Today, Olivia is talking with author Craig MacLachlan, a former YA Mag fiction writer, about his debut SUMMER’S SHADOW!
When seventeen-year-old Sierra Winters watches her physical body sink to its death, she realizes a shining silver cord connects her two halves together. But the cord breaks off and sinks with her body…
Rescued, Sierra discovers she has stumbled upon a mysterious realm known as The Void, filled with mystery, intrigue, danger and love. But upon returning to The Void, she is met by the sinister Maven, who can manipulate his surroundings into a sickening Rot. To enter the phsyical world and conquer it, Maven must take the power of Sierra’s silver cord. Even if it means her death.
On the run from Maven, Sierra struggles to understand her abilities and powers. As she and her rescuer fall in love, Sierra discovers he is keeping a vital secret from her. Can Sierra be happy sharing her life between both realms, or will she be forced to choose one over the other forever?
Olivia with YA-Mag: Craig, welcome back to the Young Adult Magazine! It’s so wonderful to see one of our Short Story writers publishing a book!
YA: So let’s talk about that novel! How did you meet Sierra Winters? And what makes Sierra the perfect protagonist for this story?
CM: Meeting Sierra Winters happened when I was in Thompson Falls, Montana. I was actually at Graves Creek Falls and she was sitting on the edge of the cliff next to the waterfall. It was a chilly fall day and some snow was on the high peaks and her name simply came to me instantly. Sierra was so strong willed, independent, and full of life and she followed me back home.
YA: What sets Sierra’s story apart from other fantasy YA novels, like THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin or SHATTERED SOULS by Mary Lindsey?
CM: Sierra’s needs for total forgiveness from her friends, overcoming tragedy, and figuring out who she is as a person are major themes she must answer. Throughout the book and the series, Sierra’s ultimate battle isn’t with evil. Instead it’s a choice that will affect every relationship in her life. A choice she will be forced to make, come to terms with, and have regrets with no matter what her decision is.
YA: What non-book influences helped spark Sierra’s story? Any specific songs or shows?
CM: The mountains, logging, mining and most definitely my hometown of Thompson Falls, Montana. The scenery and locations in the area really brought the story into visual fruition for me. The area isn’t just for visualization purposes in the story, but they are a part of the story. Almost characters themselves. There are many other locations and mysteries revolving around Thompson Falls as well that will come into play throughout the series. I love listening to Marty Robbins, specifically his old west ballad songs, which is how I first imagined the antagonist, Maven Kodiak.
YA: What is the story on the title, SUMMER’S SHADOW?
CM: I decided on the title of Summer’s Shadow and the following novels in the series on my own. I love the four seasons and wanted the entire story to span over a year. So I was thinking on how to have a unique setting per book and that’s when I decided on using the four seasons. I wanted each season to be followed by a word that instilled a sense of what the story was about. As far as the series title, “Sierra Winters and the Void”, my publisher and I decided on that after going through many different options. I originally had the series as “Sierra Winters and the Silver Cord”, but we decided to prominently feature “The Void” instead.
YA: Next for you and Sierra is FALL’S FURY. How are the stakes upped in the second book in the SIERRA WINTER’S series?
CM: Well, let’s see what I can give away without giving anything away about Fall’s Fury. Sierra is slowly pushed to her emotional limits in Fall’s Fury with friendships, love and tragedy. There’s a new evil that’s not so new on the loose who holds the answer to Sierra’s vision of Valeck from Summer’s Shadow. This evil may be working for someone, but has a plan of their own which starts with befriending Sierra as a not so bad individual after all. Sierra’s journey in Fall’s Fury causes her to question if keeping her silver cord and having access to The Void is worth the suffering she must continue to endure in every aspect of her life.
YA: If you could cast the Dream Film of SUMMER’S SHADOW, who would you cast as Sierra, Valeck, Maven, Tess, Amber, Brad, Joe, Molly and Maria?
CM: Dream scenario time! Wow, who to pick, who to choose? I’m sure I could very easily choose two to three people to cast as the characters. I’m quite sure that a month from now, I’ll be thinking I should have chosen that actress or actor instead!
Sierra: Maia Mitchell
Valeck: Tyler Posey
Maven: Anson Mount
Tess: Chloe Grace Moretz
Amber: Mia Wasikowska
Brad: Josh Hutcherson
Joe: Alexander Koch
Molly: Sarah Hyland
Maria: Ashley Benson
YA: Do you have any pet projects you’re working on? What can you tease our audience with about them?
CM: I do have a pet project in the works. It is a young adult paranormal thriller. The main character is a teenage boy forced into a partnership with a teenage girl to track down [redacted] while he is being toyed with by the person who originally [redacted]. Yeah that’s all I can tease you with really. Both characters have a certain paranormal ability that manifests after each one of them are [redacted]! Yeah I can’t say anymore, but it’s a wild ride!
I do have another young adult book project I am working on as well that involves three girls. It’s a mystery story and involves no fantasy, or powers, or paranormal aspects at all. It is very raw and primal in nature. That’s it for any hints I can give out right now! Wow, I have myself excited about these projects all over again!
YA: Last one! If you could spend one day with Sierra and her friends, what would you do together? What words of wisdom would you want to share with Sierra while you visited?
CM: I would spend it in The Void with Sierra and Valeck. Who wouldn’t want to fly, float on water, or do things that defy the laws of physics? Of course, I would also have to spend some time with Sierra, Amber and Tess eating food and possibly playing Truth or Dare S.A.T. Style… maybe. They might have to make me Thai food as an incentive! I would tell Sierra to be herself, don’t change for anyone, and to always trust her instincts and heart.
YA: Thank you very much, Craig. And again, from YA Mag, congratulations on SUMMER’S SHADOW! We’re so excited for you!
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Readers, be sure to check out Craig at his website www.CraigMacLachlan.com. Or follow him on Twitter @CraigMacLachlan.
SUMMER’S SHADOW, published by MediaAria CDM, is available for order March 3rd at your favorite retailers and local independent bookstores!
Olivia Hennis is a transplanted New England girl dropped by a tornado into the magical Land of Jersey. For more info, follow her on Twitter.