Zombies vs. Unicorns: Exclusive interview with Holly Black

Zombies vs. Unicorns week continues today, and if you’re having trouble choosing between the zombies and the unicorns, well today’s post may give Team Unicorn an unfair advantage. Simon & Schuster was kind enough to arrange an interview with us with the book’s two editors: Holly Black (Team Unicorn) and Justine Larbalestier (Team Zombie). Only, unfortunately, Justine has a hand injury right now and is unable to type. (Hey, know who else has a hand injury & can’t type/sign? Suzanne Collins. I guess Justine gets points for the comparison). Anyway, our interview responses are only from Holly … but we know Justine is answering them in spirit, anyway.

For those who don’t know, tell us briefly about the origins of the Zombies vs. Unicorns argument?

Well, in brief, Justine posted about her hatred of unicorns and the superiority of zombies — mostly to tease Diana Peterfreund, who was working on her killer unicorn novel, Rampant.  Many people weighed in, including me.  I was, of course, defending the unicorn.  From there the argument got bigger and bigger, with a surprising number of people having strong opinions.  Team Zombie and Team Unicorn were born.

With Zombies vs. Unicorns, readers are being asked to choose a side: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn. What would you say to people who can’t decide? Is there a “neutral” team? (Team Zombies-that-are-also-Unicorns? Team Unicorns-and-Zombies-Stand-United?)

There is no room for neutrality in this argument.  NO ROOM.

You’ve each made your arguments for your own side in this debate. But put yourself in each other’s shoes. Holly, can you give us one reason to support Team Zombie? And Justine, can you give us one reason to support Team Unicorn?

Since Justine is unable to complete this interview due to a mysterious shoulder injury (definitely not inflicted by the point of a horn–I have no idea how these rumors start), I guess I will just give you my argument for Team Zombie:

Zombies do make for great stories – getting rid of them is very dramatic.

Will either of you ever write your own book about zombies and/or unicorns?

I am busy working on the next book in the Curse Worker’s series, RED GLOVE, and I know that Justine has some secret projects that she’s working on, but unfortunately none of them have any zombies or unicorns involved.

Thanks to Holly for answering our questions. Hear more from Holly tomorrow as she answers the traditional Novel Novice Flash Questions & Zombies vs. Unicorns week continues!