Tell us how this second book came to be. Always a planned series? Finished the first and wanted to write a second? Are you kidding? I never intended to write another book! Everyone kept asking though - when’s the sequel and will it contain women? I never planned it but I wanted to make my fans happy.
What one thing did you learn by writing a sequel? That I could do it! That I really could continue Byron’s story.
Name one thing that was harder the second time around. Coming up with something fresh. My original outline for CassaFire in no way resembles the finished book as I kept making changes.
And, one thing that was easier. I already knew the main character really well, so everything surrounding Byron was easy to write.
What else are you working on? Secrets? Inside scoops? Give us the juicy stuff! Juicy? Can I offer you a soft orange? I’m working on the third book, tentatively titled CassaStorm.
About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer? Ironically, no. I wrote a little when I was younger but I never had any aspirations to be a writer or author.What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication? Crap, I’m supposed to tell you something brilliant, aren’t I? Um, I just decided what the heck! What’s the worst that could happen?
Quick! You’ve been chosen to be a contestant on Survivor. What luxury item do you take? Luxury item? My iPad. (The essential item would be a Bible, which fortunately is on my iPad!)
Tell us something about yourself we don’t know. My wife would say I’m a compulsive hands washer, but I’m not that bad.
And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate? Bacon AND chocolate? Yes, please!
Visit Alex’s site and leave a comment during his book tour for a chance to win CassaFire, CassaStar, and a CassaFire tote bag and mug!
Buy CASSAFIRE:
Watch the trailer:
CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:
“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal
Whew! If you're not excited to read CASSAFIRE now, I don't know what else we need to do. I do want to echo that last statement by the Library Journal. My 13-year-old son enjoyed CassaFire and CassaStar, so it's definitely for readers of all ages!
What sci fi have you read that you like?
Thank you, Elana! And really pleased your son enjoyed the books. You rock!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big sci/fi fan, but this one sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI've read the first book CassaStar, Alice. It is light on the science fiction so I think you'd enjoy it. Have a great day, Alex and Elana!
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview. That's so cool you wrote your book Alex because your fans and friends encouraged you to. And of course Elana, you have to ask that question about bacon. Ha!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book Alex. I'm learning a lot watching your blog marketing strategy. Can't wait to read your book.
Great interview. I'm a big fan of bacon AND chocolate, I'd hate to make one of them upset by choosing the other. Good call on asking for them both.
ReplyDeleteThis promotional tour has been great. A great post again. I'm a new follower and will be back
ReplyDeleteI love that the second one was written due to popular demand, and now there's going to be a third :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I love Science Fiction and all of it's many subsets. Congrats to Alex - this actually sounds like something my son would love as much as me!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Alex. Bacon AND chocolate? Like bacon wrapped around a chocolate kiss? Um...I don't think so. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Elana, Hi Alex! It's great to know you wash your hands! :-)
ReplyDeleteTake care
x
Fun interview. I couldn't answer that last question though as I don't eat either food.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, thank you. made enjoyable reading.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Washing our hands is always a great way to get through the winter flu-free. :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading my copy of CassaFire.
Nice interview Alex.
ReplyDeleteAlice, it's very low tech.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I gave the fans what they wanted in the second one.
Rusty, thank you.
Lindsay, I hope you enjoy it then!
Em, don't knock until you've tried it.
Kitty, I'm all about the clean.
Elizabeth, hope you enjoy it!
I think I saw a recipe for chocolate-dipped bacon on the Food Network. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteSee, this is one of the reasons we like Alex - bacon AND chocolate. Need I say more? Wishing Alex the best!
ReplyDeleteThe two coolest, and most fundamental pillars of the blogosphere just came together in a single post? I think you guys just broke the internet.
ReplyDeletei know what you mean about proving that you can do it. With each book, I face the same challenge!
ReplyDeleteMorgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Good things come in threes! Good luck with the series. They get easier to write each time.
ReplyDeleteWhat sci-fi have I liked? Hmmm .... CassaStar. Bacon and chocolate, Alex? Bacon and donuts would be better. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes, very lively and interesting interview. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteMy final version never looks like the original outline, either!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Alex!!
Ooh a third book. You don't like sleep huh? :P
ReplyDeleteUniversal Gibberish
I love the fact that Byron is now so much more mature in this book. I love it when characters grow and Alex knows how to do that.
ReplyDeleteMatthew, I'll try to fix it!
ReplyDeleteStephen, I'm holding you to that.
Helen, I've heard that's really good!
Michael, thanks, and he definitely needed some growth.
Thank, everyone!
Man, I have been meaning to read these forever! I'm going to have to bump them up on the TBR pile. Thanks, Elana! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love all sci-fi. Books and movies. Let's just say that I was glued to the tube when Star Trek (both generations) was on TV.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Alex. Thanks, Elana. I always feel at home on both your blogs.
Teresa
ummmm... chocolate covered bacon...
ReplyDeleteWriting sequels on demand? That's an author who wants to please his fans!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous blog, Elana! Alex, you're doing such a super job on this tour. Hope you sell tons of books!
ReplyDeleteShannon, thank you!
ReplyDeleteTeresa, you are one cool chick then.
Theresa, I'm trying!
Thanks, Dani.
Your latest is on my TBR list, Alex!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I like bacon and chocolate, but together, um, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteWow, Alex, that was a great compliment that Elana's son enjoyed both your books. Elana, great incisive interview. Love that you made the Twitter synopsis the start of it. Ah, Miss Piggy insists I choose chocolate. (It wasn't that hard a choice, actually! LOL.) Roland
ReplyDeleteHi Elana, Hi Alex.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. One time on Food Network under My Favorite Food show, Duff Goldman highlighted a desert that was both chocolate and bacon. Can't wait to read both your books Alex. Can't find a bunch of stuff since we moved last summer. I'll bug my daughter for her kindle.
Nancy
Bob, I appreciate that!
ReplyDeleteChristine, you must try it. Sweet and salty.
Roland, I'm really happy he enjoyed them.
Thank you, Nancy.
This was a great post, i already have both CassaStar and CassaFire on my TBR, but this just made me decide I must move them up on the list.
ReplyDeleteOh and Alex, my 3 year old is a compulsive hand washer-nothing wrong with it. She even washes her hands in the middle of eating-they can NEVER be dirty :)
OMG, you just reminded me. That bacon chocolate bar I gave Tim for Christmas as a joke is still uneaten...
ReplyDeleteAlex's first book was wonderful and I'm looking forward to at last being able to read his second! Yay!
ReplyDeleteOh, an ipad may not be a good thing to take to an island unless you can recharge the batteries on a coconut ;)
Great interview.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful blog! :)
I bet it's easier if you write the series in order, too. :)
ReplyDeleteKela, thank you!! And that's good to know. Can't have dirty hands.
ReplyDeleteLeslea, you'll have to try it.
Lynda, thanks - and good point. Guess I'll need a generator.
At the fair last year I tried bacon covered chocolate. It wasn't that bad. Great interview.
ReplyDeleteOh- some great snippets there Elana - thankyou!
ReplyDeleteLaura x
Alice, Alex and I belong to a school of space fantasy (space opera) highly influenced by Battlestar Galactica (1978), Star Wars, etc. It's old school, retro, and more about plot, characters and fun than science. It appeals to far beyond the usual SF crowd. I'm sure you'd enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI know Alex's books will be my trigger into the Sci-Fi world. I watch a lot of SF movies, but haven't read a lot of books. Looking forward to his.
ReplyDeleteI like the continuity between titles; CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm. It's nice when books in a series match up.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! :)
I love sci-fi! CassaFire is waiting (a little impatiently) for me on my Kindle :)
ReplyDeleteBacon AND Chocolate! Bacon AND Chocolate!
ReplyDeleteTo wash hands is not that bad... as long as you do not damage the skin.
Every time when I pass the mailbox it need to open it even I know there is nothing inside.
Thanks for a great interview. I learned something new about Alex.
You have more followers than a lot of small villages in my sourrounding!!
Rad interview, I luv Alex's site. Your blog is cool too:)
ReplyDeleteLeigh, thank you! Cope we can convert you.
ReplyDeleteJemi, thanks!
Edi, checking the mailbox isn't too compulsive.
Great interview. I enjoy learning something new about Alex everyday:)
ReplyDeleteAnd, planning to read both books very, very soon!
Great interview Elana and Alex! Glad you'd still continue blogging with all of us if you were on Survivor! I also can't wait to read CassaFire! Julie
ReplyDeleteMarta, thank you!
ReplyDeleteJulie, you know I'd be connected to the Internet.
Chocolate and Bacon??? Dark chocolate, I hope to offset the heart attack brought on by the bacon.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the great review.
Yes, chocolate and bacon need not be mutually exclusive. There's a phenomenally rich bacon flavored dark chocolate bar. I forget what company makes it - starts with a V. Anyway, excuse my digression; your interview's inspiring. Thank you, Alex and Elana.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Great interview you two! It was fun and playful~ Survivor, huh...is that a clue for the next book?! ;D
ReplyDeleteYeah! Thanks Alana for hosting the main man himself, the Ninja Captain! I've got CassaFire all ready to go on my Kindle...but I probably won't allow myself to read it until after the April challenge...
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge
Coolness.
ReplyDeleteElana and Alex, good interview!
ReplyDeleteSusan, that's funny!
ReplyDeleteRobyn, you are the chocolate master!
Tina, but it's brief! And I know how much you love brevity...
Thank you Elana and everyone!
I like anything that's short, such as this interview. And I like it that you can do it, for two times already. Maybe you can do sequels, again and again...
ReplyDeleteThe Spinster’s Vow
I love short and straight-to-the-point interviews (something I can never master myself).
ReplyDeleteYep, the iPad (with the Bible) would be my answer too, or, at least, my 11 inch laptop and Kindle - oh, wait... these are two items.
great interview! we all love Alex.
ReplyDeleteBacon AND chocolate! See, another reason for my writerly crush!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. CONGRATS Alex!
ReplyDeleteEnid, I just need one more...
ReplyDeleteAngela, that is wonderful to hear!
Terry, thank you.
Nancy, we need to talk about this crush...
Thank you, Susanne!
Good luxury/essential item to pick :-) And, um, I've never actually tried bacon and chocolate together... though I hear that bacon and peanut butter are supposed to be good together!
ReplyDeleteI am a little grossed out at the thought of a combo of bacon and chocolate. However, you know how many bacon flavored things they have out there? You could get bacon floss, bacon mints, and, yes, bacon chocolate (and coffee)!
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z
Rahel, I essentially have that sometimes for breakfast since I put peanut butter on my pancakes.
ReplyDeleteBacon floss - funny, Shannon! Goes well with garlic floss.
Bacon and chocolate are definitely two very important food groups. I do believe they make the world a better place. LOL
ReplyDeleteSorry I am so late with getting aorund this awesome tour. But better late than never. :)
I need to quit blogging and go read this book. I love Sci Fi and the trailer hooked me big time.
ReplyDelete