Interview with Split Worlds Author Emma Newman

In case you weren’t aware, Emma Newman’s Split Worlds Series of books has had a make-over – pampered, manicured and a whole day at the salon to deal with the designer stubble. The new look Split Worlds will be available from February 23^rd from Diversion Press. Capturing the magic hiding between these pages cannot have been an easy task for the artist. Naturally Between Two Thorns, Any Other Name, and All Is Fair wanted to be dressed for the August launch of the fourth book in the series, A Little Knowledge.

One simply couldn’t be out done by the new arrival after all. Yes, these books have personality, of course they do!

Before you all go getting the wrong idea about Emma’s Urban Fantasy series, the series features fae folk are a touch fickle (actually ‘psychotic’ is probably a better word) and an Arbiter who may well be related to Constantine or Castiel. The novels are decadently balanced against a backdrop of Georgian curiosities, our digitally dedicated lifestyles, and a broad swath of magic.

I’m getting the impression these characters of yours had greater plans than the original three book story arc. How long did the Fae torment you until you gave in to writing the fourth book?

They didn’t need to torment me – it was always going to be a five books series! There was just a longer gap between books 3 and 4 than I would have preferred and a change in publisher, but it feels like it’s back on track now. Back when the first editions came out, I was only contracted for the first 3, even though I knew I needed 5 books to tell the story in my head. As there was no guarantee the 4th and 5th books would be published back then, I had to give readers an emotionally satisfying conclusion for each of the main characters. I deliberately didn’t tie up all the big plots though – it would have been impossible anyway – because I was determined to finish the series one way or another. Now it’s worked out perfectly; books four and five are definitely being published so I can finish the bigger story in the way I always intended to. Phew!

Did you always have plans for Sam to feature heavily in the story or has he charmed his way in?

That was always part of the plan. Sam is the everyman who stumbles into the fantastical elements of the book, and in the initial parts of the story, I wanted him to help guide the reader through the weird intersections between the Fae-touched Nether and the real world of Mundanus. But I always knew that he would evolve past that – he had to, to be plausible! I knew he would get more deeply involved, but the form of that did change as I wrote more of the series.

Split Worlds has a fabulous following of readers, and I understand you’ve decided to go head to head with anxiety to hold a live action event. Can you tell us a little more about it? Oh, and just to be clear, is it in Bath or Aquae Sulis?

It is rather nerve wracking but yes, there is going to be a Live Action Roleplaying event in Bath on May 7th at the Guildhall. The game is centred around a masked ball which is the last ball of the season held in Aquae Sulis (the magical reflection of Bath in the Nether). It’s set between the third and fourth books.

There’s a day of activities leading up to the ball for the players to get everyone relaxed and comfortable playing characters in the Split Worlds. We sold out of the RPG tickets in about 9 days and there are over 70 players, so I was thrilled with the response. There are still non-RPG tickets left, which are ideal for fans of the books who want to enjoy the dressing up and spectacle of the ball without the pressure of roleplaying.

My hope is that players will feel totally immersed in the world and get a taste of life as one of the Fae-touched. I’m running it with the help of a very experienced GM and I have roleplayed for years and GMed live games too, so between us and the talented crew my co-GM is putting together – and the gorgeous Georgian venue – I have high hopes that it will be a spectacular event.

I don’t doubt it will be, and anyone wanting to attend this illustrious gathering can find out more about the Split Worlds Live Action Roleplay Event here.

As well as writing enough short stories to fill a library and being extra-ordinarily polite, you are also one part of the Tea and Jeopardy Podcast featuring a literary guest list that would put any fairy queen’s to shame. With all that is going on, does it get a little creatively crazy in your house at times?

It really, really does! Since the new year I’ve written a novel (120k words), edited that and am waiting for edits back, have edited my next sci-fi book that’s coming out in November, done lots of planning and character creation for the Split Worlds LARP, put together several Tea and Jeopardy episodes, started a new Split Worlds short story podcast, recorded an audio book in a studio (and am starting another tomorrow), relaunched the first 3 Split Worlds novels, had a novelette published (‘The Unkindest Cut’ in the Monstrous Little Voices anthology published by Abaddon Books) and started researching my next novel. Blimey… no wonder I am tired. It’s a crazy time at the moment, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

No wonder you need tea! WAIT! The Victoria sponge has been poisoned, and for once the butler has had the good mind to warn you prior to serving it to your guest. Therefore, if you could invite any fictional villain to tea, who would be your victim, and why?

Hrmmm, that’s a tricky one, as there are very few people I would be able to poison without dreadful guilt. Saying that, I would gladly do that to Crome, the Mayor of London in Mortal Engines, by Philip Reeve. And Kilgrave from Jessica Jones would be offered a couple of slices too! The reason why is the same for both of them: they cause pain and suffering to others and are horribly selfish.

Finally, though I am not quite sure where you find the time to do it all, can you tell us what can we look forward to reading from you in the future?

The fourth Split Worlds novel, A Little Knowledge, will be released on August 2nd of this year and then in November, my next science-fiction novel will be published by Roc. It’s called After Atlas and is another stand-alone, set in the same universe as Planetfall, taking place on Earth forty years after the Pathfinder left.

Thank you for finding time to talk with us, Emma, I’m fairly certain the tea around here is safe so catch your breath before you start your next project!

If you’d like to hear more from the Split Worlds Universe you can check out Emma’s Split World Podcasts here. However the wisest of you will head on over to the Split Worlds site to pre-order the fourth book in her series, A Little Knowledge. Do it now before the Fae get any malicious ideas.