Reviewed: April 3rd, 2024 Released: December 26th, 2018 Genre: Epic Fantasy
What if the job you took to stay alive might be what kills you?
Kade knows what it is to suffer. He knows what it’s like to lose everything and everyone around him.
His job in a Stormer Unit guarantees not just his survival in the decimated country of Azetaria, but his sister Meg’s.
Even if it means facing the Numachi warriors baying for his blood, he’ll do what it takes to keep her safe.
Hadley is alone and surviving the only way she knows how. By hiding where predators won’t find her and scavenging enough just to keep her alive.
When desperation drives Hadley to search for her missing brother, she mistakenly accepts the offer of recruitment into the Stormer’s camp, only to be partnered with Kade and sent as a scout into Numachi territory.
The intimidating young Stormer may just know where her brother has gone. But can they stay alive long enough to find him? Read My Thoughts…
Author ofthe epic fantasy novel, The Cocoon Within
I am very pleased to welcome Liisa Sabah to my blog this week, and we’re chatting about her epic fantasy novel, The Cocoon Within.
Helen: Welcome Liisa. I am very excited to learn more about your epic fantasy book. Just looking at the cover, it looks to be quite the adventure. Tell us about your book and how you came to write it.
Liisa: I absolutely loved the journey of writing The Cocoon Within! It’s funny because how I started the book was quite unintentional. One day I was actually in the middle of writing a different book, and was taking a break from it, I was just sat doodling at my laptop, staring at a blank word document, and I thought, let me just write what pops to my mind, and so I did, and I wrote the first page of chapter one of The Cocoon Within. I left it on my laptop for about a year, whilst I finished the other book (which is currently unpublished) and then I went back to that one page and carried on writing, until 324 pages later, voila! The Cocoon Within emerged!
The Cocoon Within is an easy ready, it’s fast paced and it’s an exciting fantasy adventure story, it has ten lengthy chapters and is full of twist and turns, unusual characters and fantastical and colourful worlds and creatures. Of course as with most fantasy books it has a good versus evil theme in the story, there is of course some violence in the book, including battle scenes, and that’s why I set the reading age for age 13 upwards, and whilst the genre is set at young adult, 18+ readers are also enjoying the book.
The Cocoon Within, has been described by US online book club as being reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter and even Alice in Wonderland! In this epic fantasy adventure, young Ariana finds an ancient and mysterious book in her attic and unusual things begin to unfold. Not only does she have strange dreams and visions, but she also begins to see real life creatures from another realm, and it seems that she may not be the only one that can see them! To top this all off she discovers that her own identity is more than she could have ever imagined, and that her new dog isn’t just an ordinary dog. Together Ariana and her best friend and unexpected love interest, Jack, and the popular and stunning Jessica, are drawn into the adventure of their lives, where everything changes, and they are transported to another world. Not only does Ariana discover her true identity, but along with her friends, they embark on a spectacular quest where they are faced with a great battle against dark and evil forces, which threaten to overpower them all and destroy the world as they know it!
Helen: It’s funny how we are in the middle of writing one book and another amazing idea comes along to distract you. I must say that your cover is absolutely gorgeous. Tell us how you came up with the design.
Liisa: As with any story, the book evolved during my writing journey, and once I had decided to include a great winged lion to appear in the story as one of the key characters, I just knew that he had to feature on the cover of the book! Of course the ancient mystical book that Ariana finds in her grandfather’s attic, was the catalyst to the beginnings of the entire fantastical adventure of flame haired Ariana, our brave yet endearing protagonist, who also had to feature on the cover, with Lifeblood sword in hand.
So I searched for an image of a lion, an ancient book, and a red haired girl with a sword, from the images on the site that my publisher had given me to browse. When I came across the lion and book which was a single image, with its bursting flames of colours, I knew I just had to have that for the cover! When the creative designer merged the images of Ariana with the blazing lion and book, both my publisher and I were ecstatic at the result, it was bold, bright and certainly eye catching, capturing the essence of the story. Later on, I connected my cover choice with my own personal faith, the Lion representative of God, the ancient book representing the Holy scriptures, and Ariana, representing the believer holding the sword of the spirit. Readers may recognise the allegory in the references to the spiritual battle of good vs evil in the story, which was part of my inspiration to write this fantastical adventure.
Helen: I love finding out the authors thoughts behind their cover. How did you come up with the title, and is there any special meaning behind it?
Liisa: Yes, human beings are capable of so much and the power in our mind / inner being is often underestimated by most. I believe that we are capable of achieving amazing things beyond our own current thinking, if we tap into our source. I chose the title ‘The Cocoon Within’, to represent the power within us, that can be unleashed by transforming our thinking. Mindset is everything. Just like Ariana discovers her true identity and exactly what she is capable of. So do we, travel on this path called life, a journey of discovery about who we are as individuals, and it’s our thinking that ultimately shapes the person that we become, reflective in the life that we lead.
Helen: What would your main character say if I asked them why we should read your book?
Liisa: Ariana would say, come follow me on a journey of adventure and discovery, where the unseen becomes more real than the seen. Who knows. It might even change the way you that see things! I think she would also tell you that she didn’t know her own strength until she was faced with great adversity and challenge. That she made some amazing friends along the way, and though she didn’t have the easiest start in life, don’t let that stop you from becoming the person that you are meant to be. She would say if you read The Cocoon Within, perhaps her story might inspire you to be a little bit braver, a little bit more resilient and a little more curious about the world around you and all that you see… and all that you don’t see!
Helen: Lovely message. When did you first realise you had a passion for writing?
Liisa: Ever since I was a young girl, I loved to read! Childhood favourites were the Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and then as a teenager, I must have read every Agatha Christie book going! Moving on to some of the great classics, from Charles Dickens to Jane Austin, I simply loved to read. And as far back as eight or nine years old, I loved writing stories, English was a favourite lesson of mine, because I got to write essays, and I dreamed of one day writing a book of my own and becoming an author.
My family emigrated to West Africa when I was about ten years old and I was almost fifteen when we returned to the UK. It was an unforgettable experience that involved a lot of hardship that we had never experienced as a family before. My mother always said that we should write a book about our time in Africa, and her words have always stayed with me. Did I ever write that book? I hear you ask…the answer to that is…yes, I did write that book, for my mother. It was the very first book I ever wrote, deeply personal and which is currently an unpublished work, that took me two years to complete, once I really knuckled down to write it. I then went on to write my debut fantasy adventure book, The Cocoon Within, which took me 10 months to complete and which I published earlier this year, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Helen: Congratulations on completing and publishing your book. Such a huge accomplishment. With your first novel being epic fantasy, do you think you’ll continue to write fantasy or will you branch out into a different genre?
Liisa: Whilst my first published book is a fantasy adventure book, as previously mentioned, my very first written work was in fact a memoir, albeit written as a novel based on true events. I am still a very new author, and I am learning a lot on this author journey, still honing my craft, trying new things, because every day is a school day, right! Personally, whilst I absolutely love the fantasy genre, I am keen to branch into other genres. Whilst the current book I am writing is part two – the sequel to The Cocoon Within, the way my brain works, I get so many ideas for stories pop in my imagination, so I just jot them on a word document or notepad and save them. Every so often, I will add a little more to the story ideas, and play around with the plot, with the intention to go back to them and turn them into the beginnings of a new adventure story! I have been toying with the idea of trying my hand at a family drama with a twist, and even a romance novel, though who knows, perhaps combining both elements into a fantastical adventure, could be the end result! Writing is such an adventure in itself, because you may start the story one way and end up through the twists and turns of the journey, going in a completely different direction than you first intended, as you allow your imagination to generate new and exciting ideas along the way, that you didn’t originally think of. Sometimes a picture or a place, a song, or even something someone has said in my day-to-day life, gives me inspiration for a scene or story line to add to my writing. Though for now my main focus is the sequel to The Cocoon Within and I am just over 40,000 words into the story, so watch this space!
Helen: That is so exciting, I am so glad you are writing a sequel! I was going to ask what you are working next, so tell us a little about what you are writing now.
Liisa: I am currently writing the sequel to The Cocoon Within, I have almost finished chapter four, and I am targeting myself to finish it by the end of this year. I quickly discovered that it is no mean feat, trying to write a series, as there is a lot of back and forth, trying to tie up the previous story lines and loose ends etc to make everything come together into yet another exciting book. I have got the plot going pretty well now and I am introducing some new characters, I am really excited about book number two, and the scale of the story itself is much wider. Ariana discovers more about Elopia and the other realms, but I shan’t give you any spoilers. If I were to summarise, I would say that the sequel will certainly hold as much, if not more fantastical adventures and action as The Cocoon Within, so stay tuned for its release date, I will be posting updates on Facebook as I approach the end of the story. To whet readers’ appetites ahead of the sequel’s release, I have created a little video trailer for book number two, which is on my Facebook page!
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today. Just to close us out, what is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
Liisa: I can’t detract from the most obvious thing, which is of course holding a physical copy of my finished work in my hands, there is nothing like it! Even now I still get that wow feeling, when I hold a copy of my book in my hands, and I think ‘Did I really write this?’ I feel humbled, awed, amazed and of course so grateful whenever anyone purchases a copy of my book. It’s humbling and exciting to know that someone wants to read the words that I have put together in a book, and I hope that my stories touch the hearts of readers and engage their imagination for a long time to come. It’s a feeling of unexplainable joy being able to get your creativity out in the world for readers to connect with, and I also really do appreciate every reader that takes the time to write a review for my book. Reviews are like gold dust to the author, so thank you to those active readers out there!
The other day I was at a retail outlet having a great conversation with a customer representative about my book, I offered the rep a free signed copy of my book, as I happened to have a few copies with me. I was, however, bowled over that the rep refused the free copy, saying that they wanted to support me as an author by purchasing a copy, and they did so on Amazon in that very moment! The interest and support from the public has just been the absolute best, and I cannot say thank you enough to all the readers out there!
About the Author
Liisa Sabah
Author, doodler, dreamer, believer and self-confessed animal lover that just loves to share exciting adventure stories with the world! And positive vibes! #Mindset is everything! Liisa was born in Bedfordshire and spent her formative childhood years there until the age of ten when she emigrated with her family to West Africa, where they spent the next four years, before returning to the UK. Liisa is half Finnish and half Ghanaian by heritage, she has a passion for travel, too much coffee and a love for animals, especially those roaring big cats…lions! Her Christian faith influences her fantasy writing, with themes of the spiritual battle of good vs evil and adversity and challenge that the characters strive to overcome. Liisa is fascinated by the human psyche and has a strong belief that the human mind is capable of so much more than we know, she likes to read books about personal development, mindset, and transforming the way that we think.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Reviewed: November 2nd, 2024 Released: November 29th, 2023 Genre: YA Fantasy Epic Romance
Lars vows he’ll be a dragon rider one day, but the choices he’ll face could break his heart.
When Lars is chosen to be the harpist for Master Mage Giddi’s wedding at Dragon’s Hold, he’s honored to play for the mages, dragon riders and the mighty dragons who rule the realm. He vows one day he’ll also be a dragon rider and soar through the skies to protect Dragons’ Realm — and Lydia, the girl he loves.
Then strange new monsters attack Spanglewood Settlement. Lars must fight the village council to ensure their people are defended. Frustrated when the leaders won’t listen, Lars takes matters into his own hands.
But when he imprints with an amethyst dragon deep in Great Spanglewood Forest, Lars never suspects his actions could cost him the woman he loves.
And as he’s drawn deeper into danger, Lars is faced with choices that will shred his heart. Read My Thoughts…
I am very pleased to welcome Samuel Lawson to my blog this week, and we’re chatting about his fantasy Slovian Chronicles series.
Helen: Welcome Samuel. I am very excited to learn more about your series. Tell us a little about your latest book.
Samuel: High school is a battleground, but for Tommy, it’s where his true destiny awaits. Born beneath a sky where fate is written in the stars, Tommy Archer is anything but ordinary. Bullied and overlooked, Tommy’s life takes a cosmic turn when new students arrive at school. Suddenly thrust into a world of magic and mayhem, Tommy discovers his true purpose—to save the world from impending doom. With his newfound friends by his side, Tommy embarks on an electrifying adventure where courage is tested and alliances forged. Can they defy the odds and protect humanity from its darkest hour?
Helen: I am assuming your main characters are on the cover. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?
Samuel: I chose the cover because it visually encapsulates the essence of my characters and the challenges they face. It portrays their journey and the looming threat to Earth, which is central to the plot. The mysterious and adventurous feel of the design symbolizes the balance between their ordinary teenage lives and the extraordinary destiny that awaits them.
Helen: It definitley gives an adventurous vibe. How about the title? How did you come up with it?
Samuel: The title Earth Protectors came naturally because it perfectly reflects the core of the story: a group of teenagers tasked with the monumental responsibility of saving Earth. The title captures the gravity of their mission, and I felt it was the best fit for the story’s theme of protecting the planet from total annihilation.
Helen: What made you write this particular book?
Samuel: A part of me wanted to see myself in the story, so I created a character who reflects bits of my own life’s experiences. Writing Earth Protectors was a way to channel those reflections into an imaginative adventure, incorporating themes that resonate with me personally, like friendship, courage, and self-discovery.
Helen: They say we all write from experience. If your main character could answer this question, why would they say we should read your book?
Samuel: Tommy would probably say you should read the book because it’s not just about saving the world but about discovering the hero within yourself. Everyone has fears and insecurities, but it’s about facing them head-on. He’d tell you that this is a story of friendship, courage, and standing up for what’s right—even when the odds are stacked against you.
Helen: Love it! Which genre do you prefer to write?
Samuel: I write primarily in fantasy because it allows me to explore the boundaries of imagination without restrictions. Fantasy lets me create entire worlds, characters, and realities that wouldn’t exist otherwise, giving me the freedom to weave complex stories with magical elements and universal themes.
Helen: It is freeing when you don’t have to abide by known facts and you can make up your rules. Where do you get your ideas from?
Samuel: Ideas can come from anywhere—books, movies, conversations with friends, or even observing what’s happening in society. I get a lot of inspiration from movies because they provide a vivid backdrop of action, drama, and suspense that I try to replicate in my own storytelling.
Helen: Tough question next. Who is your favourite character?
Samuel: All my characters are my favorites, but if I had to choose one, it would be Tommy. He’s the heart of the story, and his journey from a shy high school nerd to a courageous Earth Protector is something I’m really proud of.
Helen: Writing is addictive. When did you realise you had a passion and you had to share your stories?
Samuel: My passion for writing began in high school when I was inspired by a writing competition I never entered but always wished I had. That unfulfilled desire to participate pushed me to create my own stories. Over time, that spark turned into a passion, leading me to write two books, starting with what I call “drawer plays”—unpublished works that were, in hindsight, pretty terrible! But the positive feedback from friends and adults helped encourage me to pursue writing seriously.
Helen: The more you write, the more you learn. Writing is a craft like any other skill. Which part of the writing process do you find most challenging?
Samuel: For me, the most challenging part is maintaining consistency in pacing and structure. Sometimes I find myself getting carried away with certain scenes, which can disrupt the balance of the story. It’s a continuous learning process, finding that sweet spot between action, character development, and plot progression.
Helen: Who inspired you to write?
Samuel: While I don’t read as much as I should, watching movies sparked my imagination and gave me ideas for my stories. Films provide that visual and cinematic atmosphere that I try to bring into my writing. In terms of specific influences, Hades from Percy Jackson and the Olympians and General Zod from Man of Steel were inspirations for creating my antagonist. J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan, in particular, motivated me to keep writing and not give up.
Helen: Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?
Samuel: I remind myself that self-doubt is part of the process and that no writer is perfect. Whenever the little voice in my head gets too loud, I take a break, watch a movie, or read something that inspires me. I also look back at what I’ve accomplished so far, which helps to push me forward.
When I hit writer’s block, I stop and take a break. Watching a movie often helps clear my mind, and before I know it, new ideas start flowing. Sometimes, stepping away from the project for a bit can make all the difference.Stop what I’m working on for a while to see a movie then get back to it after some ideas pops back to head.
Helen: Great advice. A change in environment often helps to break a certain chain of thought. Do you find you plan your books or are you more of a pantser?
Samuel: I’m more of a pantser. While I like having a general outline of where the story is going, I prefer to let the characters and plot develop organically. I enjoy the freedom that comes with writing in the moment and seeing where the story takes me.
Helen: If you didn’t write fantasy, then which genre would you like to try and write next?
Samuel: Thriller. In fact, I’m currently working on a thriller, and I’m excited about the direction it’s taking. I hope to release it soon!
Helen: Most writers also read a lot. What is your favourite book, and are there any other books you would you recommend?
Samuel: One of my all-time favorites is Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I love the blend of mythology with modern-day adventure. The characters are relatable, and the humor makes it a fun read, while still maintaining a sense of epicness. I would recommend The Hunger Games series for its fast-paced, gripping plot and the way it tackles societal issues through a dystopian lens. The Maze Runner is also a great read for fans of intense, action-driven stories.
Helen: Some great recomendations. What advice would you give new writers?
Samuel: Take a chill pill. You have everything it takes to write a novel. Mistakes will happen, but they’ll make you better over time. Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back, because you never know which book will resonate with readers. Keep writing, keep improving, and enjoy the journey.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, Samuel. It has been great meeting you. Just to finish, what is the best thing that has happened since you started writing?
Samuel: The best thing has been connecting with readers who enjoy my genre. The positive feedback I’ve received, not just locally but from international readers as well, has been incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that my stories resonate with people around the world is a reward in itself.
About the Author
Samual Lawson
My name is Samuel Lawson. I am the author of two books out of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, and I am also a twin, so heads up, you might mistake my brother for me like most people do…. lol.
My writing blends emotion and adventure, aiming to inspire young adult readers to conquer their fears. In my books, you will find life lessons delivered with love and laughter are the hallmarks of my world. When not crafting stories or reading, you will find me playing the piano, listening to music, seeing a movie, or scrolling through my socials.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
I am excited to chat with fellow BookFest award winner, Michael Thomas Perone, about his YA Science fiction novel, Déjà View.
Helen: Many congratulations, Michael, on your gold medal and getting your book up in lights in Times Square. It is so exciting! Tell us about your award winning book, Déjà View.
Michael:Déjà View is about a 12-year-old boy named Bobby Dalton who doesn’t want to grow up. All his life, he has relied on the imaginary games of childhood with his best friends Joe and Max to get him through the tough times. But this all changes when his Seventh-Grade class buries a time capsule to commemorate the end of the 1980s. Now Bobby is being haunted by visions: ghostly doppelgangers of himself, his friends, and others. He calls them “déjà view.” Are these visions real, or has his imagination finally gotten away from him? And if they’re real, what do they want? Bobby needs to figure this all out to survive his childhood…and his life.
Helen: You have chosen quite an atmospheric cover design. What were your thoughts behind the design?
Michael: The cover is a slightly spooky image of my three main characters burying something under the cover of moonlight. I wanted readers who first glanced at the cover to become intrigued and ask themselves, “What are these kids burying?” and hope that this inspired them to read the back cover copy to get some clues. I wanted the boys to be in shadow because this reinforces the book’s theme of ghostly doppelgangers. (Bobby calls them “shadows.”) Also, I wanted to have the title superimposed so that it would appear it had its own shadow (again, emphasizing the theme of doubles in the book). I gave these ideas to my publisher, and I think they did a great job. Since I’m a writer and not an artist, though I originally wanted to be a cartoonist when I was a kid, one thing I hadn’t thought of was the color of the cover, and I was very pleased when it came back. I think the dark blues and purples really make the cover pop and help convey the overall spooky vibe of the book.
Helen: It works!! I love finding out the detail behind the cover design, because their is a lot of thought put into it than many readers realise and understanding the thought process makes the cover even more meaningful. How did you come up with the book title?
Michael: The original title was just Déjà Vu, but after a quick Amazon search, I discovered only about a million books already have that title. (That’s just a slight exaggeration.) So I changed it to Déjà View and had Bobby come up with this name since these repeated visions of his are things that he’s actually seeing, not just feeling. (There’s also a running gag in the book that he keeps misspelling and mispronouncing things; he is a kid after all.) There are still a few books out there with this title, so to differentiate it even further, I gave the book a subtitle: A Kid Nightmare, since I consider this a companion book to my debut novel Danger Peak, which also had a subtitle, A Kid Adventure, though I should say Déjà View isn’t a sequel to that book. There is, however, a very brief cameo from the kids of Danger Peak, but it’s so short, if you blink while reading the sentence, you might miss it.
Helen: You know, I hadn’t even noticed the change in spelling until you said!! The mind just reads it as Vue as that is what you expect! Why did you write this particular book?
Michael: My first book was more or less about the death of my brother, and I wanted to write about another kind of death, the death of childhood. I knew the book would be more ambitious, cover more ground, be longer, and take place over a longer period of time than Danger Peak, but I also wanted to answer a question: “How exactly does childhood die?” We know the broad brushstrokes, but I’m a very detail-oriented person, and I wanted to know, just for myself, how precisely does it happen? To answer the question, I searched through old diaries of mine, and I also just have a really good memory of this time in my life. Almost everything that happens in the first half of the book happened to me in real life (with exaggerations of course to make it more entertaining for the reader). The second half, what I jokingly call “the crazy half,” is when Bobby starts seeing his visions, so the story is a slow burn, but I hope it’s worth it. And I did discover the answer to my question, but I think I’ll keep it to myself for now. Or you can just read my book!
Helen: They always say write from experience. Though I write epic fantasy, so I can’t say that I’ve experienced epic battles!! When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
Michael: I’ve been writing stories basically since I was taught the alphabet. I used to bring my stories into school in third and fourth grade and read them in front of the class. At the time, I thought everyone was doing this. I would ask my friends what stories they were working on, and they assumed I was talking about homework. Despite this, I never considered myself seriously as a writer until the mid-2000s when my whole life imploded. In less than a year, I lost my girlfriend, my roommate, my apartment, and my job and was forced to move back home. I was wondering what to do with my life, and my Mom suggested I write. I blew her off, but she reminded me that when I was a kid, I would write story after story in my bedroom. “No one told you to do that, Michael,” she said. “You did that yourself.” The rest, as they say, is history, though I should say my writing doesn’t pay the bills. I’m not Stephen King…yet!
Helen: Life changes do seem to be a catalyst for putting pen to paper. Which genre do you write and why?
Michael: I write young adult for several reasons. I’m never going to be a genius author who can write a 1,000-page book with over a hundred characters; my books are a little over 200 pages each and have six or seven main characters. That’s about as much as my brain can handle per book, and young adult tends to be shorter with fewer characters. The other reason is that I tend to think like someone in junior high; I have a very child-like sensibility, much to the consternation of my family, but that helps me identify with my characters more.
As for the genre of action-adventure, in the case of Danger Peak, or sci-fi, for Déjà View, those genres just generally interest me as a reader and film lover. I was a child of the ‘80s raised by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas after all.
Finally, I love the genre of magical realism for a similar reason of why I write young adult. It’s too much for my brain to handle a world where everything is magical, like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. I can only handle one magical thing per book, like the supernatural mountain in Danger Peak or the ghostly visions in Déjà View. I like playing with that one magical idea and seeing how it affects my characters and their more-or-less real world.
Helen: Your books do sound intriguing. Who is your favourite character?
Michael: By far, my favorite character is Bobby’s therapist Dr. Pann. Without giving too much away, he’s more complex than at first glance, and he was a lot of fun to write, especially playing with the different shades of his personality. I also gave him some of the best lines in the book.
Helen: Let’s switch to your writing process. Which part of the writing process do you find most challenging?
Michael: I think most writers would probably say sitting down and doing the actual writing, but, not to sound obnoxious, I don’t usually get writer’s block. The hardest part for me is structuring the story, so I guess, in a way, you can say I get “story structure block,” to coin a phrase. I can come up with a good idea to sustain a novel-length story and have no problem developing the characters. Also, as writer-director John Hughes once said, “I can write dialogue as fast as I can say it,” but putting all that together into a good beginning, middle, and unexpected yet satisfying end is the hardest part for me. For example, it took me almost a year thinking about Déjà View to come up with the ending, and even then, it came to me in a dream. Once I figure out the story though, I’m off and running and usually finish the first draft within 3 to 4 months.
Helen: So do you plan out your story in advance, or do you find you write better on the fly, so to speak?
Michael: This goes hand in hand with my last answer. I used to write “by the seat of my pants” when I was a kid and just make it up as I went along. That worked with a few stories but not with most. They usually ended with a conclusion that may have been unexpected but definitely wasn’t inevitable or satisfying to read. As an adult, I learned to outline my stories, something I used to hate doing in English class but is something I’ve learned is necessary if you want to write a truly memorable story that doesn’t cheat the reader. There’s no, as they say, deus ex machina that comes in to save the day at the end of my stories. The characters either naturally solve the problem on their own or they face the consequences of the decisions they’ve made all throughout the story (or both). That said, this doesn’t necessarily mean I have everything figured out in the story when I begin writing, especially the dialogue. That part I like making up as I go along, and I think that also helps it sound more natural, like how real people talk.
Helen: I’ve found that the more I write, the more I plan the framework in advance. Now whether I follow the plan is another matter! Having completed and published Déjà View, what else are you working on?
Michael: I’m working on a collection of my favorite short stories I’ve written over the years. When I was putting it together, I was afraid the reader would ping-pong between different themes (if you read Déjà View, you’ll know theme is a big deal for me), but either by coincidence or sheer luck, the stories I chose have pretty much the same theme: a sane person trying to live in an insane world. It’s definitely the craziest thing I’ve ever written, and that’s saying something after my last book. The best part for readers is that if they don’t like one story, they can just skip to the next one.
Helen: Thank you so much for spending time with me today. Congratulations again on your BookFest award. Just to close us out, what piece of writing advice to find most useful and would share with aspiring authors?
Michael: My real, full-time job is a Senior Editor in Manhattan, so it’s very difficult for me to take off my editing hat when I’m writing, but a college professor once told me to just concentrate on the writing first. Then, after you’re finished, you can put on that editing hat and get to work. But it still remains a struggle, at least for me, switching between both worlds. Sometimes I try to edit a sentence as I’m writing it, and I have to remind myself to stop.
About the Author
Michael Thomas Perone
Michael Thomas Perone is an award-winning author who has written for The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore City Paper, Long Island Voice (a spinoff of The Village Voice), and others. Online, he has written for Yahoo!, WhatCulture!, and other websites that don’t end with an exclamation mark. His debut novel Danger Peak was called “the perfect teenage boy crusade” by Publishers Weekly and “a compelling bildungsroman about grief and finding wisdom” by Kirkus Reviews. If nothing else, he learned the word “bildungsroman” from the experience. His follow-up, the coming-of-age/sci-fi mindbender Déjà View, won First Place at The Spring 2024 BookFest Awards in the category of Young Adult – Literary and Coming of Age. It was also a finalist of The 2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award. He works as a Senior Editor in Manhattan and lives on Long Island with his wife and two daughters.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Today, I am excited to chat with Sara Jane Triglia about her debut Sci-fi book, Souls in the Stars which launches today, June 4th, 2024.
Helen: Welcome, Sara Jane. Congratulations on the release of your book. I am so excited that today is your launch day! Tell us a little about Souls in the Stars.
Sara Jane:Souls in the Stars is my debut novel. It’s a thought-provoking sci-fi adventure that explores spiritually in a unique and nuanced way for young, sensitive souls who are seeking depth and meaning. It’s essentially about a teenage girl who has to rescue her little brother after he dies and becomes trapped as an orb of light. But, really, there’s a lot more to the story.
It has some of your favorite YA tropes: chosen one, dystopia/utopia (yes, both), jungle adventure, mystical island, love triangle romance, telekinesis, magical systems, reincarnation, reluctant hero. (Think Hunger Games meets Avatar.)
Helen: Your cover is beautiful, what were your thoughts behind the design?
Sara Jane: The cover began as a simple image of a ball of light—a soul orb—in the dark. For the second version, we tried to make it more interesting, so we created a scene from the novel where Bay is marveling at the soul orb in the jungle. It was a great cover, but we were told to follow cover trends, so we made another cover option that looked more “2024”. Yet, it felt like something essential was missing. So we combined the two covers and got our final cover which I LOVE. I think it’s perfect. My designer did a spectacular job.
(I made a video showing my audience the process of this on my Instagram.)
Helen: It was worth all the effort. How did you come up with the book title?
Sara Jane: The stand-in title during my first draft was “Infinite” but I thought it sounded too amorphous and unspecific. After changing the title three or four more times I landed on Souls in the Stars because it best represented the story while also being a never before used title. The book takes on both spirituality and science in a nuanced way, so the title reflects that. Souls/Stars. At the end of the book there’s a bit of dialogue that explains this more in-depth. What I’m saying is that, yes, there’s definitely a special meaning behind the title but I don’t want to spoil it.
Helen: Book titles can be difficult to nail down! Tell us what made you write this particular book?
Sara Jane: The idea of reincarnation has always been interesting to me and I wanted to explore that more. The stars and outer space have always fascinated me as well. So, I think this novel was born out of those two curiosities.
I dreamt it up back in 2011, but only wrote the first chapter before my inner critic got the best of me. I was only twenty three years old back then. For years, I thought about the story and the characters, jotting down notes and subplot ideas.
It wasn’t until December 2018, when I was thirty, that I got re-inspired and decided it was time to finish the story.
This is my “hard” novel, and I think only writers’ know what I’m talking about when I say that. Basically, writers have no shortage of ideas and some of them we know are easier to execute than others. I once wrote a rough draft of a fluffy romance in a month because it was just that kind of story.
Souls in the Stars was not that. This novel required major research, world-building, and character development. I knew that tackling this story was going to be a rough climb and that was terrifying. I honestly didn’t know if I could pull it off.
There was a time, maybe in my third or forth draft, where I truly doubted myself. But, I worked at this thing for five years, perfecting each word, each line. Getting beta readers and editors feedback. Rechecking my facts. Reorganizing the scenes. Making sure the characters all went deep and were properly fleshed out. Killing all my darlings. Agonizing over word choices. Implementing agent and publisher suggestions. Making sure it had all the elements of a great book as well as being commercially viable.
At this point, I believe I made a great quality novel and did the story justice. I’m proud of what I created.
Helen: Congratulations on persevering and publishing your debut novel. That is an amazing acheivement and one you should be proud of. Who is your protagonist and why did you write them?
Sara Jane: Bay Lilly. I wrote her has a role model that I wished I had as a twelve-year-old.
I grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and it meant everything to me that she was a blonde girl who could kick ass while also being a capable leader. I’m not sure how it is today, but as a blonde girl, I heard nothing but “dumb blonde” jokes everywhere I went. I never felt capable or smart and I struggled with that most of my adolescence.
I wanted Bay to be someone that teenage girls could look up to and in more ways than one. In that she is strong and capable, but also sensitive and empathetic (two traits that are often looked at as a weakness). Her biggest strength of all doesn’t end up coming from her ability to beat people up, but in her emotional intelligence and compassion. Most of all I want girls to know they can be pretty (and blonde) but also capable and valuable as a sensitive, empathic person. And not just valuable, but needed in this world.
The irony is that it took me so long to finish this novel that I now have an eleven-year-old blonde daughter who reminds me a lot of Bay. So, in many ways, Bay is for her.
Helen: Having reached this milestone and released a novel, and after the well deserved celebrations, are you working on anything else?
Sara Jane: My husband is begging me to take a break. This debut novel has been more than a part-time job and I need my next project to be myself. I have a lot of self-care I need catching up on.
With that said, I have an old (finished) manuscript I want to tweak for my next release. It’s a young adult magical realism romance and I love it.
Helen: You have a young family, and you said it was quite hard to write Souls in the Stars. How do you fit writing into your daily life?
Sara Jane: I stay up way too late. I have young kids who I homeschool, so that’s basically my only choice. What’s crazy is that I don’t drink coffee. So, on those long writing days I basically run on the high of creativity.
Helen: Thank you so much for talking to us today. Just to close us out, could you share your favourite book that you would recommend to others?
Sara Jane: The Giver by Lois Lowery. It’s the book that made me want to be a writer. I’ve loved it since sixth grade. It’s so clever and emotional and tragic.
Thinking about it now, I think it has some of the same undertones as Souls in the Stars. A sci-fi dystopian/utopian society that is trying to be so perfect that they lose their humanity—their empathy—and they need someone to remind them how to feel.
About the Author
Sara Jane Trigalia
SARA JANE TRIGLIA is a young adult sci-fi, fantasy, and mindfulness author writing from the slopes of a volcano. As a sensitive person who craves depth and meaning, she loves to bring these elements to her stories for young readers. From children’s books to young adult novels, Sara’s stories are often emotional, adventurous, and thought-provoking. Sara has published short story eBooks, including, Jumping Caspian and The Origins of Raine.
In 2021, she published her mindfulness children’s book The Littlest Magnolia which she wrote and illustrated when her daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy. As a former YouTube vlogger, Sara loves to share her passion for writing on social media. When she is not writing, you can find her homeschooling her kids, practicing mindfulness, or folding a massive pile of laundry.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather, or my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Today, I am thrilled to be spending time with YA Science fantasy author Lyndi Allison. She is joining me to talk to us about her latest book, the third book in The Winter Hexagon trilogy,Our Journeys Among the Stars.
Helen: Welcome Lyndi. Congratulations on completing the Winter Hexagon trilogy. Tell us all about Our Journeys Among the Stars.
Lyndi: Our Journeys Among the Stars completes The Winter Hexagon Trilogy, the second part of a double trilogy that makes a six book series. Teleporting one more time to a planet light years away, astronomy geek, Jas, and artsy, Gloria, find themselves with growing feelings for one another as they continue to search for the seeds to save his mom’s life. On their journey, the they encounter a mystic healer, a crazed inventor, and an angry Poseidon, all with their own plans for Jas and Gloria. With the help of street kids, the teens and their robot sidekick enter a labyrinth where they battle monsters and a bull-headed Minotaur. Can they defeat their enemies, find the last seeds, and make it home in time to save Jas’ mom?
Helen: It sounds like an action packed tale and plenty for Jas and Gloria to contend with. What were your thoughts behind the cover?
Lyndi: Since young adult readers like a picture of the main characters, this cover features both of my protagonists. I also wanted to share the Acropolis where a good part of the story occurs. I used transportation as characters in this trilogy and in Our Journey Among the Stars, Jas and Gloria consider taking a hot air balloon from Athens to Crete where they hope to enter the labyrinth and fight the Minotaur. Due to the unstableness of a crazed inventor and his hot air balloon contraption he wants the teens to test, they have second thoughts and end up in trouble with the inventor.
Helen: Why did you give your book that title? Is there a special meaning or back story about the title?
Lyndi: Jas and Gloria start out as rivals with competing points of view but over the course of six books, they teleport to six different planets and become friends with a possible love interest. In the first trilogy, The Summer Triangle Trilogy, they rescue alien children from formidable foes. In the second trilogy, The Winter Hexagon Trilogy, they search for the seeds to heal Jas’ mom’s cancer. The stars, the constellations they give shape to, and the Greek mythological stories they tell all play into the story. In book one, Gloria asks if artists stay behind to draw the lines between the stars and by the last book they have travelled into their galaxy to new planets where they see many new stars with new stories.
Helen: What made you write this particular series of books for YA audiences?
Lyndi: While stargazing and storytelling around a campfire, something made the children and teens share the grief they carried. I was struck by how challenging it is to help youth who grieve and how sharing stories gave them a chance to see themselves and express their losses. I was inspired to write The Summer Triangle Trilogy and The Winter Hexagon Trilogy in which Jas grieves the loss of a baby sister and Gloria her father as a starting point for discussion about processing grief. I also wanted to share the challenges adults face as they try to help their kids grieve while grieving themselves.
Helen: What a great inspiration for your books. Congratulations on completing this double trilogy. Having completed your YA Science Fantasy series, would you consider writing in a diffferent genre?
Lyndi: While my six-book series (two trilogies), The Summer Triangle Trilogy and The Winter Hexagon Trilogy are young adult science fantasy, I felt compelled to write an adult psychological thriller on a sensitive subject matter. Although this is a new genre for me , I have a middle-grade point of view character so there is a little bit of a carry over.
Helen: Oh, tell us more about your WIP. It must be difficult to leave behind characters and a series you have been writing for period of time and start something new?
Lyndi: My current work is a big switch for me. Instead of writing young adult fantasy, I am writing an adult psychological thriller on the sensitive subject matter of trafficking young girls. Part of my writing process involves listening to workshops to improve my writing craft in this genre and reading psychological thrillers. My story is told mostly from three women’s alternating points of view, one of whom is middle-grade. The story is a little heavy to carry at times and when I need a break I walk or hike in nature.
Helen: My goodness that is a heavy topic, and one you need to be careful to get right. Very different from your previous books. Do you find you have to plan your books, or do you prefer to write where the charcaters take you?
Lyndi: I consider myself a plantser (part panster, part planner) in that I both write from the seat of my pants and also fill in the action points in a three-act structure chart so my story follows a cohesive structure. I didn’t pause to fill in this chart while writing my first book and I went off on too many tangents. My book became unwieldy and challenging to edit. How much I freefall write and how much I plan depends on the book. I see it as a scale that I slide back and forth along as needed for each book.
Helen: Do you ever experience writer’s block, and if so, how do you overcome it?
Lyndi: Typically, I don’t experience writer’s block. Since I host two online writing sessions a week and one in-person in which I also write, I am constantly surprised by what appears on the page. The prompts in these workshops and the creative energy of writing together keep me writing. Sometimes I write something new or other times I write a scene from my work in progress. Not that I don’t rest or take a break, but when I am ready to begin again, these workshops are my vehicles for doing so. My other passion is walking and hiking in nature.
Helen: What is your favourite book and why do you like it so much?
Lyndi: I am a huge fan of Contact by Carl Sagan. I appreciate how he gives time to both science and spirituality and how he opens up the possibility and likelihood that there may be ideas bigger than ourselves that we don’t yet understand.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today. It’s been lovely learning about your books. Just to finish, could you share with us the best part of your writing journey?
Lyndi: In addition to writing my books, I offer writing workshops and retreats in natural spaces in Panama. My writing passion, combined with the writing passion of others, creates a rich community of writers who inspire, encourage and educate one another on all things writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. We celebrate book launches together as well as critique and beta read each other’s reads.
About the Author
Lyndi Allison
As a tween, Lyndi walked miles to borrow books from the bookmobile and found quiet places to read them. Now she writes stories for young readers and helps other writers with their writing projects.
A retired high school teacher, mother of three adult children, and community youth volunteer, Lyndi moved with her husband to Panama where she hosts writing workshops, tours and retreats in nature and at Tranquilo Retreat. Many of her ideas come to her as she walks the beach and hikes in the mountains.
While stargazing around a campfire, many children and teens shared the grief they carried. Lyndi was struck by how challenging it is to help youth who grieve and was inspired to write the Summer Triangle Trilogy.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you would like to find out about my books then sign up to my newsletter. If you enjoy epic fantasy then the award winningSentinal series is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Today, I am thrilled to be spending time with paranormal fantasy author Sonja F. Blanco. She is joining me to talk to us about her latest book, the third in the Witch of Ware Woods series, Spells and Shadows, which released on the April 16th, 2024.
Helen: Welcome Sonja. Congratulations on the release of your latest book. Tell us all about Spells and Shadows.
Sonja: My latest book is Spells & Shadows, book 3 in the Witch of Ware Woods trilogy. It just released on April 16th, 2024, and I am SO excited for readers to fall in love with this final installment! It’s an action-packed, magical ride with huge revelations and all the feels.
To give context to this latest book and the trilogy as a whole, here’s a brief overview:
The WoWW trilogy is an upper YA, contemporary paranormal story with coming-of-age and hero’s journey elements. There is a B-story romance that is palpable, on page, and nongraphic.
The Main Character is Sara, and the narration is third person CLOSE, single POV.
Witch of Ware Woods (book 1) is about Sara finding herself and who she really is. It is about CHOICE.
Death & Dragons (book 2) is about Sara coming into her role. It is about TRUST in yourself and others.
Spells & Shadows (book 3) is about Sara embracing what she is capable of. It is about BELIEVING in yourself.
Ahhhh! Can you tell how excited I am?! Bwahaha!
Here’s the blurb for Spells & Shadows:
A forbidden spell. An evil forged by shadows. And a defiance that will bring the magical world to its knees.
Sara is reeling from a twisted betrayal and her unexpected part in increasing the Shadow Mother’s strength. Now she is forced to trust the secretive Global Council to vanquish the wicked entity. Except Sara isn’t one to place her fate in the hands of others.
When her intentions go horribly awry and dissent fractures the Global Council, Sara scrambles to convince the individual sacred sites of witches, shifters, and vampires to set aside centuries of deep-rooted distrust and join Ware Woods against the growing darkness. But not everyone believes in Sara.
Needing to stop the Shadow Mother before she claims Thomas, Sara risks everything on a bloody spell for knowledge—and discovers a fiery revelation.
As Ware Woods shatters around her and the safety of everyone she loves hangs in the balance, Sara must do the inconceivable. Become the sacrifice.
Helen: Ohhh, High stakes from the off! I can see why you are excited. What were your thoughts behind the cover?
Sonja: Each book in the Witch of Ware Woods trilogy features a different tree on its cover – a tree whose presence is woven into the story. For Spells & Shadows, it is the cherry tree. Like falling sand in an hourglass, the tumbling blossoms symbolize the running-out-of-time tension as Sara races to defeat the Shadow Mother and save Thomas (her bonded mate) and the magical world. No pressure! Although cherry blossoms are usually pink or white, I’m not a pinky kinda person and neither is Sara. Hence, the tree on Spells & Shadows is purple – a pinky compromise AND a symbol of nobility, power, peace, and magic. The wispy “shadows” in the background signify the villains and are the same blues as on the book 1 cover, signifying the story coming full circle. The white speckles, consistent on all the covers, are glimmerings of magic. On the paperback and hardcover versions, there is a “special” blue dragon. *non-spoilery, wink wink*
Helen: It is really interesting to find out about the details behind the cover design. I love the range of trees you’ve used and the reason behind them, and we’ll be looking out for that dragon! Who is your protagonist and why did you write them?
Sonja: The Witch of Ware Woods trilogy’s protagonist is Sara, an eighteen-year-old witch who is a hot mess of self-doubt, recklessness, kickassery, humor, and fierce independence. Her inner dialogue is relatable, and her growth is inspiring. She is a reflection of all of Ware Woods (and I do mean ALL) and her voice was the loudest in telling this story. It has always been Sara’s story to tell.
Helen: She sounds amazing. Which genre do you write in?
Sonja: I write fantasy because I love the wonder, the escape, the “what if” imagined worlds were real, and the freedom that comes with writing whatever fantastical story comes to my mind. And because I believe magic is real. It is hope, it is laughter, it is enjoying a delightful book, and so much more. I love being able to provide this escape to readers.
Helen: From what you’ve said, this Witch of Ware Woods is a trilogy, so if this series is complete, tell us about what are you working on next?
Sonja: Sure! My current WIP is a rivals-to-lovers story set in a multi-layered world with a rich mix of gritty and lush elements. Inspirations for this work include Dante’s Inferno, the Day of the Dead, and the Tree of Life.
Helen: That sounds a very interesting mixture. Can’t wait to see what you write! When writing do you listen to music? Create playlist for your books?
Sonja: Listening to music is a big part of my writing. I like to mentally write while taking long walks and listening to my playlist. This way, my monkey brain is occupied on not tripping while my creative brain takes the story in a number of directions before deciding on which is best for the story. My playlist is mostly a mix of rock, metal, and some alternative. For particular scenes or moods, I may listen to a specific song (usually on repeat) to immerse myself in the vibe.
Once I have a scene mentally written, I prefer to type it up in silence or with non-verbal white noise in the background. For the WoWW trilogy, I listened to a lot of ambient forest sounds.
Helen: I tend to write with clasisc music in the background, though sometimes silence works too. When you look back over your writing career, what is the best thing to happen you?
Sonja: The best thing that happened to me since I began writing was finding this incredible bookish community. Just – wow. I am truly grateful for all the amazing readers and writers I have connected with – online, in social media, and in real life. To gush over the same books and characters and scenes, to share recommendations and resources, and to genuinely connect through a love of story is priceless.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today. It’s been lovely learning about your books. Was there anything else you’d like to share before we finish?
Sonja: While the WoWW trilogy is fantasy, there are many real-world influences on the story. For example, the setting of Ware, Massachusetts does exist. I spent a portion of my childhood traipsing the woods near this town. More on this and other real-life influences on the trilogy are addressed in an Author’s Note at the end of Spells & Shadows.
About the Author
Sonja F. Blanco
Sonja F. Blanco grew up in New England where she ran barefoot through the woods, chased lightning bugs, and tapped maple trees for syrup.
Having an ancestor who was hung as a witch, Sonja is naturally drawn to all things magical and fantastical—trees and cemeteries in particular.
At 5’2” she is often caught climbing tables, chairs, and small children to reach the upper shelves. She likes coffee and tea equally, both of which most certainly contributed to her diminutive stature.
Witty comics easily amuse her, as do heavily jowled Hell Hounds that talk in their sleep.
She writes fantasy as if it were real, because believing makes it so.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you would like to find out about my books then sign up to my newsletter. If you enjoy epic fantasy then the award winningSentinal series is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fiction? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
I am excited to be chatting with debut YA fantasy author C.T Moshage about his new book, November’s Dawn which releases today April 9th, 2024. Congratulations, Chris, on releasing your debut novel. Such a great achievement.
Helen: Welcome Chris. I am so excited to talk to you about your debut book. Tell us all about it!
Chris: November’s Dawn is a YA speculative fiction novel that centres around a young engineer, Josie Owens, as she tries to find her place in a chaotic and desperate world where humanity has been forced to abandon the surface and live aboard a massive underwater ark.
The setting as well as the plot allowed for several themes to become entangled throughout the novel. The duality and burden of leadership is something I have always been fascinated by and in the novel, one of the characters spends a lot of time exploring what leadership means to him and the weight he carries knowing that the fate of humanity rests on his shoulders. Later in the novel, Josie must wrestle and come to terms with some of the same concepts while also trying desperately to stay true to herself and her values.
That reality and the conflicts that created it start to blur the line between right and wrong, provoking a deeper look into what it means to lead.
Synopsis: Years after the mysterious death of her father, sixteen-year-old Josie Owens wants nothing more than to carry on his legacy as an engineer aboard November’s Dawn. This colossal walking ark has travelled the bottom of the oceans carrying the last remnants of humanity after an all-consuming flood. But Josie’s dreams drown when she discovers the secret her father died for: the ark was never meant to stay submerged.
This knowledge makes Josie, and those she loves, an instant target to those who would sacrifice anything to keep the status quo from changing and to those who want nothing more than to upend the firm hierarchy. At the same time, a glitch in the navigation system sends November’s Dawn directly toward a miles deep trench.
Faced with a multitude of challenges, Josie wonders if pursuing her father’s last wishes is worth the cost. Corruption and injustice permeate the last vestiges of humanity, but what if the great unknown of the world above is worse than their fragile existence below? If she follows her father’s vision, the ark could be destroyed on the surface. If she follows the rebels, revolution could tear the ark apart from within.
One way or another, Josie is the only one with the knowledge to make the final decision. If she makes the wrong one, not only will the ark fail, but the last spark of humanity will fade into darkness.
Helen: Sounds like a really intriguing premise, and I love that you have a young woman as your protagonist, struggling with the complexities of leadership. How did you translate this struggle for the book into the cover?
Chris: The cover of November’s Dawn conveys a couple messages. The dark theme and tone immediately place the viewer in the setting of the novel, aboard an ark that walks along the bottom of the ocean. There is no light at the bottom of the ocean, no air to breathe, no room for even the smallest mistake. It is an existence that clings to the edge of a cliff in the best of times and that reflects the dire situation that humanity is in when the novel begins. The crack in the viewing port adds suspense and a sense of urgency to Josie’s mission. The problems and issues that have plagued the ark for decades can’t be ignored any longer. The only choice left is to face them head on or risk the end of humanity.
Helen: I’m so glad you drew our attention to the crack in the glass! It does suggest an immediate threat and increases the tension! What is the meaning behind the book title?
Chris: The title, November’s Dawn, which is the name of the ark humanity resides on, comes from certain plot points from within the universe of the story itself. A global catastrophe struck earth and made the surface uninhabitable. The eleventh hour came in the month of November and the ark was constructed as a new dawn and salvation for the human race.
Helen: With November’s Dawn being your debut novel, what made you write this particular book?
Chris: I have always been intrigued by the constructs and engineering feats capable when the best and brightest minds come together to create something incredible. November’s Dawn was born out of that fascination and the lengths people would go to save themselves in the face of certain destruction. Also, as mentioned above, the plot and setting allowed me to explore themes of duty, family, loyalty, and finding one’s place in the world in a really interesting and satisfying way.
Helen: Who was your favourite character to write in November’s Dawn?
Chris: My favourite character from November’s Dawn would have to be Adrian Frost. He is the leader of the current government aboard the ark and without giving up too much, comes to odds with Josie Owens in a few different ways. Adrian is a troubled character. He feels a great weight and burden to his people but struggles with finding the right balance between what we might call a good leader, and one who resorts to authoritarian means, even if in his mind it is all for a noble purpose.
Helen: When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
Chris: For a long time, I was caught up in the idea of writing a book or becoming a writer, but I never put any work towards it or always convinced myself that being an author was something I could see in others, but I would never or didn’t have the right “stuff”. I always had other projects and creative outlets going on so coupled with my own self-doubt, I just never seriously tried to write. That was until the pandemic struck which freed more time for me to explore hobbies and interests. It was in that moment I decided I was going to put my mind to it and complete a story. And I did – a 100,000-word YA fantasy novel that will likely never see the light of day unless some major revisions take place. But that was my first foray into the writing world, and I value it for the lessons it taught me about story creation, plot, action, and all the other little bits that go into making a story worthwhile.
Helen: Let’s change topics slightly and chat about your writing process. Which element of the writing process do you find the most challenging?
Chris: I find I have some trouble writing under deadlines. Inspiration has to strike me. I have to be ready and open to it. And if I’m at a point in time where life and other factors aren’t allowing that to happen, it becomes very difficult for me to overcome that. It’s a process, and one I’m still working on.
Helen: Sometimes we put ourselves under unnecessary pressure and that does tend to stifle creativity. With this being your debut book, did you plan every part of the novel, or did you make it up as you went? Are you a Pantser or a plotter?
Chris: My process centres very much around having a core concept and plot and like the spokes of a wheel, everything else radiates out from that. In that way, I’m a pantser. I’ve often found I don’t know the direction the plot will go or what a particular character will do until I’m in the moment with them and they dictate the outcome.
Helen: If you didn’t write YA Fantasy is there another genre you would be tempted to write in?
Chris: I grew up reading young adult novels and feel the most comfortable and at home within the genre. However, I’ve often toyed with the idea of writing a detective thriller novel, even if I have no experience in the genre. Here’s the premise: A returning war veteran-turned private eye navigates the tumultuous and ever-changing post-war streets of 1950’s Los Angeles and uncovers a tangled web of secrets and the macabre within the chilling halls of the Cecil Hotel.
Helen: Oh, you have an idea already! We’ll be looking out for it, but if you are not writing a detective novel, what is your current WIP?
Chris: My current work in progress is actually the second novel in the November’s Dawn Chronicles. This is the first time I’ve worked on a story that was the continuation of another, so it has been a learning experience so far, but still fun. The characters in November’s Dawn have so much more life to give, all that’s left is for me to convince them to share it with the world.
Helen: Most authors are massive readers. What are some of the books you recently read and would recommned?
Chris: I did not read this book recently but within the last few years, but Project Hail Mary is a novel I’d recommend to any fan of the science fiction genre. Andy Weir creates a perspective of space travel and finding life in the universe unlike anything I had experienced before. In my opinion, the novel creates a paradigm shift in how humans perceive extraterrestrial life while keeping a sense of thoughtfulness that keeps the reader grounded. It’s that sort of thinking that I believe all writers should aspire to.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, Chris. Just to close us out, do you have any advice for all those aspiring authors out there?
Chris: When I first started writing, I sought out all the resources I could. A lot of that came in the form of podcasts and author interviews. Something I heard time and time again in those interviews was how that specific author had written a couple books or so before the one that got them a publishing deal. Those authors would often talk about how bad their first book ended up being even if they couldn’t see it at the time. Those comments always bugged me. As a new writer with just the bones of a single story, I felt attacked by the idea that an author’s first or second manuscript would not be the greatest. I thought, “maybe for them, but not my story. My manuscript is awesome.” There was no doubt in my mind at the time that my first manuscript would get an agent and get published. It never did. It took me a long time to realize but I think the reason why I felt so personally victimized by those statements was because some part of me was scared that I was wasting my time. Or that if the world didn’t like my manuscript now, I might never have another story worth telling.
My advice is this: don’t fall into that same trap I did. You will have another story, even if your first one doesn’t pan out. The process and what you learn along the way is what will make you a sustained writer.
Helen: Great advice. Thank you for sharing that with us. It has been a lot of fun learning about you and your book. Congratulations again on releasing your debut YA fantasy novel.
About the Author
C.T Moshage
Chris Moshage is a Chicago based author of science fiction & fantasy. His debut Young Adult science fiction novel, November’s Dawn, will release April 9th, 2024 and is the first instalment of a planned trilogy.
The short story, Chasing the Dawn, explores the origins of the trilogy’s world and is available now to download for free. Chris didn’t start writing seriously until his early 20’s, but when he finally did, he eagerly embraced it and hasn’t turned away since. When he’s not immersed in reading or writing, two vital elements of his life as an author, Chris enjoys playing tennis, exploring the many worlds of video games, and navigating the skies flying drones, even if his aerial footage is mostly appreciated by himself
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Reviewed: April 4th, 2024 Released: October 31st, 2022 Genre: YA/Epic Fantasy
He is imprisoned and bound for death.
But could his captor be his savior?
Laster has always wanted to prove himself to his father by becoming a knight of Alamore.
Only months away from the end of his training, he has his chance when his own mentor, Sir Dasroch, gives him the honor of riding in place of a knight on a borderland patrol.
But the perfect dream he has lived is shattered with the strike of a single lethal arrow.
After a nightmarish attack, Laster finds himself captured by the enemy, chained and imprisoned.
As his plans to escape are thwarted one after the next, Laster knows time is running out. It seems there is only one hope left. But can he really trust his life to the very Prince who put him in chains? Read My Thoughts…
Helen Garraway 