We chat with author Alwyn Hamilton about The Notorious Virtues, which is a glittering fantasy thriller about a glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.
This new release is out now in the UK and hits shelves April 1st in the US.
Hi, Alwyn! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Well, I’m a YA Fantasy Author by day. Bookseller by other day. Reality TV watcher by Night (I have a lot of thoughts on Real Housewives). I was born in Canada but grew up in France, and then came to the UK for university and just stayed… I’ve been to, I think, something like 30 countries in my life. I have a degree in art history that I only ever now use to overdescribe things in my books that I then end up cutting. I know exactly what my dream meal would be if I ever get famous enough to appear on OFF MENU. But, by and large, the only three things I won’t eat are aubergine, colas or very spicy food. And, I guess needless to say, but I’ll say it anyway, I love love love books.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I grew up in France, but English is my first language. So I always read in English. Which meant I never had any books in common with other kids in my school, so I had no one to talk to about what I read. I think I started writing to have somewhere to put all my excitement about books.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Mr Biff the Boxer by Janet and Allen Ahlberg
- The one that made you want to become an author: Alanna by Tamora Pierce
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Six of Crown by Leigh Bardugo
Your latest novel, The Notorious Virtues, is out now in the UK and April 1st in the US! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A Glamorous Deadly Fairytale Subversion.
What can readers expect?
THE NOTORIOUS VIRTUES was initially pitched as 1920s New York Heiresses meets Grimm Fairytales. So readers can expect glamorous champagne doused parties, along with dark and deadly things lurking beyond the glittering lights. And all of it wrapped up in a deadly game designed to pit family against each other.
Where did the inspiration for The Notorious Virtues come from?
It came from a few different places:
- A Social Worker Friend commenting on how harmful the trope of “Hey your adoptive parents suck, but your real parents are secretly royalty who had to give you up” is for young people not being raised by their biological parents. So I thought I would write a version where the biological family is kinda… the worst.
- A child I used to babysit explaining the plot of Wizards of Waverly place to me where the kids all have to compete to be the Family Wizard? (Screwed up Family Dynamic much??)
- Meeting Tessa Kennedy, a British heiress who scandalously eloped with a painter by fleeing to a mobsters estate in Cuba, and then having to leave said estate when Cuba fell to Castro.
- All those fairytales that go “So the king had 3 sons and he didn’t know which was worthiest so he sent them all on a quest for the golden bird and whoever brings it back will inherit”.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Writers, like parents, are not supposed to have favourites. But Nora is a favourite. She is the beautiful, glamorous and hyperintelligent heiress apparent to the family. And she is the most fun to write, especially her dialogue. I wanted her to be a bit His Girl Friday, and a bit Beatrice from Much Ado, with a dash of Tony Stark and Lucille “How much can a banana possibly cost, 10 dollars?” Bluth
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
So many.
The Pandemic.
Multiple changes in editors.
My laptop being stolen.
I don’t know if I really overcame them or if just eventually time heals all wounds and you keep plugging away.
Your debut, Rebel of the Sands, published nine years ago. What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned as an author since then?
How changeable the landscape is. There are so many authors I remember being landmark figures when I started who have dropped off the map. And so many new authors. It’s a lesson in just keeping your eyes on your own paper and keep plugging away.
What’s next for you?
The sequel to THE NOTORIOUS VIRTUES!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
A friend has been raving about THE RAVEN SCHOLAR by Antonia Hodgson so I am excited for that one. I also am currently reading HEIR OF STORMS by Lauryn Hamilton-Murray (no relation) and really loving it!
