Welcome back to The Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe, a recurring series here on Tor.com featuring some of our favorite science fiction and fantasy authors, artists, and others!
Today we’re joined by Faith Hunter, bestselling author of the Rogue Mage novels (Bloodring, Seraphs, Host) as well as the Jane Yellowrock Novels (Black Arts, Blood Trade, Death’s Rival). Broken Soul, the eigth Jane Yellowrock novel, is available now from Roc. Read an excerpt here on Tor.com!
Describe your favorite place to write.
I just remodeled my writing room, and it’s the best place ever. It has hardwood floors, a desk that is so me, and a nice rug for the dogs to sleep on while I write. Oh—and ubiquitous desk chair does all the ergonomic things my back needs!
Do you have a favorite underrated author?
David B Coe / D.B Jackson. His fantasy worlds are fresh and amazing, his writing keeps me on the edge of my seat or biting my knuckles, and he should be on the bestseller lists. His Thieftaker series is excellent!
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You wake up tomorrow morning as the antagonist in your book series. What do you do to change the ending for yourself?
There are lots of antagonists in the Jane Yellowrock series, but one stands out as uber-evil to me and that is Lucas DeAllyon. Jane cut off his head—and he really deserved killing. To avoid that fate, I’d definitely never go to New Orleans or challenge Jane’s boss for his territory. And if I was that dumb, I’d take off back to Atlanta with my tail between my legs when my best fighter sent to kill her never came back.
Battle to the death, which weapon do you choose: A) Phaser, B) Lightsaber, or C) Wand?
Phaser. Those babies are point and shoot. No training needed, no concentration, no mental gymnastics, just good nine-volt batteries.
Strangest thing you’ve learned while researching a book?
Aliens. They are everywhere. They live on the dark side of the moon, inside mountains, and they send these gray-skinned robotic things to cut up cattle. Really. I read it on the internet. It has to be true…
What’s the best Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?
I was young, fit, and fearless. I dressed up as a cat, with white facial makeup, long tail, and gloves with claws. I won first place in the contest. And then I made Jane Yellowrock a two being with the other soul a mountain lion. Hmmm. Odd how things follow you from youth into books…
What’s your favorite sandwich?
I adore burgers. I know they are bad for me, and only technically a sandwich, but a well made burger juicy and hot off the grill is wonderful!
What literary or film science fiction technology do you wish existed in our world right now?
Easy. Star Trek’s replicator. End to starvation. End to everything we lack on this earth. And it uses garbage to make the new stuff. Magic. Pure magic.
Having finally established communication with a distant alien species, what’s the first thing that we should tell them about Earth/humans?
Dear Aliens. Humans are insane. We kill our own people, starve our own people, sell them, work them to death, beat them, don’t give them affordable/free/good healthcare, and let them live in misery, while a few of us have we have all we want. We are evil. Be smart. Get back in your ship and take off into the deeps of space. That said, our fiction is fantastic.
What is your ideal pet (real or fictional)?
I actually found them! Shelter dogs are the most loving, wonderful, sweet pets in the world. They understand being rescued, loved, and protected. The Hubs and I have 2 rescued 11-yr-old Pomeranians, who adore us.
