We have another great interview brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi, in which she has an amazing chat with author Tracey Sinclair where they talk about her latest book ‘Dark Dates’. In it we learn more about her first self-published novel, the process behind it, love triangles in the story and more. Enjoy!

Don’t forget to read OBS’s Author Corner where you’ll find a special blog post by author Tracey Sinclair.

Heidi: Tracey, Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me today about your new book, Dark Dates.  This is the first book that you decided to self-publish.  What led you to that decision?  Where there more obstacles that you had to overcome with publishing it yourself as compared to having a publisher do it all for you?

Tracey Sinclair: Thank you for having me!  I decided to self-publish mainly because my existing publisher was a small press that was more ‘literary’ and Dark Dates is very mainstream, and I was finding it difficult to get an agent or publisher willing to take a chance on it, as a lot feel that ‘vampires are over’. It was becoming fairly dispiriting – not to mention time-consuming! – sending it out to agents. I do a lot online – a lot of my freelance work is web-based – so I thought, ‘what the hell, give it a go!’ It is a lot of hard work, as you’re very much a one man band, but the upside is the immediacy of digital publishing and the control you get.

Heidi: I couldn’t help, but notice the irony in your book, Dark Dates, when it comes to Cain (readers: you’ll know what I’m talking about once you read the book) especially considering when I heard his name I instantly thought about Cain and Abel from the Bible. Was that intentional?  If so, is there any particular reason you chose to go that route?

Tracey Sinclair: Yes, there was a deliberate use of a biblical name, one of the bad characters in the Bible hinting at the darkness of the character – but also there was someone in my first novel, Doll, called Kane and so I liked having that link. I’m a bit sentimental about it!

Heidi: It seems you’ve set up a nice little love triangle between Cassandra, Cain, and Laclos.  What can we expect to see from them in the future?

Tracey Sinclair: Well, things definitely get more complicated for Cassandra in the next book – and a lot sexier! I think I liked the fact that this isn’t a love triangle between ‘obvious soulmate/tempting bad boy’ where you know who she’ll end up with, because really, neither man can give Cass exactly what she thinks she wants. So I think it’s going to be more about Cass learning what she wants from her life than simply choosing between two hot guys, though that’s obviously a very nice dilemma to have.

Heidi: What is your favorite thing about Dark Dates?

Tracey Sinclair: Personally, I love that it’s set in London, which is such a great city – as I hope everyone watching the Olympics will realise! I also enjoyed writing something that recognises you can love urban fantasy without being po-faced about it; you can have fun with the traditions and still create something that is exciting.

Heidi: What is the most important thing you hope that your readers take from this book?

Tracey Sinclair: As long as people enjoy it, I’m happy, but I suppose the key thing I wanted to achieve was a heroine who is likeable and strong – without being perfect or superhuman – because I’m not a fan of books that idealise female passivity or weakness.

Heidi: What is the one thing that you want your readers to know about you and your books?

Tracey Sinclair: Ooh, tough one! That I’m a fan, writing for fans, I suppose – that all the jokes in the book come from a genuine love of the genre.

Heidi: It seems that now most books are being adapted into films, what are your thoughts on that? Would you like for your books to follow the same process?  If so, are there any particular actresses or actors you could see bring your characters to life?

Tracey Sinclair: I would love that, totally. I’m often asked about ‘ideal cast’ and I must admit my ideas change from day to day, depending on what I’ve just watched. At the moment if I could get Charlie Hunnan, Timothy Olyphant and Tom Hiddleston I’d be happy – but I suspect that’s just because I’d like to be in the same room as them!

Heidi: Thank you again for taking the time to talk to us and I wish you great success with Dark Dates and look forward to seeing the sequel!