Jen asked Gail Carriger:

Hi Gail, I think you have an incredibly unique style of writing and voice for your characters. I have recently finished reading all of your novels and I am very curious where your inspiration came from - perhaps particular authors or novels? In a similar vein, how do you feel about some of the authors that are attempting to immitate your style?

Gail Carriger My inspiration? Well I watch a lot of BBC costume drama and read a lot of Wodehouse and Austen so I suspect that helps. I've always loved comedy writers, from Durrell to Adams to Pratchett. I was always sad these didn't gravitate to a strong woman central character and heroine mythos so that was my launching pad.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, is it not? I would love to see more female written and driven comedy in SF/F and romance genres. I'm always searching for it to read. More power to them, I say, so long as it's not derivative.

And, thank you for the compliments!

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