chatting with Josephine Angelini, author of Dreamless + GIVEAWAY
We got a chance, thanks to our dear friend at MudieMoms, to chat with the ever-so-funny author, Josephine Angelini! She wrote the hugely popular, Starcrossed, and the soon to be released sequel, Dreamless. With more action and a new character, we are assured you will love it. Read on as we talk mythology, being part of a big family, and what book scared her.
Oh my goodness!! You are hilarious! Have you always been the “funny one” in your family?
I don’t think my family calls me the funny one. I think they call me the annoying one. And the hardest to catch. In a big family like mine, you can’t be the youngest, the biggest wiseass, and be easy to put in a headlock if you want to make it through puberty alive.
Since you live in Southern California, we have to know: Bruins or Trojans?
Neither. I don’t really get into college sports. And if I did I would have to root for a Massachusetts team. I’m a Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics kinda girl.
Your book, Starcrossed, was mentioned in Oprah Magazine! Oprah!! How did that feel?
Scary! I keep waiting for everyone to come out from behind the furniture and tell me this is all a big joke. So I’m paranoid. And deeply grateful.
Tell us about Helen in 5 words?
Tough. Devoted. Loving. Determined. Brave.
How long did you research Orion to be able to write about it so believably? Have you always been interested in Greek Mythology?
I actually didn’t do too much research. Mostly it was just me fact checking to make sure that I remembered certain aspects about the lore correctly. I’m such a big mythology geek I was already familiar with most of the fiddly points. I grew up reading mythology and fantasy and books about dragons and fairies and whatnot (I’m especially fond of dragons) so I have tons of stored-up “geek glossaries” in my brain to work off of when I write. I’m not a classics expert by any stretch of the imagination; I just chose to write about something that I’ve already spent a good deal of time reading up on over the course of my life. It worked out pretty well. So for any budding writers out there my advice is write what you know—especially for your first series.
We love how much action is in Dreamless! Did you ever act out scenes at home?
Ha! That would be hilarious! No, I never acted them out, but I did dream about them a lot. Which wasn’t so cool because half of my story takes place in hell. So, yeah, I didn’t sleep much.
We have to know what you are working on now.
I’m working on a new trilogy. The working title is CRUCIBLE, and it’s loosely based on Arthur Miller’s magnificent play– but turned on its head. Basically, my new series is about parallel universes, alternate versions of one’s self, and a witch-hunt for scientists, which is conducted by (you guessed it) actual witches. And there’s a love story, of course. But I think every story is a love story on some level. If it’s not about love somewhere in there, what’s the point?
What are you reading these days?
Until I Die by Amy Plum. Again. J
Lightening Round!!!!Mountains or Beach - Beach.
A book that made you cry - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Because it was the last.
A book that scared you - The Road by Comac McCarthy. Scared the bejeezus out of me. Still gives me nightmares, and I read it years ago.
All-time favorite movie - It’s either The Matrix, LOTR The Two Towers, The Empire Strikes Back, Blade Runner, The Princess Bride, or Alien. Or Fletch. I freaking love Fletch. I have a hard time picking favorites, if you hadn’t noticed. I also tend to like movies that dudes like. Oh wait—I just thought of a girly movie! I love Steel Magnolias, too. That movie makes me cry every single time.
Harry Potter, Hunger Games, or Lord of the Rings - LOTR all the way, baby. Not that I don’t love me some Harry and some Hunger Games, but I’ve probably watched the LOTR series about a jillion times and I’m still not sick of it. Damn fine storytelling, and probably the best book-to-move interpretation I’ve ever seen. I think I actually like the movies better than the books, and this is the only time I’ve ever said that. (I probably shouldn’t say it here, either!)
Love Triangles or Soul mate - Soul mate. In my actual life I don’t like complications or drama. I leave it all for my books. 
Check it out:
Check out a guest post tomorrow at Jean Book Nerd
Harper Teen
Dreamless Playlist
Dreamless e-book: Harper Teen | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Ebooks | Kobo | iBookstore (At participating ebook store links, you can purchase Dreamless for $0.99)!!
Follow the Dreamless Blog Tour & follow on Twitter under the #DreamlessDays & @Josieangelini
WEDNESDAY 5/30 Harper Teen is hosting a LIVE chat with Josie on Facebook
****GIVEAWAY***GIVEAWAY***GIVEAWAY****
Josephine is hosting a blog tour giveaway, and this giveaway will end at the end of the tour. She’s giving away a kindle with either the Starcrossed or Dreamless skin on it. In order for blog tour followers to enter, they do need to comment on each blog tour post (only once) as well as follow Josie on twitter. For all the details about the blog tour visit Mundie Moms and for all details about the giveaway visit Josie’s blog.
WOW! Am I first…..loved your interview…Josephine gives a great interview…seems really down to earth….a lady I would get along with well…geek to geek…
funny and beautiful…
ALSO she is a wonderful writer…I loved STARCROSSED and am dying to read DREAMLESS….
Love reading or listening to her interviews!! Such a funny and down to earth person! Can’t wait for Seamless!!
Great Interview! I loved finding out more about Josephine. Can’t wait to read Dreamless, and now I’m looking forward to Crucible!
What a wonderful interview!! It’s great to know that she has another trilogy in the works
She is made of pure awesome!
Hahaha, she sounds awesome! And I back her love of LOTR all the way! Great, another book to add to my TBR pile! (Totally not sarcasm, I mean it!)
That is so awesome Dreamless was in O Magazine! Fabulous interview! Thank you for being apart of the tour!
Great interview! Can’t wait to read Dreamless
I am so looking forward to this book!!!
[...] An interview with Josephine Angelini about her new book Dreamless: “I grew up reading mythology and fantasy and books about dragons and fairies and whatnot (I’m especially fond of dragons) so I have tons of stored-up “geek glossaries” in my brain to work off of when I write. I’m not a classics expert by any stretch of the imagination; I just chose to write about something that I’ve already spent a good deal of time reading up on over the course of my life. It worked out pretty well. So for any budding writers out there my advice is write what you know—especially for your first series.” (see also our Josephine Angelini reviews) [...]
Starcrossed was soooo good! I can’t wait for Dreamless!!!
Great review! She’s so hilarious
I am now going to find out more about Crucible.
Love this review!!
Love this review!! Counting the hours till I get to read the book!!
Love It Cant Wait To Read It. butterfli262002@yahoo.com
I can’t wait for this book to come out! I still need to catch up by reading Starcrossed. They sound so good & I love the covers!
Looks amazing! Great interview!
I enjoyed the interview. Nice questions.
[...] Snark, character interview 24th- Mundie Moms, excerpt 25th- Books with Bite, review 26th- Girls in the Stacks, author interview 27th- Book Nerd (Jean), guest post 28th- Good Choice Reading, excerpt [...]
Great interview! Love her!
Josephine sounds so down to earth. Love this series!
Great interview!
Love this interview! I love getting to know my favorite author! I had an amazing picture of her acting out some of the actions scenes and laughed out loud! Great Interview!
Hmm, I wonder if CRUCIBLE is YA or adult.
Hi! I loved this interview with Josephine! I love reading author interviews because you get to learn more about them and their inspiration behind their books! (:
I love the phrase “geek glosaries” I’m going to have to use that when my husband makes fun of what he considers my useless knowledge of things like fairy tales, mythology and of course musicals.
You know what? Josephine Angelini is just about one of the most amazing people I’ve come across. Her mirth, and exuberant and effervescent demeanor all translate into the beauty of her novels. And…she is funny as hell! Like her, I’d pick LOTR over the other two series as well. I mean, I LOVE Harry Potter (to me, Hunger Games is not in the same league as the other two, sorry!)…but, LOTR is a whole another level of awesome.
Thank you for the insightful interview, and for being part of this blog tour.
Name: Hira Hasnain
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow. Okay. After meeting Josephine in person, I thought, “She’s the nicest person ever!” Now….CAN WE BE BEST FRIENDS?! I love, love, LOVE! all those movies, LotR is epic, and I go back and forth on whether I like the books or movies better also…And I cried so much reading the last HP book :’( Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I read Starcrossed recently and loved it! Now I can’t wait to read Dreamless! I’m sorry Lucas is leaving the picture for a while, but I’m excited to meet Orion.
wow! this is awesome!!! thanks so much for hosting
Diana M.
Great interview
Write what you know… that’s good advice for beginner writers.
Great interview! I love that Angelini is so funny– that’s where the humor in the book comes in. Can’t wait for Dreamless!
Thank you so much for giveaway. Cant wait to read it
I definitely have to add this to my tbr list and I found a new author to follow. Yay!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!! Nice interview!
Thank you all for being a part of the blog tour!! <3