Happy Book Birthday to S.E. Green and Killer Within, the sequel to Killer Instinct! To celebrate Killer Within’s birthday, I have S.E. Green here for a fun author interview! First, here’s more about Killer Within:

In the heart-pounding sequel, teen vigilante Lane must face the secrets and unexpected consequences that arise in the wake of her first kill.

It’s been three months since the sadistic Decapitator’s demise, and Lane feels both closer to and more alienated than ever from her united, grieving family. Haunted by conflicting memories, she resumes the role of Masked Savior vigilante—but her heart just isn’t in it. For Lane now knows the rush of deeper thrills. Darker thrills. And a growing part of her wants to revisit its seductive power.

To Lane’s chagrin, the Masked Savior inspires its own fan site, where groupies gather online to praise, document, and debate each delivered act of justice. But then one of Lane’s secret admirers becomes a cunning copycat, assaulting the defenseless with escalating violence. And Lane suspects someone is spying on her, edging closer to making contact-someone who knows her secrets.

Will Lane be able to stop the copycat and keep her identity protected? Or will she give in to the thrills that tempt her? Because as her life continues to unravel, the revelations shake Lane to her core.

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And now here’s the interview! Enjoy!

Question: Congrats! Killer Within is out in the world! How does it feel?
Answer: Crazy! It’s always crazy to me when I have a new book coming out—like I can’t quite believe I wrote another novel (this from a girl that dreaded reading and writing when I was younger).

Question: Killer Instinct and Killer Within were beyond amazing. What inspired you to write them?
Answer: I am a huge fan of shows like Hannibal, The Following, The Fall, and Dexter. So when I was brainstorming a new series, the serial killer theme was a quick and very natural fit.

Question: There are a lot of serial killer/FBI YA books that have supernatural elements, but ones that are pure psychological thriller, WITHOUT supernatural elements, are more rare in YA, though fairly common in adult books. Why do you think that is?
Answer: Maybe it has to do with suspension of disbelief. A 17-year-old girl who is brave enough and dark enough to immerse herself into such a disturbed world in relation to say a 35-year-old does definitely take some careful maneuvering. For me, though, it was the only way to tell the story.

Question: Killer Instinct received a new cover and it’s amazing! Do you think it (and the cover for Killer Within) better represent the stories than the original cover design?
Answer: I do love the new covers! But then I really liked the original, too. I think the new ones are definitely more teen, though.

Question: Why serial killers? Why do you think people are fascinated by stories like this?
Answer: Morbid curiosity. Everyone has it, they just don’t like to admit it. As my tag line says, “Everyone has a dark side.”

Question: Did a particular serial killer inspire The Decapitator? Or is there a particular serial killer that fascinates you?
Answer: At this point I have done endless hours of research and there are many serial killers that absolutely perplex me. When I give presentations at schools, I discuss many of the facts I’ve read, and the one that always makes people cringe is Ed Gein—he fashioned “trophies” out of his victims’ bones and skin. His story inspired The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Question: I’m sure you had to Google some pretty interesting things while writing these books! Can you share one (or several) of the craziest things you had to look up?
Answer: Oh, well definitely the above mentioned Ed Gein. But I’ve also done research on body decomposition, stabbing someone, decapitating a head, blood splatter, and I could go on and on, but I think you get the drift. Gross stuff!

Question: According to your bio, you’ve written everything from Teen Thrillers to YA romances. Is it difficult going from one genre to another, especially with two genres that are so different/opposite? Do you have a routine to help you get into the mind-set of each book/main character?
Answer: I actually like going from thriller to romance to adventure. It helps keep my brain balanced and not to immersed in the dark stuff. Routines . . . hm, I would say a lot of reading and watching of the genre I’m about to write.

Question: What books do you recommend for readers who love your books and want to read something similar?
Answer: Oh, Barry Lyga’s I Hunt Killers for sure.

Question: Are you working on anything new? Maybe a third book in the Killer Instinct series?? Or something similar?? *Hopeful puppy eyes*
Answer: I’ve got quite a few things going on right now. I have a romance coming out in 2016 under Shannon Greenland. I have an adult survival thriller coming out at the end of this year under S. E. Green. Also, I’m just finishing up another YA thriller that explores satanic cults (eek, I know!) And I’m slowly working my way through my very first Middle Grade adventure. If you want to stay up-to-date, definitely sign up for my newsletter at on my website or connect with me socially on Twitter.

About the Author:
 
Shannon Greenland, or S. E. Green, is the award winning author of the teen thriller, Killer Instinct, a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers; the teen spy series, The Specialists, an ALA Popular Paperback and a National Reader’s Choice recipient; and the YA romance, The Summer My Life Began, winner of the Beverly Hills Book Award. Her books have been translated into several languages and are currently on numerous state reading lists.

Shannon is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America, and Mystery Writers of America. She has participated in and served as a guest speaker at festivals and conferences around the country to include but not limited to the LA Times Book Festival, American Library Association, Book Expo of America, Bouchercon, Romance Writers of America, RT Book Convention, Young Adult Keller Book Festival, Southern Festival of Books, and many more.

Shannon grew up in Tennessee where she dreaded all things reading and writing. She didn’t even read her first book for enjoyment until she was twenty-five. After that she was hooked! When she’s not writing, she works as an adjunct math professor and lives on the coast in Florida with her very grouchy dog. Find her online everywhere @ segreenauthor.

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