Author Event Recap and Giveaway: Laini Taylor

Hello there lovelies.  Tonight I was privileged to meet the amazing Laini Taylor, author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and more recently Days of Smoke and Starlight.  Jasprit recently read and loved this new installment.  You can read her review here.  She stopped by the Santa Monica Library to discuss the series and sign books! You know what that means for you, right?! For one lucky reader, I have a SIGNED copy of Days of Blood and Starlight to giveaway, so be sure to scroll down below and enter in the rafflecopter for a chance to win.

Laini Taylor discusses series

I was fascinated by Laini as she talked about her series Daughter of Smoke and Bone and her writing process.  She pays so much attention to crafting the language of her stories so that they're not only telling a story, but doing it beautifully.  I've noticed that her writing has a lyrical quality to it and this was brought out by the moderator, too.  She talked about how she edits as she goes making the writing process for the first draft a long and arduous one.   

Another thing Laini talked about was the tone of the two books and how she purposely wanted them very different.  She doesn't like reading a series if all the books feel generally the same.  Days of Blood and Starlight is very much a book of war and action.  Not a whole lot of kissing, she said. Not sure that I like that idea, but I'll trust that she knows what she's doing.  I have to say though, Laini, I'm always going to vote for MORE kissing!  

Laini talked about the setting of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Prague, and how she and her husband, illustrator Jim Di Bartolo first visited there to do research for a graphic novel about vampires that never came to be.  After trying to think of a setting for the book, Prague popped into her mind and she never looked back.  I have to say, the city sounds beautiful and mysterious through her eyes.  

You might like to know that it's her husband that did the illustrations for her book Lips Touch: Three Times, which are gorgeous.  He also drew the map in Days of Blood and Starlight. Quite a talented couple!

Map illustrated by Laini's husband Jim Di Bartolo

Laini was asked if she had a choice at her dream cast for a movie, who she would cast as Akiva?  She said this is so difficult because there isn't really anyone out there that she can picture, but if she had to narrow it down, Ryan Gosling would be a nice pick!  She then asked the questioner who they would pick.  They said maybe Ryan Reynolds, lol!  

I had an amazing time getting into the mind of Laini Taylor.  She was so sweet and even gave us tips on places to visit in Prague (I'm going in March!) when I went up to get my books signed.   One more wonderful thing about tonight is that I was able to see Maggie from Young Adult Anonymous and we were able to fan-girl together over Laini! 

Now for the good part.  I have a SIGNED copy of Days of Blood and Starlight to give away to one lucky reader.  Just fill out the rafflecopter below.  The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  The only requirement is that you follow the blog.  Good luck and thanks for stopping by! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway