Last week Rowena Cory Daniells (https://www.rowena-cory-daniells.com/2012/12/05/my-next-big-thing/) tagged me on her blog, as part of a chain of author recommendations called THE NEXT BIG THING. Today it’s my turn to reciprocate and to pass on the torch. I’m going to answer questions about my new project, Ice Forged. Then I’m going to tag more wonderful authors who will tell you about their Next Big Thing on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
Q: What is the working title of your next book?
A: Ice Forged: Book One in The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga
Q: Where did the idea come from for the book?
A: I started to think about what a medieval apocalypse would look like, and then got thinking about what if…a prison colony were in the far north rather than the hot south, like Australia. What if…magic were an artificial construct, and it broke after civilization had come to depend on it? And what if…a man who was rightfully condemned for murder turned out to be the only one who could put things right?
Q: What genre does your book fall under?
A: Epic fantasy.
Q: If you found yourself in an elevator with a movie director you admire and had the chance to pitch your book to them, what would you say?
A: I love the line from the back of the book: “Welcome to the end of the world. Welcome to the beginning of The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga!”
Q: Every writer dreams of their book being turned in a movie or a TV show like Game of Thrones. If this happened to your work, which actors would you choose to play your characters?
A: I’d write in a new character if it meant we could cast Hugh Jackman for something!
Q: Who or what inspired you to write this book?
A: I’m not a big fan of modern apocalyptic fiction, but I liked the thought of looking at a medieval society dealing with the after-effects of a series of disasters.
Q: How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
A: Six months.
Q: When will your book be available?
A: Jan. 8 in bookstores and online—trade paperback, and ebook in Kindle, Kobo and Nook!
Q: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
A: As always, I promise you a roaring-good rollercoaster ride of a book—lots of action, believable, flawed characters, hints of humor, dangerous magic, and the end of the world!
Q: Anything else you’d like readers to know?
A: Beginning in January, I’ll also be releasing a new short story every month, so be sure to “like” my Facebook page www.Facebook.com/WinterKingdoms and follow me on Twitter @GailZMartin so you know when new stories are coming! I’m also on Goodreads, and you can join my newsletter at https://bit.ly/TLtix2—that’s where you’ll hear about contests, book and story give-aways and more!
And here are the authors I’d like to introduce, and who you can follow next Wednesday, when they answer the Next Big Thing questions…
John G. Hartness is the author of The Black Knight Chronicles from Bell Bridge Books and the creator of the self-published superstar series Bubba the Monster Hunter. He blends urban fantasy with redneck humor to blow up the things that go bump in the night. Think Duck Dynasty meets Dark Shadows and you’re on the right track. www.johnhartness.com
Misty Massey is the author of Mad Kestrel (Tor Books), a rollicking fantasy adventure of magic on the high seas. Misty is one of the featured writers on the blog MagicalWords.net. https://madkestrel.livejournal.com/
James Maxey writes about dragons, angels, circus freaks, superheroes, and monkeys, frequently in the same book. Learn more about Maxey and his novels at https://dragonprophet.blogspot.com.
Casey Daniels is the author of the Pepper Martin paranormal mysteries set in Cleveland, Ohio. She loves old cemeteries, ghost stories and because she loves old buttons, too, she writes the Button Box mysteries as Kylie Logan. You can find her at: www.caseydaniels.com
Crymsyn Hart is a prolific writer of romance and erotica. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. https://www.crymsynhart.blogspot.com
