L'interview originale

How do you feel about Kushiel's Dart being out in France?

I'm very pleased! Since the primary setting of the Kushiel series is inspired by France, it seems very appropriate that it should be released there. It's been a long time coming, and I'm delighted to see it handled so beautifully.

In retrospect, what are your thoughts concerning your début in the fantasy field? It drew a lot of attention in 2001!

Before my debut, I was apprehensive about how the book would be received due to its dark erotic component. As one of my biggest supporters, my elderly great-aunt Harriett said, I hope people realize it's not just a sex book! When it was released to great reviews and went on to win the Locus Award for Best First Novel, I was proud and relieved.

Was there a specific reason behind your use of an this particular background (the french and european sitting, the erotism, the Kabbalah, etc...)?

It's a melange of elements that fascinate me ; history, mythology, philosophy, intrigue, eroticism, high adventure. Basically, I wrote books I wanted to read, and hoped others would feel the same way!

Your French publisher has heavily promoted your book. Do you feel any kind of pressure about it?

Of course. At the same time, I have to be philosophical about it. Due to the constraints of distance and language, I can't do as much to promote it in France as I can at home in the US. All I can do is hope it finds the same great readership.

Do you believe that female fantasy authors have a different approach to writing?

Some do, some don't. I've read books by female fantasy authors that have a distinctively feminine voice, and others that have a more masculine tone. In the end, I think it comes down to the individual writer.

And by the way, what is your favourite aspect of writing?

I love the whole process. I love walking around with an epic story unfolding in my thoughts, playing out scenes in my head. I love sitting down to write, crafting the words to bring my vision to life. My least favorite part is the empty feeling when the story ends.

Speaking about Kushiel's Dar, do you believe in destiny?

Not in the same grandiose manner that I write about in my books; I think real life is a lot more messy and complicated. But I believe tales of great heroism can inspire us to forge our own destinies.

What is your opinion about erotic litterature? Do you think that eroticism is an important part of yours books?

Eroticism is definitely an important part of the Kushiel books, although I wouldn't call them erotic literature, because the eroticism isn't the predominant element. Sex is an intrinsic part of being human, and for a long time, there was very little fantasy fiction, especially epic fantasy, that included an adult sensuality. I think it's a positive development.

The internet has turned out to be an important tool to promote books. Is the web important for you in terms of communicating with your readers, do some research, etc?

Yes, I rely on my website, www.jacquelinecarey.com, to keep my readers informed, as well as pages on Facebook and MySpace. More and more, I'm able to do research online ; although I still do a lot of good old-fashioned library research, too.

How would you define your relation with fans? Can their expectations sometimes weigh you down?

My fans are great! They're very supportive, and they've done a lot to promote the books by word of mouth. It's getting hard to keep up with individual communication, and there may come a time when I have to cut back, but I still try to answer all my own email. As far as expectations go, I don't think my fans can put any more pressure on me than I do on myself.

How do you react to book reviews? Are they still important to you?

Overall, I've been fortunate to receive good reviews, but I still hold my breath when a new book is released! I work hard at my craft, and it's a good feeling to have that acknowledged in a positive review.

What can you tell us about your next book, Naamah's Kiss?

It takes place several generations after the last book in the Kushiel series, and features a whole new set of characters engaged in romance, intrigue and adventure. It gave me the chance to look at a familiar milieu through a fresh set of eyes.

Do you have any book recommendations for our readers, fantasy or otherwise?

I'm an eclectic reader, so I don't always know if others will share my taste! However, the author I most often recommend to fans of my books is Guy Gavriel Kay, who writes alternate historical fantasy with a strong use of religion and mythology.

Last but not least, is there anything you wish to share with your (new) French fans?

Thank you for visiting my world! I hope you enjoy your stay.

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1. L'interview traduite
2. L'interview originale