Q – Where were you born?
A – In North Carolina. Yes, I still live there.
Q – How did you get published?
A – I got published in 2013 by a self-publishing website, Booklocker.com. I loved the entire experience. It was very rewarding to be the one in charge of everything. In a way, it helped me learn the ropes and struggles of publishing that I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t have went that route. When it came time to publish the second book in the trilogy, I decided to test my luck. I sent my book to Booktrope, and by some grace of the gods, I was asked to republish my self-published book. Then I was asked to publish all three books. It has been the time of my life. My book is better than it could have ever been without their help.
Q – Did you always want to be a writer?
A – I wanted to be an author ever since middle school. We were asked the infamous question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Naturally I had no clue. So my teacher sent me to the library. I was thinking to myself, who is my role model? Other than my mom, I thought of Judy Blume. Immediately I researched her every move as an author. I dedicated myself to learning the process, which paid off tremendously when it came time to publish “Antidote.” When I gave my presentation, I was practically the leader of a Judy Blume fan club. It went from there. I wrote poems in my room every night and attempted to write four horrible books that will never ever be revealed. Whenever I get asked what author inspired me the most, it is always going to be Judy Blume.
Q -What do you do when you’re not writing?
A – I read more than I can breath. I go to school when I am not reading or writing.
Q – Which authors have inspired you?
A – Stephan Chbosky , Jennifer L. Armentrout, Michelle Hodkin, Veronica Roth, etc.
Q – What are your favorite books?
A – I have so many. I have a thing for series. I love the Lux series, Vampire Academy, Mara Dyer series. My favorite stand alones are “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Looking for Alaska,” “13 Reasons Why,” Etc. The list goes on and on.
Q – How did you get the idea for Antidote?
A – I was working on a horrible novel about aliens and spaceships, when I began watching I, Robot with my brother. I was watching the screen and it was like a weird sensation came over me. What if I was turned into a robot? I ran from my seat, grabbed a pen and paper and began writing. I didn’t stop until I passed out from sleep deprivation on my desk in my room.
Q – What is Antidote about?
A – Short version: A disease is going around that is threatening to wipe out the human race. It is all up to one girl to save the world.
Longer version: Life sucks, and then you rot. No one knows how Dermadecatis is contracted, but its existence has changed everything for 18-year-old Lena, in this riveting debut from Taylor Hondos.
No contact with other people.
Masks must be worn at all times in public.
Four months ago men, women and children alike began to rot from the inside out, and the world as we know it changed forever. Life goes on, but now everything revolves around the need to survive and find a cure for Dermadecatis, the disease that Lena Alona’s father discovered.
Unfortunately for Lena and everyone else who is desperate to survive, her father’s secrets died when he did.
Q – How long did it take you to write Antidote?
A – Well, I started in 2012. It was my senior year of high school. I wrote the entire first trilogy on paper. In 2013, I was ready to throw it away, when I decided I would type it out. When I started typing it, I started making it longer than it was. I added scenes, characters, villains, until I had the story. It took me a year to get the confidence to self-publish the story in 2014.
Q – Is this a trilogy?
A – Why yes. Yes, it is. I planned on having two books but then I realized that the story wasn’t over yet.
Q – When is book 2 released? Book 3?
A – Prospect (Book 2) will be released in 2016. Corruption (Book 3) will most likely be released in 2017.
Q – What will you write next?
A – I have a few ideas of stand alone novels. As far as I know, they will be Young Adult books with some teen romance. We will see how it goes.
Q – What kind of message do you hope your books send to readers?
A – For me, I want readers to remember that any dream can come true with hard work. It is never too early to start trying to achieve your goals, hopes or dreams. I would love to someday be an inspiration to readers.
Q – Will you read my work in progress, poem, short story or novel?
A – As much as I would love to, there are many reasons why I cannot. I wish you the best of luck though.
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Q – Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
A – Write for yourself. Love what you do. Write your own story and be proud of it.