The Demon’s Guide to the Apocalypse
by Karen Frost
Released: August 17, 2023
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Why this book and why now?
This book is about filling a gap that Hollywood is slow to fill: mature women in action roles. We’ve gotten better at this kind of representation in the last two decades, but there’s still a tendency to let young women in their twenties have all the fun. After seeing “Gunpowder Milkshake” and thinking what a shame it was that the focus was on Karen Gillan’s character when Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, and Carla Gugino were much more interesting, I decided to write a book centered on a team of women like them.
Do your character names have special significance or meaning?
I chose my character names to be slightly absurd. Why are three women of color, living in the alternative universe version of New York City and working as demon bounty hunters named Harriet, Annabeth, and Theodora? But also, it’s another nod to “Gunpowder Milkshake,” in which the characters have similarly incongruous and old-timey names.
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
Theodora would watch “The Great British Bake Off.” Contrary to how she comes across, she’s secretly into knitting and watching baking shows.
What’s your main character(s)’s favorite book and why?
Annabeth’s favorite book would be something intensely nerdy, for example, Miyamoto Mushashi’s “The Book of Five Rings.” This would bring together her interest in history, philosophy, and martial arts. At the same time, the choice would be slightly ironic, given that Harriet is the swordswoman among them, not Annabeth, and Mushashi was renowned as a Japanese swordsman who never lost a duel.
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
Annabeth brings a cabernet sauvignon, because she assumes that’s what people drink at book launches. She’s never been to one.
