Interview and Artwork Reveal: Sara Wilson Etienne + Harbinger

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming young adult author Sara Wilson Etienne to the blog to answer a few questions about her upcoming release Harbinger! She's also granted me the opportunity to share a very cool piece of artwork pertaining to the novel, so be sure and check the bottom of the post to take a look at it. You'll also find details about the other beautiful pieces of art that have been revealed thus far along with a peek at the trailer.

If Faye had to share with us the first thought to pop into her mind upon seeing Holbrook Academy for the first time, what would she say?

They can leave me here, but they can’t make me stay. No one can.

Of course, Faye would never say this out loud, but she has a quiet and fierce determination. And everything about Holbrook seems wrong to her. All the trees blocking out the light, Dr. Mordoch’s plastic smile, and, most of all, the off-kilter Compass Rose–the building at the heart of campus.

Let’s say you‘ve suddenly found yourself a student at Holbrook. Which would be worse for you: spending time in the “meditation center” or spending time with your Aunts and Uncles sharing your problems with your new Family?

Definitely spending time with the Aunts and Uncles. Unlike Faye, I think I could deal with being locked up, even in the dark. But I think all the pretending would be awful…pretending I cared, pretending I was normal, pretending to cooperate.

Do you think you’d be a rebel like Faye, Kel and their Family if you were in their shoes–bucking Dr. Mordoch’s authority and fighting her brand of “help”–or would you try to toe the line?

I’d like to say that I’d rebel like Family Five, but unfortunately I tend to be a chicken around authority figures. It’s definitely one of the reasons I wrote Faye and love her as a character. Thinking about her makes me braver!

If Kel could relive that first day with Faye in their separate cells in the Meditation Center knowing how events would play out from that point forward, do you think he would do anything differently, tell her something else about himself, or ask her a specific question?

Wow. What an interesting question…honestly it’s hard to imagine. It’s their strangeness in the dark that gives them such a sense of intimacy. I’m sure if he could relive the moment having that knowledge, their meeting would fall flat.

What would the first line of Faye’s letter home to her parents say after she’s been at Holbrook for a few days were she allowed to send one?

You sent me here to get better. But things are only getting worse.

ARTWORK REVEAL

As mentioned above, in the weeks leading up to the release of Harbinger, Sara has been periodically revealing spectacular pieces of artwork from a myriad of artists, and I have the honor of sharing one such piece with you today. Here's a brief snippet from Sara's site to explain what you're seeing:

Twenty-four incredible illustrators and artists have picked their favorite scenes and characters from HARBINGER to give you a taste of Faye’s life at Holbrook Academy. Each Thursday leading up to the release of the book, a new illustration will be unlocked...

Here's today's scene:

(click to see larger)

Walk the Path! Explore the whole gallery of HARBINGER-inspired artwork HERE. More information on Sara, Harbinger, and Holbrook Academy can be found below.

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Holbrook Academy

HARBINGER (from Goodreads):

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.