The Goddess Test is now in stores everywhere! For more information about that and upcoming releases, see About the Books.
» When will The Goddess Test be released? Will it be released internationally?
The Goddess Test was released in North America on April 26th, 2011, from Harlequin TEEN. It was also released in August 2011 in Australia and September 2011 in the UK. More countries and release dates may be added as I become aware of them.
» What is The Goddess Test about?
Please see the About the Books page for more information on current and future projects!
» Is The Goddess Test a retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone?
While there are some similar elements between the myth of Hades and Persephone and The Goddess Test, the book is not a retelling of that myth. Instead, without giving too much away, it would be best classified as a modern-day sequel.
» Will there be a sequel to The Goddess Test?
There will be! The Goddess Test is the first in a trilogy, and the second book, Goddess Interrupted, will be released in late March 2012. The third book is currently untitled and will likely be released in late 2012.
» When will Goddess Interrupted be released? Can I get an ARC?
Goddess Interrupted, the sequel to The Goddess Test, will be released in late March 2012. As far as ARCs go, I have no control over distribution, and your best bet is to check NetGalley a few months before the release. Emailing me asking for an ARC unfortunately won't get you anywhere at the moment, but I'll be sure to update if there is a change.
» Do you like Greek mythology? Is there a lot of it in the books, like the Percy Jackson series?
I've been studying Greek mythology since I learned how to read, and while I won't pretend to be an expert, I love it. Greek mythology is featured in The Goddess Test trilogy, but in a way that worked for how I wanted to tell the story, and it is a bit different from how Rick Riordan uses mythology in the wonderful Percy Jackson series.
In general, the main focus of The Goddess Test is the myth of Hades and Persephone, but Goddess Interrupted, the second book of the trilogy, has a wider range of myths that are brought into the forefront of the story.
» What inspires your stories?
That question is so hard to answer. Anything, really. Music, news headlines, snippets of possibility. Sometimes an idea shows up out of thin air. There is no one thing, and sometimes the most inspiring thing of all for me is sitting down at a keyboard in front of a blank document.
» Is The Goddess Test the first manuscript you wrote?
Not even close. I say this without embarrassment - I wrote over twenty full-length manuscripts over the course of five years before I sat down to write The Goddess Test. It took me a while to not only find my voice, but to figure out how to use that voice and craft a story that caught an agent's interest. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Most of those manuscripts are contemporary. I believe only one or two are fantasy. All are young adult. None of them will ever see the light of day again. And in the future I plan on making a large donation to an Arbor Day fund to make up for all the trees that had to die because I couldn't keep my pen capped.
» I hear you wrote fan fiction. Can I read it?
I did write fan fiction! It's how I learned how to write, and there is nothing like the kind of feedback you get online from total strangers who just want to read a good story. Talk about toughening you up. Most of what I wrote was Harry Potter fan fiction from roughly 2000 and on, but I did dabble in Hanson fan fiction before then. Yes, I am a geek and totally proud of it.
The embarrassment of just how BAD my fan fiction was aside (really, guys, I started when I was eleven years old), I really don't know where it is anymore. Most of it no longer exists, but the stuff that does is flat-out terrible. Much of it was written more than a decade ago, and as any writer will tell you, the difference a year can make in your writing, let alone ten years, is enormous. Even if I could find it, linking to it would be akin to posting my first completed manuscript online for everyone to dissect and snicker over. And while I like to think I have some thick skin, I'm not tough enough for that kind of public humiliation. Sorry!
» I want to be a writer. Do you have any advice?
There is so much information out there, and I'm so new to being published myself. I would recommend you read as many agent, editor and author blogs as possible to learn not only about the business of writing, but about the craft as well. Don't take any one person's word on something. Read widely. Learn and be open to criticism, even if it hurts. Especially if it hurts. And above all else, keep writing, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it.
» How can I contact you?
You can email me at aimeecarter@gmail.com. I try to respond to all emails, but if you haven't heard back from me in two weeks, please send your email again. Sometimes my spam folder is a little too eager. You can also tweet at me on Twitter.