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1.      Paperback, hardback, audiobook?

I’m always a sucker for hardback copies of books, but paperback is the most versatile and easiest to get your hands on

2.      Pick a genre, any genre!

I’m a hardcore fantasy lover! That being said, I do love the subgenres of Urban and Dark fantasy. There’s just so much you can do with a story that falls into either category, and so many themes to play with.

3.      What is the first book you remember reading?

Robin Hood. It used to be my go-to read as a kid when I was feeling down or lonely. 

4.      What book shaped your childhood most?

I know this will be an unpopular answer, but the HP series played not only a huge role in me becoming an author but also cultivating my love for reading outside the classics I was given by my family. 

5.      When did you first start writing?

Twelve years old. I started writing fanfics that never saw the light of day outside of my very tiny friends’ circle.

6.      What made you want to write? Does it still hold true?

Bit of a dark answer, but writing has always been cathartic for me. Growing up in a broken home, I had a very hard time expressing my hurt and anger until writing came along. All of a sudden, I was able to pour my heart and soul onto ink and paper without judgment or fear. Slowly, I learned how to cope with my emotions, and I have writing to thank for allowing me a safe space to express my true self and my true feelings. This still holds true today with the addition that I weave the lessons I’ve learned into my stories so that others might not feel so alone while healing.

7.      What book/poem are you most proud of creating?

To date, Blood and Tines is the book I’m most proud of followed closely by Undergrounder. While the latter is my first official publication and a huge accomplishment, Blood and Tines is a whopper of a story and one that’s grown exponentially from its creation almost ten years ago.

8.      Did you publish your first book or is it for your eyes only?

Undergrounder is my first official published novel! 

9.      How many books/collections have you published so far?

Only one, but the series will have five books in total once I’m finished.

10.   What genres do you write in (or hope to)?

Fantasy with an emphasis on Urban and Dark Fantasy.

11.   Do you do research for your writing or is it all in your head?

I do a TON of research on some of the most mundane things. Honestly, it’s a little insane how much research I do for a fantasy book, but I want my world to be believable and grounded in reality as much as possible. I’ve spent hours pouring over Google Maps trying to pinpoint the perfect location for a scene in my book or combed through hundreds of Wikipedia pages looking for a sliver of a fact that will add agency to an upcoming scene. 

12.   To plan, or not to plan your plot?

I’m a Planster. While I like having a scaffold to work off of, most of the time I just throw idea seeds into my garden and see what comes of it.

13.   What route of publishing have you chosen? Do you plan to stick with it?

For now I’ve decided to go with self-publishing due to the freedom it provides. I may look into indie publishing for my next book, but we’ll have to see. Safe to say though, trad publishing isn’t something that interests me anymore unless an agent comes to me directly with one hell of an offer.

14.   If you could live inside another author’s universe, which one would you pick? (Ex: Middle Earth, Narnia, etc.)

Alex E. Harrow’s world she created in The Once and Future Witches. There’s just something so awesome about witchcraft taking place during the Sufferage movement that really captured my imagination. 

15.   Do you currently have a WIP?

I have three because I’m a glutton for punishment. 

16.   Tell me about the character you’ve created who is dearest to your heart.

That would be Anna from Ether Roots, the fifth and final book in my Community Archives series. Anna is a tortured soul with a childhood not so unlike my own, and her entire drive as a character is to overcome the traumas of her past and embrace who/what she was always meant to be within the realms of the Community. Her story is about rediscovering pride in her heritage as well as stability in the face of personal demons.   

17.   What do you consider your *current* magnum opus?

Hands down, Blood and Tines. When I say it’s a hell of a story I’m not kidding. This thing hits like a freight train, and I hope it leaves people cheering by the end.

18.   Do you have a favourite romance in your books? Or, if yours features no romance, tell us about your favourite character friendship!

I don’t want to spoil anything for future books, so I’ll focus on Undergrounder. Lee and Alex’s romance is some of the sweetest, gentlest romance I’ve ever written, and I love those two idiots so much. Writing them falling in love came so naturally. I love their grumpy/sunshine dynamic and the little nerdy moments they share throughout the book and into book two.  

19.   Do you listen to music as you write? Recommend a favourite writing song.

I’m one of those weird people who needs absolute silence when I write. Plotting, however, I always plot to music. Anything by Jennifer Thomas is excellent writing music. Or if you want something more electric, Audiomachine has shaped quite a few scenes of mine with their wildly epic music. 

20.   Do you have any character art for your books, whether by you or another artist? (Be sure to credit/link if you can!)

I absolutely do! 

1) Orin and Ria by @Ximuori
2) Alex and Lee/Feral by @Yuufaia
3) Lee and Alex by @Plastic_Pipes

21.   If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?

There are no rules. Honestly, there really aren’t. There are “rules” put in place by those who think they hold sway over the vast writing world, but writing is an art form. There’s no wrong way to do it, so write everything, find your voice, find your footing, and go from there. Don’t listen to the “how-tos” and “what not to write” crowd. All art has gatekeepers but they aren’t the end all be all to the community. 

22.   Have you entered any writer contests? Tell us about your experience!

I haven’t yet, but I plan on this summer and fall! 

23.   Who are your top 5-10 favourite writers?

Alex E. Harrow
Heather Walter
Tamsyn Muir
Pierce Brown
Scott Lynch 

24.   Link us your book/twitter/goodreads or wherever we can best connect with you!

Goodreads | Twitter