Immediate re-read (fix enormous plot holes and maybe cry a little because there’s SO MUCH WORK!)
3, Developmental edit (go deep and fix plot, pace, motivations, etc)
4, Line edit (rewrite scenes at the sentence level. This is where the book starts to resemble something worth reading)
5, Read through (Is my editor going to throw the manuscript back in my face and say: No, bad author! – p.s. She wouldn’t really do that).
6, Send it to my editor (resist the urge to continue tweaking it. Oh look, a shiny new idea for the next book! Get stuck into next first draft)
The editor sends it back. I take a deep breath. And repeat steps 2-6. In fact, that’s a pretty good summary of my everyday writing life right there!
Thanks for your questions!
Pippa.
Pippa DaCosta
Hi Heather. Great question. Inspiration hits me anywhere and everywhere. I regularly leap from the couch and dash for my notepad (my husband no longer bats an eye) although it does scare the cats. The same can be said for the middle of the night, when I'll stumble about in the dark trying to find a pen. With the recently announced-City of Fae-inspiration hit me on a crowded London tube train. While commuters stared, unseeing, I was already wondering what would happen if the fae lived under London. Everything in the Veil Series came from the very first scene in the first book, Beyond The Veil. The demons, the backstory, the tension; it all stemmed from the scene where Stefan and Muse meet for the very first time. When I first wrote that scene, I didn't know exactly what was inside Muse. I didn't even know what world lay beyond her workshop. As for why I chose demons; I think Akil had a lot to do with that. Really, he couldn't be anything else. ;)
Ideas take root at the oddest moments. Some grow into novels, the weaker ones wither and die.
Thanks for dropping by and asking.
Ideas take root at the oddest moments. Some grow into novels, the weaker ones wither and die.
Thanks for dropping by and asking.
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