Interview with Anne Osterlund

Anne Osterlund is the author of Academy 7, a young adult science fiction romance novel that, in my opinion, sounds awesome!  I’m so grateful she had time to answer a few of my questions so that we can learn a little more about her and her books.  In addition to Academy 7, she’s known for her fantasy series,  Aurelia, which includes Aurelia and Exile with the third book in the series on the way.  I hope you enjoy my interview with Anne!

Anne’s Bio

Anne Osterlund grew up in the sunshine of Eastern Oregon and graduated from Whitworth College.  She lives in a cute little yellow house with her new feline friend, Charlotte, and her own library of young adult books.  She also teaches sixth grade and enjoys immersing her students in language, literature, and imagination.  Anne has written three novels, Aurelia, Academy 7, and Exile, all published by Penguin Books, and is polishing a fourth.  Unveil the intrigue at www.anneosterlund.com.

 

Interview

The main characters in Academy 7 are Aerin and Dane, can you tell us a little more about them?

Aerin is a scarred fugitive from a dangerous planet. She is . . .

• Terrified
• Brilliant
• Driven
• Intense
• And a kick-ass fighter.

Dane is a self-destructive rebel. He is . . .

• Angry
• Cocky
• Brilliant
• Argumentative
• And a phenomenal pilot.


Without spoiling too much, can you share how Academy 7 relates to this month’s space theme on the blog?

Academy 7 is a young adult science fantasy about two teens, Aerin & Dane, who risk everything to attend the most prestigious school in the universe. The novel is also related to space because . . .

• Dane has a tendency to break the law while speeding in his interplanetary plane.
• Aerin has nightmarish past on an X-level planet.
• And according to Dane, the debate teacher at Academy 7 deserves a commute through an asteroid belt.

You have another recently released novel, Exile (Aurelia #2), can you tell us a little about the Aurelia series?

Aurelia is a young adult fantasy series about a princess who shouldn’t be a princess. Think Cinderella inside out and with an assassination plot. Here’s the pitch for the first novel . . .

Aurelia, the crown princess of Tyralt, wants control over her own life. Robert, her former classmate, wants Aurelia. If they can just get past her temper, his dishonesty, and their mutual desire to win, they might even find a way of reconciling their antagonistic desires. Except the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power, the people want her to rule the kingdom, and someone wants her . . . dead. With their hopes, their hearts, and their lives on the line, Aurelia and Robert must find a way to survive, whatever the cost.

And the pitch for the sequel, Exile . . .

Exiled. From the weight of others’ expectations, the responsibilities of being crown princess, and the pressure to marry, Aurelia is finally free to travel the kingdom and meet the people of Tyralt. If only Robert, her expedition guide, would stop pestering her about her safety and just kiss her. But then their journey erupts in a fiery conflagration, and with both of their lives and the fate of the kingdom at stake, she and Robert must determine whether they have the strength, and the will, to complete their mission. And face the darker side of exile.

Who are your favorite authors?

Tamora Pierce, Ann Rinaldi, S.E. Hinton, Louisa May Alcott, Sharon Shinn, Sally Watson, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and on and on and on . . .

What are some of your favorite books?

• Peter Pan by James Barrie!
• Alanna, the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
• Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• Witch of the Glens by Sally Watson
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

And a multitude of other fantastic books, all listed on the recommended books page of my website.

Did any particular books/authors inspire you to become a writer?

All of the above and hundreds more.

Is there anything else you would like to say to readers and fans?

Dare to dream!  And please come visit and/or join my characters and I on our website or our blog.