Interview with Emily S. Hurricane, Author of Bloodlines

Good morning,

Today’s interview is with Emily S. Hurricane, author of Bloodlines.

You can find the interview below.

Thank you,

-Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?
Hi, I’m Emily S Hurricane and I’m from the east coast of Canada! 

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?
My newest set of releases is my Bloodlines series. As of right now, the first five volumes are live on all major retailers (first one is free!) and they’re paranormal dystopian novellas with a dash of romance and a pinch of horror.

3) What is the book about? 
After a disease wipes out humanity, Daphne is left all by herself, somehow immune. After finding out her true parentage, she sets off from the east coast to find her father and figure out why she survived. She ends up finding a whole lot more.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?
My husband likes to blurt out wacky story ideas randomly—he’s not a writer, but his brain is full of weird and wonderful scenarios. Sometimes they’re really cool, sometimes really ridiculous. Perfect writer’s husband, let me tell you!
Anyway, he had a particular ridiculous idea that we laughed about (I won’t disclose it because it’ll spoil some of the fun!), and then we got on the topic of what we would do in the apocalypse. I’ve always wanted to write a dystopian story, and the thought of being the last person on earth is both horrifying and fascinating. With the world as your playground, what would you do?
I started serializing it for NaNoWriMo in 2019 (freaked myself and my readers out when the pandemic started shortly after, let me tell you!) and my twenty-chapter outline quickly became a five-part epic, with so many more ideas percolating in my brain!

5) How long did it take you to write it?
Starting in November of 2019, I posted a chapter per day up to 93 chapters, so the first draft was about three months. It went through multiple revisions and rewrites over the course of 2020, for official release on Radish at the end of 2020 and eBook in February of 2021. Volume 5 just released at the tail end of March.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?
Definitely! I explore a lot of themes in this series, deep diving into the human condition, ambition, and what it means to belong somewhere. I don’t know about all writers, but I tend to delve into my characters when I’m writing them to really try to experience things that I never have before. (See: why I never end up sticking to my outlines.)
On a professional level, this is the first series that I’ve published wide across retailers other than Amazon. So it’s been interesting to learn about distributors (I used Draft2Digital) and other markets that I’ve never reached before.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?
My web site is www.emilyshurricane.com, which is the hub for everywhere I can be found on the internet. I don’t have a blog (yet!) but I love guest posting and social media where I share all kinds of stuff related to my books, indie publishing, and books I’ve read and love.

You can find all of my socials at https://emilyshurricane.carrd.co/ I am everywhere as ESHurricane

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? 
Biggest tip for any author is just to write! Write write write! I know everyone says that, but it’s so key. Every single word keeps your creative muscle working, and for me it keeps me learning. It’s so interesting to look back at how my writing has evolved since I started so many years ago.
Making author friends that are just as ambitious and driven as you is also a great idea. I’m surrounded by inspiring and excited writer friends every day (digitally of course) and we sprint together, read together, and chat about the business together. It makes what is usually a lonely job so much less lonely.
As for editors and cover designers, oh I know so many great ones! I like to use lots of beta readers (swaps with friends) before editing and it’s an exercise I highly recommend. You can learn just as much beta reading someone else as you can having your story beta read.
My main editor is Emerald Baynton (she’s not taking clients right now but you can find her at emeraldscreations.org), and the Bloodlines covers were done by Rebecacovers on Fiverr. Freelancing sites are a great way to find great deals on services—however do a lot of research, because sometimes it’s hard to sift through the scammers.
Other great editors I know:Jessey Mills – https://jesseymills.com/index.php/services/ Rhodora O (she also does custom book formatting for publishing) – https://www.fiverr.com/s2/b6deac29a8Nicole DeVincentis – https://www.fiverr.com/njdevincentis
Other great graphic designers I know:Midnight Coffee – https://midnightcoffee.co.uk/Pixie Stormcrow – https://covers.pstormcrow.com/

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?
I am open to reading anything as long as it’s engaging! Vague, I know, haha! But for me I look for interesting stories that are character driven and all of my favourite authors have very unique narrative voice. Think Palahniuk or Vonnegut. But really I am a Jill-of-all-genres (for reading and writing!).
I love reading brand new authors as well, and promoting those I enjoy across my social channels.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?
This is such a hard question! I think a book I couldn’t possibly live without is Blade of Tyshalle by Matthew Stover. I read it once every year or two and every time feels like the first time. It’s such a skillfully written and well-crafted world, with such deep characters and endless lore. The whole series is amazing but that one is my favourite.
Close seconds are The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Wizard and Glass by Stephen King, and Rant by Chuck Palahniuk.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
I have a fourteen-year-old toy poodle named Izzy, and she is my furry soulmate! She’s 100 lbs of diva in a 5 lb body and she is the absolute best.

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?
I do love paper books the best, but being a mom of two small kids I don’t often have either time, safe areas, or light to read by. My electronic alternative is my iPhone, and I use a combination of Apple Books, the Kindle app, audible, and for my serial obsessions Radish and Wattpad. I also often use Siri to read books to me if I don’t have it in audio. Makes chores and driving so much more enjoyable!

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Interview with Phyllis Kerr, Author of Wildcat (A Texas Romance Series)

Good morning!

Today’s interview is with Phyllis Kerr, author of Wildcat (A Texas Romance Series).

Please enjoy!

Best,

-Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?     Hello. My name is Phyllis Kerr and I am a native Texan.  2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?      I have a new book in my A Texas Romance Series titled Wildcat and it is a story about a girl searching her way through a difficult time in her journey to womanhood. 3) What is the book about?       Sugar’s path is particularly difficult because her mother left the family when Sugar was only four years old. Her father, Cattle Baron Quint Riley, made sure she learned all the skills needed to someday inherit the ranch in her turn and carry on his legacy in his name. But not the skills to deal with a husband in name only and her awakening feelings of the need for a mate to love and create a family. She needs to find the missing parts of her femaleness in order to set her life on a balanced path to reach her life goals. 4) Where did you come up with the idea?      I started thinking about this story after reading a true story about a girl forced into marriage at the age of fourteen and how she coped with her circumstances throughout her life. Her story touched my heart and Sugar’s story grew from that foundation. 5) How long did it take you to write it?     When I wrote my first book, I sharpened a pencil and found a yellow legal pad and wrote from beginning to end. I did buy an electric eraser about a quarter of the way through, so that helped speed things up. That one took about two years. This time I bought a new computer, read as many planning your writing books as I could get my hands on, planning software that I could manipulate to suit my needs and finished right at four months. 6) Did you learn anything from the project?           I learned so much from this project. Mostly that writing is fun when you set your characters free to be themselves. I love watching them work their ways out of the situations they get themselves into. 7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?  I have a new website. It’s really basic right now because I don’t have a clue about how to make technology work for me. I know the Help staff fights over who has to help me next time. You can find me at phylliskerr.com and email–phylliskerrbooks @phylliskerr.com. 8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?     As far as success goes, writing is like any other endeavor in your life, how hard are you willing to work to achieve what you consider successful? I have a great Cover and Website Designer. I love working with her, she’s terrific. Carrie at cheekycovers.com. 9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?      New authors are awesome. I actually do love reading their work and writing reviews. But when I am working on a book, my book becomes my main focus and takes most of my time, day and night. 10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?       Of course, I love to read. I have my degree in Literature because I find it fascinating. So, of course, my favorite book is a long list of wonderful books that grows longer every day. But as a romance writer I would have to say I fell in love with Pride and Prejudice at an early age. There’s just something special about that Mr. Darcy. 11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?      I have a large orange cat named ChaCho that refuses to leave my side when I am writing. He’s always there, supporting me in bad times and good. He is an excellent listener. 12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?        I have a Kindle paperwhite, I think it’s called. It’s always in my purse when not in use so I never go out without it. I like the size, it’s very small. But the screen can be aggravating when your big fingers keep touching certain parts of the screen and sends you off somewhere unexpected. Thank you, I enjoyed talking to you. Happy writing!

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Interview with S.J. Hartland, Author of The Last Seer King

Hello,

I’m pleased to bring you this interview with S.J. Hartland, author of The Last Seer King (Book 2 in the Shadow Sword Series).

Enjoy!

-Vincent Lowry

 

Interview

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?

S.J. Hartland. I’m an Aussie author and live on the Darling Downs, Queensland. Qld is the “Sunshine State,” but the Darling Downs is high up, cold in winter and one of those rare Australian places that really has four seasons. At the moment, it’s still winter and the drought is ongoing, so it’s a bit miserable. Bring on spring!

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?

I’ve just brought out the second in my epic fantasy Shadow Sword series, The Last Seer King. 

3) What is the book about?

The series follows a young warrior bonded to ancient gods who knows his fate is to die young in a malign battle against an inhuman foe. But fate has something far more lethal in mind. 

The second book is a blend of dark magic, obsession, betrayal, dangerous prophecy, and the forgiveness found through friendship. It’s about how secrets give others power over us.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

In The 19^th Bladesman, the first in the series, the initial idea was, what if you had to kill a stranger to save someone you love, but the person you had to kill protected the realm. It moved on from there. 

5) How long did it take you to write it?

I wrote the first three together over eight or so years. I wasn’t sure where I was “at” with them, or whether they were any good, or even if I could write, so I approached an amazing mentor, Dr Kathryn Heyman of the Australian Writers Mentoring Program. She was incredible. I’m a journalist, and Kathryn taught me what journalists don’t know about writing a novel – turns out, that’s quite a bit. 

The third is about to be edited, so hopefully it is out early next year. 

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

Where to start! Almost at once, I knew I wanted to go “indy.” That meant learning where to find an editor, a cover designer, how to market etc etc, or at least try to market! I’ve taken some of Mark Dawson’s courses and they’ve been really useful.  

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog?

www.sjhartland.com

Author S J Hartland | The home of The 19th Bladesman his duty is to die young, but fate has something far more lethal in mind… the 19th bladesman and the last seer king: first two books in a new epic fantasy series out now www.sjhartland.com

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?

I’ve been really happy with Red Adept for editing, love the covers Deranged Doctor does for the series, and I’d be lost without Jason and Marina of Polgarus Studio for formatting.  

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?

I love fantasy, obviously, but sometimes I just crave a thriller or a cozy mystery. I read less than I should these days; balancing a full-time job with writing after work is a bit crazy. 

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?

I’m not sure I can pick one. I love Dune and Michael Moorcock’s Elric series, as well as Australian author CS Pacat’s Captive Prince series. I devoured Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series. He managed to make me care what happened to the main character after two pages. There’s such a vulnerability to Evan (Orphan X) that I love being in that world. 

Interview with Yza Dora, author of Secrets of Ravenstone!

Hello, today we have an interview with Yza Dora, author of Secrets of the Ravenstone.

Enjoy!

-Vincent Lowry

Where did you come up with the idea for the book?

I originally came up with the idea for the series from a crazy dream I had. Sorting out the details of it and piecing them together, it was totally different from what’s published now. But after constant editing, revising and polishing the story, it finally came down to the current piece. The characters are the same but tweaked a lot to fit in with the current Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance genre. I want them to feel as real as possible so readers who are following their journey, can, in some ways, relate to them and their struggles. My mom; who is my ghost writer because she doesn’t want to be categorized as co-author, has helped me greatly from the beginning!

Is your book part of a series?

Yes, Secrets of Ravenstone is part of a series. Books 2 and 3 are in the full editing process, with book 4 not even in the beginning stages yet, other than just ideas that are scratched on every kind of piece of paper, even napkins, tucked away in a file folder. Guess it’s true what they say about authors in that aspect; we do scribble on anything. I also have 3 books in mind for future projects; ones of which that in way, coincide with this series but have no affiliation with them. They’re basically back stories into a few characters mentioned throughout the current series. What can I say, I’m busy and take my writing seriously. My book covers of which I have designed personally by my own hand without the fancy software, have been created for those future stories.

How have sales been?

Now, as far as my selling success? That’s tricky. I’ve received a few scattered sales here and there on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, but since Amazon has changed their reviewing policy so it seems, it makes it difficult for reviewers and readers to make their reviews. So, most of my success believe it or not, has come from Inkitt. A free platform where I’ve received most of my best reviews! Being self-published is hard at times, especially when it comes to promotion because let’s face it, you’re doing it all on your own and of course, you’ll be convinced by coaches or other authors to pay for their services in that field. Instagram and Twitter offers the best promotional style for me, since I’m active on those 2 specific media profiles. I’m also a blogger and reviewer of TV and movies, having my own blog as well, so things gets busy for me in between writing and being a personal caregiver, caring for my mom and 2 other senior patients. And to handle the stress sometimes, I manage to squeeze some game time, playing my favorite series; Assassin’s Creed! Oh, yeah!

Any final comments:

A little extra detail, if you need it, but I live in Las Vegas, NV with my mom, 2 cats, 2 pigeons, 2 fish and a dog. Yes…I have quite the zoo happening in my home, haha! But they offer, in their own little ways, comfort.

The Last Seer King by S.J. Hartland

IT’S THE SECRETS WE HIDE FROM OURSELVES THAT GIVE OTHERS POWER…

 

A rich tapestry of dark magic, obsession, dangerous prophecy, and the forgiveness found through friendship.

An ancient king returns…

For centuries, Roaran sought redemption. Now he can vanquish a tyrant and save a realm in chaos. But only if he cuts his last ties to humanity. Only if he returns to the one place that he swore he’d never dare go again…

A leader arises…

Slaver, raider, and warlord, Dannon wants to believe in something beyond killing. His yearning will take him on a deadly path to his destiny… that he’s fated to put aside all he believes in and fight a war he can’t win.

A warrior in chains…

A prisoner in the Icelands, about to be auctioned to the highest bidder, Val Arques has just one chance to escape and find Kaell before it’s too late—win at his captor’s dangerous psychological and sexual game or reveal the secret that will destroy him.

A prophecy unfolds…

As for Kaell… fate isn’t quite done with him yet.

For the darkness taking over the kingdom can’t be defeated by the sword, only with the heart.

In a world of poetry and song, but also treachery, betrayal, and bloodshed, the second volume in the raw and breathtaking Shadow Sword series will enthrall fans of Game of Thrones and Prince of Thorns.

 

 

 

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