giggled.
“The queen,” Tiaothin purred, flicking her ears back and forth. “The queen has called for you.”
A chat with Julie Kagawa
What inspired you to write The Iron Fey series?
I’ve always loved faery tales, the old, creepy faery tales, where the fey were primal and wicked and dangerous. But when I first began writing a faery story, I got to thinking: what are the fey afraid of? In myth, the answer is iron, so what if there was a type of faery that was immune to iron, that had evolved with progress and technology? How would that affect the more traditional fey? And then I remembered we already have “creatures” lurking in machines: gremlins and bugs and worms and such, and from that thought the Iron Fey were born.
Who is your favourite character in the series?
I would have to say Ash, because I have a thing for dark, brooding bad boys who can wield pointy objects. But Grimalkin runs a very, very close second.
What is your favourite aspect of the faery world?
All the strange, beautiful, and fascinating creatures you can
meet in Faery. Be it a dragon or a kelpie or a talking cat, it’s never boring.
Is there one element from The Iron Fey universe that you would like to exist in the real world?
Trods, or faery paths between worlds, would be nice. It would make travel so much quicker.
Did you always want to be a writer?
Not always. I wanted to be a veterinarian for years and years, until high school, when I realised you actually had to be somewhat good at math and science to be a vet. And since numbers hate me, I figured making up stories and writing them down would be much easier. (Though I can tell you now, it’s not.)
Of the books you’ve written, which is your favourite?
The Iron King, the first book of The Iron Fey series, will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first to get published. But so far, I think The Iron Queen is my favourite book I’ve written.
Do you have a writing routine?
I’m one of those extremely lucky authors who gets to stay home and write, so I start in the morning and try for at least a thousand to twelve hundred words a day.
Favourite author of all time?
Oh goodness. There are too many; I can’t pick just one. I will say Neil Gaiman is one of my favourite authors, because his books are so inspiring. (And he has a sexy voice.)
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Harry Potter. And not just because of Rowling’s success; because I love the world and want to live there.
Survival Guide to the Nevernever
Disclaimer This guide is intended to give intrepid travellers into the realm of the fey a minimal chance at surviving the creatures and denizens that dwell within. Please note, the author of this guide is in no way responsible for lost or damaged souls, ensnarement, or accidental or intentional death. Entering the realms of fey can, and likely will, be hazardous to your health and is not recommended. You have been warned.
Preparations
One can never prepare adequately for entry into the Nevernever. There are, however, a few rules that one can follow to help increase the chances of surviving.
What Should I Wear?
Dressing for the Nevernever means blending utility with comfort. If you have questions about whether or not an item is appropriate, ask yourself the following: if running for my life, would this slow me down? And: if caught while running for my life, would this protect me? If the answer to the first question is yes, and the second question is no, then the item is inappropriate. Here are a few suggested items to wear to help you make it out of the Nevernever alive:
A light pack (either a backpack or large satchel) can be helpful for storing other necessary items. Make sure to avoid large, bulky or heavy packs, as they will slow you down when (not if) you need to run for your life.
Comfortable clothing that covers the arms and legs (the Briars have thorns, after all). Make sure to wear muted colours, as bright or flashy colours will attract the fey. Layers are also strongly recommended, as the temperature can swing quite drastically from one part of the Nevernever to the next.
A protective charm may reduce the chances of being eaten. Cold iron blessed by the druids during a new moon works best, but if that is not available a twist of St John’s Wort, a four-leaf clover or a rabbit’s foot might help. If you have none of the above, wearing your clothing inside out may work in a pinch.
A high-quality pair of cross-trainers or running shoes. Remember, buying the shoes is not enough. A strong cardio programme is highly recommended before crossing into the Nevernever.
What Should I Pack?
It is a common mistake to take a large number of gadgetry (cameras, cell phones, portable computers, etc …) into the Nevernever. The second problem with these devices is that they will not work well (if at all) in Faery. The first and larger problem is that any fey you chance across will not take kindly to the presence of so much mortal technology, which, in turn, could lead to a situation where the running shoes mentioned above are needed. Better to stick with a few simple items:
Food. Any type of small, high-caloric, portable food items will suffice. Energy bars, candy bars, trail mix, dehydrated foods, etc … will extend the amount of time you can spend in the Nevernever. (Note: Extending the amount of time spent in the Nevernever is not recommended.) It is recommended that you do not eat anything you find or are offered while in the Nevernever. Side effects of faery food include but are not limited to: mood swings, inebriation, memory loss, shape-changing, obsession, coma, inability to leave the Nevernever and death.
A weapon of steel or cold iron. Modern steel (e.g. a knife, sword or other implement of death) is serviceable in this regard, but cold iron (e.g. a spike from a wrought-iron fence, a length of pig iron, etc.) is preferable as it has a more direct impact on the fey. Before entering Faery, an intense training programme with your chosen weapon is strongly encouraged. Several years of training should be enough to adequately protect yourself from the weakest fey. If you wish to protect yourself from the
