Kristen Britain 60 Second Interview

In celebration of the David Gemmell Award long-lists being published, Gollancz is thrilled to be running a series of interviews-in-sixty-seconds with as many long-listed authors as we can get our hands on. Today we’re delighted to talk to Kristen Britain, the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of The Green Rider series, made up of Green Rider, First Rider’s Call , The High King’s Tomb, and Blackveil which is nominated for Best Fantasy Novel 2011. We caught up with her, and took a moment to ask a few questions . . .

Congratulations on being long-listed for the David Gemmell Awards! Can you tell us, in a few words, why any readers who are new to your work should rush out and read it?
So I can keep my dog in kibble 😉

But also, if people like fantasy with strong characters, action, horses, ghosts, and other cool fantasy elements, they might enjoy reading the series.

Who was your first favourite author?
My first favourite author goes way back to Beverly Cleary and her stories about Ribsy the dog, his boy, Henry, and Romona. Walter Farley and his Black Stallion series was next . . .

Who would you cite as your influences?
Probably no surprises here: JRR Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and Lloyd Alexander.

Do you think authors have a responsibility to do more than tell an entertaining story?
Authors have a responsibility to remain true to themselves, whether it’s writing an entertaining story or a work of high art, or some combination thereof.

Is there a storytelling tradition you see your work as part of?
I write traditional fantasy adventure.

And finally:
If your novel were to be arrested for a crime of passion, what crime would it be and why (society may not be to blame!)?
Er, a well-executed cliffhanger? Guilty, your honor.

Kristen Britain lives in a log cabin in Maine where she writes full time and pursues interests reading, guitar playing, and cartoon illustration. She enjoys exploring the magical places around her and can often be found paddling a canoe in stillwater, ambling through the woods to mountain summits, or sitting along the rocky shore listening, watching, and daydreaming. You can learn more about her and her novels on her website , or check in on her livejournal page here.

You can vote for Blackveil, or any of the novels long-listed for the Legend Award for Best Novel, here. You can also vote for April Schumacher’s amazing artwork, as the Best Art of the year, here.