An interview with J. Anderson Coats, the author of Spindle and Dagger
About the Book:
1. How did you get the idea of writing Spindle and Dagger?
I was the kind of nerdy teen who had research interests, and one of them was medieval Wales. I was in high school when I first read about the abduction of Nest, and that story has been kicking around in my brain ever since.
2. What scene was the hardest to write?
The first one. It was a challenge to introduce the relationship between Elen and Owain in a historically accurate way, but also one that made sense to a modern audience and clearly lined out what was going on.
3. What is your favorite thing about your book?
I like that it exists in the world and people will get to read it. I’ve been working on it since 2011, and it’s deeply meaningful to me.
4. What is the key message in this book?
Every reader brings their own experiences, background, thoughts, and opinions to every story, so each reader will get something different out of it
5. How did you design the cover?
I can’t take credit for this awesome cover. I’m so fortunate that the folks at Candlewick were able to get Julia Iredale to create the art. You can check out her work here [http://www.juliairedale.com/]. She has a such an eye for color and movement, and I knew I was going to love what she came up with when I received a request from my editor to send along historical sources for her to look through. It made my nerdy little heart sing with joy.
6. Where can readers purchase your books?
If you have a local bookstore, I hope you’ll consider buying books from them. It’s a little more expensive, but physical bookstores support authors and pay taxes and help a city or town build and create a community of readers. Spindle and Dagger is also available at all the online retailers if that’s your thing. Also, check your public library! Many libraries have a way to suggest a book for the collection. If your library buys a book, other people in your community can read it, too. Thanks!
About You:
1. What books and authors have influenced your writing?
Too many to count, but I deeply admire the work of Octavia Butler and Margaret Atwood.
2. What are some of your favorite series that you recommend to others?
I don’t tend to read series, but here are some books I’ve read recently that I’ve loved:
- Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown
- 13 Minutes by Sarah Pinborough
- Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
- What I Carry by Jennifer Longo
- When the Ground is Hard by Malla Nunn
3. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I like to read all the books, play computer games, fuss over my garden, and hang out with my family.
4. If you could invite one person to dinner, who would it be?
My grandmother, who died a few years ago. I miss her.
5. What is your favorite vacation spot?
Haha, when you’re a midlist writer, you don’t go on vacation very much. You’re busy paying the rent and writing the next book. If I could go anywhere, I’d go to Australia where I lived as a kid. I'd go see my old house and my old school, and hang out on the beach.
About the Book:
1. How did you get the idea of writing Spindle and Dagger?
I was the kind of nerdy teen who had research interests, and one of them was medieval Wales. I was in high school when I first read about the abduction of Nest, and that story has been kicking around in my brain ever since.
2. What scene was the hardest to write?
The first one. It was a challenge to introduce the relationship between Elen and Owain in a historically accurate way, but also one that made sense to a modern audience and clearly lined out what was going on.
3. What is your favorite thing about your book?
I like that it exists in the world and people will get to read it. I’ve been working on it since 2011, and it’s deeply meaningful to me.
4. What is the key message in this book?
Every reader brings their own experiences, background, thoughts, and opinions to every story, so each reader will get something different out of it
5. How did you design the cover?
I can’t take credit for this awesome cover. I’m so fortunate that the folks at Candlewick were able to get Julia Iredale to create the art. You can check out her work here [http://www.juliairedale.com/]. She has a such an eye for color and movement, and I knew I was going to love what she came up with when I received a request from my editor to send along historical sources for her to look through. It made my nerdy little heart sing with joy.
6. Where can readers purchase your books?
If you have a local bookstore, I hope you’ll consider buying books from them. It’s a little more expensive, but physical bookstores support authors and pay taxes and help a city or town build and create a community of readers. Spindle and Dagger is also available at all the online retailers if that’s your thing. Also, check your public library! Many libraries have a way to suggest a book for the collection. If your library buys a book, other people in your community can read it, too. Thanks!
About You:
1. What books and authors have influenced your writing?
Too many to count, but I deeply admire the work of Octavia Butler and Margaret Atwood.
2. What are some of your favorite series that you recommend to others?
I don’t tend to read series, but here are some books I’ve read recently that I’ve loved:
- Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown
- 13 Minutes by Sarah Pinborough
- Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
- What I Carry by Jennifer Longo
- When the Ground is Hard by Malla Nunn
3. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I like to read all the books, play computer games, fuss over my garden, and hang out with my family.
4. If you could invite one person to dinner, who would it be?
My grandmother, who died a few years ago. I miss her.
5. What is your favorite vacation spot?
Haha, when you’re a midlist writer, you don’t go on vacation very much. You’re busy paying the rent and writing the next book. If I could go anywhere, I’d go to Australia where I lived as a kid. I'd go see my old house and my old school, and hang out on the beach.
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