Author Spotlight: Kate Kaynak

Please Welcome 

Kate Kaynak

Author of

The Ganzfield series!

1) Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Kate: I studied psychology and taught it around the world for the University of Maryland. I now live in New Hampshire with my husband and three kids under age 6, where I enjoy reading, writing, and fighting crime with my amazing superpowers.

2) What was the inspiration for writing The Ganzfield books?

Kate: I'd read and enjoyed both the Twilight and Sookie Stackhouse books, but both had telepathic characters who could only fall in love with someone whose thoughts they *couldn't* read. I started thinking about what kind of person a telepath *could* fall in love with--and who would be comfortable in a relationship with someone who knew their every thought. I've always loved parapsychology, so playing with the ideas grew pretty quickly into the full cast of sparks, charms, minders, healers, RVs, etc. 

3) Were there any personal experiences that went in to writing The Ganzfield series?

Kate: Absolutely.  Most of the places in the books are real--including the setting of Ganzfield itself, which is on a real lake near North Conway, NH. And many of the characters are based on real people; I shared a cab in NYC with the man who inspired Dr. Williamson, and most of the bad guys are named after my ex-boyfriends.

4) Was Maddie's character based on anyone or was she a purely made up character? What is she like?

Kate: Actually, Maddie's a lot like me--except when I get angry with someone, my thoughts don't kill them.  She's intense and take-charge, but she wants to make things right and take care of the people she sees as "her" people.

5) What was your inspiration in the cover art for Minder?

Kate: It's based on the old Gestalt psychology tests--do you see a vase or two faces?  It's funny, though--not everyone sees it.  I've had people ask why I have a chess piece or a candlestick on the cover of MINDER. One guy actually thought it was a weird bird. The covers definitely inspire love-it-or-hate-it reactions, though.

6) Do you plan on furthering the Ganzfield series or sticking with a trilogy?

Kate: I submitted book 4 to my editor last week, and I'm nearly done with the first draft of book 5.  I think I'll have a total of six books before the major story arcs conclude, and I may do a seventh from Seth's point-of-view, since his story and Maddie's diverge in the later books.

7) Who is your favorite character in the books? And why?

Kate: Just one? I love writing from Maddie's point-of-view, since she thinks the things that I would if I were in her situation. I have a major book crush on Trevor (my husband only tolerates it because Trevor's partially based on him), and Drew just cracks me up.  

8) If Minder was made into a movie, Who would be your dream cast?

Kate: I would love--just LOVE--to have Stephen R. McQueen play Trevor.  He's perfect for the role.  *dreamy sigh*

9) Do you write to music? If so, what is your favorite?

Kate: I do!  I have a playlist that includes "Mad World" by Gary Jules, several Muse songs, Regina Spektor's "Fidelity," Joshua Radin's "Only You," a couple of songs from Something Corporate, and Scissor Sisters' "Fire with Fire." 

10) What do you plan on doing in the future?

Kate: I'll finish the Ganzfield books this year, and my next project will probably be a YA paranormal set at Yale with an incoming frosh who talks to ghosts--and whose family history holds a dark secret.

11) What are you reading right now?

Kate: I just finished Beth Revis' ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, and I loved it. I'm still digesting it.

12) Who are a few of your favorite authors?

Kate: I have SOOO many. All time favorites include Orson Scott Card, Jane Austen, Douglas Adams, Connie Willis, Stephenie Meyers, Gail Carriger,Suzanne Collins, and Scott Westerfield. Keep an eye on Jennifer Armentrout, who's debuting this year--HALF-BLOOD is amazing!  I'm biased though, since she's a fellow Spencer Hill author.

 Quick Questions:

Favorite Food: 

Chocolate. 

Favorite Book: 

Too many to name. 

Favorite Color: 

Blue.

Favorite song: 

Depends on my mood. 

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? 

Right here in New Hampshire, but I'd vacation in Aruba.

Where to find Kate:

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Twitter

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