Posts in Series for AT IV
Hello everyone! I want to give a very sincere thank you to the wonderful Goddess, Sylvia Day, for allowing me to take over her blog every Tuesday and Thursday from now until November 15th as I introduce and interview our ten American Title IV finalists. And believe me, she IS a Goddess. She’s offered to give away a prize to one lucky reader for every interview I do. To qualify to win, all you have to do is post a comment. A winner will be picked by yours truly by process of random selection (or depending on who’s comment I like best *grin*).
Before I begin, what is the American Title?
In a nutshell, the American Title Contest is the annual contest held by Romantic Times Magazine to discover the next great romance writer. Ten finalists are selected from the sea of entries by editors at Dorchester Publishing. Excerpts of their work are then posted online at www.romantictimes.com for five rounds of voting by readers, with two finalists eliminated at the end of each round. The winner will be announced at the annual RT Convention in April and will receive a publishing contract from Dorchester Publishing for the winning manuscript. This year, the theme for the contest is paranormal.
To kick this off (and because I get first pick for doing the interviews), I’ll start by interviewing myself as the first American Title IV finalist.
MAI: Today we have MAI CHRISTY THAO with us. Mai, what is the title of your book?
MAI: Prince of Darkness
MAI: Give us the blurb of your book.
MAI: A blind princess who sees a man the world has forsaken is determined to fight for him. Yet, this prince cursed to hide in shadows harbors a terrible secret that could be her salvation, or her destruction.
MAI: How long have you been writing?
MAI: 6 years
MAI: Tell us a little about how this book came about.
MAI: Never in my wildest imagination had I thought I’d write this book. PRINCE OF DARKNESS had never been intended. It is the second book in my Zenith fantasy series. The hero, Prince Kym’rin, was the antagonist in the first book under the alias of Lord Mortimir. When I’d written the first book, I made Lord Mortimir out to be this great evil-of-all-evils guy. I had every intention of killing him off. I even gave him these glowing red eyes. But somewhere near the end of the first book when I delved deeper into the secretive Lord Mortimir’s past I began to humanize him. When my heroine in the first book asked Lord Mortimir what he wanted from them and he replied simply, “To live,†I hit my head against the wall. Literally. There was no way I could bring myself to kill him off now, and so Kym’rin’s story was born.
MAI: What makes this book special?
MAI: This book is very dear to my heart. My two characters are tortured souls. I was emotionally drained writing this story. I recall bawling until my eyes were red while writing certain parts of the story because of the intensity of emotions in the scene. It paid off. My critique partners have commented at how the emotions rise from the pages of this particular story to grip them. You know the phrase every author uses to describe their book as their “blood, sweat and tears� Well, there was no blood shed (thankfully), but I sure cried enough to go through my entire box of Kleenex and sweated when the tension in the story escalated.
MAI: What was your expectation when you first entered the contest?
MAI: I was confident I’d final. Okay, so maybe not confident, but very hopeful. And I did lots of praying!
MAI: What was your reaction when you learned you were a finalist?
MAI: I thought they’d made a mistake and emailed the wrong person. I wanted to email back and say, “Are you sure?†but I was afraid to. I waited 2 days without saying a word, expecting to see a second email retracting the first.
MAI: What has been the most rewarding part of this experience so far?
MAI: Knowing without a doubt I have not only the support of all my friends, family, and fellow writers, but the support of my fellow finalists as well.
MAI: What has been the worst part of this experience so far?
MAI: The waiting. The voting process, praying I don’t get voted off. The marketing process. Not wanting to be like, “Vote for me!†but secretly wishing everyone would. Oh, and getting shredded by the judges. Yikes!
MAI: In one word, how would you describe this experience?
MAI: Nerve-wracking.
MAI: What kind of advice do you have for other American Title hopefuls and/or aspiring writers?
MAI: Anything is possible. Write the best book you can, continue to learn and build your writer’s toolbox, and dream big. Oh, and never give up.
MAI: Any last words?
MAI: Umm… Vote for me! =)
Phew! Talk about seeing double! If you got tired of me talking to myself about myself, fear not! Thursday we introduce our second American Title IV finalist.
But don’t wait to vote. Voting has already started. Go to http://www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle.php now to meet the all the finalists and cast your vote! Voting will only stay open for two weeks. This first round of voting will close on October 28th. So go and vote for your favorite finalist! Every vote counts!
And don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a cool prize from Sylvia Day! The winner will be notified by me with further instructions, so please make sure you leave an email address.
See everyone Thursday!
Mai Christy Thao
PRINCE OF DARKNESS
www.maichristythao.com
Aside from Sylvia:
Enjoy the interviews, enter for prizes, then please go to the Romantic Times site to cast your vote for one of these talented authors (direct link here: Vote on the Best First Line!)
You can read all the first lines and find voting instructions through the link above.
Thank you!
Tags: american title, dorchester, paranormal, romantic times
(1,072 views)
Great interview! I love reading how an author gets so involved in the process, truly making the words come together in “their” story. This is going to be a lot of fun - I’m heading over to RT to check it out
by Stacy ~ October 16th, 2007 at 3:30 amlike the intreview. whew i hate that waiting for anything, so imgaine that was way harder getting the results
by tami October 16th, 2007 at 3:50 amGreat interview. This is a great contest for aspiring authors. Going to see if I can vote now.
by Stacy S October 16th, 2007 at 5:19 amHow funny…interviewing yourself! It was a great interview though and I always love hearing how authors get thier inspiration. I’m heading over to vote now. Good luck to you and the other authors.
by brownone October 16th, 2007 at 5:52 amMai,
Great job interviewing yourself! I love stories where the bad boy is redeemed. And thanks again for arranging these interviews.
Holli
by Holli B. October 16th, 2007 at 6:31 amJust wanted to stop by and cheer you on, Mai! Though I’m a lurker at the Hearts Through History chapter, I was thrilled to see that you were a finalist. And even more surprised to learn that you were from South Carolina…like me!
Best of luck in the AI IV contest!! I just adore books that reform the bad guy. 
by Dorothy October 16th, 2007 at 6:31 amNerve-wracking is right, Mai! Having lived through American Title III, I can attest to it. But take every part of this, the reviews, the constant marketing, the ideas churning over the next few months and learn from them - it’ll prepare you for the “real” world of publishing
Best of luck to all of you!
-Judi Fennell
by Judi Fennell October 16th, 2007 at 6:36 amBeauty and The Best, American Title III Finalist
In Over Her Head, Gather.com/Simon & Schuster First Chapters Romance Top 5 Finalist
From your description of how you emotionally labored over this book, I believe it must be a wonderful read and worthy of winning the American Title. You have my vote. Heck, I want to read the book.
by Sarah McNeal October 16th, 2007 at 6:55 amSarah
LOL! I pictured you sitting in one chair asking the questions then moving to a facing chair to answer. It’s an interview and exercise workout!
Trish
by Trish Milburn October 16th, 2007 at 6:56 amI like how you did this interview!
Great idea! Just as I really love how you turned a for sure bad guy into one we had to love! Those are my favorite!
Good luck!
by Nicole Reising October 16th, 2007 at 7:18 amCole
I love this time of year! The weather starts cooling off, the holidays are approaching and we get to vote for AT IV!!
Great interview, Mai! I’m looking forward to getting to know all of the finalists through these upcoming interviews.
Congrats and good luck to all the finalists!!
by Andrea October 16th, 2007 at 7:23 amWell, as a journalist, I think the reporter could have dug a little deeper. She did have an inside edge to the interview after all.
Good luck. I can’t imagine having to wait to see if I made it to the next round.
Michelle
by MichelleGreat interview. Your book sounds great. I love characters who are tortured souls. It always makes me want them to have a HEA. How many books are in your Zenith fantasy series?
by Crystal B. October 16th, 2007 at 8:55 amLoved the interview. It’s the first I read of someone interviewing themself. Your story sounds interesting with the gripping emotions. BTW, your first line was very good. And I’ll remember to ‘dream big’ and ‘never give up’ (some days that’s easier than others
)
Jennifer
by Jennifer October 16th, 2007 at 8:57 amOne day I hope to be in the American Title contest. Good luck, Princess Mai. Pick Princess Mel for the prize.
by Melissa K. October 16th, 2007 at 8:57 amOops I signed off too quickly (see what happens when you are rushing) I wanted to wish you and all of the contestants good luck and like you said, if you don’t make it in this contest, don’t give up! You all are very talented.
Jennifer
by Jennifer October 16th, 2007 at 9:12 amHi Mai, gollee, your appearance reminds me so much of my nephew, newly attending college in Las Vegas. Great interview with yourself — a big amused smile on my lips! Yeah, don’t you just hate it sometimes when a character decides to be the hero, when, at first, you have another hero in mind. One of mine lurked out of the shadows, claimed the heroine before I could stop him. He can shift into a dragon, so it’s okay. And a lot of fun.
by Savanna KougarThanks again, Mai, this is great!
Awesome interview, and the book sounds great. I can’t imagine the waiting and worrying…lol, and the not telling everyone VOTE FOR ME,
Oh, and I love that you are redeeming a vilian. I sometimes wish that authors would do that, when the bad guy is so compelling you start to fall for him…
by Melissa October 16th, 2007 at 10:56 amI’m heading over to RT to read and vote now, and wishing you the best of luck!!
Great interview and congratulations on being a finalist!! I’m sure the wait is frustrating, but getting this far is such an amazing accomplishment. Good for you!
by HelenKay Dimon October 16th, 2007 at 11:15 amI love learning about a new author, and really enjoyed the excerpt on your website for Prince of Darkness.
by cathy M October 16th, 2007 at 11:33 amMai,
great interview. Loved the excerpt of Prince of Darkness.
by Danny October 16th, 2007 at 12:16 pmMai, wow I loved your interview. I don’t know if I could have interviewed myself as well as you did. I most likely would have been tongue tied. Job well done.
by Tricia Ann Woods October 16th, 2007 at 12:55 pmYour book sounds terrific. Best wishes and good luck in the contest.
Tricia Ann Woods
Great interview! You made it so easy interviewing yourself. LOL! Congrats on being on being one of the finalists!
Best wishes and good luck!
Amelia
by Ameliasunflower95_daisy@yahoo.com
great interview. great to see more asian american authors. Good luck to You.
by kim h October 16th, 2007 at 1:48 pmWay to go Mai! You survived another feat in the whirlwind kick-off of American Title IV!
I ditto that comment about the judges.
But none of you would’ve gotten to this point without making it through a gambit of ups and downs (as well as nerve-wracking rollercoaster rides). Hang in there!
I can’t wait until Thursday to meet entrant #2 :0) And Sylvia, I’m sending a big cyber thank you out to you too!!
by SkylarMasey October 16th, 2007 at 2:56 pmMay congrats on making the finals! And you’re a natural at interviewing and being interviewed.
Wishing you great success as an author!
by Sue A. October 16th, 2007 at 5:03 pmGreat interview, Mai. Your book sounds great! Good luck in the contest.
Judy
by Judy October 16th, 2007 at 7:41 pmI love that you turned your villain from book one into the hero! The premise sounds fresh, too! Congratulations on reaching the finals, and good luck!
CC
by Cassandra Curtis October 17th, 2007 at 5:09 amI can’t wait to read and find out more! All of these authors..all of these interviews..all of these learning experiences! It’s exciting!
by Lou Gagliardi October 17th, 2007 at 7:40 amGreat hard-hitting interview!
LOL I loved reading about your process and how you felt about the contest.
by Michelle (MG) October 17th, 2007 at 11:30 amGreat interview, Mai! Good luck with the contest!
I was lucky enough to judge Prince Of Darkness in a contest in 2005 and I just fell in love with the story and the characters (so much so that many contests later, this MS still stands out for me!). I can’t wait to see the rest of the story when it’s finally published!
by Amanda Carrell October 17th, 2007 at 4:57 pmI love the interview idea! Its awesome and ingenious! My favorite author is Mai, so vote for her!
by Madelyn October 17th, 2007 at 7:44 pmI guess the best thing about interviewing yourself is that you don’t have to worry about getting asked awkward questions!
by Angie-laI love the title ‘Prince of Darkness’ and the fact that you turned the evil bad-guy into the tortured hero. Man! I am such a sucker for those stories…(think Phantom of the Opera, here!)
Good luck Mai!
Congrats on making it to the finals and I wish you the best of luck! All of the entries sound great! I wish you all much success in everything you do!
by Jennifer Y. October 19th, 2007 at 1:50 pmLove the interview Mai! Good luck!
by RachaelfromNJ October 19th, 2007 at 3:46 pmyes i am asian, great to see asian writers
by kim h October 19th, 2007 at 4:24 pmno i am just a reader. good luck
by kim h October 22nd, 2007 at 11:24 amGreat interview. Very interesting.
by Larena Wirum October 23rd, 2007 at 8:56 pmVery interesting interview. Sounds like an very good series.
by Cristina October 23rd, 2007 at 9:07 pmIf there’s one thing that I admire more than authors putting themselves out there for public critique as a show of belief in theiir writing, it is the author(s) who pay it forward to the up and comers. I think it is wonderful of you to showcase the talents of the finalists in American Title, to give them exposure and the chance to advance their goals and achieve their dreams for the future. And for Mai, good luck in the contest!
by Margay Roberge October 24th, 2007 at 4:43 amlol great interview and sometimes the best books are those that were have hero that were formally villians. I so likey the bad boys and yeah after he said that you so had to redeem him.
by Pamk October 24th, 2007 at 6:36 amI love the storyline and wish you the best of luck!
by Eva October 24th, 2007 at 8:28 amThanks for the interview. This way I get to hear about new authors that i would like to read.
by JOYE October 24th, 2007 at 8:57 amGreat idea to interview authors. I’m finding some new ones to read. Good luck, Mia.
by SheilaFLol, you ask great questions and give great answers.
by RobynL October 24th, 2007 at 9:22 pmHey Mai! What I really love about your story is the redemption aspect. Taking a villain and making him the hero is a vast undertaking and I think you’ve succeeded most splendidly! Also, by sharing this opportunity to post in Sylvia’s blog with other AT finalists shows you are a generous person who anyone would be proud to call a friend!
by Anitra Lynn McLeod October 24th, 2007 at 9:29 pmGreat interview and congratulations on being a finalist!!
by Tammy G. October 25th, 2007 at 3:19 amGreat interview and congratulations on being a finalist!!
tamjeang1@msn.com
by Tammy G. October 25th, 2007 at 3:24 amGreat interview. I enjoy reading interviews & learning more about the authors
Congratulations on being a finalist.
Hugssss
by ReadingIsSoMuchFun October 25th, 2007 at 9:02 amLindaH
Great interview!! Congratulations on being a finalist! That is so awesome! I’m heading over to check out the site and vote now!
by Ashley A October 25th, 2007 at 12:31 pmthis was a great interview. thanks for posting it
by sonya October 25th, 2007 at 5:05 pmsonya
I enjoy reading how the finalists come up with their story.
by Diane McConnell October 29th, 2007 at 8:01 amBest of luck Mai & thanks for adding me as a friend over on MySpace!
by Rhonda November 13th, 2007 at 6:50 pm