By [the_author_posts_link] (SB) Frank. Today, we are pleased to welcome fantasy author Rachel Vincent. Rachel is the author of two outstanding fantasy series: SHIFTERS and the YA series SOUL SCREAMERS. Shift, the latest novel in Rachel’s Shifter’s series, starring werecat Faythe Sanders, which went on sale this week. Please join us today in welcoming Rachel and be sure to comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of Shift, which she is graciously donating.
SB Frank: In your SHIFTERS series, I really enjoy how Faythe is constantly challenging traditional female role models in the Pride. In Prey, I think it was, Faythe finally began to understand and accept the vital role that her mother had played in the Pride despite not having a formal position except as the Alpha’s wife. As the pride politics turn deadly, does her mother’s role in the pride continue to grow and expand? Or how do you see that playing out?
Rachel Vincent: Yes, I think it does. She’s always had a vital role; she’s just been content to play it behind the scenes for m
ost of Faythe’s life. But in the first chapter excerpt of Shift (available on my website) we get a glimpse at how strong Karen Sanders can be, and where Faythe gets her mouth.
SB Frank: Do you see yourself as a champion for female independence in other areas of your life besides your writing?
Rachel Vincent: Oh, I don’t see myself as a champion for anything. My job is to entertain. But if you’re looking for more than just an exciting read, the SHIFTERS series can be read as a commentary on gender and racial equality and the importance of fighting for both. Or, it can just be read for fun. 
SB Frank: I u
nderstand that you have two cats, Kaci and Nyx. Do their personalities or quirks ever find their way into your fictional werecat characters?
Rachel Vincent: No, not really. My werecats are cat instincts, human brains, and a mix of social norms. My house cats just want to eat and lie around all day. Nyx is very cuddly, though. And Kaci’s very stately and standoffish.
SB Frank: Aw. They sound adorable. We’re huge cat lovers around here. Your website, www.rachelvincent.com, says that you are a recent transplant into the deep south. I personally am a US expatriate now living abroad in Texas. Where are you transplanted from? And how do you like living in the South?
Rachel Vincent: I lived in Oklahoma for the first eleven years of my adulthood, then spent almost a year in Louisana, which is where I lived when I wrote that bio. But now I live in San Antonio, and I love it! There’s a great mix of cultures, generally warm weather (though I’m expecting a sweltering summer), and soooo many restaurants to choose from. And there’s a Godiva store three miles from my house. What more could a person want? 
SB Frank: I know that San Antonio is one of our family’s fun vacationing spots, though we haven’t hit the Godiva store yet. In addition to your werecats novels, you also have a very popular YA series, SOUL SCREAMERS, with two books released so far, My Soul to Take and My Soul to Save. Do you find it difficult to write for a YA audience? More satisfying?
Rachel Vincent: It’s not that the YA audience is more difficult to write for, but since I’m newer at writing YA than writing for adults, I want to make sure I get it right. So a lot of extra time, energy, and stress goes into my YA novels, and I stress a lot more over the reviews.
SB Frank: Ah, those YA reviews, I get them in my household constantly, and it can be quite stress inducing …and at times strident. So, what’s next for you? Do you plan to continue these series for a while or to move on t
o another project? Anything exciting in the works?
Rachel Vincent: The SHIFTERS series draws to a close this October, with the release of Alpha, the sixth and final book. But the SOUL SCREAMERS will continue (I’m currently contracted through book 5) and I have a new adult series coming up next year. So… I’m definitely staying busy.
SB Frank: Wow. Congratulations on all the great news. I, for one, am rushing out to read Shift and have the the SOUL SCREAMERS on my to-read list.
And for our visitors today, remember to comment on today’s post for a chance to win your own copy of Shift or if you can’t wait that long, buy it now and we’ll let you choose an alternate prize from the Fanlit Stacks. Justin will announce winners next week.
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I’ve not read any of this author’s books yet,so will put on my reading list. It sounds just the sort of book I’d read
Shift sounds so awesome! I would love to win a copy! Thanks!
Jase
vslavetopassionv(at)aol(dot)com
I’m always looking for more strong female characters to add to my list of favorites. I would love to read about Faythe.
I love the Shifter series and I really want to know what she is going to do with Mark and Jace. I love them both and don’t want either hurt. I still have to read the latest release.
I wasn’t able to read anything by Rachel Vincent YET, but after the fantastic covers of the Shifter series caught my eye and I saw the praising reviews, I can’t wait to read her novels!
Stella
stella.exlibris (at) gmail DOT com
I haven’t read anything by Rachel yet but the Shifters series sounds good.
I love this series! I have read the first and second book! They are amazing! I can’t wait to read the others! Thank you for the interesting interview! ^__^
I love the Shifters series.
The Shifter series totally sucked me in about a year ago. Faythe is so awesome! (I know, that is an extremely vague adjective BUT it seriously works to convey my meaning
I’ve only read My Soul to Take but can’t wait to read the Shift series. I’ve got the first one lined up in my reading stack. Would love to win this new novel.
Great interview. I am looking forward to Shift.
I read the first book in the Shifters series, and her YA books are in my TBR pile. I really have to say of I love the covers for both series.
I haven’t run across this series before. It looks interesting. I’ll have to go find a copy of the 1st one.
Why is it that fantasy authors and fantasy readers prefer cats? Are there any fantasy authors who don’t have cats?
I would LOVE to win this!
Thankyou!!
-Lindsay
lindsay15photo@gmail.com
I have not read the Sifters series yet but I am looking forward to it.
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Great interview.I love the shifters series.And am sad to see its almost over but all great things must come to an end.The Soul Screamer books are on my TBR pile.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
I love the shifter series, sad that this is the 2nd to the last book…but it’s been one great ride
thanks for the giveaway!
littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’ve heard good things about Ms Vincent. I have a copy of Pride sitting on my table that I’m dying to start reading!
lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have a lot of family that lives in San Antonio, so it’s like my home away from home. I’ve never read your series before, but it does sound like an interesting and unqiue YA series. I can’t wait to read one!
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
I’d love to win this one!
I love Rachel’s books, especially The Shifters series. I’m sad it will be ending but can’t wait to see what you have going on next! Thanks for the cool interview.
I haven’t read any thing by Rachel yet! I have been hearing good things about this book, tho. I’d love to win it.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I’d love a copy of Shift. I’ve really enjoyed this series so far, and I’ll be sorry to see it end.
I am relieved that you don’t see yourself as having to champion a particular point of view in your books.
My experience with those types of books is that very few if any authors can bring it off successfully and still retain a readers interest.
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I’ve heard so much about Shift on the internet and would love to read it. I find strong female characters very appealing
[...] read the Shifters series? Will I like it or hate it? So I decided to take a moment and read the interview with the author over at Fantasy Literature. Nothing really grabbed me hard about the series, but I did go ahead and [...]
Werecats? Sounds pretty neat, interesting interview.
I love this series, I would definitely like to win.
Skk25@aol.com
I really have loved My Souls to Save. I almost finished it last night and I was really pleased. My local store had none of your other books, but I am still looking. I would definitely like to win. It would keep these snowed in days, more pleasant!.
love this series and can’t wait to read the latest. Faythe Rocks. Me and my youngest son both love the bean sidhe series and I awaiting our copy of the second book in the mail now.
I’ve been trying to get my hands on this series for a while now but my library is pretty small and they don’t have a very good selection of newer books. Oh I really hope I win a copy of this. Thanks for the great contest!
kmichellec87(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Awesome interview and I can’t wait to read Shift! Thanks for the fabulous contest!
lilazncutie1215 @ yahoo.com
I LOVE the Soul series. What a great interview.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
I love the series and would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance to win.
Awesome interview! I can’t wait to get my hands on Shift. The Shifters series are such awesome books, I’m really sad that it will end soon.
I love the Shifters series!!! Thanks for a chance to win!!!
I haven’t read this series yet. Trying to work down the TBR piles I already have before I buy anything new.
This series is on my list to get. I think it sounds like a great read and story. Thanks for the great interview as well!
I love this series. My only regret is that it is coming to an end. I wish I was one of those who hadn’t read it and had the whole series to look forward to.
I sincerely hope that Vincent does let this world come to an end. I would love to see an arc that introduced us to others in this world or perhaps prequels that told the story of Faythe’s Mom & Dad. From several comments they have dropped I imagine it was a very hot courtship. 
I am really enjoying this series. Read the first four books, back-to-back, and can’t wait to read Shift. Fascinating to watch how much Faythe has grown through each storyline.
caity_mack(at)yahoo(d0t)com
I would love to read Shift. Sounds great. Thank you for the contest.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot}com
2 great series!!! I love the interview, and thanks for the contest.
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
I have read Shift. It is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It actually woke me up in the middle of the night to want to read more. The only problem was, I had finished the book. I am not waiting not-so-patiently for Alpha.
I have not read the YA series, but I love the Shifter series.
Thanks for the interview with great information and the contest!!!
melaniesimmons hotmail com
Shift sounds great! I’d love to enter! Thanks!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Our lucky winner is……Teril
Don’t want this book (have you lost your mind?) or Live in the UK? Visit the FanLit stacks.
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/fanlit-stacks/
Please contact Justin within 5 days after contest ends.
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/contact-fanlit/