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Ask the Author: Jennifer Donnelly

“Ask me a question.” Jennifer Donnelly

Answered Questions (141)

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Hey, I love your books. At what age did you start writing with a view to publish your work someday and at what age did you actually publish your first book??
Jennifer Donnelly Hey, thanks! I've been writing forever, and I guess I always hoped to get published one day. But it didn't happen until I was well into my 30s. I tell the whole story on my website FAQs (as well as advice to writers who want to get published) -- you may want to check it out. It's here: https://www.jenniferdonnelly.com/faq/
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Are you going to make a sequel to Lost in a Book?
Jennifer Donnelly No immediate plans, but you might be interested in Beastly Beauty, my recent novel that retells the bigger Beauty and the Beast tale from a whole new perspective!
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I absolutely love your Stepsister & Poisoned novels... they're on my special shelf at home reserved for favorites! Can't wait for Beastly Beauty. I want to know, though, will there ever be a crossover novel that combines the two (three)? I would love to see Isabelle & Sophie (and Arabella?!) meet!
Jennifer Donnelly 🤔 ... that would be quite a meeting! ⚔️🍎🗝️
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Dear Jennifer, Just wanted to let you know that i absolutely loved Revolution! Also really enjoyed A Northern Light! Thank you for writing them!! Perhaps you will write more books with historical fiction? ~kari
Jennifer Donnelly Thank you so much, Kari! Yes, I plan to write more historical fiction. In fact, I'm publishing new stories that build on my big historical fiction saga called The Tea Rose, a three-novel (plus two-novella, with more on the way) series you might be interested in. Not quite the same tone as Revolution or ANL (it's adult fiction vs. Rev/ANL, which are young adult), but very historical!
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I noticed in both Stepsister and Poisoned, the main characters are looking for their hearts, which have been cut out of them. Isabelle's is figurative and Sophie's is literal, but did you do that on purpose?
Jennifer Donnelly Hmmm, what an interesting question! I didn't set out to do that, but since you bring it up ... yes, I think heart drives a lot of my storytelling -- usually metaphorically, but sometimes to the extent that it becomes a component of the story itself. I don't know if you read my book Revolution (https://www.jenniferdonnelly.com/book... that also centered on a literal heart (but based on a true story, unfortunately). That was an incredibly challenging and emotionally exhausting project, and I thought maybe I had worked the heart theme out of my system ... but I guess it keeps coming back! I'm just finishing the third in the series to follow Stepsister and Poisoned, and I think you might find some heart in that one, too ... 😉
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I LOVED stepsister it was the first book that really got me into reading, I own poisoned and I am planning to read it really soon. do you have any more plans to write anymore books similar to this?
Jennifer Donnelly Hi Ariana: YES! I have just submitted the third in the series to follow Stepsister and Poisoned to my publisher! It will be out early next year. I can't say much about it yet, but I will share the details as soon as I can! I hope you enjoy it!
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I’d love to learn what happens next with Jo and Eddie! Any sequel planned?
Jennifer Donnelly So would I (but I especially what to know what becomes of Oscar)!! No immediate plans for a sequel, but I would love to do one at some point - I miss those characters!!
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Hey, Jennifer! I was just wondering a few things. So, I'll jump right in, I guess. Is Orfeo based off of Orpheus? Being that they both were willing to get their loves back by going to extreme measures. What made you choose the characters (the six, Desiderio, Marco, and Mahdi) for the story? Why are the songspells what you with went instead of, say, chants? How do you start a book? Do you just jump in? Thanks!
Jennifer Donnelly Hi Daniella! Wow big questions! About Orfeo ... let's just say that there's a LOT of mythology woven into the Waterfire Saga ... and Orfeo is Italian for Orpheus, so ... you may be on to something there 😉!

You can find lots more on my website that will help with your other questions -- each Waterfire Saga book has it's own background info here: https://www.jenniferdonnelly.com/books/ and I talk about my writing process in my FAQ here: https://www.jenniferdonnelly.com/faq/

Thanks for writing!
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Will you write more fairy tale retellings? :) Because I am obsessed with them.
Jennifer Donnelly Yes! The new one is with my editor, and I'll share the details as soon as I can!
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hi! i go to delta middle and i heard that you talked to grimms fairy tales last year when i was still going to young scholars! i had a few questions: are there any books that i should look forward to? and are you writing anymore fractured fairy tales?
Jennifer Donnelly Hi Al! Yes and yes!! Stay tuned; I'll share the details as soon as I'm able to do so!
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Is the stepsister and poison and beauty and beast lost in a book appropriate for a 16yr old?
Jennifer Donnelly I think so -- 16 is at (or above) the audience age I had in mind when I wrote them, and within the publishers age range for each of the books. But every person and every family is different, so if you're the 16 year old, check with your parent/grown up to make sure they agree!
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A Gathering Light/Northern Light is one of my favourite books of all time! I re-read it every couple of years. It's so unique, and beguiling. Are you considering a sequel? I would so love to know the next chapters in Mattie's and Weaver's lives.
Jennifer Donnelly Thank you, Caroline! No firm plans for a sequel at this point, but I miss Mattie and Weaver, too!!
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Will you be writing any more historical fiction adult books? Or young adult historical fiction? I would love that. Your books are the best
Jennifer Donnelly Thank you, Tiff! And yes!! I hope to get back to historical fiction soon!
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Hi, I have read several of your books including A Northern Light, Revolution, Poisoned, and These Shallow Graves, all of which I really liked. But when I read Stepsister, it took my breath away. It's the best book I've ever read! I haven't seen any updates on a Stepsister film in a while, so I'm wondering how that is going. Also, is there a set date for when your next book is going to come out? Thanks!
Jennifer Donnelly Thank you, Eleanor! Such kind words! I'm afraid I don't have any updates on the adaptation of Stepsister (or Poisoned) at this point -- but I know the producers are working on it. As soon as have news I can share, I will do so ... promise! My next book (the third in the set of fairy-tale retellings) is scheduled for release in Fall 2023 - one year from now!
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Hi! I am a huge fan of your books specifically Revolution and These Shallow Graves. Do you have a favorite book that you've written? and if so, which one?
Jennifer Donnelly That's an impossible question to answer! They're all my children and I love all of them -- for different things and in different ways, perhaps, but equally. As for the two you mention ...

Revolution is special to me because writing it was so hard ... Alex, Andi and I went through hell together, and when we finally emerged to see the stars, we did so together -- and that's a very special bond we share. When I said goodbye to them at the end of that project, they took a big piece of my heart with them.

TSG is special to me because I enjoyed those characters so much and now I really miss them. I am DYING to find out what they're up to ... especially Oscar ... and maybe one day I will!
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Hello there! I fell absolutely head over heels for These Shallow Graves. It's one of my favorite books of all times. I was wondering what your personal feelings about the story are? Thank you so much for sharing your work!
Jennifer Donnelly Thank you, Savannah! My personal feelings are that I love the story, too, and I miss those characters -- especially Oscar!! One day, I hope to find out what they're all up to ... and maybe continue the story!
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Are you going to be making more books like Stepsister and Posined? I loved them and I think it would be really cool if you did a Beauty and the Beast one!
Jennifer Donnelly Hmm. Well, I can tell you that my next book will be a fairy tale retelling like Stepsister and Poisoned, but which one ... can't share that quite yet. So stay tuned!
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I read Poisoned in less than a week. A true masterpiece. I will read Stepsister till New Year's Eve. Your next book will be another fairytale in disguise?
Jennifer Donnelly Thank you! The answer to your question is yes -- my next book will be another fairy tale retelling along the lines of Stepsister and Poisoned. I'll have lots more to share about it soon!
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Can we expect any more twisted fairytales in the future? I felt like there was some hints to future projects at the end of Poisoned.
Jennifer Donnelly Yes!! I'm hard at work at the third book in the series -- stay tuned for details soon!
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Hello Jennifer, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE SHALLOW GRAVES!!!!!!!!!:) it is one, no it is the best book ive read! and ive made all my friends read it. THEY ALSO LOVE IT! please make a sequel! we want to know more about Jo and Eddie! and the adventures of Jo, and her new life...... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! answer my question. will there be a sequel??????
Jennifer Donnelly Hi Shivani ... THANK YOU for these kind words about These Shallow Graves! I would LOVE to do a sequel one day -- I miss those characters so much and wonder every day what they're up to (especially Oscar!!)
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