Hey, bookworms! Here is an interview with Lisa Mantchev on her book Eyes Like Stars. Be sure to check out my book review.
Before we start the interview, here is a short bio of Lisa!
Lisa Mantchev is the author of Eyes Like Stars and the forthcoming Perchance To Dream, the first two novels in the Théâtre Illuminata series. She has also published numerous short stories in venues including Strange Horizons, Fantasy, Clarkesworld, and Weird Tales. She lives on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state with her husband, daughter, and hairy miscreant dogs.
Teenage Reader: What was your inspiration for writing Eyes Like Stars?
Lisa Mantchev: ELS started with the opening line, “The fairies flew on wires,” which just popped into my head one day along with the character name “Beatrice Shakespeare Smith.” That line became a short story, but five thousand words wasn’t enough space in which to tell Bertie’s story, so I took it apart and turned it into a novel!
Teenage Reader: What was your inspiration for the characters?
Lisa Mantchev: Quite a lot of the characters arrived on set, in costume, with their lines already memorized! I got very lucky, especially with the fairies, because their energy is funny and manic and easily channeled.
Teenage Reader: Will there be more books from the series? If so, can you give us a little preview of it?
Lisa Mantchev: Perchance To Dream, the second novel, will be out in May of this year. Not to spoil anything for those who haven’t yet read ELS, but it will pick up pretty much where the first book left off, with more glitter, cake, and adventure!
Teenage Reader: How many books in all are you planning to write for Théâtre Illuminata?
Lisa Mantchev: The plan is for it to be a trilogy. I just turned in the draft for the third book, tentatively titled So Silver Bright, to my editor.
Teenage Reader: Any other books or series your planning to write?
Lisa Mantchev: I am in the middle of revising a Retrofuturist NeoVictorian (somewhat steampunk) novel, the first of another series.
Teenage Reader: Why did you decide to become a writer?
Lisa Mantchev: I’ve always been a writer… since I was old enough to put a sentence on paper. Writing short stories and plays when I was in elementary school, then writing and directing in high school and college. The only time I didn’t think I was going to be a writer is when I wanted to be an actress!
Teenage Reader: Any advice you have for future writers and authors?
Lisa Mantchev: Treat it like a job, with regular hours and dedication and professional behavior when interacting with agents, editors, and other authors.
Teenage Reader: What was your favorite part of writing Eyes Like Stars?
Lisa Mantchev: Learning how to properly revise a novel… my editor was fabulous at helping me pick apart (and put back together) all the things that were and were not working. She really taught me what it’s like to write and edit a novel-length piece of fiction.
Thank you for reading this interview and comment to let us know what you think. Be sure to watch out for Perchance to Dream!
Great interview AshlynRae. I want to read Lisa Mantchev’s books now. I better read “Théâtre Illuminata” before “Perchance To Dream” comes out.
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