Please welcome debut author Denise LeBlanc to the Nook today. Denise is another author from Kelley Armstrong's defunct message board. She recently self-published her first book,"Inheritance", a YA urban fantasy. Although it's her first book, she's published some stories.
Denise is a kickass jeweler and chainmailler. She can also cook, dance and swear. She has been writing for years. And she can spell all the big words. Denise lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia with her bestie and 4 unemployed cats.
Find Denise Online:
website/blog
goodreads
1 - What was the inspiration for Inheritance?
A
lot of things went into the genesis of the story. First, I had an image
come to me very clearly that eventually became the center of an
important scene. I couldn't seem to shake it. Then, as with most things
I've written, it became more about a feeling. I had a very strong sense
of the main character's energy long before I knew details like her hair
and eye colour. It was like knowing when a friend is in the room before
you actually see them—I could feel her niggling at my brain and pushing
me to create this world. No, I wasn't hearing voices! Not crazy, just
trying to create something. I frequently got frustrated and walked away
from the novel, but something kept me coming back. I would hear music
that triggered the same feeling I'd had when thinking about Jess and the
rest of her family, and I would find myself working on the novel again.
It's like it wouldn't let me leave it alone.
2 - Why choose self-publishing?
Short
answer is that I'm a control freak. I started out sending a few emails
to agents as I had been encouraged to do, but it felt really wrong. The
letters felt like begging, and the trade off seemed unequal. I knew that
any deal an agent would get me wouldn't result in massive sales because
no publishing house is going to put a ton of effort behind a nobody.
What would the chances be? Yet in order to achieve even that I would be
giving up control of my work—possible plot changes, altering characters,
cover design. And honestly, there are some hideous covers out there. I
wanted to succeed or fail on my own.
I strongly believe in the idea of an artist—whether painter or
sculptor or musician—controlling their own output. It was hard but so
worth it.
3 - Looking back, which writers did you learn the most from?
This
is a slightly different question than what writers do I like. Honestly,
when it comes to self-publishing I think I learned more from music than
anything. I have known musicians since I was in school who didn't let
lack of a recording deal stop them from putting out their work. I don't
see self-publishing as any different except there is a lot more, dare I
say, snobbery involved. People like to tell themselves that work is only
valid if it has gained some kind of approval from the traditional
publishing honchos. I think the importance comes in the process. Yes,
there are some awful self-published books, just like there are some
terrible indie bands. But there are also some horrible novels that have
been traditionally published. Those publishing houses are businesses and
the reality is that often books are published for financial reasons
that have nothing to do with quality. So why are self-published books
judged as automatically terrible? My book went through the same process
any book would. It wouldn't have come to be if it wasn't for the help of
a talented editor who is also a bestselling author named Genevieve
Graham, a number of amazing beta readers, and a fabulous team that
collaborated on the cover. At the end of the day it is my work and it
might not be your cup of tea, but I'll stand behind it.
4 - What fruit would you be and why?
Kumquat, because it's fun to say. Kumquat. Kumquat. See?
5 - Will there be a second novel in the series?
YES! I already have a basic plot in mind. It's just as daunting as the first time!
**************************************
Your family has a huge responsibility, and they need you.
Now.
In all of her eighteen years, normal has never been a word you could apply to Jess Gardner’s life. She is a medium, making her living by communicating with the dead. Even had she been a psychic, she couldn’t have predicted the drama about to be brought to her door. The messenger, Aaron Thorne, enters her world with the news that the mother she’d thought dead is still alive. Suddenly, her maternal family is in desperate need of her help. Should Jess give up everything she knows to help a family she never knew existed? Also, a mysterious evil force is draining the life from the present Priestess, and Jess may be the only one who can save this newfound clan. Will the promise of uncovering more about herself, and a chance with a new family be enough to draw her into a potentially deadly situation?
Publisher: Kelly Denise LeBlanc
Series: The Fallon Guardians #1
Format: Kindle, paperback
Release Date: March 7, 2015
Buying Links: Amazon Kindle* | Book Depository* | Amazon Print* | Barnes & Noble |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.
Kumquat, Kumquat, Kumquat...it is fun to say! Great interview:)
ReplyDeleteIf it had been a vegetable I would have said kabocha squash, because if you say it repeatedly it sounds like a drumbeat. :)
DeleteGood interview, Bea. This sounds good and it's always nice to hear about authors who self-publish.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words!
ReplyDeleteI've read the book, love it and am waiting for the second one.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melina!
DeleteIt was a delightful interview Bea and Denise. I loved the simple honesty and excitement the author shared about writing and inspiration. I may have to take a bite of my first Kumquat...Are they tasty? Looking forward to more!
ReplyDelete