​New Orleans Fang Fest, 1995. Mina's having a summer to die for.

17-year-old Mina arrives in New Orleans to visit her estranged sister, Libby. After growing up in the town that inspired Dracula, Mina loves nothing more than a creepy horror movie. She can't wait to explore the city's darkest secrets - vampire tours, seedy bars, spooky cemeteries, disturbing local myths...

And it gets even better when Mina lands a part-time job at a horror movie mansion and meets Jared, Libby's gorgeous housemate, co-worker and fellow horror enthusiast.

But the perfect summer bliss is broken when, while exploring the mansion, Mina stumbles upon the body of a girl with puncture marks on her neck, clutching a lock of hair that suspiciously resembles Libby's...

Someone is replicating New Orleans' most brutal supernatural killings. Mina must discover the truth and prove her sister's innocence before she becomes the victim of another myth.

​Did you always dream of being an author?

I did! I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember – there are photographs of me as a toddler with a book in my hand at any opportunity (even on the potty). An author called Jean Ure came into school and asked if anyone wanted to write books. My hand shot up!


When did you start pursuing publication of your work?

I’d sent queries to agents for a couple of previous manuscripts and had queried one seriously. A few agents asked to read the full manuscript. They seemed to agree that my writing was strong, but something wasn’t working. After putting a lot of work into my writing, I got on onto the Write Mentor summer mentoring scheme in 2018. My brilliant mentor, Marisa Noelle, helped me to get my manuscript into shape. I started querying that autumn and got an agent soon after.


How long did it take from that first inspiration to release day?

I visited New Orleans in summer 2012 and became absolutely fascinated about the city. It took me until about 2016 to figure out the story I wanted to tell beyond vague details. The book will be published in April 2021, so it’s almost 9 years in the making!


What’s been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

Two things have been hard for me: the waiting and the lack of control. I’d heard that nothing in publishing moves quickly. I hadn’t realised how it would feel to know my book is out on submission or awaiting various other decisions, and not be able to do anything about it!


And the most enjoyable?

It’s been amazing to see early copies of my book out in the world, especially when I hear that people have enjoyed reading it! It’s also been lovely to see the time and effort people put into photographing the book and choosing props.


What’s next for you?

I’m working on a standalone that is also a YA murder mystery, and hoping that I’ll get to write the sequel to Mina and the Undead.


What’s one piece of advice you’d give to writers who have just started their pursuit of publication?

Find your people. My writing became so much better when I got involved with the online writing community and found trusted beta readers.


Last book you read? The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

What are you reading now? A Crown of Talons by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr

Best book you’ve ever read? Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Best moments of your writing life? So far, getting an agent and a book deal

Name of your newest WIP? It doesn’t have one yet!
​
If not an author, what would be your dream job? a freelance editor

For fans of Outlander and The Time Traveler’s Wife: A time-traveling musician breaks all her rules for three men who share the same soul, and plunges so far back in time that dragons still exist.
 
A mother whose music bridges worlds has a child loved by three fathers.
A Scottish spymaster.
A mountain man hunted by outlaws.
A Viking demigod with the secrets of dragons.
 
To be a family they must pay Time’s price:
 
Love.
Grieve.
Surrender.
Fight.
 

​
The Interview...

​Did you always dream of being a writer?
 
I dreamt a lot of things. Most of them had me living in the mountains, which I do. Writing fits the scenery nicely, and has always been part of who I am. Writing, art, music, nature.
 

When did you start pursuing publication of your work? 
 
I wrote the first draft of my upcoming book, Falling Through the Weaving, seven years ago. In the pursuit of publication, I rewrote it several times, queried it, then wrote another book, and another. I learned from every new manuscript, every rejection and bit of feedback. The revising never stops, but the work pays off. It just takes persistence.
 
​
How long did it take from that first thought to release day?
 
Five years, give or take.
 

What's been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?
 
Trying not to get overwhelmed by all the details.


And the easiest, or most enjoyable?
 
Distracting myself with another project. If I focus every bit of energy on the book I’m publishing, my anxiety spikes and burn out creeps closer. So, I split my time, giving myself permission to play with something new, which, right now, is adapting another book I wrote into a screenplay. It’s a fun format to work with.


What's next for you? 
 
Well, I have the sequel to Falling to revise. And a screenplay to finish.

 
What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just started their pursuit of publication? 
 
Keep writing.

 
Last book you just read? 
 
Wild Horse Heart, a romantic suspense I published as Katrina Ariel. I just re-read it before adapting the story to screenplay.

 
What book are you reading now? 
 
Currently on my Kindle: Eldritch Sparks by Whitney Hill.

 
Best books you've ever read? 
 
Caraval. King of Scars. The Fionavar Tapestry. Lamb.
 

Fave author?
 
This changes often. I loved Rachel Caine’s The Great Library series. She did something magnificent with that story.
 

Best moment of your writing life?
 
Every time the words are flowing and the characters are taking me on adventures.

 
Name of your newest WIP?
 
Wild Horse Heart – screenplay adaption

 
If not an author, what would be your dream job? 
 
Screenwriter? Crew on a film set? Retired by the ocean? Any of those would do.

Kate Albus is the author of A PLACE TO HANG THE MOON (February 2, 2021 from Margaret Ferguson Books at Holiday House). Kate is originally from New York, but now lives in rural Maryland with her family. She was a research psychologist for many years before stepping away to be with her children. Other than writing, her favorite activities are reading, knitting, baking, and other pastimes that are inherently quiet.
​

​
The Interview...

​Did you always dream of being a writer?

I’m almost ashamed to say this, but no! I was a psychologist for many years, working in research for most of that time, so I did a lot of science writing. As an avid reader, I suppose I did fantasize about writing creatively but always figured that doing such a thing would be like writing a scientific journal article; I thought that a novelist must have a whole story – the beginning, the middle, the end, and all the bits in between – outlined in her head before ever putting pen to paper. It was a real revelation for me to hear that many creative writers simply start with a premise and then let their characters say where they need to go. That revelation is what got me to sit down and start writing creatively.

 
When did you start pursuing publication of your work? 
​
A PLACE TO HANG THE MOON is the first novel I ever wrote, but not the first one I queried. When I started querying in early 2018, A PLACE TO HANG THE MOON felt too close to my heart to consider putting out into the big, scary world, so I queried another story I’d written. I had a few nibbles and got some helpful feedback from a couple of agents, but I guess what that initial querying process really did for me was to get me comfortable with putting my words out into the universe for others to see. I started querying A PLACE TO HANG THE MOON at the beginning of 2019.

 
How long did it take from that first thought to release day?

Oh wow… I’ll have to do the math here… from my first query letter to the actual release date would be just about three years!
 

What's been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

That’s a tough question, but a good one. I don’t mean to sound like a Pollyanna, but the process really has been pretty delightful. The fact that my story is going to be roaming around out there in the world brings me no end of joy, but I suppose in a way that’s also the scariest part. In writing a novel, you come to love your characters as if they were part of your family, so sending them off to fend for themselves is a bit daunting!


And the easiest, or most enjoyable?

Writing-wise, I love first drafts. I love losing myself in a story and just typing, without thought of how the words are going to sound on the other side. As far as the publication process, the most enjoyable part by far is the people. My dear agent, Kathryn Green, has been such a phenomenal sounding board through all of this, and having the incomparably kind Margaret Ferguson as an editor has been an absolute gift. And the friends I’ve made in the kid lit community are ones I’ll cherish forever.


What's next for you? 

I’m working on another middle grade historical, also set during World War II, but this time in New York City. No news to share, other than the fact that I love it!
 

What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just started their pursuit of publication? 

Find your people! Like I said earlier, the middle grade writing community is incredibly kind and welcoming. I’ve been blown away, again and again, at how generous kid lit folks… yourself included, Kate… have been with their time, their knowledge, and their support.
 
 
Last book you just read? 

AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS, by B.B. Alston


What book are you reading now? 

An eARC of ALMOST FLYING, by Jake Maia Arlow


Best book you've ever read? 

THE SPARROW, by Mary Doria Russell


Fave author?

Can’t choose just one. Dave Eggers, Colson Whitehead, Kate Atkinson and Mary Doria Russell in a four-way tie.


Best moment of your writing life?

Reading a draft of a new story to my kids for the first time


Name of your newest WIP?

Oooo… not sure I can share that yet! So sorry!


If not an author, what would be your dream job? 

​Broadway singer with nearly-paralyzing stage fright, if that’s a thing?

​Laura Roettiger is the author of Aliana Reaches for the Moon, a picture book that draws inspiration from the moon and the curiosity of children. She has enjoyed working with children ever since she was no longer considered a child herself. She was a reading specialist and elementary teacher in Chicago, IL before moving to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where she worked in Environmental Education, as a mentor for literacy at STEM schools, and tutors both children and adults. She also a judge for RateYourStory.org 

Her superpower is encouraging curiosity in children and letting them know she believes in them. She has three children of her own whose curiosity and creativity led them into STEM related professions.

The Author...
​

The Links...
​

Did you always dream of being a writer?

Actually, no. I started writing very late, at forty-eight years of age. My son--he was about twelve at the time--had been watching a cartoon on television, something about trees, and he said, "Papa, wouldn't it be great if trees could talk?" It sounded odd, but it made me think, and after that, I came out with my first novel, The Tower. 


When did you start pursuing publication of your work?

About nine years ago. I wrote out my stories by hand, dithered over what to do, and then I decided to make a commitment. 


How long did it take from that first thought to release day?

It took about a year from submitting my work to a publisher accepting it. Before that, there were a lot of rejections, but I persevered!


What's been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

Probably marketing. I love writing, but marketing, especially in the YA Fantasy genre, is difficult. There's a lot of competition. And not all methods of marketing work or work for long.


And the easiest, or most enjoyable?

Oh, the writing, of course! I get to sit at my computer and think and ponder and create and do research, when necessary. That's the fun part, even though it takes a long time. 


What's next for you?

Hmmm...writing a sequel to The Tower, advertising my novels on Twitter and Facebook, and improving my craft. I never want to stop improving. Many writers become complacent if they achieve a measure of success and go through the motions with subsequent works. I don't want to be that kind of writer. 


What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just started their pursuit of publication?

I know it sounds trite, but you can't give up. I was rejected more than a hundred times before I got accepted. It would have been easy to give up, but I didn't. Something inside me made me stay the course. So, stay the course. Finish what you started. You'll be glad you did.

Did you always dream of being a writer/illustrator?
 
No. In fact, I grew up dreaming of an acting career, which is what I studied in school. Writing a novel wasn’t anywhere in the picture. But it’s funny how life turns out. After I graduated from college with a degree in Drama, life sent me in a completely different direction, and I went into public relations. Publicity work sharpened my storytelling skills, which led to my interest in writing, and I began landing free-lance non-fiction writing assignments for newspapers, magazines and blogs. Then, one day, inspired by the childhood kidlit I still loved, I began writing a novel for middle graders, which eventually became Summer of L.U.C.K. That’s when I discovered that writing was my true passion.
 
 
When did you start pursuing publication of your work?
 
Way too soon! I knew nothing about the world of publishing fiction, and I thought my very first draft was perfect, ha ha. I soon discovered otherwise.
 
 
How long did it take from that first thought to release day?
 
Years and years. Probably something like almost twenty from first thought to publication day. I learned writing essentially by doing. And re-doing. I worked with a development editor who helped me bring the story to life. Then I started to get input from other writers, and writing mentors, and from agents kind enough to comment along with their rejections. I learned how to connect with critique partners. And I even linked up with a classroom of kids in a literacy program who Beta read and gave me helpful feedback. I can’t even remember how many times I re-wrote and revised Summer of L.U.C.K. over time. Sometimes other writers would suggest I let it go and move on to something else. But Summer of L.U.C.K. was the story I wanted to tell. With every rejection, I worked harder on improving the narrative and the writing.
 
 
What's been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?
 
Facing rejection after rejection while maintaining belief in my story and in myself. But, it takes only one, “yes,” and I finally got that! It's hard to put into words just how much it means to me to have this book published.
 
 
And the easiest, or most enjoyable?


I think I’ll never forget the joy I felt when my box of books arrived and I held Summer of L.U.C.K. in my hands for the first time. Although I filmed it for an Instagram video, my emotion was genuine.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZzn5wgCl2/

I also got a great deal of pleasure out of visiting two classrooms this month (February 2021) for World Read Aloud Day. What a gift (to me) it was to talk directly with kids about my writer’s journey and Summer of L.U.C.K.’s story!
 
 
What's next for you?
 
I was lucky enough to sign a publishing deal with INtense Publications, a small press, which offered me a three-book deal, including two sequels to Summer of L.U.C.K. Having become a better writer from all the work I did on Summer of L.U.C.K., it took me just over a year from start to finish of book 2. I’m just beginning book 3. We’ll see how that goes – I’m already kind of stuck! But I know from experience that I just have to keep at it.
 
 
What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just started their pursuit of publication? 
 
Connect with others who write in your genre and establish critique partners, writing group relationships, and fellow travelers in the writing community. “Follow” your favorite published writers on Twitter and Instagram, where you can comment on their posts and watch how they promote their books. Feed yourself affirmations that your literary dreams can come true. Don’t give up on a story you believe in.
 
 
Last book you just read?

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis, a novel set in New York City’s Barbizon building.
 

What book are you reading now?

I just started Save the Cat Writes a Novel, which is very popular among the writers in my “circle.” I’m also reading a wonderful middle grade story called The Guggenheim Mystery by Robin Stevens.
 

Best book you've ever read?

Oh wow, I don’t know if I can narrow it down to one. Over the last ten years, I loved loved loved Jane Eyre, the first and last Harry Potter (and all of them, really), and two non-fiction books about President Franklin D. Roosevelt: No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin and A First Class Temperament by Geoffrey Ward. No matter what your favorite genre, you won’t go wrong with any of those books.

 
Fave author?

There are so many contemporary authors that I love, but I’ll go with a classic: Charles Dickens.
 

Best moment of your writing life?

The morning I opened the email in which my publisher, INtense Publications, told me they loved Summer of L.U.C.K., that they wanted to publish it, and would I write two sequels. It was a dream come true.
 

Name of your newest WIP?

Right now, book three in the Summer of L.U.C.K. series doesn’t have a name, as I’ve only written three or four paragraphs. Book two is called Ready or Not.

 
If not an author, what would be your dream job?
​
Since I love being around books, a librarian or a worker in an independent bookstore.

GRAB YOUR COPY HERE! 

Booktopia
Book Depository
Amazon
Dymocks
Goodreads

​

The Interview... 
​

​Did you always dream of being a writer/illustrator?

No, I didn’t really know that everyday people could be writers. I enjoyed writing, though, and received good feedback on my work in school, and while studying zoology at university.

Later, as a professional zoologist and zookeeper, I wrote scientific research papers, and the occasional article for magazines about pets and travel in my spare time. (I loved to travel back then.) But it wasn’t until I became a stay-at-home mum that I seriously tried my hand at writing children’s picture books. I was reading a zillion a day to my daughter, which gave me a good grounding in what was being published, and I was learning what I thought worked and what didn’t.


When did you start pursuing publication of your work? 

I started submitting picture book manuscripts to publishers around 2004.


How long did it take from that first thought to release day?

It took years. I was receiving quite positive feedback but no offers to publish. So around 2007, I was able to get a foot in the publishing door by doing work-for-hire for a packager (which is a company that makes books to sell on to publishers), using my science training as a selling point. This work involved writing non-fiction children’s books about animals and the environment to meet the packager’s specific brief. While the books weren’t my own original ideas, I researched and wrote them, and was the attributed author. It allowed me to start building a list of published books to mention in my own manuscript submissions.

 
What's been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

Perhaps the waiting, but I think you gradually get used to it. There is waiting at every step in the process – after manuscript submission, if it goes to acquisitions, through contract negotiations and rounds of editing, finding out who will be the illustrator, and then finally holding the book in your hands. It’s a long process!


And the easiest, or most enjoyable?

The most enjoyable part is that exciting moment when I think I have a strong picture book emerging from my many manuscript drafts.


What's next for you? 

I always have a few manuscripts on the go, at different stages of development. While I work on one, the others are “stewing” - waiting for me to return to them with fresh eyes. Most of my works in progress are non-fiction or informational fiction picture book manuscripts about animals or nature.

My next book to be released is ODD BODS: The World’s Unusual Animals (Millbrook Press, USA, March 2021). It is a non-fiction picture book (with photos, not illustrations) for children 4-8. It’s about how animals that look different from the norm are just as great at surviving as those animals with a more familiar appearance. 

What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just started their pursuit of publication? 

Can I sneak in two? Be prepared for the long haul, and be aware you aren’t “just” a writer or illustrator. You also need to learn to be an administrator, accountant, promoter, lawyer, and probably others that I can’t think of right now.
 

Last book you just read? 

Boo Loves Books by Kaye Baillie and Tracie Grimwood. It’s a heart-warming picture book story that will appeal to anyone who loves doggos (like me) and a good story (also like me). It might also convince some reluctant readers that books are pretty good after all (because the book delicately deals with this issue).


What book are you reading now? 

Legends II, which is an anthology of ”new works by the masters of modern fantasy”. This is like tucking into a sampler box of chocolates – I am discovering some wonderful writers I’ve never read before!


Best book you've ever read? 

I love The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. The first time I read it, it was a revelation. It is a wild and beautiful YA story, written in prose that flows like poetry.


Fave author?

I have a few, but I’ve never read a book by Margaret Wild that I’ve not loved.


Best moment of your writing life?

Always the release of my next book.


Name of your newest WIP?

I’m working on a creative non-fiction book about birds’ nests with the working title, Home Tweet Home.


If not an author, what would be your dream job?

I’ve already worked in some pretty cool jobs, including wildlife scientist and zookeeper, and I currently work part-time as an Education Officer at an urban farm, which is also heaps of fun. That’s enough for me (along with my writing, of course!).

The Book...
​

The Interview...
​​

​Did you always dream of being a writer/illustrator?

As a child I always thought writers were like magicians. The ability to put words on a page and transport people to other worlds seemed like sorcery to me. I knew that I wanted to write from an early age, but it took me decades to find the confidence to write fiction. So, I ended up taking a really circuitous route to where I am now via academia, journalism and the film industry.   
 

When did you start pursuing publication of your work? 

The first thing I ever published happened almost by accident. Back in 2000 I sent my PhD thesis – on William S. Burroughs and queer theory – out to a few publishers just on the off chance. Not many PhDs get published, for obvious reasons because they’re pretty dull to be honest. An editor at Palgrave in New York read it and decided to publish it.

It set me up for a career in academia. But, although I adored research, I was a terrible teacher. Back then you were literally just shoved in front of a class of undergrads and expected to teach them with no training at all. It was sink and swim… and I sank like the Titanic!

So, I bailed on academia and built a career as a freelance writer focussing on film and videogames. I had no contacts and no clue. I just cold-called my way into it. I published a couple of non-fiction books during that time. Yet couldn’t shake the feeling that I should be writing more creatively than magazine features and reviews.
 

What spurred you to switch to fiction?

A brush with cancer in 2012 made me rethink things. I packed in freelancing and started writing screenplays full-time. I made just about enough money from that to survive financially, yet none of the projects I worked on ever got made. It felt like writing into a void. Then, just as I was about to give up and finally get a proper job, my daughters asked me if I could write a novel for them…

 
How long did it take from that first thought to release day?

A good couple of years. The book was on the backburner while I was doing other stuff and I kept plodding along with it, uncertain whether it was worth finishing or not. Looking back at it there were so many moments when I almost tossed it aside. But I eventually let my eldest read a few chapters and it was her enthusiasm for the story that made me realise I had to finish it. She would bug me at every opportunity for more pages to read and was drawing fan art of the characters and leaving it on my desk with Post It notes telling me I had to finish it. I suddenly had an audience… even if just an audience of one! I eventually finished it and showed it to my film agent who showed it to a literary agent he knew. That was March 2019. I did a revision with agent notes and went out on sub a few months later. By November 2019 I had a three-book deal with Walker Books and a release date lined up for March 2021. It was a long wait because their slate was already quite full.  

 
What’s been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

Tuning out the negative voices is hard. Writing fiction is so much harder than writing non-fiction because you’re trying to conjure a world out of nothing. It’s inevitable that self-doubt creeps in. Writing a novel – especially one that has a lot of world-building – is like being a stage magician. You’re constantly trying to misdirect the audience so that they don’t notice the bunny up your sleeve. It’s very easy, I think, to misjudge your work. You can see all the joins and the seams, and you assume that no one will ever be able to suspend their disbelief in it.  
 

And the easiest, or most enjoyable?

The most enjoyable moments are probably not the easiest ones. I love the act of writing. Putting words on the page to create something. It’s so pure. It’s also maddeningly painful and riddled with disappointment and self-lacerating frustration. Despite that, I wouldn’t rather be doing anything else. There’s never a day when I don’t want to write. I have done office jobs in the past and I know the dread of Monday morning and the drudgery of doing something you don’t care about. In twenty years as a writer, I’ve never felt like that about writing.


What's next for you? 

My debut novel SKYWAKE: INVASION is the first part in a trilogy. I’m waiting on notes for Book 2 while pulling together ideas for Book 3. We sold it on the basis of the manuscript and a five-page outline for the whole series, so I know the general direction of the story which is a really refreshing place to be! I’m working on a YA novel and a screenplay commission – a biopic about William S. Burroughs.

 
What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just started their pursuit of publication? 

You have to fail to learn... and you have to learn to fail. Think of it like riding a bicycle. If you’re never ridden a bike before, you can’t just jump on and cycle down the road. You will fall off. Repeatedly! But every time you fall off, you’ll be closer to finding your balance. I think a lot of people think that a career in writing is about catching lightning in a bottle their first time out the gate. But it’s not. It’s about resilience. Try again, fail again, fail better. 
 
 
Last book you just read? 

LARK by Anthony McGowan. It’s the story of two boys who get lost on the moors and it is brilliant. Sweary and hilarious and really, really tender in a beautifully British way.

 
What book are you reading now? 

LAST ONE TO DIE by Cynthia Murphy. It’s a YA supernatural thriller billed as Point Horror for a new generation. It’s very creepy.
 

Best book you've ever read? 

Too hard! So many to choose from! The best book most recently is BEARMOUTH by Liz Hyder. It is phenomenal and she is a major, major talent.
 

Fave author?

Too many! I’ve been rediscovering the joy of reading H.G. Wells recently. 
 

Best moment of your writing life?

My kids’ excitement when they realised the novel was going to be published. They enjoyed taking credit for it!

 
Name of your newest WIP?

DEAD CANARIES. It’s a YA love story about two teens who start a school climate strike and end up in London during the Extinction Rebellion protests in April 2019.
 

If not an author, what would be your dream job?
​
I always liked the working title T.S. Eliot had for The Waste Land “He Do the Police in Different Voices”. Writing feels like acting but in your own head. I’d love to do it for real. But that would be in another lifetime.

Order The Last Bear here:
 
UK – published 18th Feb.
Amazon
Waterstones (signed copies available)
Bookshop.org
 
US – published 2nd Feb.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
​

Did you always dream of being a writer?

I actually can’t remember wanting to be anything different – except for a brief spell wanting to be a vet. But since I couldn’t bear the thought of having to put animals down, I decided to write about them instead – which is far less traumatic.

 
When did you start pursuing publication/querying agents? 
​
I started my 1st book, a YA paranormal romance, back in 2006 and it took 6 years to write &  many many rewrites! I sent it to about 10 agents – all of which said no. So, I ended up accepting an offer from a very small publisher (no advance, no publicity, no print-run even!) and although I was really proud of my book, that experience was ultimately quite disappointing for me. I don’t regret it, as it did give me many lessons and helped me decide that when I next got a book published, this one would change my life. I just didn’t realise it would take me another 8 years to get there!
 
My 2nd book, also YA, I sent out to about 20 agents. This was around 2017/2018. I got a handful of full manuscript requests and can distinctly remember thinking ‘this is it!’ Sadly, it wasn’t it as 3 out of 4 said no and the other one never got back to me. I was actually quite heartbroken and it took me well over a year, before I could face the page again.
 
When I did sit down to write I decided to switch to MG - the genre I had always dreamed of writing in. I opened up my heart and wrote about everything I loved most in the world – our beautiful planet, animals and in particular, the bond children have with them.

 
How long did it take from that first thought to release day?

When I was writing the book, I had a gut feeling it was special. For a start, It had come out almost complete and just seemed to have an energy to it that we, as creators, can instinctively recognise. So, when I submitted this time, I felt a lot more confident in myself and decided I would just go for it and submit to all the most established agents in the UK. It took ten weeks between first submitting and getting the offer from Claire Wilson.
 
And in terms of the publishing journey as a whole - it’s been remarkably swift! I started it in February 2019, signed with Claire 9 months later, and then, because the book didn’t need many edits, we went on sub within the month. I was lucky in that I got my deal very quickly and because of the timely ecological message of the book, it was scheduled in for publication 13 months after first meeting my publisher. So from 1st page to publication – exactly 2 years.

 
What's been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

For me, the hardest part has been learning to juggle all of the demands of The Last Bear (the edits, the marketing, the social media commitments, as well as the high emotional points like my announcement or getting BOTM in The Bookseller Children’s Previews) whilst trying to come up with a first draft of a second book. I haven’t quite got the balance right yet but hope to do better in 2021.
 

And the easiest, or most enjoyable?

Getting that deal is like entering through a magical door into Narnia and there are so many new and wonderful things to discover and learn. There are so many individual highlights as everything that has happened has exceeded my expectations. But getting that Michael Morpurgo quote and seeing my beautiful cover are definitely the ones that caught in my throat.


What's next for you? 

Enjoying the launch, seeing my Bear make his roar in the world, and taking everything that happens this year one step at a time. And remembering to celebrate!

 
What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just started their pursuit of publication? 

Don’t make the rejections mean anything more than what they are. They are not a reflection of who you are as a person and I know it’s hard, but try not to let them affect your self-esteem too much. Take each rejection as it comes and use them as means of information for what you need to do next to get closer to your yes.
 
 
Last book you just read? 
The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery – AMAZING.
 
What book are you reading now? 
Boy, Everywhere by A.M Dassau – incredibly touching.
 
Best book you've ever read? 
Anything with an animal at its heart.
 
Fave author?
Michael Morpurgo – of course!
 
Best moment of your writing life?
Probably when my agent offered representation. It was something I’d longed for since my twenties and when it finally happened, I just knew it was the start of my next chapter.
 
Name of your newest WIP?
Untitled at the moment but affectionately referred to as Whale.
 
If not an author, what would be your dream job? 
Probably living on some kind of tropical island looking after the hatching turtles.

The Author... 
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As a young girl, Branwen wanted to become an ambassador for aliens. Since the aliens never hired her, she now writes about them.

Branwen OShea has a Bachelors in Biology from Colgate University, a Bachelors in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work. She lives in Connecticut with her family and a menagerie of pets, and enjoys hiking, meditating, and star-gazing. Her previously published works include contributing to a nonfiction yoga book, wellness magazines, and her published science fiction novella, Silence of the Song Trees.
 

Grab your copy here! 
​

Who are you and what do you write?
 
I’m a licensed mental health counselor, a homeschooling mom, a yoga and meditation teacher, an animal rescuer, and an author. My novels are all MG or YA speculative: sci-fi, fantasy, or paranormal.
 

Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?
​
When I was five years old, I used to dictate fanfiction stories to my mother who wrote them down. By nine, I’d started writing novels, but they were atrocious. I had pretty solid ideas, but no skills. I gave up and didn’t write for about twenty years.
 
I started writing seriously about eleven years ago in the heyday of young adult dystopian novels. The teens I worked with kept telling me that they couldn’t even imagine a positive future for humans or the planet. I wanted to write something that would give them hope, but knew I’d have to deal with climate change and all the problems that have plagued humans. It seemed impossible. After several days of mulling this over, I had a super powerful dream where my character Rana began telling me stories. Those stories became my first novel, The Calling. The concept and characters really gripped me and still do. I’ve written other unrelated books, but my upcoming series is what currently drives me to write.
 
  
How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown?

My first book was The Calling, which I then set aside because I still lacked the skills to polish it. I then wrote several other books, but always returned to The Calling to rewrite it with whatever new skills I had gained. I eventually received a publishing contract for it, but I made a tough call to decline the contract and self-publish it. Saying no to my dream of publishing traditionally was super hard, though I believe it was the correct decision for this particular book. I’ve enjoyed the self-publishing process so much that I may stay an Indie. Time will tell.

 
What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable?

The hardest part of writing for me so far has been line edits. After several rounds of developmental edits, I thought I was mostly done. Silly me. Getting my manuscript back completely red was overwhelming. My favorite part is drafting. It’s like watching a movie in my mind and recording it.


Would you go back and change anything?

When I first started working with beta readers, I listened to everything they said and created a lot of needless stress for myself. If I could call past me about writing, I’d tell myself to trust my gut more.


Where would you like to be in 5 years time?

My current series has five books, and I hope to have it completed in five years. I also am concurrently writing a series of novellas, so that may be done as well. A planned sci-fi trilogy will probably be my next big project.


What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out?

Most writers that I know feel like they are just getting started, even after publishing a few books.

I think the most important thing is to write what you love and find good writer friends to share the journey.
 

And most importantly...

Ketchup or Mayo? I’m all about Tabasco Sauce.
Night or Day? Definitely night.
Inside or Outside? Outside as much as possible.
Dogs or Cats? Both, but don’t tell my cats, okay?
Twitter or Facebook? Twitter, with all politics blocked.
Ebook or Paperback? I’m sorry trees, but I want paperbacks. Can we make books from bamboo yet?
Sun or Rain? Snow, though I do love a good thunderstorm.
Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? Notebook for brainstorming and the keyboard for drafting/editing.
Comedy or Drama? Comedy.
Chips or Chocolate? I’m allergic to regular chocolate but adore white chocolate.