Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Marta Palazzesi!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Marta Palazzesi
MARTA PALAZZESI is an award-winning author of books for children and young people, translator, and consultant for publishing and film production companies. She is part of the Superheroes Training Center, a nonprofit organization that holds creative writing workshops in middle and high schools. Her last novel, Mist, was hailed by bestselling author Katherine Applegate as a “not-to-be-missed tale of courage and compassion.” Palazzesi’s books reflect her great passion for animals. Alkrem combines this passion with the high drama of a fantasy-adventure. Palazzesi lives with her husband, two children and dogs, Tango and Mambo, in Milan, Italy. Follow her on instagram at marta_palazzesi.
About the Book: Alkrem
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I always had in my mind the idea of a story set in a fantasy world where the same historical event is understood in two very different ways by two groups of people who inhabit the world. So, when the Archemists speak about “the liberation”, the Alkrem call it “the extermination”, because their point of view is really different. I think the inspiration came from some interviews I saw on YouTube. The topic was “Columbus Day” and the interviewer asked people celebrating in the streets what they thought about that day. They were all enthusiastic and used words such as “joy”, “proud”, “a party”. But then the scene changed, and the interviewer asked the same questions to some Native American descents in a studio: the words they used to describe that “celebration” were very different – “death”, “agony”, “massacre.” It left a strong impression on me and gave me a lot to think about.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
Definitively Fuse, Brenock Chimius’s cat. He’s witty, sarcastic but extremely loyal and wise.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
It took me six years to plan and write this story, but I was pretty sure since the beginning that the title was going to be Alkrem.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of and why?
I would say the opening scene. It took me a lot of thinking and re-thinking. You can start your story in a million different ways but it is the very first scene that is going to set the whole rhythm of the book. And I think that I got it right.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
To be patient. Writing is a long process. I’ve learned that every story needs a different amount of time and work and being quick and fast is not always the right way to get to the end.
YABC: What do you like the most about the cover of the book?
I really like the way all the different animals meld, creating the shape of the fox. I think it’s brilliant! The illustrator did a stunning job.
YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
I did classical studies (in Italy is called “Liceo Classico”) so I really love mythology. I recently red Circe by Madeline Miller and I found it compelling.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
This spring my new book will be released here in Italy. It tells the story of the Roman goddess Diana – you may be more familiar with her Greek contemporary, Artemis – who has to find an ancient shield in Rome in the year 2000, or the city will be destroyed.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
I’m pretty strong-willed and I never give up.
YABC: What advice do you have to new writer?
I would encourage them to not let anyone’s opinion weaken their dreams and ambitions. Writing is hard, publishing is even harder, but do not let other people tell you that you can and cannot do. Just keep writing and dreaming!
