Ask the Author: Peternelle van Arsdale
Answered Questions (8)
Peternelle van Arsdale
So far, yes, but we'll see what I do in the future. I do love darkness and creepiness and intense plots and tortured protagonists. :) I don't know how many books I'll write after this--I'll keep writing as long as I have ideas! I'm working on my third now, and I have clear ideas for my fourth and fifth novels. As for my name, it's an old family name--it's Dutch and it goes back generations and I'm the first in my family to have it for a very long time. It's fun to have an unusual name, even if it means that I have to spell it for people and awful lot. Thank you so much for reading and for asking such great questions!
Peternelle van Arsdale
So far I would say both of my novels have had scary elements, yes, but we'll see what I do in the future. The novel I'm working on right now is definitely intense. I guess that's what I'm drawn to. I get inspiration from everything, and it's not always direct. I've been inspired by books as well as films and art. I started out as a book editor, and I still do that, while also writing my own books. I love what I do, and it means the world to me that you've enjoyed reading THE BEAST IS AN ANIMAL!
Peternelle van Arsdale
Hi there, I'm so happy to hear that your class is reading THE BEAST IS AN ANIMAL! I hope you're all enjoying it. My inspiration largely comes from classic fairy tales, especially the ones in which there are a lot of gray areas between "good" and "bad." I was also a bit inspired by the vampire stories that I loved as a child and teen. One of my favorite books as a child was Bram Stoker's DRACULA. I've written another novel that is also dark fairy tale: THE COLD IS IN HER BONES. I decided to write the kind of novels that I would have loved. I am a book editor and hadn't thought to write books of my own, but I was very much inspired after reading Philip Pullman's trilogy, HIS DARK MATERIALS, which I absolutely love.
Peternelle van Arsdale
Hi there, thank you for reading and for asking this question, I appreciate your interest! I'm currently at work on my third novel...stay tuned!
Peternelle van Arsdale
Hi Debbie, so glad you enjoyed the audio book! Candace Thaxton did a wonderful job reading it. My second novel, THE COLD IS IN HER BONES, is finished and will be published January 22, 2019. You can preorder it now wherever books are sold. Many thanks for your interest!
Peternelle van Arsdale
Hi Allison, I'm glad you're loving THE BEAST IS AN ANIMAL! Thank you so much for reading it and for sharing your thoughts with others. There are so many books to read, and I'm always deeply touched to know that someone is taking the time to read mine. I have no immediate plans to visit Seattle or Portland, but I very much hope to one day. I've been to great bookstores in both cities. If you subscribe to my email newsletter, you'll get monthly updates from me and you'll know first if I travel there. http://www.peternellevanarsdale.com/n...
Peternelle van Arsdale
Hi Christina, thanks for asking. THE BEAST IS AN ANIMAL is intended to be a standalone, and I'm now at work on my second novel, which is also a dark fairy tale.
Peternelle van Arsdale
Hi Micah, thanks for getting in touch, and I'm grateful you'd like to read THE BEAST IS AN ANIMAL. ARC requests should be emailed to childrenspublicity@simonandschuster.com. I'd love to know about your blog-- could you send me a link?
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