I met India Holton about a year ago, as part of the infamous #Berkletes, and was beside myself when I got my greedy hands on an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS, fanciful love story-slash-whimsical comedy-slash historical fantasy where women pirates fly their castles around Victorian England, fighting bad guys, robbing rich jerks, and trying to assassinate each other.
Guest Blogger: India Holton
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“Easily the most DELIGHTFULLY BONKERS historical fantasy romance.” – Jen DeLuca
In THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS, a prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his charming henchman in this historical fantasy romcom featuring dangerous ladies in flying houses, dreamy men in tight trousers, and a romance that literally soars. THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS is on sale Jun 15, 2021. You can order it (paperback, audiobook, ebook) through Penguin Random House, IndieBound, or pick it up at your favorite bookstores. |
You live in New Zealand. What’s it like trying to communicate with your American publication team and interact with social media when you’re half a day ahead of the US?
A benefit of working from home is I can organise my day as it suits me. That currently means operating mostly on Eastern Standard Time, because by 7 am here it’s near the end of the day for my publishing team and a lot of the people I network with online. By following EST I have plenty of space to engage, respond, and also to chat with overseas friends – as well as spending time with people “in real life” later in the morning. It works well for me.
“It reminds me of the Princess Bride, only swoonier and more fantastical. An instant beloved classic.” – Sarah Hogle
In the US, you can buy romance novels pretty much anywhere from bookstores and libraries to grocery stores and kiosks at the gas station. I’ve heard it’s different in New Zealand, where the logistics of shipping to such a remote country are difficult. Where did you develop your love of romance, living in a place where getting new books is a challenge?
The library has been such a blessing to me. It offers the luxury of being able to try different genres, and in this way I developed a love for romance novels that probably wouldn’t have been sparked otherwise, because there’s such a limited supply of them in bookstores. Most romance novel aficionados here rely on e-books, which are not only easier to get but also cheaper. Sadly it means we miss out on things like stepbacks though! And I look at the abundant #shelfies on Instagram with much envy!
“This high-octane layer-cake of escapism hits the spot.” – Publishers Weekly
I can’t mention this enough, but THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS is an absolute joy. It has everything from casual thievery to a strict code of (un)ethical behavior. If I had to compare it, I’d have to say Princess Bride with flying houses x Clueless with sword play x Bridgerton with pockets. What was the inspiration behind your book?
Bridgerton with pockets! Oh gosh I love that! The characters themselves were my inspiration, I was so intrigued by an image I had of them, and wanted to learn more. But honestly, the bulk of the story emerged from boring hard slog through brainstorming, trial and error, and scowling into the middle distance trying to wrangle ideas into some kind of sense.
One of the most unique elements of THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS is the flying battle houses. Instead of the more traditional ships, your pirates navigate the world in flying brownstones and cottages, in plain view of everyone. Why houses instead of carriages or bathtubs or magical wardrobes?
I actually did originally consider carriages. They weren’t fast enough. My pirates demanded to go at top speed!
You have the most charming Twitter feed (follow her at @IndiaHolton) and the most hilarious newsletter (subscribe at http://eepurl.com/hiS4t9). I’m lucky enough to know you’re just as delightful in person. In a world that seems upside down more often than not, how do you stay so magically wonderful?
What a kind thing to say, thank you. Honestly, humour is such a saving grace these days. Although sometimes it feels odd to be sitting at my desk laughing while awful things are happening in the world, it’s what the job requires and I try to remember that, if I’m laughing, hopefully in the future a reader will laugh too, and I can in that way give them some happiness and reprieve.
What’s next for you? Are you working on a new book? Is it a sequel to (or spinoff of) THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS or is it something completely different?
A spinoff of THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS is due out early 2022. I’m so looking forward to sharing more about it in the months ahead, including the equally long title and gorgeous cover.
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India Holton lives in a small seaside village in New Zealand, where she writes historical fantasy romcoms about unconventional women and the men who love them. Her writing is fueled by tea, buttered scones, and thunderstorms. India Holton can be found online at:
Sign up for her hilarious newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hiS4t9
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