Okay, first things first. (And I know you’re just dying to ask the question.)
Is that a recent photo? Like…is my hair still orangey-red?
Nope, to both. In fact, I can tell you that most author photos aren’t really all that recent unless they’re debut authors or Stephen King.
Do I have a recent photo? Somewhere. I might even post it eventually.
Anyway…about me.
Let’s just say that I’m a child psychiatrist, although I started out in surgery (because most every doctor wants to be a surgeon at some point). I didn’t stay in surgery, but that’s another story for another day. I’m also a film scholar (mostly because I love hanging out, watching movies, and eating popcorn that’s truly not good for me), former Air Force major, and an award-winning author of more than thirty of short stories and twenty-some-odd novels. (Believe me, no one is more surprised about that last bit than me.)
In case you were wondering? Yes, I used to write Star Trek. And Mechwarrior. And Battletech. And the occasional ShadowRun. I loved every minute of it, too.
My YA works include the critically acclaimed DRAW THE DARK (winner of the Westchester Fiction Award, a VOYA Perfect Ten, and Bank Street College 2011 Best Book); DROWNING INSTINCT; and THE SIN-EATER’S CONFESSION (a 2014 YALSA BYFA and 2014 TAYSHAS Nominee).
Among many other nominations and awards, ASHES, the first book in my YA apocalyptic thriller trilogy, was a 2011 VOYA Perfect Ten, 2012 YALSA Top Ten Teen Nominee, 2012 YALSA Best Fiction Nominee, and 2012 Outstanding Book by a Wisconsin Author. ASHES is currently a 2013 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers Finalist, 2013 TAYSHAS High School Reading List, 2013-2014 Gateway Award Final Nominee, 2014 Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award Nominee, and 2014 Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award Nominee.
SHADOWS, the second book in the trilogy, hit shelves in 2012, and MONSTERS, the final volume, was released September, 2013, and earned starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus.
WHITE SPACE, the first volume in the Dark Passages duology, hit shelves 2/11/14 and was hailed as a “sophisticated” horror novel for older teens (and they mentioned Stephen King and me in the same breath!). The book was also long-listed for the Stoker. Its sequel, THE DICKENS MIRROR, appeared in 2015.
Most recently, I’ve delved into adult action/adventure and penned five novels in bestselling author Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors World. SOLDIER’S HEART, PARTS 1-4 follows the adventures of Kate McEvoy, a crackerjack Army medic who was seriously wounded in Afghanistan war and is now part of a super-secret cybersoldier DARPA project. PROTECTING THE FLAME‘s Emma Gold, an Air Force photographer with a secret, survives a plane crash only to discover that’s the easy part.
For the longest time, I was a cheesehead-in-exile, living on a mountain in Alabama with the husband and several furry creatures and even feeding them on occasion. That mountain was pretty darned nice during the worse of the COVID years, too.
But I’m out of Alabama now…and yet still a cheesehead-in-exile because I now live in London. Yep, you read that right. A real city where there’s not a mountain to be seen and not a heck of a lot of trees or birds or other creatures who aren’t people or their teeny-tiny dogs. I’ve had to say good-bye to my cats, too, but they’re in good hands with a new mom and other furry creatures to keep them company.
On the other hand, you know, it’s London: new places, new ideas, new adventures coming at a stage in life where many people don’t get that opportunity. So I figure, okay, go for it, see what happens. Fly back to Wisconsin once a year, visit friends and Lake Superior, spend some time in a real forest or on a mountaintop or (better yet) both.
Is London terrific as cities go? Sure. Personally, I think anyplace where people have lived for over a thousand years has got to be pretty interesting. London is layered, a true necropolis where everything is built on the bones of something–and, not infrequently, someone–else.
Being a tourist is, of course, very different than actually living somewhere. I do find Londoners to be very nice, open people. The cultural landscape is much less rigid here in the city; no one is telling women what they can and can’t do, for example. I don’t worry about getting shot. But Shaw was also correct:
England and America are two countries separated by the same language.
So, we’ll see. Jury’s out. So, stay tuned because, yeah, I’m working on the next book.
In the meantime…don’t even think of touching my cheese.
Hey, Sian: I just answered your question that you posted under another category. In any event, the latest I’ve heard is that the British edition of SHADOWS comes out October 27. Quercus Kids is the publisher, so you might also double-check with them.
Hi Ilsa,
I was trying to remember where I first saw your name and books, The Ashes Trilogy, and when I saw you mention Bookspark in another post, it came to me. It must have been there because I browse the blog regularly. I love the covers of these books. I haven’t read any yet, but they are on my TBR list. Just wanted to say hi and enjoyed your posts.
Well, hi, back, Sherry 🙂 They are cool covers, aren’t they?
Can i get a email teling me about you? Im doing a project in english and i choose you to write it on. My assignment requires me to know your parents, your children (if any), spouse (if one), where you were born, where you live currently. Thanks alot 🙂
Hi, Clay: I already wrote to you this morning 🙂
As I also said in my email, though, I don’t give out a ton of personal information. I hope what I did give you is helpful.
As Clay recently asked, I’m doing a book report and if you could I would love some information on you to use as my background information on the author.
Thanks 😀
Hey, Evan, I’m happy to help as much as I can. Specific questions would be good :-). Ultimately, I directed Clay to a bunch of guest posts I’d done that answered most of his questions.
So…shoot.
Hi. Me again, i think i commented on something in December.
Anyway, I felt compelled to tell you how i love that you put your charaters in places and situations that some authors just wouldn’t think of doing. And keeping your readers on edge and wanting to read more! Eventhough it is very anoying in the ashes trillogy, when Alex and Tom finally find each other… you just drop is in on another cliffhanger! But i love it!
Also, what was your insperation for Ashes and the characters in it? And if you could write the trilogy again, what would you do differently?
Thanks.
Hi, You Again 😉 Glad you’re enjoying the books so much.
Inspiration . . . honestly, I just wanted to crater the world in the fastest possible way that wasn’t a virus or plague or aliens 🙂 As for what I’d do differently . . . nothing. Once a book is done, it’s done, and I know I wrote the best possible book I could at the time. It’s not useful to look over my shoulder. I tend to worry about what comes next 😉
Hi Ilsa… I stumbled upon Ashes somewhere (Goodreads, maybe?) and have been plowing my way through it for the past two days (the only upside of being stuck at home with a sick kid) – I’m so enjoying it! Already bought Shadows and can’t wait to move on to it. The sick kid in question is only 11, but he’s shown an interest in books about young people facing serious challenges (e.g. Hatchet, if you’ve ever read that), and I can imagine that in a few years he might find your book really compelling. I’m so glad to have found it and look forward to reading more of your work. 🙂
Well, thanks, Lavinia. I’m always thrilled to hear from parents 🙂 I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series (and, yes, HATCHET is a fabulous book), and I hope your son eventually does as well.
Hi! I just wanted to say that I LOVED reading “Ashes,” and I’m waiting for “Shadows” to be ready for pickup at my library. I think it’s great that you take the time to read and reply to all of these comments. I’m an aspiring writer myself, and I’m wondering if you have any advice for me. So far, I’ve written around 70 pages of my novel, and I have numerous pages of plot notes. Are there any particular tips you have to offer? And, in the case that I finish said novel, what’s it like to send queries? Thanks so much! 🙂
Well, thanks! And good for you about your work-in-progress. You know, I don’t have any SPECIFIC tricks or tips other than the ones which have worked for me. In fact, I wrote a little blog about that, and you can find it here: http://adr3nalin3.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-you-wanna-be-contender.html . In terms of querying . . . well, not really, other than suggesting that you get to know the market to which you’d like to submit. That means, looking at who’s selling what to whom. You don’t want trends; what you want is to avoid sending a romance to an editor or house who’s not interested. A great place to start is Publisher’s Marketplace: lists all the deals every day. It’s a great place to start gathering names of agents, for example. Or go to your local bookstore, start picking out books you like or think are similar to what you’re writing and look at the acknowledgements. Writers always thank their editors and agents. It’s a great way of collecting and researching agents who might be a good match for you. Of course, you could also decide to publish your book yourself, but I’m not sold that’s the best option for first-time authors. Publishers do a lot more than edit; they have a much larger marketing contigent than you have at this point.
But the first thing: finish your book. Once you’ve got product, that’s the time to start querying.
Hi! So I have been reading your books for a while and I LOVE them! I was just wandering if you could answer these questions:
When were you born?
How old are you at the time?
How many awards you have won?
and finally, What inspires you too write like you do?
The last question I really want to know because I write books myself but since I am young they are not published, The books I write are some what similar too yours but not exactly, Anyway I really want to know what inspires you Please write back as soon as you can. THANK YOU SO MUCH For reading this I feel honer’d for a famous and talented author to read MY little comment!
Hey, Liam: Well, I’m really glad you like some of my books! Always glad to hear that.
As a rule, I don’t answer personal questions like my birthdate and stuff. As for my age, you know . . . I’m old enough to know better 😉 I also have a page on my website that lists all the awards I’ve ever won (not tons, and not for my YA stuff . . .yet. We can always hope.).
As for inspiration . . . gosh, I don’t know. Really. I know that’s not terribly descriptive or helpful, but the reality is that I like to write, even though it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I don’t feel quite . . . right if I’m not working on a book. Other than that, I just approach it like any other really hard work: I just do the job until it’s done.
I know . . . so helpful :
Just adding when I read your comment on mine I felt like I was reading one of your books (by the way it was helpful) Because it just feels like your a character in drowning instinct or something. But thank you for responding to my questions it makes me feel like I am a somebody.. you know.
Of COURSE, you’re somebody! Look, this is how I think about it: you were brave (and kind) enough to write, so the least I can do is treat you with the respect you deserve. Right?
Hi Elsa,
I have been wondering when your third book of the Ashes trilogy is coming out, do you have an estimation when that is?
Hey, Hunter! Yes, I do: MONSTERS hits on September 10 in the US 🙂
Hi, I just finished reading Drowning Instinct, and I feel very identified with Jenna in some aspects of her life, this is the second book I’ve read that treat these kind of problem, and I can’t avoid asking me why I’m a normal girl, instead of be a broken person, don’t misunderstand my comment I don’t want to be in pain, but I feel a bit of curiosity….I don’t know if is really you the person that answer the comments, but I have to write about this, somewhere, because I can’t speak about it with no one.
Hey, Someone: Yup, it’s really me. I’m glad the book touched you, and Jenna had her share of problems, doesn’t she? But there are a lot of people who really respond to this book because they identify with some aspect of her struggles. This doesn’t make them bad or broken; I think this means that there’s a price to be paid for being self-aware and human, and another part of being human is the desire to seek a connection with other people–sometimes at great cost. With rare exceptions, though, I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t understand what it’s like to be lonely, or worry that no one could possibly relate to what they’re feeling.
Hi there I’m Ryan Dawson from New Zealand I’m 14 and I love reading your books my English class is doing a assessment on our author and I have a few questions I like to ask.
a)Why did you become an author?
b)what inspired you for ashes?
c)have you had any obstacles to overcome as an author?
d)have you considered making a movie of your novels?
thank you for your time I would really appreciate it if you could answer these questions I know your a busy person so thanks for your time again. 🙂
Hey, Ryan: Happy to help you. Tell you what: send your questions to my email: ilsajbick@gmail.com, okay? That will make it easier to correspond.
Hey Ilsa, I’m german and I finished monsters part 1 ! I love it sooo much, you’re my favorite author 🙂 I’m so excited, can’t wait till part 2 will come.And I have a question about “white space” , can you tell me if it will be published in german? 🙂 cause there is no german version of drowning instinct too :/
Hey, Anna! Wow, you read fast! I’m so glad you liked the first part to MONSTERS, too. I hope you enjoy the second part next month.
As for WHITE SPACE: not as of this moment. It’s possible that it will be offered as an ebook worldwide, but only in English. On the other hand, a German publisher might decide to pick it up. So … we’ll see.
And DROWNING INSTINCT: well, YOU are in luck. So far as I know, DROWNING will be coming out, in German, through Egmont INK. I don’t have the dates yet, but I’d presume sometime next year. You can always contact Egmont INK yourself, too, and ask. Just go to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/inkteam?fref=ts
I’m so curious; I can’t seem to find “nuttin, honey” on whether, as in “Draw the Dark,” there were truly Nazis and/or Germans in Winter, Wisconsin, during the 1940s. I love the book. Remember the old “choose your own adventure” books? Well, I want to write the ending MY way!
P.S. (“Draw the Dark”) – Are you Jewish? Your writing feels very empathetic.
Yup–and thanks 🙂
Well, remember that the Winter, WI of that book is completely different than the real place (I believe I said so in the acknowledgments. For example, Milwaukee is MANY hours southeast.). OTOH, HAVING said that the closest camps would’ve probably been either in Rhinelander, Barron, or Milltown.
So glad you liked the book 🙂
Hello, my name is Jennifer and I am a student at Christopher Newport University in Virginia! I recently discovered the Ashes trilogy about a week ago and I have been locked up in my room reading them since then! I JUST finished Shadows and have now discovered your website. I hate to gush about how amazing this series is…but I HAVE to! Although I am not an English major, like you were, I love to read and discuss books. I don’t know if you have studied some of Theodore Roethke’s poems before (because I absolutely adore his work) but I am happy to say that I appreciate your work as much as I do his! I am about to read the sin eater’s confessions next! I know this post might seem a little frantic but I can not contain my joy and I am too excited to be posting a comment onto your site 🙂 Question, I hate to again sound like a young gushing girl, but do you send out signed copies of your work.. or do you ever send out autographs of any sort?
Well, how cool is that, Jennifer? Look, I don’t mind if you gush. You gotta remember: writers are holed up in a tiny little rooms whilst sweating over hot keyboards. We NEVER know if our work matters if people don’t tell us. So thank you! You made my afternoon. (Yikes, and Roethke? Hon, you’re making me blush.)
I hope you enjoy SIN-EATER as well, though do remember that it’s a very different kind of book. OTOH, you sound like an omnivore 😉
I don’t send out signed copies per se unless they’ve been won in a giveaway, but I will be happy to send signed bookplates. Is that something you’d like? If so, just give me your address, and I’ll pop them in the mail. Probably best to email me directly with that info, too: ilsajbick@gmail.com
Glad you like the series. Now tell all your college buddies what they’re missing 😉 What year are you, btw?
Hey.
Finished the first part of MONSTERS last weekend. Now I have to wait, hm. But I’m thinking about the end. Will I sit there and think “Okay, it’s over, but I can live with it, because it’s a – how can I explain? – part where you can stop.” or will I think “There is something missing. I need something to complete it. To finish with this series.”
Once I had this feeling and … it was kinda weird, because the series was finished, but I think I couldn’t realize it. It was just a little bit fast. But, okay, now I’m talking about another series.
I also read DROWNING INSTINCT. So it’s a little late to know, that there comes a german one of this book.
I really like the book. And nearly everytime I want to write the name of this book down, I write in wrong. Just like DROWING…DRWONG…DRON…DROWNING – got it – DROWNING INSTINCT.
Has my english been okay or was it sometimes wrong or hard to understand?
Greetings,
Ayla
LOL!! Oh, your English is just fine, Ayla, and much better than my nonexistent German. No worries there.
And I know what you mean about the series ending. I can’t believe it myself, and I know I’ve got a couple more books I could write about these guys. But this will do for now. I’m glad you’re enjoying it . . . er, you are, right? 😉
Oh, and I’m so pleased you liked DROWNING! I’m biased, but I like that story, too. 🙂
Just now I saw a website which said, that the translated version of DROWNING INSTINCT had been released in November, 2012. And I was like: “Er?”
I don’t like the german title that’s mentioned. Translated it means “Thin Ice”. It doesn’t put the message – the real meaning – across, I think.
Hunh. Can’t be right because the book’s not come out yet in German (unless you meant Nov., 2014) Might be a pirate site, though. If that’s so, you can forward it to me or to Egmont INK directly.
And I agree: THIN ICE isn’t the right metaphor at all.
It is also standing on lovelybooks. Oh, and I read a blog where a girl said, that the book wouldn’t be published in November, 2012, because the book trade didn’t take it.
It’s kind of weird and … yeah. But I think they wanted to publish it, but decided not to. I don’t know the reason why, maybe the reason the girl mentioned on her blog.
I just hope it won’t have this title.
Well, that makes two of us. What a crummy replacement for what the title is really about and means. :
Hi im going to post a message here as well as I really want to get my message across but this time I wil be more blunt I think you should make a film of ashes and that it would be a great hit! 🙂 pleeeaaase try!!!!!
Heh. I agree with you! But getting films made is a tricky business, and really not up to me. Hollywood is a very strange animal. Honestly, they have to come to you. You can send them your books, but that’s about it. Someone’s got to be willing to pony up for a contract.
But I’m glad you love the series that much 🙂
Hello, 😉
I just finished the German Monsters and I’m literally at a loss of words. I’m so sad this trilogy is over and these guys really touched my heart. Very very well done ! I hope your white space will come to germany too.
Oh, I’m so glad this series touched you so. I know what you mean, too, about being sad. As for White Space, well just have to wait and see. On the other hand, I do know that Egmont INK will be doing DROWNING INSTINCT, a stand alone, next year. So that’s something to look forward to. My first YA novel, DRAW THE DARK, is also available in German.
I miss these guys, too :’-)
will Monsters be available on audible.com??
Yup, it sure will. Audible has gotten behind, what with trying to coordinate with a bunch of the narrators’ schedules. In any event, last I heard, the audiobook comes out 12/17.
hello there i just read one of your books , Draw the dark, and i thought it was amazing! I was curious if the was a sequel for it.
Why, thanks, Amethyst! I’m so pleased you liked it! Actually, I *do* have an idea for a sequel, but I’ve gotten so wrapped up in other books and series, it’s kind of fallen by the wayside for now. Some days I think the book needs a sequel and others, not. For right now . . . let’s just say that the idea’s bopping around, waiting its turn in line 😉
😀 i cant wait! also i like to write stories but i can never get the right words. so far i’ve made a fanfiction of naruto,anime show, and some poems on this one wesite. would you like to see them? you know to give adivce on them 😛 and currently im working on a souleater,nother anime show, fanfiction.
Oh, how great that you write! It’s very sweet of you to think of me, but I’ll have to decline. I’m asked so often, I’d never get any of my own work done. So rather than playing favorites, I have to pass. But you should definitely keep writing.
Hi Ilsa, I just finished Monsters and it was AMAZING!! I really hope someone has approached you to make the trilogy a movie or a tv series. With zombies and apocalyptic events being all the rage right now, nothing even comes close to these characters and this story! I am keeping my fingers crossed for a follow up book in the future. After everything they have been through, I would really love to see them FINALLY get out of the woods…Lol.