I was a big Trekkie as a kid, so I taught myself how to raise one eyebrow, like Spock. It took quite a long time of pushing my eyebrow up over and over before the mirror, but I can still do it today.
2. What is your nickname?
2. What is your nickname?
Alas, Shelley is a nickname for most people, but it’s my full name. I suppose SJ is it.
SJ Kincaid originally wanted to be an astronaut, but a dearth of mathematical skills turned her interest to science fiction instead. Her debut novel, Insignia, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. Its sequels, Vortex and Catalyst, have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Booklist. She’s chronically restless and has lived in California, Alabama, New Hampshire, Oregon, Chicago and Scotland, with no signs of staying in one place anytime soon. For more information, see www.sjkincaid.com. Read our review for Diabolic, here.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Bears! I am so deathly afraid of bears. It was a phobia I luckily didn't develop until I was already an adult, since I went camping and hiking a lot when I was younger.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Committed, imaginative, not phoning in.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Probably the sidekick with a sense of humor and the sense to flee that the hero/heroine lacks. So, the Vik? (self reference here)
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
To Henry VIII's deathbed so I could tell him his daughter, Elizabeth, would grow up to be the greatest sovereign of England. Since he beheaded her mother due to his displeasure with Elizabeth's gender, I think it would be kind of awesome to see his face.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
You're not an astronaut, then?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Definitely my mother. She's a woman of steel and I can only hope to be half as tough as she is one day.
10. What/who made you start writing?
10. What/who made you start writing?
I have a sister who is four years older than me. I was the annoying sibling who wanted to be just like her, so when she began writing, I started writing as a hobby, too. We are both published now. She writes as Meredith Duran.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Sardonic. Just liking it right now.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ooh, that is so hard. Maybe The Secret History, by Donna Tartt.
SJ Kincaid originally wanted to be an astronaut, but a dearth of mathematical skills turned her interest to science fiction instead. Her debut novel, Insignia, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. Its sequels, Vortex and Catalyst, have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Booklist. She’s chronically restless and has lived in California, Alabama, New Hampshire, Oregon, Chicago and Scotland, with no signs of staying in one place anytime soon. For more information, see www.sjkincaid.com. Read our review for Diabolic, here.
