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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Blademaster’s Call (The Chronicle of Jack Green Book 1)?

Like most writers, I’ve experienced my fair share of rejection. I’ve also wondered what it would be like to step inside my own stories. So, I thought it would be fun to write the tale of a failed writer who finds himself in the last place he wants to be: his own dreadful book.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Blademaster’s Call (The Chronicle of Jack Green Book 1), what would they be?

“Break On Through” by The Doors, “Loser” by Beck, and “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

For the most part, I read fantasy, and it’s the genre I write. But I also read other genres of fiction and even some non-fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I don’t really have a TBR pile. I finish a book, then go searching for another that interests me. Having said that, I’m really looking forward to Patrick Rothfuss’s next book, if it ever comes out. Oh, and Scott Lynch’s next book, if it ever comes out.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Jack Green is getting stoned on mushrooms. I'll say no more.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I have to read my writing out loud. There’s something about hearing the words that really helps me get the voice and flow I’m looking for. But I’m guessing many other writers do this.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I’ll quote Criss from my book: “The brave are immortal.” I’d like to think it’s true.

J.G. McKenney is the author of the new book The Blademaster’s Call (The Chronicle of Jack Green Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Flames of Darkness?

Dragons have always fascinated me because they are powerful, mysterious, and symbolic. I wanted to write my own shapeshifter story and explore the balance between gods and demons, where light and darkness coexist.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Flames of Darkness, what would they be?

For Tariel: "Demons" by Imagine Dragons, it perfectly captures his struggle with inner darkness. For Everin: "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys, because she’s strong, bright, and doesn’t even realize her full power yet.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Mostly fantasy and adventure with a hint of romance, but my absolute favorite is romance.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My TBR pile is a fantasy graveyard, full of amazing books I keep meaning to read once I’m done editing my own. For now, I’m happily lost in my own dragons and prophecies.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The festival scene where Tariel and Everin form the bonding glow is one of my favorites. It’s mysterious and charged with tension, leaving everyone, characters and readers alike, wondering what just happened. It’s raw and hints at a connection neither of them fully understands.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I have to envision the scene like a film in my head multiple times. For this, I need to lie down as if I’m sleeping. Once I’m satisfied with the plan in my head, I jump up and write the whole chapter in one go.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Dream big, write fearlessly, one day someone will truly see my work and become my fan.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I quote from my book, “If gods exist, then so do demons.” Both light and darkness exist within us, and true strength lies in learning to balance the two.

 

La Kayshal is the author of the new book The Flames of Darkness

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Spiral Awakens (Spirals of Aztalun Book 1)?

I love reading magical fantasy stories, and I’d never read anything set in the American Southwest. So, I wanted to tap into some of the mystical stories from Sedona and the native peoples of my home state of Arizona. While doing research, I decided to bring in characters from magical places all around the world. That made it so fun to sketch out a great cast of characters from Arizona, Mount Shasta, Juneau, Guyana, Scotland, and Uluru, Australia. Most of those places I haven’t yet visited, so I spent a lot of time researching online to get a feel for where each character lives. It was a lot of fun imagining their homes, friends, and family around the globe.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Spiral Awakens (Spirals of Aztalun Book 1), what would they be?

For Alayna Archuleta, the explorer, I’d choose “Born to Be Wild.” For Sasha Kahn, I’d have to pick “Witchy Woman.” Finally, for Blair Grindall, I’ll go with “The Skye Boat Song” since she’s from the Isle of Skye.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read a lot of books, probably about one a week on average. I love fantasy, science fiction, historical romance, and classic literary works. Fantasy is a lot of fun to write because it’s so creative and versatile. However, at some point, I want to write science fiction too.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

A couple of weeks ago, I finally read Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing, and now my to-be-read pile includes the rest of that series and everything else by Yarros I can get my hands on. Also, last week, for my birthday, my sister sent me an audiobook of Speaker of the Dead by O.S. Card, so that’s up next on my audiobook account, as soon as I finish listening to the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

This may seem odd, but I really liked writing the scenes when the characters were either sharing a meal together, sitting around a campfire, or sharing their stories of what they missed from back home. Those were the scenes when I really got to know the characters inside and out. They were like the glue, or the tether, that held the Hexad together.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

My home office has beautiful picture windows along one wall, and I love glancing up from my computer to see the wildlife that strolls through my rural Arizona backyard. I’ve seen plenty of rabbits and quail, but also deer, coyotes, bobcats, and javelina trotting by my office windows.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Leave everything better than you found it.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Maintain connections with good friends. It’s a lesson I wish I had learned at a younger age, because I have lost touch with far too many people whom I think of often.

 

Sara Langhe is the author of the new book The Spiral Awakens (Spirals of Aztalun Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Girl Who Ran?

I wanted to write a story about how our experiences and families shape both our strengths and our weaknesses. We don’t get to choose or control how we’re affected, but we can learn to use those experiences to our advantage.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Girl Who Ran, what would they be?

Unshattered by Meraki Moon

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love to read historical fiction, the bigger the better, but I wouldn't want to write it. I prefer to write epic fantasy.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Nexus by Yuval Harari; Poems and Prayers by Matthew McConaughey.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The ball. I loved the idea of a farm girl going to an event so different from her lived experience and having her sexuality awoken.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I am a yoga teacher, so I write in some pretty weird positions. I rarely sit in a chair.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

"This too shall pass."

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I’d want readers to be so invested in the characters that they can’t wait for the next book, but also to have a sense of their own powers and how to use them for good.

 

Shannon Wideman is the author of the new book The Girl Who Ran

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