Hello again, and happy International Women’s Day! It is our pleasure to welcome one of the amazing women at Midnight Meadow, and one of our upcoming 2024 releases, Mary Lynne Gibbs, author of The Princess and the Thief!
A cursed, sheltered Elven princess reluctantly teams up with a drunken, half-Elf thief to find the renowned Empress and rid herself of the dangerous magic that courses through her veins. Along the way, they face monsters, betrayal, kidnappers, crazed cultists, and the evil Queen of Nightmares, but none are as frightening as their own growing feelings for one another.
From a young age, Mary knew she wanted to be a writer. Her first poem appeared in the Detroit Children’s Museum newsletter at ten. At twelve, she turned to prose and never looked back. She is the author of five books, The Princess and the Thief being her sixth. When she’s not writing, she’s a miniature artist and owner of her own business. Mary is the vice president of The Mystic Arts Association, and a member of The Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. She loves fantasy, animals, and chai latte.
1. How long have you been writing or when did you start?
I started writing when I was 10 years old. It was a poem that got published in the Detroit Children’s Museum newsletter. I thought it was the greatest thing to see my name in print. I wrote my first novel at 12, and I’ve been at it ever since.
2. How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I’ve written 8 books. 5 have been released. The Princess and the Thief is number 6. One is in the querying stage, and the last is in a first revision.
3. What part of the book was the most fun to write?
The most fun part of writing The Princess and the Thief was the banter between Wind and Velicity. I love them together.
4. If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
I don’t have a plan for a sequel to The Princess and the Thief – yet. I’m not ruling it out.
5. What inspired the idea for your book?
The song I See the Light from Tangled sparked the idea for The Princess and the Thief, except I wanted to make the relationship sapphic.
6. If you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which would you pick?
If I wrote a spin off, it would be about Rook and Emlyn. They’re an awesome couple who have lived quite an adventurous life.
7. If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
I’d love to spend the day with Diana Rowland again. I miss hanging out with her!
8. What do you think of NaNoWriMo? Worth it?
I love NaNoWriMo! I don’t get to participate as often as I’d like, because I’m usually in revisions. The Princess and the Thief was actually a NaNo project. It can be a lot of fun if you go into it prepared.
9. What books do you enjoy reading?
I love reading most types of fantasy. I’m not too big on epic, high fantasy, just because I have trouble focusing. I especially enjoy funny fantasy.
10. Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?
I’ve been so incredibly lucky to have the support of family and friends. There are so many who don’t have such a system, and my heart goes out to them.
Without further ado, here is the cover of The Princess and the Thief
