The Devil's Intern by Donna Hosie

My friend and mentor, Donna Hosie has a new book coming out. If you've followed my blog for a while, you know that she and I have "known" each other for several years. We met back when we were both moderators on The Leaky Cauldron forum, The Leaky Lounge. Our Harry Potter history goes way back. I was always struck by her fun sense of humor, so it's no surprise that it shines in this new release.

About the book:

"How did you die?"

It's the most popular question in Hell, and Mitchell Johnson has been answering it ever since he was hit by a bus at age seventeen and inexplicably ended up in the Underworld. Now Mitchell is The Devil's intern in Hell's accounting office. Lately, he's noticed a disturbing trend: the volume of new arrivals is straining Hell's limited resources. Then Mitchell overhears his boss discussing plans to limit newcomers with a legendary time travel mechanism. With a device like that, Mitchell realizes, he could change history and prevent his own death.

Mitchell's plot goes awry when his three closest friends—Alfarin, the Viking prince; Elinor, from 17th-century London; and Melissa, from 1960s San Francisco—insert themselves into his plans. It soon becomes clear that the fates of all four are entwined in dangerous and unpredictable ways. With unforgettable characters and a thrilling premise, this original novel is by turns funny, poignant, and thought-provoking.

★ "A comic, time-traveling trip to Hell and back. . . . Just outstanding fun for those who enjoy snarky comedy and suspense."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "Interesting characters, nonstop adventure, and humor with a touch of heart will not disappoint teens looking for a dark comedy. —School Library Journal

Donna agreed to do a short interview.

1.  A wizard walks through the door right now wearing a Fedora. What does he say and why is he here?

It's Gandalf, and he's here for my INTERN launch party - although he's arrived late and as we're packing up after we sold out the place! He would say, "A wizard is never late, Donna Hosie. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to. Now where's the beer and my hat you borrowed for Comic Con. I look ridiculous in this Fedora!"

Gandalf in disguise. Hmmm. I kinda like it.


2.  What actor would play you in a movie about your life?

Kate Winslet. She's a Reading girl, and I moved there when I was 18. She actually had her wedding reception in my local pub! I used to drive past her acting school every week. I reckon she could pull off the insanity that's been my life pretty well. Plus she gets Oscar nominated for everything, so I'd go along with her to meet Benedict Cumberbatch!

Methinks we're seeing a theme here. 


3.  Who is your favorite literary villain and why?

Severus Snape - and before the world screams at me that he wasn't a villain and DEATHLY HALLOWS proves it, I will blow a big fat raspberry in your face and say he WAS a villain and nothing will ever change my mind. Snape is one of the greatest creations in literature. To get to book 7 in a series and still not know whether he was good or bad, is an amazing feat by the writer. Yet Snape was a villain. He was a vicious bully to his students, he didn't care about James or Harry; he only wanted to save Lily. He was emotionally blackmailed into helping Harry by Dumbledore. He was a Death Eater, and we still don't know what heinous crimes he did under that guise, but it is more than hinted at that his soul was already torn before he AK'd Dumbledore. Severus Snape is the most charismatic and complicated character in the Potterverse, but the greasy one was a villain.

Hear hear! I remember right after DH came out, Jo was interviewed. Someone said something like, "So Snape was a good guy?" Jo replied, "Do you think he was a good guy?"

Final Question.

4. What am I working on?

I'm juggling projects. I am currently in the middle of revising THE DEVIL'S DREAMCATCHER (Holiday House 2015), which is the sequel to INTERN. That'll be released in October next year. I have another release at the beginning of 2015 called QUEST OF THE ARTISAN, which is book five in my indie CAMELOT tales. That's written, so now comes editing and formatting once my critique partners have worked their magic. In terms of works in progress, I am currently drafting book 3 in my DEVIL'S series, and I also have a YA contemporary manuscript that requires some revising for my agent. Busy, busy, busy!

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO

About the author
Donna Hosie is a full-time geek who fell into writing while working as a Warner Brothers fan consultant on movie tie-in video games. Writing reports about different characters and worlds eventually inspired her to create her own stories for young adults. Originally from England, Donna now lives in Australia with her husband, three children, and a crazy golden retriever named Harry (after a certain boy wizard).

GOODREADS