Interview with Christina Bauer, SLIPPERS AND THIEVES

Christina Bauer is launching a new book in her Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series. Called SLIPPERS AND THIEVES, it reimagines the Cinderella story. Christina stopped by to answer some questions for us as part of her tour; take a look below…

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
SLIPPERS AND THIEVES is book 4 in my Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series. These books are urban fantasy retellings of classic fairy tales.

Do you have a favorite character?
No, that’s like picking a favorite child!! I love each of them in a unique way, and I’m not just saying that. I even adore the bad guys. I especially adore the bad guys, in fact. They’re more fun to write.

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?
In SLIPPERS AND THIEVES, there is a side character named Jacoby who wants to date Elle (never call her Cinderella). Jacoby was a toss-off character who became a key part of the book. I’m super happy with how he turned out!

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
Oh, yes. For years. It wasn’t a fit for me, mostly because I’m a bit of a control freak.

How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?
I’ve gotten two offers of representation so far, mostly recently. Neither have been a fit. I’m open to it, though!

What factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher?
I’m looking for someone who shares my passion for kick-ass heroines and has contacts across print, film, and streaming. If it’s meant to happen, it will happen!

Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?
Only self-publishing right now. I release five new novels each year, so I’m setting a tough set of goals!

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
I self-publish because I’m very picky about marketing and planning. Again, I’m too much of a control freak to hand that stuff off to other people.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?
I’m very hands-on in choosing good design and editing talent. I can’t emphasize enough how important this is.

What’s next for you?
My next release is RHODES (Book 5 in the Angelbound Offspring series) and it launches in December! The book tells the story of a rocker dragon shifter. Fun times!

Thanks for having me stop by! I enjoyed answering these questions and hope to return on a future tour!

Blurb:

Years ago, Elle—never call her Cinderella—escaped her evil step family in order to build a new life for herself in Manhattan. Today, Elle’s awful past is a distant memory. In fact, Elle even attends West Lake Prep, an exclusive high school where regular humans mix with members of the Magicorum, such as fairies, shifters and witches. Although she still must live in hiding from her evil stepfamily, Elle has always found ways to get whatever her heart desires.

That is, until Alec Le Charme.

Alec is the heir to the Le Charme dynasty of high-end jewelers. He’s also kind, charismatic, has a knee-melting smile. Elle has fallen for him, hard. Unfortunately, thanks to Elle’s evil step family, Alec is absolutely off limits. In fact, if Elle and Alec so much as kiss, it will start a magical chain reaction that would end in powerful factions of witches and wizards going to war. As a result, Elle and Alec vow to stay friends, no matter what. Then West Lake Prep holds a masquerade ball. Identities get mixed up and forbidden kisses are finally shared.

Time for the Magicorum to go to war, and for Elle to confront her hidden past in ways she never thought possible.

Author bio:

Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates