Frequently Asked Questions

 

THE DRAKE CHRONICLES

What is the order of the Drake Chronicles?”

#1 Hearts at Stake/ My Love Lies Bleeding (Dec 2009)
#2 Blood Feud (June 2010)
#3 Out for Blood (Nov-Dec 2010)
#4 Bleeding Hearts  (Oct 2011 UK, Jan 2012 US)   (Lucy, Christabel, Connor POV)
#5 Blood Moon  (Lucy, Solange, Nicholas POV)  June 2012
#6 TBA

What is POV?”

POV stands for point of view. So, Hearts at Stake was first person POV Solange and Lucy.

Is My Love Lies Bleeding the same as Hearts at Stake?”

Yes, My Love Lies Bleeding is the British and Australian title of Hearts at Stake. They have different covers too, but are the same book inside.The rest of the books in the series will have different covers but the same title in Canada, US, Britain and Australia to make things easier for you!

How do you pronounce the characters names?”

Solange ~  “Soh-lawn-j”           
Isabeau ~ “Ee-zah-boh”                
Montmartre ~  “Moh-maarrh-trr”     
Kieran~ “Keer-in”

Why does each Drake book have a different main character?”

I wanted to explore different parts of the Drake world and different perspectives.Book #1 deals mostly with the Drakes,
#2 with the Hounds,
#3 with the Helios-Ra,
#4 with the Hel-Blar,
Book #5 is like a big family reunion. But with more teeth and nefarious plots. Book 6 continues along that vein. (vampire puns are really, really hard to avoid)Solange’s storyline is the main arc, tying all of these worlds and people together; as well as her friendship with Lucy.

When will we see Lucy again?”

Lucy appears in every book of the Drake Chronicles (as does Nicholas) and half of book #4 and #5 is from her perspective (so far!).

How many books are in the Drake Chronicles?”

Bloomsbury/Walker & Co have decided on 6 for the series.

Will each brother get their own book?”

Sorry,  now that the series is 6 books long,  each brother will not get their own…but don’t worry they’ll be in all the books!

When will Bleeding Hearts come out?”

Bleeding Hearts is now available in the UK and on ebook in the US.And…It’s official!  The on-sale date in stores for BLEEDING HEARTS will be 12/20/11—as a holiday gift for the Drake fans!

And ONLY available in the print version: “Lost Girls”,  a bonus story about Liam and Helena and how they met!

If my copy of “Bleeding Hearts” doesn’t include “The Lost Girls” short story, where can I read it?”

“Lost Girls” is currently exclusive to the North American print release of Bleeding Hearts, on December 20, 2011. Bloomsbury is currently deciding on the best way to share this short story with readers around the world, after the publication of the NA version. When details become available, I’ll post them here.There are more short stories which will become available soon… check out the Drake Chronicles Novella link!

When will your next book come out in my country?”

I would love to be able to answer this question for you but I really don’t know. Your best bet is to check with your local bookstore, library or online shop.

Will there be a Drake Chronicles movie?”

Books being turned into movies need to be “optioned”. Optioning is a first step and it often doesn’t get past that.Movies require the attention of a director and/or movie company and a lot of money. And luck and love!

Is there any chance there will be more than 6 books to the series?”

Currently, no. I’d love to do a Lucy spin-off series one day but that’s up to how loudly the readers want it and how well the series does… and there’s just no way to foretell that kind of thing! It’s really up to how the books do i.e. how much you like it/buy it/request it/want more.In the meantime, there are 3 Enovellas set in the Drake World forthcoming early this year. And there is the possibility of more…

What if I don’t have an Ereader? How do I read the Ebooks?

The Ebooks can be read even if you don’t have an Ereader. Simply download the app from Barnes and Noble or Amazon and you can read them on your computer or phone. Happy reading!

WRITING

Can you send me bookmarks/buttons/autographed book?

I’m sorry but I don’t have a P.O. Box so this is not currently possible. However, I do try to bring buttons and bookmarks to book signing events when possible.

What do you think about fanfiction?

I’m flattered that you would find my work inspiring but due to legal, copyright and basic make-our-lives-easier rules, I cannot read it, talk about it or link to it.

Can you read my story/book/proposal/query?

I’m sorry but I can’t. If I read everyone’s stories, I wouldn’t have time to write my own!

Do you have any writing advice?

The bad news is: there’s no secret handshake.
The good news is: there’s no secret handshakeSo, my advice is pretty basic: write. Sounds simple, right? But a lot of people want to be writers— they don’t necessarily want to write. If you love to write, you’re halfway there already. Keep at it. Like anything else, you need practice.Carry a notebook with you to jot down ideas. Read lots. And then read some more.

Learn to finish something: a poem, a short story, a novella. The fire at the beginning of a story can flicker once you’re a few chapters in and then you get distracted by shiny idea #15, and that one over there., and wait is that Dean Winchester? Mr. Darcy? (okay those last 2 might just be me!)… so  learn to finish. It’s a skill like any other.

And if it’s a fantasy novel or urban fantasy that you’re writing, know your rules. There has to be internal logic, even if it’s all made-up in your head. And those rules? Don’t create them to make things easier for yourself. Your rules need to make you sweat sometimes! It’s not always fun but it makes for a better story.

Try not to worry too much about your “voice”. If you’re true to youself and your story, your voice will orgcanically, magically happen.

Let’s face it, writing a vampire series like the Drake Chronicles means dealing with vampire fatigue in the market–but I had the story and it wanted to be told. I’ve always loved vampires and paranormal fiction, so I wrote it regardless. I wrote it for fun. If you write for the “market”, and not for love, chances are you’ll miss the train. It can take up to 2 years for a book to be published after it’s written and accepted (another couple of years right there) so that market trend? Long gone.

You might still miss the trend, but if you’re writing for love, it won’t matter quite as much.

There are several very helpful books out there for writing:

The Writers Digest books,

“Writers Book of Days” by Judy Reeves,
“The Right to Write” by Julia Cameron,
“Poemcrazy” by S. Woolridge.

Some of the Idiot’s writing guides have good tips as well! And author biographies are fun too. I especially love the Brontes, Jane Austen and the Romantic Poets.

And one of my all-time favourites is “Letters to a Young Poet” By Ranier Maria Rilke

Will you come to my town/school?

I can only go where I am invited and where my awesome publishers can send me… but let them know where you are, it never hurts to ask!

 

HAUNTING VIOLET

Will there be a Haunting Violet sequel?

Haunting Violet is currently a standalone novel. That said, I wrote a sequel for my own enjoyment, so the possibility is there. It depends on publishers and reader demand, I suppose. So if you want it, let Bloomsbury/ Walker &Co know! and make sure to let your local bookshops know you want to read more.

 

NOTE:

I try to answer most comments and emails…to keep doing so, I may not answer your question if it’s already been answered in the FAQs. But I do read them all and appreciate each and every one! And I used to be able to at least say thank you in the replies but WordPress doesn’t always let me do that anymore … but know that I am grateful for all of your kind comments.And I won’t give spoilers or answer questions about might or might happen to characters….

Comments

  1. Jenna says:
    January 6, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    can i ask what the title of the fifth book is and the date it is due to be published in the uk
    and well as the release dat of the fourth book in the uk, cause i don’t think its out here yet. i always write upcoming books on my calender. BOLD.

    also, which other authors books do you enjoy christine feehans books, as well as those by sherillyn kenyon and kresley cole – her immortals after sark series are great. but nothing beats the classics pride and prejudice – love Mr Darcy – emma, wuthering heights. i love fairy tales. i love how when first written they were actually very dark and grusome, but then again back then people watched public executions like beheading for fun – no TV.

    Reply
  2. Jenna says:
    January 4, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    are there gonna be any books with kierans point of view in? book 5 – the drake family reunion sorta – which brother will get a girl in that book, or is it just a recap of all the current and previous characters?
    will all of the drake brothers find their mates so to speak? and i know this might sound lame but are there any other mythical type creatures in the books upcoming or otherwise. ie werewolves, witches, demons etc? just curious, i can’t help it i read a book and i break down and analyse it, problem english lit habit. LOVE THE BOOKS BY THE WAY!! I ADORE GOTHIC ROMANCE!! =)

    Reply
    • Alyxandra Harvey says:
      January 5, 2011 at 3:31 pm

      thanks! i won’t give spoilers but I will say that most if not all brothers will get a love interest. There are no other mythological creatures…yet….I haven’t written past Book 5 so that might change, you never know! There’s definitely more magic. :)

      Reply
    • Maureen - Louise says:
      January 31, 2012 at 2:57 am

      Same here Jenna. I did english lit as well. Everytime I read a book, I find myself question every possible direction, cant help myself either. Though thats how you know it’s a good book. It keeps you guessing.

      Alyxandra i cant wait for the 5th book & hope there be many many more to come so you can keep us guessing

      Reply
  3. Jenna says:
    January 4, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    will any of the drakes and their mates have children ever?

    Reply
  4. taylor says:
    January 4, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    umm… i really like your books, and i was wondering will all the drake brothers have a romance/book about them as well?

    Reply
  5. Jenna says:
    January 3, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    also, if the characters are paired for good without breakups, how are solange and kieran gonna be together forever? will he be turned. because he’s human not immortal? just curious.

    Reply
    • Ashton says:
      July 7, 2011 at 7:37 pm

      I was wondering that as well with Hunter and Quinn. I love this couple especially hunter and don’t want them to go anywhere, but Vampire hunter to Vampire is kind of a darastic change.

      Reply
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