Interview: Catherine Banks, Author of Song of the Moon

Title: Review: Song of the Moon (Artemis Lupine, #1)
Author: Catherine Banks
Publisher: Self Published, 294 Pages (February 19th 2010)
Ordering info: Amazon

Synopsis: What if you found out that there was another world inside your own? What if all of the things you thought made you weird, actually made you powerful?

Artemis's life is changed forever when the mysterious man from her dreams, Ares, comes to claim her as his mate. The seventeen year old girl must find a way to adapt to her true life and accept her fate or run from it. She must overcome her fears and human ideals to give her self to the dangerous world, and man, that is her destiny.


Hi Catherine - Can you tell us about your journey in becoming self published? And did you always want to go that route?

No, I didn’t always want to be self-published, but in today’s publishing world it’s difficult to get published. So, I decided that since I don’t really care about royalties that self-publishing was the way for me. This way my books are out in the world for everyone to see now, instead of me waiting to find an agent and then a publisher.

How long did it take you to write Song of the Moon? And did you always know from the beginning it would be a series? And if so, how many books are you looking for this series to be?

I originally wrote Song of the Moon three years ago as one giant book. When I started thinking about self-publishing it, my husband suggested that I break the giant book up in to smaller books and just make it into a series. So, it took me two years to write the giant book, then a year to write Song of the Moon as its own separate novel. There will be at least three books and possibly a fourth for the Artemis Lupine series.

What was the hardest part in writing this book?

The hardest part was the editing. It was easy for me to write down Artemis’ story, but going back and editing and changing was definitely difficult.

Do you have a favorite line or two you’d like to share with everyone?

"A dance club? Why don’t you just stab me in the eye with this fork?" ~Artemis

"Humans were never the top of the food chain,” Ares answered angrily.

“What is?” I asked.”

“We are.” ~Artemis & Ares

Being that this series is about werewolves, could you tell us what makes yours unique?

There are a few differences in the werewolves in my stories from others that I’ve read. One difference is that there are three ways to become a werewolf in mine: 1. Bitten; 2. Born (only needing one werewolf parent to give you the gene); and 3. Cursed by a witch. Also, the wolves don’t have split personalities between them and their wolf. In wolf form they think much the same as they do in human form. The wolf form simply heightens natural instincts that the human form isn’t privy to all the time. The forms of my wolves really aren’t that original since I think it’s really hard to make original forms with the werewolf genre, but in my series they can be human, wolf (giant wolves, the top of their back at least 5 feet tall), or half-shift where they have half human parts and half wolf parts which allow them to walk on two feet. The wolves in my stories can also change a single part of their body, such as turning a hand into a paw with claws.

What can we expect in the next book? Can you give us any teasers?

Here is the back cover blurb:

Artemis' life completely changed when she learned of her true genetics and discovered Ares. Now, nothing is simple and life is anything, but calm. Artemis soon finds out that the only way to stop running from danger is to stand and fight, but at what cost?

What’s your favorite part of writing?

Letting the story flow. Once I have been writing for about five minutes I no longer hear or see anything beyond the story I’m writing down and playing across my eyes. It’s exhilarating to have complete control over someone’s life, even if they are fictional. LOL

Can you tell us 5 random things about yourself?

1) I am and have been a tomboy since birth;

2) I am an extremely picky eater;

3) I LOVE import cars (my favorite being the blue Subaru WRX STI), anime movies and video games (especially Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2);

4) I’ve been with the same man since I was a junior in high school;

5) My two favorite types of food to eat out are sushi and phở.

And lastly, are there any other future projects your working on or what would love to write about next?

I have quite a few projects I’m working on, but two which are consuming most of my time. One is an adult novel and the other is a young adult novel. Both are the first books in series and both involve werewolves.

Thanks so much for stopping by Catherine! I’m really looking forward to reading Kiss of a Star (Artemis Lupine, #2)

Additional information and websites to check out:

Catherine Banks Website

My Review: Song of the Moon

Be sure to check back tomorrow! There just might be a giveaway that has to do with Song of the Moon!

*I am not compensated at all for any of the links withing this page.