Hey Bryna! Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Wrong Side of the Grave was crazy fun to write. It is a YA science fiction mystery featuring Mothman, a legendary creature in the realm of Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster. In my version, Mothman is an ancient alien, one of the last of his kind. With the help of his BRAND, a piece of alien tech that looks like a tattoo, his body is transformed into teenager Eric Jansen so that he may live among the earthlings and hunt in secret. He was happy to live on the fringe. He never expected to actually care about one, not until the night he saved the girl.
A whole new world opened up to book blogger Bridget North when Eric saved her life. She's seen a lot of strange things, but nothing as jarring as The Great Awakening. When the dead start to "awaken" in their sleepy, small town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, the Men in Black mark Mothman as suspect number one. Bridget & Eric must solve the mystery before the black suits capture Mothman and lock him away forever.
What inspired you to write it?
I grew up near Point Pleasant, West Virginia, so the legend of Mothman has always been present in my life. I fondly remember outrageous teenage trips to the woods to "hunt" him. Inevitably, sometime between the giggles, a branch would crack underfoot, and we'd all go screaming back to the car then laugh uncontrollably all the way home.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
I was honored to work with artist Joshua Labello of Envy Ink on this one. Eric's BRAND, the alien device on his arm that looks like a tattoo, is a central part of the book so I knew it had to be perfect. Josh's real life tattoo work is impeccable. He's been lauded for his work with transforming traumatic scars into works of art. He has a beautiful soul so I knew immediately that I wanted him to design the BRAND. Imagine my surprise when he agreed to design the cover too. I was awestruck! You can read all about the art behind the series here.
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
Ooh, so many great choices! When writing, I often pictured Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford as Eric Jansen, Bella Thorne as book blogger Bridget North, and a young Jensen Ackles as MIB Agent Carey Warner. And we'd have to find parts for Ian Somerhalder, Alexander Skarsgard, and Matthew Fox...maybe escorting the author for her cameo ;).
Is it part of a series or is it a stand-alone novel?
Yes and yes. This is the first in a series of standalone mysteries.
Where is the novel set and why did you choose to set it there?
It is set in the strangely wonderful small town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Home of the Mothman legend.
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
This is the first time I've written sci-fi. I'm very partial to paranormal, and you will definitely see that influence. I even put vampires in my sci-fi novel. They're aliens, but still. Think sci-fi more like Doctor Who and less Star Wars.
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
My all-time favourite is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I love it's poetic cadence and originality.
Where is your favourite place to write?
I would love to say that I write in my office which has a stunning view over red rose bushes out onto the rolling southern Ohio hills of my farm and the gentle waves of the Ohio River. But no. I tend to write with my laptop haphazardly balanced on the armrest of the couch most likely watching Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, Once Upon a Time, The 100, or some other show in which I'm hopelessly addicted.
Name 13 of your favourite authors.
Rachel Caine, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Richelle Mead, Cassandra Claire, Suzanne Collins, Jennifer Armentrout, MaryJanice Davidson, James Dashner, Alyson Noel, Chelsea Fine, HP Mallory, and of course, Suzy Turner!
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
Ooh, so many great choices! When writing, I often pictured Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford as Eric Jansen, Bella Thorne as book blogger Bridget North, and a young Jensen Ackles as MIB Agent Carey Warner. And we'd have to find parts for Ian Somerhalder, Alexander Skarsgard, and Matthew Fox...maybe escorting the author for her cameo ;).
Is it part of a series or is it a stand-alone novel?
Yes and yes. This is the first in a series of standalone mysteries.
Where is the novel set and why did you choose to set it there?
It is set in the strangely wonderful small town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Home of the Mothman legend.
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
This is the first time I've written sci-fi. I'm very partial to paranormal, and you will definitely see that influence. I even put vampires in my sci-fi novel. They're aliens, but still. Think sci-fi more like Doctor Who and less Star Wars.
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
My all-time favourite is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I love it's poetic cadence and originality.
Where is your favourite place to write?
I would love to say that I write in my office which has a stunning view over red rose bushes out onto the rolling southern Ohio hills of my farm and the gentle waves of the Ohio River. But no. I tend to write with my laptop haphazardly balanced on the armrest of the couch most likely watching Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, Once Upon a Time, The 100, or some other show in which I'm hopelessly addicted.
Name 13 of your favourite authors.
Rachel Caine, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Richelle Mead, Cassandra Claire, Suzanne Collins, Jennifer Armentrout, MaryJanice Davidson, James Dashner, Alyson Noel, Chelsea Fine, HP Mallory, and of course, Suzy Turner!
YAY Bryna :D
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
Sometimes I dream about sushi.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
Sometimes I dream about sushi.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
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| Sandra Bullock, winner of the 2010 SAG award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role via photopin (license) |
Definitely Sandra Bullock. She's already got my embarrassing laugh down.
Wrong Side of the Grave Buy Links
Amazon | Apple iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Order your signed Paperback directly from the author
Wrong Side of the Grave Buy Links
Amazon | Apple iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Order your signed Paperback directly from the author
Geek out with Bryna
Bryna Butler is a journalism-trained writer having authored dozens of articles and financial publications before taking the leap into fiction in 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, honored with the Outstanding Communications Student Award for her graduating class.
Her first book, Of Sun & Moon, skyrocketed to number one on Kindle top free charts in the categories of Teen/YA Supernatural Mystery, Teen/YA Romantic Mystery, and Teen/YA Time Travel in the U.S. and U.K. when the title went to free status in 2014.
Self-described as a teen who refused to read, Butler often speaks to students on how to read for recreation and finding the books that are right for them. She strives to create characters that are relatable and feel the full weight of their choices.
Butler’s work is free of profanity and explicit scenes making them safe reads for pre-teen as well as teen readers.
Wrong Side of the Grave author Bryna Butler admits to geeking out over multiple fandoms on a regular basis. You can catch up with her and chime in on the following social networks:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/butlerwroteit
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mogdocnews
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorBrynaButler
Blog: www.brynabutler.com
Self-described as a teen who refused to read, Butler often speaks to students on how to read for recreation and finding the books that are right for them. She strives to create characters that are relatable and feel the full weight of their choices.
Butler’s work is free of profanity and explicit scenes making them safe reads for pre-teen as well as teen readers.
Wrong Side of the Grave author Bryna Butler admits to geeking out over multiple fandoms on a regular basis. You can catch up with her and chime in on the following social networks:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/butlerwroteit
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mogdocnews
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorBrynaButler
Blog: www.brynabutler.com
Aww, you're super cool too. Thanks for the interview. I had a blast!
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