BLOG STOP- KATY O’DOWD!

OR, Interview with a half-mad genius!  I’m a very lucky individual today. I have a guest. The lovely AND talented, Katy O’Dowd.  She is the author of THE LADY ASTRONOMER and hails from the emerald isle. I agreed to host her on her blog tour (after much threatening and bribery I might add), and I wanted to do something a little special…

An interview. I hope my questions let you get into the mind of this fabulous author (don’t worry if you can’t get out and are scared, we’ll send a rescue party)

The animals in your story were truly lovable, even the farting lemur. Who were your inspirations for them?

Why thank you kindly! The farts came courtesy of my beloved old dog – who sadly left this world for the next earlier this year – man, I don’t know what else he was eating but whooboy, those were some smells. I would be writing and eau-de-Boxer would waft its way to me. The ring-tailed lemur? One of my favourite animals, and a friend of mine did an oil painting of one for me years ago. Owls, awwww! Also, cats, of which I have two-ish. Well, I foster for the local cat rescue place, so that number goes up. So a mix really. I wanted to be a vet when I grew up. Sadly, it was not meant to be. Damn you dreamy-stare-y-out-of-windows brain!

The Great Forty Foot telescope and the Lady Astronomer herself have basis in real life, would you care to share your inspiration with the readers?

Read it in a book. No, really. A big fat fact book. It was heavy.

Your creations, especially your automatons, seem to be steeped in folklore as to the power-source (plant). Where did you get your idea for these?

Do you know that ad that used to be on? For a shampoo. It had a voiceover (while the lady threw her head around, showing of her glossy tresses) which said, ‘and now the science bit’. Y’see, I’m not, shall we say, that great at the science bit. So I kinda made it up. Also, shhhhh, I’m a bit of a veggie tree-hugging hippie. Still be my friend?

I laughed heartily while reading the Lady Astronomer. Do you often put as much humor into your work as an author?

I’m really glad you laughed! That rocks. I try.

What’s next for Katy O’Dowd? Any projects in the works?

I’m currently writing a follow-up to the book I wrote with my Dad, The Scarlet Ribbon. It’s historical-medical fiction.  We write under the name Derry O’Dowd (my middle name). As for me myself, have finished an historical crime novel and plotting another.

May we expect a sequel for The Lady Astronomer?

What a marvellous idea!

As a writer of steampunk, do you draw inspirations from any other sources or writers?

Oh my yes. Did you know that Edgar Allan Poe wrote a tale about a balloon reaching the moon? Not to mention HG Wells and Jules Verne.

When did you first start writing?

As I said above, I really wanted to be a vet. Fail brain set in, and I needed to do something else instead. So I decided to be a radio journalist. Vet to radio journalist, why not? Makes perfect sense!

How many times did you contemplate ending your existence before you found a publisher?

I am lucky to be alive.

Tell us about your current publisher. Are they all awesomesauce and stuff?

Awesomesauce doesn’t even begin to cover it. I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be published by Untold Press who have been a total delight to work with. I may just have to inflict something else ‘pon them J

LIGHTING ROUND…

Broccoli or Cauliflower?

Oh bleck! I just did a little vomit in my mouth – neither!

Favorite adult beverage

Anything with a really high caffeine content.

If you were a shoe, what kind would you be?

A big clodhopper of a boot. A black one. Flat. At least calf-high. With loads of straps and buckles.

How do you kill a vampire?

Noooooo! Vampires are your friends! Unless they are of the sparkly variety.

Milk or dark chocolate?

Milk.

Finish this sentence: All doctors are…

…. unable to make their handwriting legible.

You die and go to hell, what music is playing in the background?

Well, I would like to think that The Dark Lord would have better taste, but if you mean Hell as in a Horrible Place it would have to be freeform jazz.

Favorite holiday and why

Halloween! Sweets! Ghosts! Witches! Things that go bump in the night!

Most terrifying way to die?

Suffocation by Tribble. Ticklish!

Favorite movie

Little Nicky! Yeah!

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2012

Lucretia’s life as an astronomer is quickly turned on its head by her
eldest brother when he is commanded by the king to build the grandest
telescope in the land. Her nights spent on rooftops gazing at the
stars are replaced by adventure as the family move to be nearer the
king. In a race to build the Forty-foot telescope on time, misfortunes
take their toll. The lady astronomer finds court life to be more
dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Can she find the strength
inside to overcome the obstacles threatening her destiny? Only the
stars will tell.

THE GIVEAWAY! 

CLICK THE COVER TO ENTER!