Hey, I’m fantasy novelist Jacqueline Carey, and I’m feelin’ kind of feisty! AMA.

[u/JacquelineCarey]

While I’m best known for the Kushiel’s Legacy alternate historical fantasy series (intrigue! sex! sword-fighting! tattoos!), I’ve written a bunch of other books, too! And I’m currently promoting my brand-new epic standalone Starless (prophecy! cool weapons! gender-bending! prescient octopus!) Ask me anything!

http://www.jacquelinecarey.com

Proof: /img/yi9zdjd5q5711.jpg

[u/Patremagne]

Hi Jacqueline!

I've read both Kushiel's Dart and Kushiel's Chosen, loved them both and can't decide whether to finish up the trilogy or read Starless.

That being said - after reading the blurb for Starless, how did you go about writing a book that seems, on the surface, to be similar to the first Kushiel trilogy (dedicated male assassin-bodyguard to the important female)? Obviously that's likely as far as the similarities go since there appear to be gods and world-destruction involved, but I'm curious about your thought/writing process with it.

[u/Yowowoy]

You tend to focus a lot on historical fiction with a high religious affiliation, have you always had a big interest in world religions? Also, how do you come up with the "language" names you use in your books? Like khementaran, rhamanthus, heshkrat, yakhan, kopar for example.

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[u/[deleted]]

Hey Jacqueline. Huge fan of the three D’Angeline trilogies. They were amazing. And it even affected my faith. Your perspective on Yeshua the avenger and Yeshua the love filled teacher really spoke to me and I began following the love path of Christianity. So I wanted to thank you for that. What would you tell a young writer advice wise on how to help an author make characters that are relatable to the reader? I felt connected to many characters. Joscelin being one.

[u/Mike_Avery]

Thanks for stopping by! Currently reading through Kushiel's Legacy right now and loving it. One thing I noticed is that, while the books definitely deal with sex, the way I had heard people talk I thought it was going to be far more prominent or even in the vain of 50 Shades. Do you tend to think people over represent that aspect of the work when talking about it, and if so, why? To me, even though it's well done and an important part of the books, there's so much more to the work than that, and I don't feel you get credit for a lot of other great things in them.

[u/PodkayneOfMars]

My ex-boyfriend just sent this AMA to me, and I've never clicked and logged into Reddit faster. You were a guest at AggieCon when I was but a wee freshman there, and I a) was shy as fuck, and b) hadn't read your books yet. For those reasons, I didn't introduce myself or chat with you at the con, and it is legit one of the biggest literary mistakes I have made so far in my life. When I finally did read them (not too long after that convention), I DEVOURED them. My ex (who also read them) and I found quite a few similarities between our own relationship and Phedre/Joscelin's, and the matter of fact discussion of sex and relationships in the books let both of us explore sides of ourselves that I don't think we otherwise would have. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you've given the literary world and me personally through your work. <3

Though I've read (and enjoyed!) your other work, I find myself rereading the original Kushiel series at least once a year -- and Imri's saga about once every 2 years. Do you find the fascination and borderline obsession of fans with the Kushiel books overwhelming or tiring? I imagine that it can be frustrating when fans pigeonhole an author, even unintentionally, by focusing only on one piece of the author's oeuvre.

[u/LiesandBalderdash]

I'm a big fan! I'd love to know if there's anything you would change if you were writing Kushiel's Dart today, as an author with so many more books under her belt. Any plot points that you might tweak or move or characters you would explore in a different way, knowing what you know now?

[u/SnarkyTaco]

You clearly do a lot of research for your novels. What is that process like? Do you find experts, or just research yourself?

[u/Duke_Paul]

Hi Jacqueline,

Thanks for taking the time to do an AMA! Feisty is the perfect temperament for doing one of these. I'm curious how much/how you researched for an alternate history series. Also, what are the hardest scenes for you to write? Or I guess the most difficult?

Thanks!

[u/theholley]

The inevitable question: Any new "news" on whether Kushiel will become a miniseries? If GRR Martin can turn his books into the frenzied success it was, I think the Kushiel's world and characters ought to provide a little more hope and love to TV fans. Other than that, you are fabulous. Phedre changed my life! Thank you for your art.

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[u/chemgrrl]

Phedre is such a fantastic queer icon that doesn't get nearly enough recognition. Are there any happy stories readers have told you regarding reading your works and realizing their queerness because of your words?

[u/Harkano]

What do you consider the main historical points of divergence in the Kushiel’s Legacy series?

How much of real history do you borrow from in creating your version of somewhere like La Serenissima, or Carthage?

What did you think about when you were putting together the D’Angeline pantheon? How much of it was original versus borrowing from Biblical/Kabbalah Angels?

Did you ever feel like Moirin had too much of a magic 8 ball of direction from the gods via her Diadh-Anam?

How much Scottish/Irish mythology did you borrow in creating the Boar, Bull, Stag and Bear?

The world of Starless is very unique. The concept of the walking gods, and the desert culture - what were your influences?

How much oversight do you have over the production of the audiobooks? All 3 trilogies, and Starless have been amazing. Is the pronunciation always on point?

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[u/theruggernaut]

Found your works as a young adult before going into the military. A lovely older lady friend of mine from online gaming actually introduced me to Phedré and Joscelin ♡. Being suppressed in the army as to who I am, until the end of my 8yrs basically, it was helpful taking strength and inspiration from your excellent stories.

I'm a single nerd dad, lover of DragonLance, Middle Earth, PERN, and more, so eventually (16 or so) the kiddos will be offered a well-worn copy to read if they choose. For consenting nerd adults, have you ever given the nod toward licensing open-source role-playing game campaigns set in your worlds?

I'm dying to run a game in Terre d'Ange and beyond, eventually... ☆☆☆☆☆

[u/[deleted]]

Will you tell us if Imriel and Sidonie’s horde lived peaceful lives? Also I love your books so hard

[u/RowanWanders]

When world building, especially theology, how do you keep track of all the different gods and goddesses and what they represent? You had so many in Starless I feel like you had to have a wall and thread connecting them all. :D Also, long time fan! Love your work.

[u/JustNaz9]

Hello Jacqueline! You've published so many amazing books, but the Kushiel series seems to be what you're most famous for. Why do you think that is? What is it about Phedre or Terre D'Ange that really resonates with people? Do you think your readers are a bunch of queer kinksters or is it something else?

Thanks! <3

[u/kthriller]

OMG! I am so excited!!!! My now-husband introduced me to your books 12 years ago. At the time, we had only been dating for two months, and I needed a birthday gift for him. I called the library, and they were able to tell me he had one of your books borrowed, and I was able to go buy him a copy of his own. He then insisted I read it after him, and the rest is history!

Is there an area of the "world" that you created with the Kushiel series that you'd like to spend more time in, or visit in more detail?

[u/AndrewHarland23]

What advice would you give somebody that wants to write but isn't that experienced besides a few poems and doesn't feel technically skilled enough?

[u/Margrudo]

We’re coming out of pride month and its been more important than ever to celebrate in recent years. That said, you write a lot of queer characters in your novels compared to other fantasy authors. Do you have a coming out story?

[u/DrPetroleum]

Are you ever going to revisit the Sundering series?

[u/FunctionalPotato]

Man. I am two weeks away from my Bar exams and this post just made me want to re-read all the D’Angeline series.

[u/Katiekat84]

The Kushiel series are my most favorite books of all time. I reread the series at least once a year. Other than your own fantabulous books, do you have any recommendations for books in a similar vein? Well written female characters, fantasy element, adult themes (bonus points for kink!).

[u/Melstar1416]

I’m a late to the party, but have you ever seen the movie Dangerous Beauty? 10/10 would recommend, Veronica reminds me a bit of Phedre, and the dialogue fits your storytelling, but I’ll let you discover that for yourself!

Any idea when your book from Joscelin’s perspective will be coming out? I’m so incredibly excited, I almost cried of happiness when I heard!