Author bio: A TV, feature film, comic book writer, and novelist, Madeleine is the winner of the Sloan Fellowship for screenwriting, and the Gold Aurora and Bronze Telly for a PSA produced by Women In Film. In addition, she has won numerous awards while completing the UCLA MFA Program in Screenwriting. The writer/creator of the graphic novel, Boston Metaphysical Society, she has also run a number of successful crowding campaigns and published the book, Kickstarter for the Independent Creator. In 2019, Source Point Press is set to republish the first six issues and the trade paperback of Boston Metaphysical Society. The first novel set in the comic universe, A Storm of Secrets, was published in 2018. Formerly a nationally ranked epee fencer, she has competed nationally and internationally. Madeleine is an avid reader of comics, steampunk, science fiction, fantasy, and historical military fiction.
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* Genre: Steampunk/Paranormal
* Synopsis:
Politics and power. Demons and spirits.
When ex-Pinkerton detective Samuel Hunter married Elizabeth Weldsmore, the heir to one of Boston’s Great Houses, he knew his life would change forever, but he never expected the return of Elizabeth’s psychic abilities. Not only do they have to keep it a secret, but Elizabeth must learn quickly how to master them. For a psychic in a Great House is a political liability which her father, Jonathan Weldsmore, knows only too well. As the Great Houses jockey for power, the three of them must contend with treachery, subterfuge, and potentially a new demonic threat, in this political and supernatural thriller set in an alternate-history Boston of 1890.
The novel is a prequel to the graphic novel, Boston Metaphysical Society: The Complete Series.
* Publish date: Sept. 17, 2018
* Publisher: Brass-T Publishing
Author Interview with Madeleine Holly-Rosing on the Fantasy and Sci-Fi Readers Lounge
Kasper: Hi Madeleine, welcome to our steam-powered levitating Readers' Lounge. We're looking forward to hearing all about these gorgeous books and the author behind them. Are you ready? (kaz turns on the engine).
Madeleine: Sure am. Thanks for having me here. Woah! (sound of metal clunking fills the air, acrid stench of smoke and oil). Um...do you want me to fix the Levitating Lounge for you?
Oh how embarrassing. It's still under warranty, you know. We're very lucky you're a tinkering kind of author. Okay, it seems to be levitating properly now, thanks for your prompt attention. Just pop that wrench on the cushion there. Now, let's chat about books. You have told us about your latest release: Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets.
What other writing have you done up to now?
A lot. LOL. I have an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA, so I’ve written quite a number of scripts. A few have been optioned, but none have been produce. I have also done some work-for-hire and I am a regular contributor to Fanbase Press where I do reviews of comics and novels as well as interviews.
The writing I’m most known for is my creator-owned series, Boston Metaphysical Society (BMS) with art by Emily Hu. It began as six issue graphic novel mini-series which is now in trade paperback. While I was producing the series, I wrote a number of short stories and novellas (prose) in the BMS universe which has been published as an anthology (Boston Metaphysical Society: Prelude). Earlier last year, we had a successful Kickstarter campaign for our first standalone continuation of the series, The Scourge of the Mechanical Men (Art by Gwynn Tavares) and the first novel,A Storm of Secrets, came out this year as well. I also have a BMS short story (prose) called, Here Abide Monsters, in the Some Time Later anthology from Thinking Ink Press and I have a number of non-BMS sequential art short stories in various anthologies as well.
I have also published a book on Crowdfunding
Sound like you're a versatile author.
What made you choose the steampunk comic genre?
That’s a fun story. BMS was originally a TV Pilot I wrote while I was at UCLA. It started off as a period detective piece, but then one day I was sitting in the Melnitz Lounge when a director friend of mine hopped over the couch, plopped down next to me and uttered the word, “steampunk.” I said, “What?” He repeated himself then explained that he thought BMS, which was then called 1800 Detective Agency should be developed in a steampunk universe. I had heard about steampunk, but didn’t know a lot about it so I did some research. My friend was right. That little conversation changed my life. |
The original graphic novel series is about an ex-Pinkerton detective, a spirit photographer, and a genius scientist battling supernatural forces in late 1800s
Boston. The new novel is a prequel to the series and begins five years before the graphic novel when Samuel Hunter (the ex-Pinkerton detective), and his wife, Elizabeth, have just returned to Boston from their honeymoon. However, it isn’t long before Elizabeth’s psychic abilities return and not only threaten her family’s position, but may be the only link to finding a number of men, women, and children who have gone missing.
How do you develop your characters?
I start with writing their family histories since that is a strong influencer on who and what the characters in the book become. I usually go back to their parents and often their grandparents or even farther if it’s important to the world building. This has really paid off especially in the case of BMS. In the original graphic novel, Caitlin’s father was a medium and spirit photographer and when he discovered she had the gift, trained her. You see very little of him in the graphic novel, but his presence is always there, not as a ghost, but as someone who was such an important part of her and Samuel’s life, you feel like you get to know him.
I love that idea of hidden mentorship.
Do you have another job outside of writing?
Yes, I work as an instructor for LA Fitness and I do crowdfunding consulting.
Having run five successful crowdfunding campaigns to help fund the comic, I published the non-fiction book, Kickstarter for the Independent Creator, and I lecture on crowdfunding.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to write a book?
Read and write a lot. You also have to be a student of human psychology. It’s important to understand why people do the things they do which is why I write such extensive character biographies. Find reputable classes and teachers to learn from and surround yourself with people who challenge you. Don’t be afraid of criticism unless it’s personal, then walk away. How did you go about developing your striking cover artwork? Everyone wants to know that. LOL. Luisa Preissler is the artist’s name and she’s a young woman who lives in Germany. If I remember correctly, I ran across another of her paintings either on Facebook or Kickstarter. She had done a cover for a |
Speaking of awards, a little bird told me you may have some exciting news for us Lounge Lizards. Congratulations.
Oh thank you. Well this doesn't happen very often, but Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets has won a Silver Medal in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category in the Feathered Quill Awards. So now I can officially say I am an award winning novelist. https://featheredquill.com/2019-winners/
That is so cool.
What are you working on now?
We launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund our next standalone graphic novel, The Spirit of Rebellion. Gwynn is still on board as the artist. We launched on Jan. 23 and end on Feb. 22 Link:http://kck.st/2FS2zRo
You're sounding very busy. I especially like the sound of House Wars.
What’s your favourite pet?
Dogs. I love dogs. Which doesn’t mean I don’t like cats, I do. I’m just really allergic to them.
Do you prefer ebook or hardcopy?
Depends. If it’s someone new I want to try out, it’ll be ebook. But if they are a favorite or become one, I’ll buy the hardback.
Quick quiz:
Favourite thing to cook: Chocolate Chip Cookies Silliest saying: I call one of my dogs, “Thumpy Butt” because he wags his tail so hard. Best holiday spot: Kauai Most played song: Let it Go from Frozen With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? Depends. If it’s a short story (prose), it’s by the seat-of-my-pants. If it’s longer, I will outline. Do you prefer Sci-Fi or fantasy: Science Fiction |
Number one thing to do on your bucket list: Watch Bruce Springsteen live in concert.
Well, it looks like our Levitating Lounge is preparing for landing. Thank you Madeleine for our entertaining flight; it's been so much fun. We look forward to checking out your books in the links below.
Thanks Kasper, I had fun too
Madeleine's Links:
Website: http://www.bostonmetaphysicalsociety.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonMetaphysicalSocietyComic/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mhollyrosing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcholly1/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6470435.Madeleine_Holly_Rosing
Where to Buy:
Amazon (ebook and print): https://goo.gl/iiyaGk
Nook: https://goo.gl/CjsfYC
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/896295
Please also check out Boston Metaphysical Society's brand newkickstarter to print Boston Metaphysical Society: The Spirit of Rebellion.
Ghosts! Steampunk! Oh my! Caitlin flees to Philadelphia only to discover a ghost, a rebellion, and perhaps, her destiny. Blurb: Even after saving Boston from The Shifter, Caitlin is thrown out by her mother for working with Samuel and Granville. When she goes to Samuel for help, he takes her to the boarding house of an old friend in Philadelphia. There she discovers a ghost, the beginning of a rebellion, and perhaps her destiny. Like Boston, the poor and working class of Philadelphia are pushing back against the Great Houses, and Caitlin and Samuel are caught in the middle of it. And much to her surprise, Caitlin has discovered that the battle with The Shifter has left her with telekinetic powers. What no one realizes is that a Pinkerton by the name of Harry Connelly has taken a special interest in Caitlin and the boarding house. Is he friend or foe? And what does this mean for Samuel and Caitlin? |
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