I am so SO INCREDIBLY EXTRAORDINARILY EXCITED for this interview, squidlings! I’m absolutely thrilled to have a Q&A with Derek Landy, who is just — incredible. His Skulduggery Pleasant books are phenomenal (and hilarious) and his newest book, Demon Road, is the BEST thing of ever. If you haven’t seen my 5-star flailing review, I don’t even know what you’re doing with your life. Go read it. Then go read the book.
Actually, you should totally read this post AS WELL, because a) awesome interview coming up, and b) giveaway and c) you don’t ever want to miss a post from me because I, too, am fabulous.
Derek Landy is far too modest to talk about any awards or accolades his books may have won. He will not, for instance, mention the fact that his first book, Skulduggery Pleasant, won the Red House Children’s Book Award, or that his second, Playing With Fire, won an Irish Book Award for Children’s Book of the Year, or that his third, The Faceless Ones, is his mother’s personal favourite.
He lives in Ireland with a variety of cats, a German Shepherd, and two geriatric Staffordshire Bull Terriers who keep peeing on his kitchen floor because they think it’s funny.
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How long did it take Demon Road to change from inkling of first idea to published novel? And did it go through any ginormous changes?
DEREK: I first got the idea a few years ago, that of a girl being hunted by her own parents. Since then it’s gone through some pretty massive changes. Going the horror route, turning the parents into demons, taking it all on the road instead of focused in one small town — these were all elements that altered the whole feel of the book before I’d even started writing it…
Since Demon Road features Amber on a monster-filled, parents-want-to-kill-her, horror, road trip — can you tell us how long you think you’d survive if you went along for the ride?
DEREK: As a horror fan, I’ve thought about this kind of thing a LOT. I mean, who hasn’t estimated how long they’d survive a zombie apocalypse? Because Demon Road is a love letter to horror, and because it’s about horror, I reckon I’d survive for a fairly long time before being killed off in a suitably heroic fashion. Or possibly when I’m on the toilet. Y’know, whatever.
I definitely estimate my zombie apocalypse survival all the time. I think I’d die in Demon Road though. Probably on page 2. RIP me. Which was your favourite creeptastic town and monster to write about?
DEREK: I loved writing Dacre Shanks, my serial killer, as it allowed me to tap into the inherent creepiness found in all good doll houses.
I can never look at dollhouses the same way. NOBODY GO NEAR A DOLLHOUSE EVER. Ahem. Your witty banter is absolutely hysterically good (obviously your characters are heavily influenced by your own fabulousness) but whose banter did you enjoy writing the most?
DEREK: Glen was the most fun. Originally he wasn’t going to be in the book at all, but I quickly realized that my two main characters were pretty private, taciturn people, and they needed someone chatty to bring them out of their shells. Glen provided me the opportunity to do this, and to indulge in my favourite pastime — writing long passages consisting almost entirely of punchlines…!
Thank goodness Glen exists. HE IS THE BEST. What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
DEREK: Write what you know. At the time I thought it was terrible advice, and so very limiting. But I’ve since decided that it doesn’t mean you can only write about people just like you. You can write about anyone, anywhere, doing anything, and as long as you pepper the story with genuine slices of honesty then you’ll connect with the reader.
Oh wow, I never thought of that advice like that. I LOVE IT. And lastly! Has any chocolate been harmed in the making of your books?
DEREK: No chocolate was harmed. Wine Gums, however, were ruthlessly devoured.
Thanks so much for the Q&A, Derek! It’s been a blast and I’m so so gargantuanly excited that I got to interview you!
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO HARPER COLLINS AUS FOR COORDINATING THIS INTERVIEW!
The mind-blowing new supernatural thriller from bestselling author DEREK LANDY, creator of international sensation Skulduggery Pleasant.
Full of Landy’s trademark wit, action and razor-sharp dialogue, DEMON ROAD kicks off with a shocking opener and never lets up the pace in an epic road-trip across the supernatural landscape of America. Killer cars, vampires, undead serial killers: they’re all here. And the demons? Well, that’s where Amber comes in… Sixteen years old, smart and spirited, she’s just a normal American teenager until the lies are torn away and the demons reveal themselves.
Forced to go on the run, she hurtles from one threat to another, revealing a tapestry of terror woven into the very fabric of her life. Her only chance rests with her fellow travellers, who are not at all what they appear to be…
Goodreads Purchase Publisher My 5-Star Review!
- AUSTRALIAN ONLY
- Signed ARC of DEMON ROAD
- Will be sent directly from Harper Collins!
- WOOT!
YAYYYY! THANKYOU FOR THIS GIVEAWAY! Alas, I have never read the skulduggery books (please forgive me, it’s just a long series but I would love to eventually!)
I have however been on a roadtrip, thankfully my parents didn’t eat me but it was a roadtrip to the place we went for Leavers (after year 12) over here in WA and it was HELL like every other car trip because I get car sick. You could say it was worse for everybody else though!
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HAHA I FORGIVE YOU. I still have the last ones to go myself, because…I love them so much and I don’t actually want the series to end. XD *ahem* But I’m finishing them off this year for sure. FOR SURE. Good luck in the giveaway!!
I have trouble with car trips too because I get carsick so easily. NO reading or watching movies for me….ever. BUT AUDIO BOOKS SAVE LIVES.
I have to say, this is one of the best author interviews I’ve ever read, hands down. Case in point: “Or possibly when I’m on the toilet.” <– I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE. Dollhouses are innately creepy, I don't know why. *shivers* The interpretation of 'write what you know' is FAB, and what, you didn't eat ANY chocolate when writing this? I EAT ALL THE CHOCOLATE JUST TO WRITE ONE SENTENCE.
Fabulous interview — desperately wishing I lived in Australia here!
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ZOMG, REALLY!?!?! *flaps around in delight* MY DAY HAS BEEN MADE. And I told you Derek Landy was fabulous. I TOLD YOU. And I particularly like the “write what you know” one too, because I’ve never viewed that advice that way and it’s totally changed the way I think about it. *nods*
Awesome interview Cait! Ignore my entries as I didn’t realise it was Aus only – I was entering from email and didn’t see.
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OOPS. SORRY ABOUT THAT, CHANTELLE. XD I have an INT giveaway coming soon though! So that should be fun. xD
Now this was insanely fabulous, just as you are! I am not going to enter the giveaway because horror novels give me the creeps (heh..) but I enjoyed this interview and this post very much! I give my luck to all those who entered the giveaway!
Josie @ Josie’s Book Corner
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Awww, thank you!! 😀 I’M SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT!!
It depends on the road trip. My husband and I got together on a road trip, so that one was pretty good, but small children can be like demons from hell on a long car trip.
The best was probably when I was a small child and we were going from Sydney to Melbourne with my mum and grandmother. For some reason we had a budgie in the car. It got loose at Tilba, and so it was called Tilba Tilba from then on. It could say its name too. I think it eventually got eaten by the neighbours’ cat. I still don’t know why we had a budgie in the car.
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Omg, YES. That is completely right. Small children + car trips = Demon Road The Child Version. *nods* I have a niece who hates car trips and literally can scream for hours. And hours. And…we only went on one car trip with her and never again, ever. *ahem*
Aww, sad end for you budgie though!! My favourite cartrip was coming back from Sydney because I GOT A PUPPY AND GOT TO CUDDLE HIM FOR LIKE 9 HOURS AND IT WAS GOOD. Also he didn’t pee on me so that was a pleasant bonus.
I have never read any of his books, but now I feel I must!
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Yesssss, you muuuuust. *falls on the floor begging* PLEASE, TINA.
I’VE DECIDED THAT I WANT YOU AND DEREK LANDY TO CO-WRITE A BOOK BECAUSE IT WOULD BE THE MOST FABULOUS THING EVER. PLEASE. OMG.
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I DECIDED THAT THIS IS THE BEST THING I’VE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
I don’t know how I feel about horror. But I like humour, and I’ve liked the Skullduggery that I’ve read so far. So I’ll try this if it happens upon my way. Roadtrip books are an interesting format. Overall, I quite like how they work. I have been on roadtrips with my parents but they were very lovely and only joked about eating me once (and with my tendency for carsickness they had to be quite saintlike. I won’t divulge anything more, but vomit is gross) I really want to read Demon Road. Thanks for the awesome interview!
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It’s scarier than the early SP books, but probably on par with the later ones? (I haven’t read the last three SP books though BECAUSE I’M SCARED AND ALSO DON’T WANT THE SERIES TO END. *wails*) Omg, I hear ya with the carsickness though. My family is all plagued with it. I can’t read in the car or even watch movies so cartrips are INSANELY BORING for me.
Was this book made for you? I think it was! Your world domination is showing, Cait….
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I THINK IT ABSOLUTELY WAS. I’m pretty sure it was written specifically for me and, ya know, Derek Landy just forgot to mention that fact to the world. *nods*
My roadtrips are somewhat less exciting. They involve movies that I downloaded onto an Ipad and whatever candy I could smuggle and hide in the car and eat without anyone noticing so I didn’t have to share. Normally gummi bears or something along those lines.
As for apocolypse survival? Nope, wouldn’t survive. I’d be like the person that runs away from ONE tiny zombie, and ends up in a huge group of like twenty.
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Omg eating without anyone noticing, especially if one is around family, is an ART FORM. So go you. It should be like a class one can take so they can learn to do it effortlessly. I’ve secretly eating much chocolate on cartrips.
OOH! Such a good interview, Cait! This was awesome to read.
I have not read anything by Derek Landy, and I confess that I probably never will. Demons make me uncomfortable, so…..
But I so ever did enjoy reading this interview (such good questions and answers! I laughed.) and if I was okay with demons, I probably would read Skulduggery Pleasant.
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OH SADNESS. But then. It’s zlich fun to read books that make you uncomfortable so I don’t blame you. XD Skulduggery Pleasant isn’t really about demons though…but it is about necromancers, so I don’t know how you feel about those?
OH AND THANK YOU THOUGH. XD I took foreeever trying to think up good questions, so I’m glad I was successful. xD
Ooooooooooooooh! I might have to look at Skulduggery Pleasant, then! 🙂
The interview was FABULOUS.
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*Not that I’m absolutely 100% okay with necromancers, but it depends on several factors so… might as well figure out how to get to the library. I keep getting book recs for books I’m either a tad wary of or can’t afford! XD
Katie Nichols recently posted…TODAY IS HIS 111TH BIRTHDAY!!!
roadtrips and derek hunour? INSTA REAAAD! your so lucky to get to interview so many awesome authors lately! 🙂
YES YOU MUST REEEEEAD IT!!! 😀 *flails* And I am immensely lucky to have been able to interview him. *dies of happiness*
Ahh! This just is even more proof that I need to read this ASAP. I’m not usually a fan of the whole demon subplot, but this sounds absolutely incredible and so, so unique and creepy. Thank you for sharing this wonderful interview with us Cait (your interviews are always amazing), and thanks for answering Derek!
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The demon part is actually quite big but SO MUCH BANTER, ZOE. And the romance takes a backseat (har har) so you’ll probably like that about it too. 😉
So I’ve never read any of Landy’s books. . . #awkward.
But I think I need to. It sounds like I’m missing out here! Also, it sounds like there’s a lot of witty dialogue/banter. And I will LOVE anybody who can pull off awesome banter.
Also, I’m thinking Ireland is a great place to live and I might have to do that one day when opportunity arrives. 😉
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#fixthisnowAshley
But really, they’re SO GOOD. And romance always takes a backseat (har har) so I think you might like that about them too?! ALSO SO MUCH BANTER. I want to go to Ireland and then never ever talk because I just want to listen to Irish accents 1000% of the time.
You know, I’ve never thought about the old “write what you know” adage in quite that way! Great advice!
Martha recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Top ten books on my fall TBR list
Neither have I. BUT I LIKE THAT VIEW ON IT.
I have never read any Derek Landy but I WILL SOON. You and one of my lovely bookish irl friends are always extolling the wonders of Skulduggery Pleasant, so it’s definitely up there on my TBR. And Demon Road with its hellish roadtrips! Who wouldn’t love that?
I have been on a few road trips, most recently one last May with friends to a national park in Illinois called Starved Rock (do I get bonus hell-trip points for the dramatic name?). We went on a huge group hike, but I and a few friends broke off the main battalions and decided to climb off the path up a bunch of dirt mountains and caverns. It was possibly illegal, but I am not much of a rebel often, and so I decided to live life on the edge for once (kinda literally?). Then we got home two hours late after a long ride of singing uproariously along to the radio. The most dangerous thing we did that day was probably the drive home because my friend who was driving was laughing so hard it’s amazing we didn’t crash.
Not very hellish. But quite wonderful. 🙂
My parents did not try to eat me. If they had wanted to, they couldn’t, because they didn’t come with (lucky for me, I suppose?).
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Oh good. Me and your IRL friend have good taste and are monstrously fabulous and why aren’t you even listening to us right now? GO FIX THIS DEREK LANDY DEFICIENCY IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, SOPHIA.
You do get extra points because that’s wonderful. In Australia we have a town called Murder Point and there’s a huge tourist place called The Devil’s Marbles. So. I win. But I’LL STILL GIVE IT TO YA.
I’ll just be over here, weeping over my inability to enter this giveaway. I of course just added it to my TBR. I don’t really know how I missed adding it with your review. But I obviously need it in my life, mostly because Derek sounds fun, and also, road trips.
Yes, I have gone on a road trip. Once, I drove from Pennsylvania to Las Vegas (literally from one coast of the US to the other, if you didn’t feel like checking a map) because I felt like it, and there was this comedian that was going to be there that I liked. Ironically, after a really hellish ten days in a very small car, I found out that the comedian would be performing literally ten minutes down the road from me. Oops? Hey, it was an adventure! My parents did not chase me and try to consume me. Demons may have.
Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight recently posted…FALLing Into My TBR
Also? Super bummed to have Googled “wine gums” to find out they have nothing to do with actual wine. Thanks, Derek. (Eh, at least he brought chocolate, right?)
Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight recently posted…FALLing Into My TBR
*whispers* I had to google wine gums as well, but this doesn’t surprise me AT ALL because I’m like a lolly deficient disappointment to society. Ahem. BUT ANYWAY. *pats shoulder* THERE THERE. I’ll be doing an INT giveaway soon. I PROMISE. Soooon. I just need to get organised. And I like to pretend I’m organised, but I so totally am not.
I’ve done a roadtrip nearly from one side of Australia to the other. Which is kind of a long way. o_O I WONDER WHICH IS LONGER THO. I’m thinking America is wider than Australia? I feel like an idiot not knowing this fact. Brb I need google.
I am so very very jealous that this took place. DEREK IS MY IDOL. Okay, one of them, and his writing is just like eating loads of chocolate and being on a sugar rush. AND HE’S BRITISH. Okay, Irish, but still, it’s perfect. Thank you for brining Derek to more peoples attention Cait, YOU’RE FABULOUS.
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HIS BASICALLY INCREDIBLE AND I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE I GOT TO INTERVIEW HIM. *runs around screaming madly* It is perfect. Irishness is perfect, tbh.
*cries because I don’t live in Australia* *moves to Australia* *enters giveaway*
This is a great interview, and now I really want to read this book (and the Skullduggery Pleasant series as well). *adds to giant list of books*
And yes, I’ve been on multiple road trips. For the most part, my parents don’t try to eat me because I bring along lots of snacks. But you know, stuff happens.
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*pats shoulder* There there, I’m going to do an INT giveaway soon to celebrate 1.5K followers. SOON. I just have to, erm, get organised.
You’re very wise to bring heaps of snacks though. Child eating prevention! GO YOU!!
Ohhh my god. This interview is great! I’ve heard of the book before but didn’t pay it much attention … now I desperately want to read it! SO BADLY. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this! 😀
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Omg you desperately need it. TRUST ME. Especially if you like hilarious books and terrifying creepiness.
AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU INTERVIEWED HIM!!!!! HE IS IN MY TOP FOUR FAVOURITE MEN ON THE PLANET!!!! Seriously though MY GOODNESS!
What a great interview. I am already so excited about Demon Road that I get a physical twist of excitement every time I see it shining on my shelf, but now I am even MORE stoked! Long passages made almost entirely of punchlines?? SIGN ME THE HECK UP!
Also his bio. I love his bio. I want to meet his mum.
I bet she’s a great lady.
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ZOMG I CAN’T BELIEVE EITHER. I’M HAVING A MASSIVE FANGIRL MOMENT. I NEARLY DIED WHEN I GOT ASKED IF I WANTED TO DO THIS INTERVIEW. NEARLY DIED I TELL YOU. AFJDKLSAFDJ K AFJDKL EXCUSE ME BUT JFKADSL. AHEM. So yes. Demon Road = you need it.
I SOOO need to read a Derek Landy book! GAH. WHY HAVE I NOT DONE THIS YET. I think part of me is wondering what, exactly to read first: this one or the SP books? DECISIONS, DECISIONS. Never actually been on a road trip, but I’m a rather impatient person, so I don’t think it would suit me AT ALL. 😉
Kara @ Diary of a Teen Writer recently posted…Top Ten Books I’ll Be Reading This Spring
Oh oh read this one first. I love his SP books, but Demon Road was the best thing of ever.
AHHHHHHHH, YAY 😀 Super cool stuff.
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Squeee. XD THIS IS LIKE THE BEST INTERVIEW OF MY LIFE.
“Or possibly when I’m on the toilet. Y’know, whatever.” THIS IS ALSO A HUUUUGE FEAR OF MINE. I mean, who wants to be hunted down or killed when they’re in a situation where they’re, er, incapable of doing anything about it… ANYWAY.
How can Derek NOT eat chocolate while writing? HOW?? Chocolate’s basically the best thing ever made, and I eat it all the time, even when I’m just staring off into thin space. .-.
As for your questions, no, I’ve never read any of his books before *hides* but I PLAN TO OKAY? I love road tip books, and if 4-8 hour drives to the provinces count as road trips, then I’ve definitely been to them! And they suck. Cars make me want to puke.
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YES. IT IS TOTALLY NOT AN OKAY THING. Basically don’t drink water, like ever, and never ever pee if you’re in a horror book. Why does evil always lurk in the toilet/shower anyway?!? C’MON EVIL. CUT US A BREAK.
Chocolate is life. We’ll forgive him this failing, tho, because, general awesomeness. AND I’M GLAD YOU PLAN TO READ A BOOK OF HIS SOMEDAY. I APPROVE OF THIS LIFE DECISION.
Totally jealous you got to talk to Derek Landy, I’m a massive fan of Skulduggery Pleasant, great interview 🙂
Ahh, yay!! I’m so glad you liked the interview! 😀
I’ve been seeing this book everywhere these days. I still haven’t decided if I want to read this book or not. 🙂
Big fan of road trippin’ and demons lately. Already on my reading list and love the interview :))
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EEK. I want to win.
What an awesome interview!
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I love road trips! They can get scary all on their own though. The suspense is part of the fun 😉
Awesome interview and awesome giveaway. I would definitely LOVE to win. hehe
Erica recently posted…Importance of Online Friendships
As usual, you get double comments from me because my computer LIES to me haha
Erica recently posted…Importance of Online Friendships
YES YES YES I love this interview! Your questions were fabulous, Cait and his answers were too. GAH, I love Derek Landy SO MUCH.
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Awesome interview, Cait! You did such a good job, and it was really fun, too. Your questions were rather on point, I have to say.
I haven’t read ANY Derek Landy, although I am well aware this is probably a faux pas in even the vicinity of your blog. But I do plan to, at some point! A few more 5+ star reviews and I’m sure I’ll get a grip and make it a priority.
As for roadtrips? I dislike them a lot. I get carsick and it. is. not. pretty. Not for anyone. I mean, yum! Car snacks! Cake and biscuits and happiness in sugar form. And then you have to consider whether you’re gonna regurgitate it twenty minutes later, or spend the hours after being in the car with a terribly eye ache? Not fun. If cars were involved, I doubt I’d last long in an apocolypse.
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I’ve never actually been on a roadtrip before so I’m not quite sure if it’s glorious or hellish! I would love to go on a roadtrip with my best friends in the near future and in my mind it would be glorious! Spending time with friends, jamming to good music and screaming lyrics at the top of our lungs (probably incorrect ones sometimes) just sounds incredible! Now that I’m thinking about it whilst typing this comment, I really hope I go on this roadtrip soon!
I haven’t read this author, but I know you love his other series! I don’t like scary, but this looks like kinda awesome and you rated it 5 stars…so must be real good! Great post and thanks for the giveaway 🙂
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