Ask the Author: Lydia Kang
Answered Questions (22)
Lydia Kang
Hi Sarah!
I am thinking about some newer YA books. Too early to tell what they'll be, or what genre. More to come. Thank you so much for reading!
I am thinking about some newer YA books. Too early to tell what they'll be, or what genre. More to come. Thank you so much for reading!
Lydia Kang
We focused more on that earlier initial discovery by Fleming, but you are right, due to the structure and word limitations, unfortunately, Florey and Chain were left out. Thank you for listening and for writing in!
Lydia Kang
We just released our second nonfiction book, Patient Zero, and there's a chapter in there about the current pandemic. Thank you for reading!
Lydia Kang
They are all standalone novels so you don't have to read them in any particular order. However, because there's a light family link between the books, chronological order is helpful. So, The Impossible Girl, then O&A, then A Beautiful Poison, followed by the upcoming The Half-Life of Ruby Fielding. Thank you for reading!
Lydia Kang
Hi Sharon,
I'm so glad that my books have eased this tough year for you. Thank you so much for reading!
As for your question, oof, it's a very good one. I'm not sure I have the historical background to answer it properly. I think there are definite parallels between Prohibition and the current drive to minimize opioid deaths and the large numbers of people addicted to them, such as improving public health in general. But I think there was a heavier emphasis on the demonization of alcohol and personal behaviors back then; nowadays, people recognize opioid addiction as a disease, and how the pharmaceutical industry and prescribing habits meant those drugs were unnecessarily foisted on too many people. Prescription opioids are not considered bad, per se (they are incredibly useful, if used properly). I'm not sure if that answers your question!
Take care, and Happy New Year!
I'm so glad that my books have eased this tough year for you. Thank you so much for reading!
As for your question, oof, it's a very good one. I'm not sure I have the historical background to answer it properly. I think there are definite parallels between Prohibition and the current drive to minimize opioid deaths and the large numbers of people addicted to them, such as improving public health in general. But I think there was a heavier emphasis on the demonization of alcohol and personal behaviors back then; nowadays, people recognize opioid addiction as a disease, and how the pharmaceutical industry and prescribing habits meant those drugs were unnecessarily foisted on too many people. Prescription opioids are not considered bad, per se (they are incredibly useful, if used properly). I'm not sure if that answers your question!
Take care, and Happy New Year!
Lydia Kang
I'm glad you picked up on the Cutter family thread! (more to come on that in the next book, which hasn't been announced yet.)
I really enjoyed linking these stories from people and how they interweave into each other's lives. One worry about Opium and Absinthe was that if you read A Beautiful Poison first, you'd already know how the book might end!
I really enjoyed linking these stories from people and how they interweave into each other's lives. One worry about Opium and Absinthe was that if you read A Beautiful Poison first, you'd already know how the book might end!
Lydia Kang
It has been really eye-opening to see a pandemic unfold in real life as opposed to in history. As in the story, the disease sometimes feels like a mindless thing that's just out to get everyone. Thank you for reading!
Lydia Kang
Hi Kenna! Ooh, hard question. I think The November Girl was one of my favorites. I got swept up in the magic of the story. It practically wrote itself. But each has been particularly special to me for various reasons!
Lydia Kang
Hi Aaron, It's not from person experience, but as a physician I've had to care for many patients suffering from addiction so I have experience on the other end, so to speak. I also read many first accounts of people suffering from addiction to acquire a more realistic point of view. Thank you for the question!
Lydia Kang
These books are technically adult, but many of my readers who love YA have called them YA books because the protagonists tend to be very young, around 18 or so. That being said, there is a sex scene in A Beautiful Poison and The Impossible Girl, but not Opium and Absinthe. There is an assault in Opium and Absinthe but it's not very explicit. It also depends on how mature the teen reading is. Some teens/parents would be okay with what's in the books, and others would not. Thank you for asking!
Lydia Kang
I haven't the faintest idea. I've complained to Amazon and my publisher to change it, and it keeps showing up. I can't tell if someone is trying to troll me or what. I am the sole author of that book. I have no idea who this Kiyoko person is.
Lydia Kang
The November Girl, Toxic, Control, and Catalyst are all YA Novels. A Beautiful Poison, The Impossible Girl, and Opium and Absinthe are all adult. Thanks!
Lydia Kang
Hi Peggy! Honestly, I come across the weirdest ideas in all sorts of places. Listening to NPR, song lyrics, reading the news (the science news is particularly great for sci-fi ideas) and letting my mind wander. There are so many sources of inspiration, luckily! Thanks for the question!
Lydia Kang
Hey Quartknee,
I actually found some of the original articles surrounding this famous graverobbing. I was hoping to use it in the book but the date was totally wrong for the book. I hadn't seen this video though. It gives a lot more info surrounding the situation. Thanks for sharing. It continues to be so fascinating.
And thanks for reading the book!
Lydia
I actually found some of the original articles surrounding this famous graverobbing. I was hoping to use it in the book but the date was totally wrong for the book. I hadn't seen this video though. It gives a lot more info surrounding the situation. Thanks for sharing. It continues to be so fascinating.
And thanks for reading the book!
Lydia
Lydia Kang
Yes, we follow each other on Twitter and our books (Quackery, for me) came out right around the same time. I love her work!
Lydia Kang
Yes! My next book is entitled Opium and Absinthe and will arrive sometime in 2020. I'm researching and writing it now. Thanks for the question, Laura!
Lydia Kang
Why thank you so much! The topic is so fascinating, isn't it?
Lydia Kang
Hi Melina! I can't help but be fascinated by how things were done so differently a century ago and more. Simple things, like cooking, and dressing, are endlessly interesting, as well as more complex subjects such as healthcare. There are particular times I'm interested in (the 19th century and early 20th century) but who know! I might try some other time periods soon. :D
Lydia Kang
Hi Mary! At this point, not yet. But the Cutter family will have a reappearance in my next novel, THE IMPOSSIBLE GIRL, out Sept 11 2018! This one is set in 1850. :)
Lydia Kang
Hi Lareb!
Lots of inspiration went into C & C. I wanted mutants that had more of a scientific explanation for their mutations. I wanted a main character with a disability to be a hero. And I wanted to create a female MC who used her brains to save the day. I have a new YA coming out in 2017 (not sci-fi but near and dear to my heart) called the November Girl. I hope you check it out!
:)
Lydia
Lots of inspiration went into C & C. I wanted mutants that had more of a scientific explanation for their mutations. I wanted a main character with a disability to be a hero. And I wanted to create a female MC who used her brains to save the day. I have a new YA coming out in 2017 (not sci-fi but near and dear to my heart) called the November Girl. I hope you check it out!
:)
Lydia
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