We had the pleasure of chatting to authors Courtney Alameda and Valynne E. Maetani about their upcoming YA novel, Seven Deadly Shadows. Releasing on January 28th 2020, readers will discover a retelling of Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, which follows a girl tasked with saving the world from eternal darkness and it is perfect for fans of Marie Lu and Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows!
The pair chat about its inspiration, what it’s like co-writing a book, upcoming book releases, and much more!
You can find Courtney on Twitter and Instagram and Valynne on Twitter and Instagram.
Hi Courtney & Valynne! With the new year, what are three things you both are looking forward to or hoping to achieve?
C: I can’t believe it’s 2020! This year, I’m hoping to write my first adult fantasy/horror novel. I’m also going to attempt some difficult new bakes (for me). Thirdly, I’d like to work on learning Korean to better enjoy all my favorite K-pop tracks!
V: Having gotten married recently, I’m also looking forward to spending time with my new husband and kids. But most of all, I am looking forward to having this book released!
Seven Deadly Shadows releases on January 28th. If you could only describe your book in five words, what would they be?
C: Action-packed, thrilling, fast-paced, monstrous, and brave.
V: Fresh, fantastical, vibrant, diverse, and artistic
Now tell us a little more! What can readers expect?
C: SEVEN DEADLY SHADOWS is a love letter to Japanese pop culture, and has been inspired by some of the world’s best storytellers: Kurosawa. Miyazaki. CLAMP. Kubo. Ohba and Obata. And so many, many more. Whether or not you’re familiar with Japanese culture, I hope you thoroughly enjoy Kira’s story!
V: Seven Deadly Shadows is set in modern day Japan. Readers can expect a world that is rich in the culture and one that honors Japanese traditions, while following a storyline full of mystery and adventure.
Where did the inspiration for Seven Deadly Shadows come from?
C: If I recall correctly, it started with a tweet. Valynne and I had been talking about writing a novel for years; and during a Twitter conversation about SEVEN SAMURAI, someone mentioned yokai and shinigami and it was all downhill from there.
V: We both have a love for the film Seven Samurai, by Akira Kurosawa. In addition, we share a passion for anime and manga. Combining all of these things into one project seemed irresistible.
How did you go about co-writing the novel?
C: Co-writing a novel in one voice is difficult, but not impossible. In general, I’d first draft the odd-numbered chapters, and Valynne drafted the even ones. I’d revise the even-numbered chapters, and she revised the odd.
We had a verbal framework for the first draft—we’d meet weekly to discuss where we wanted the novel to go; but by the second draft, we needed a hard outline to make it all work. I’m not a great outliner, but I learned!
V: Originally we met to discuss the major themes of the book and how we would go about making the book alternated chapters, but we found that in the end
Do each of you have a favourite scene, character, or moment that you really love?
C: My favorite scene in the novel is the introduction of O-bei Katayama, the first shinigami that Kira encounters. I remember the night I wrote it, being up alone in a houseful of people over Thanksgiving, unable to sleep. I turned to the keyboard and found myself standing before a demon queen.
In every novel, there always comes a point when the book “wakes up,” so to speak; that night, SEVEN DEADLY SHADOWS woke up and stared me straight in the eye.
V: My favorite scene is the introduction of the grandmother. There’s something so macabre and unexpected about her that makes me all kinds of happy.
Every author has a different approach when it comes to writing. What is yours like? Do you share any similarities?
C: I’m very invested in my projects—they tend to take up large spaces in my intellectual life. I let them grow organically, and only put them on the page when they are no longer content to live in my head.
I spend a lot of time outlining these days. Each of the projects I’m working on is very ambitious in its own way, and requires a clear, detailed plan of execution.
V: I am a plotter. I like to know how every scene is going to go before it gets on the page. Courtney is much better at letting the story happen organically. I actually wish I could write more like that because I think there is a lot of creativity in the discovery process.
What’s next for you both? Any plans of co-writing another book in the future?
C: I’m currently researching a historical horror set in Paris during the Belle Epoque; developing a YA sci-fi world and mythos for [redacted—sorry, if I told you I’d have to kill you!]; and writing a brutal, feminist adult fantasy novel. I’ve also got another comic in the works.
I co-write/create on a lot of different projects—I tend to think it creates a stronger work overall!
V: I am currently working on a companion book for my debut novel, Ink and Ashes. I’m also working on another mystery/suspense young adult novel which involves two childhood friends.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us? Any 2020 releases you’re looking forward to?
C: I’m currently reading Ryan Graudin’s YA novel INVICTUS, which is fantastic. If you haven’t read Madeline Miller’s CIRCE, you’re missing out on one of the most gorgeous books of this decade. My agent recently recommended GIDEON THE NINTH to me, which is also excellent.
Insofar as 2020 releases are concerned, I’m really looking forward to EMPIRE OF GOLD by S.A. Chakraborty, DARK AND DEEPEST RED by Anna-Marie McLemore, and I think Robin LaFevers has a new one out next year, too!
V: I cannot wait for My Calamity Jane, written by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Reamer.
