‘The Witches of Echo Park’ book series
You have so many projects, it’s hard to know where to start. What is the one that you are most excited about at the moment?
You know, I am really enjoying this new series I am doing for Penguin. The first one is going to be called The Witches of Echo Park.
I’m 36, and growing up I only had dude friends. Then in my 30s, I started making female friends. I met other women who are like me. I really wanted to write a book about women’s relationships with each other, and I thought what better way than a coven.
A coven of witches, and having to deal with each other, and relationships, and having to support each other and having to fight with each other. So that was sort of the basis for writing this series.
How many books are we looking at?
Three right now. Hopefully more, we’ll see.
And what kind of release schedule will they have?
Next year for the first book, and then probably the next year for the next.
‘Morganville Vampires’ web series adaptation
You are set to star in Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires web adaptation, is that still going ahead?
Yeah. That got funded, everything is good.
Rachel and I have been on a panel together, we had dinner together, and neither of the times we have been able to talk about any of the web stuff we said we were going to talk about in San Diego.
She is such a wonderful person, I love her. She just has such a good heart, and she wanted to do a web series.
I think they wanted to autonomy, they wanted to do it the way they wanted to do it.
I’m sure she has had other offers before this.
Oh yeah. I was like, whatever you need. I want to be a part of your world. I sound like The Little Mermaid – I want to be a part of your world Rachel!
Do you know when that will start filming?
I think October. We are talking about doing some stuff.
It’s six episodes to start with?
Yeah. I haven’t read any of it yet. She’s been working on it. She’s been doing everything, it’s so cool.
What’s next for Amber Benson?
You have done almost everything. Is there something you haven’t done that you would like to try?
I want to make more movies. I want to direct more. Adam Busch and I directed a film called Drones, and that was such an amazing experience. I’m ready to do more of that, it’s just finding the right scripts.
Would you like to do more co-directing, or on your own?
Both. He and I will continue to work together, we’re a good team. But I haven’t found a script that I get really excited about. I’m on the lookout at the moment for good stuff.
And what about acting, are you doing anything with that at the moment?
I’m doing this film Blood Kiss, with Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves. And there’s the Morganville stuff, those are the only two things on the horizon.
Mostly I really don’t act that much anymore. I act when friends call me, but I’m not out there pursuing it, I have moved on to other things.
Do you find it more rewarding to be on the other side of the camera, and have creative control?
Definitely, I have more control over my life. I always likened acting to being a pawn in someone else’s chess game. Now I’m the chess master. I’m in charge of all of the pieces.
So it’s a power trip, then?
Oh yeah. Total, total power narcissist here.
Fan of our book coverage? Why not join our Hypable Books Facebook group!
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.