Tacoma novelist hits it big with her futuristic story "Cinder"

The cover of Tacoma author Marissa Meyer’s young adult novel, “Cinder,” shows the glass slipper expected of any story based on Cinderella. But the foot inside that slipper is made of gears, rods and other metal parts. You don’t need to crack the cover to know this isn’t going to be a story about mice becoming coachmen.

But, yes, there is a prince.

“Cinder” is set in “New Beijing” sometime in the distant future, and Cinderella is a cyborg complete with a wicked stepmother, a mysterious past, and a part in an intergalactic struggle.

The futuristic retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale went on sale Jan. 3 and hit the New York Times Best-Sellers list (Children’s Chapter Books) Jan. 15. Impressive as that is, it’s all the more astounding considering it’s Meyer’s debut novel.

Meyer, 27, was born and raised in Tacoma and has a degree in creative writing from Pacific Lutheran University. She lives in Tacoma with her husband, Jesse Taylor.

The sudden success for Meyer has turned her life into “one whirlwind after another.” Now on a book tour, Meyer will return home for a book talk and signing Saturday at Tacoma’s Wheelock Library. The News Tribune caught up with her in a call to fogged-in San Francisco:

I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence without first asking you this: Are you a cyborg?

Some people think so (laughs). I subscribe to the belief that we are all kind of cyborgs. We are so dependant on our cellphones and computers. It’s kind of like a hive mind.

Does this story have pumpkins and mice?

In this futuristic world, most people have hovercrafts, but Cinder finds an old gas-powered car. It’s orange and she ends up saving it and that becomes her carriage. We don’t have mice, but she’s got this android friend who I look at as her fairy godmother figure.

What’s it like to have your debut novel land on the New York Times Best-Sellers list in its first week?

It’s completely surreal. Of course, I was hoping for it. But there are so many great books coming out in my market all the time. When I got the call from my editor, I couldn’t believe it.

How did you come up with the story?

I entered a writing contest in 2008. (It was a story about) a futuristic retelling of “Puss and Boots.” That gave me the idea to write this whole series of futuristic retellings of fairy tales.

Did you have a princess fixation as a little girl?

I had a fairy-tale fixation. I liked to dress up and pretend to be in a fairy tale. And what girl doesn’t want to be a princess?

Who is the villain in this story?

The Lunar Queen. She rules a society of people who live on the moon. The queen is determined to take over Earth.

I just heard on the radio today that Newt Gingrich wants to have a permanent colony on the moon by the end of his second term.

Maybe we should warn him about the evil queen.

You spent five years as a book editor. Did that prepare you to be a published author?

Yes. There are times (as an author) when you have months when you don’t hear anything from anybody. Knowing what was going on behind the scenes (in the publishing industry) helped me keep calm.

Who is this book intended for?

Young adults, 12 plus. But we’ve found so far there’s been a lot of crossover (from older readers).

Kristen Stewart of “Twilight” fame is starring in a new adaptation of Snow White, and “Grimm” and “Once Upon a Time” are new hit TV shows. Are fairy tales the new “it” in fantasy fiction?

I hope so. It’s definitely a huge thing right now. It’s definitely hit a social subconsciousness. When I wrote the book three years ago, I had no idea I’d be part of this trend. I have so much enthusiasm for it.

Is there a movie deal in the works?

There’s been quite a bit of interest. I have a film agent who has been shopping it around. We have our fingers crossed.

How did you pitch this book?

I knew from the start that I wanted it to be a four-book series. But I knew that was a big risk for a debut novelist. I included a summary of the four books and the first 50 pages of book two. It really got them hooked to see where the story was going.

Where will the other three books go?

“Scarlet” is based on Little Red Riding Hood. “Cress” is based on Rapunzel, and book four, “Winter,” is based on Snow White. It’s one continuous story line. Cinder is the main character through the series. But she meets these other characters and they end up joining forces against the evil queen.

Who is Alicia Blade?

That is my pen name from when I was writing “Sailor Moon” fan fiction. There’s no profit involved. It’s just something for the fandom.

Given my last name, I’m embarrassed to ask this, but what or who is Sailor Moon?

“Sailor Moon” is a Japanese anime that was really popular when I was 11 or 12 years old.

Did fan fiction influence your writing?

By writing so many stories, that’s how I learned the craft of writing. The great thing about fan fiction is that you get instant feedback. I learned to take criticism.

I understand the four-book series sold in a heated auction. How much did it go for?

$800,000.

So, I’m guessing you’re going to stick with this writing thing for a bit?

I’m very happy to be a full-time writer for a little bit.

Craig Sailor: 253-597-8541, craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com