For this weekend ONLY, you can get the Kindle edition of Ocean of Dust Free! Tell your friends. Enjoy! (And if you do, please leave a review )

 

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This week, friend and author Katherine Dell is taking over my blog to tell you about her intriguing, upcoming book. Over to you, Kathy…

About a year and a half ago, I wrote a blog about stepping out of my comfort zone. I talked about facing my fears and taking the plunge into the uncertain, because … great things don’t come from inside your comfort zone! That blog post was centered on me finally learning to ski, which for some reason, I was petrified to learn how. Hey, turning into a human snow boulder is a real fear! It could happen! Any who, I’m getting distracted from what I really wanted to talk about … writing out of your comfort zone!

In my novel, Harmless, I’ve taken a daring step and written out of my comfort zone.  Sure, writing, sharing and publishing  a book is not always roses. We all know that. But have you ever considered writing on a topic that might be a little touchy? Why would anyone choose to write about something that could prove difficult? Well, as any writer might tell you, when the muse takes you, you’ve got to write it.

I’m fascinated by Canadian Native folklore. For my novel, I was inspired by the northeastern folklore about wendigos, and the western lore about white spirit animals. Both the wendigo and spirit animal stories are based in both fact and lore.

When Canada was first settled, the first reported cases of wendigo syndrome were recorded. The syndrome being, people resorted to cannibalism in an effort to survive the harsh winters. In Canada, there were wendigo hunters, similar to the witch hunters in the southern United States. The Hunter captured and killed those with wendigo syndrome.

The Native population, on the other hand, believed that these people with the syndrome were possessed by an evil spirit and that they could be cured. I also found lore about the afflicted not eating their victims, but taking their souls.

Sounds pretty dark, I know, but this is only what inspired my work, not the whole story.

To lighten things up, I incorporated uplifting tales about spirit animals. Instead of coloured fur or feathers, spirit animals are born completely white. Scientifically speaking, it’s a recessive gene that removes pigment. These animals are very rare, showing up around the world in various species. Curiously enough, there is a large population of spirit animals (white bears) in northern British Columbia. They are black bears born white, and named Kermode bears.

So with all this inspiration, I had a great story in mind! But I was faced with the sensitive realities of drawing lines between truth and fiction, while incorporating Native cultural lore that spanned a whole country. How was I to make sure I kept respect for the original culture while knitting my own characters and plot into it? I researched, I traveled, I consulted with people who knew more than me, and I edited.

I took all this ‘muse’ and created something that I hope is respectful, while also entertaining. It still gives me butterflies to think it might offend someone, but then again, I think I’ve done my due diligence with the best of intentions. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and written something I’m proud of, daring to go where some would not.

Here’s to hoping it turns out well and if not, I leave you with this quote.

“A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone.”  Jo Godwin

Happy writing everyone!

Katherine Dell

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Graeme's note: Kathy's book, and the research and inspiration behind it, sounds fascinating. Follow her to learn more and to get first news of a publication date. I for one, can't wait to read it.

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Katherine Dell

Katherine Dell is a young adult fiction writer working on her first novel. She also hopes to publish a prequel, graphic novel series to her novel series, Harmless. Katherine takes every opportunity to hone her skills as a writer, including courses from Mount Royal University, workshops and reading everything she can get her hands on. She is also a member of the Alberta Writers Guild. Katherine has called Alberta home her entire life, currently residing in Calgary with her husband and two sons.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Reborn, the first book in an exciting new YA epic fantasy series, The Fate Challenges, is out on ebook and paperback. Reviews are already looking good and it’s high on my To-Read list. The author, Cherie Reich, has been kind enough to share an excerpt with us (see below).

To save a kingdom, a prophetess must challenge Fate.

On the day of Yssa’s death and rebirth, the god Apenth chose her as the Phoenix Prophetess.

Sea serpents and gods endanger the young prophetess’s journey and sour the omens. Yssa is cursed instead of blessed, and her duties at the Temple of Apenth prove it. She spends her days reading dusty scrolls, which does nothing to help her forget Tym, the boy back home. But the annoying yet gorgeous ferryman’s son Liam proves to be a distraction she can’t predict, even though he rarely leaves her alone for two sand grains.

Her boring temple life screeches to a halt when visions of her parents’ murders consume her. Yssa races across an ocean to stop the future. If she can’t change Fate, she’ll refuse to be the Phoenix Prophetess any longer. Fate, however, has other plans for her and the kingdom.

Yssa must either accept her destiny or fight to change Fate.

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Excerpt from Chapter 2 of Reborn

We steadily filled buckets as more people helped us. The storm continued to weaken. Rain trickled to a soft patter. I hadn’t heard thunder in the past few minutes. Was I wrong? Doubt lingered in my belly and crept along my spine. Just because I had a vision didn’t mean it would come true right away. Could I have gotten everyone worked up over nothing?

“It appears the storm is fading.” I didn’t want a fire, of course, but I knew what I’d foreseen.

“Maybe it’s a lull, sweetheart.” Dad filled another bucket.

“You saw somethin’, and you aren’t wrong often.” Water sloshed over Tym’s feet as he plopped another pail upon the ground.

“Often? Thanks a lot, Tym.” I punched him lightly on the arm. Was I ever mistaken about my premonitions? Not that I could remember. They always happened… eventually. But if I was incorrect, the people of Guntas would never believe my visions again. What use would I be in Guntas or Amora? Maybe the prophecies dictating my birth and life were false. Apenth had chosen the wrong girl. I didn’t want to be special. Not being the Phoenix Prophetess would be better for everyone. Then I could stay in Guntas with Tym and everyone I loved.

When I handed Dad another pail, the hairs on my arms and back of my neck lifted. The sky brightened. A wicked-looking lightning bolt streaked across the sky and struck the inn’s roof.

Thean’s realm! My heart sank at the fruition of my prophecy. I was right once again.

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To purchase:

Amazon | Createspace | Google Play | Kobo | Nook | OmniLit | Smashwords | Other Retailers

Click here to add on Goodreads.

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Are you ready to challenge Fate?

Cherie and the authors of Untethered Realms are giving away over $50 worth of books to one lucky winner. The giveaway is open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Author

A self-proclaimed bookworm, Cherie Reich is a speculative fiction writer and library assistant living in Virginia. Her short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies, and her books include the horror collection Nightmare, a space fantasy novella collection titled Gravity, and the fantasy series The Foxwick Chronicles and The Fate Challenges. Reborn is her debut novel.  She is Vice President of Valley Writers and a member of the Virginia Writers Club and Untethered Realms.

Contact Cherie: Website | Blog | Newsletter signup

Cherie Reich is one of the super talented writers of Untethered Realms. On May 23rd this year, she releases the first book in an exciting new YA epic fantasy series: The Fate Challenges. Take a look at the gorgeous cover:

To save a kingdom, a prophetess must challenge Fate.

On the day of Yssa’s death and rebirth, the god Apenth chose her as the Phoenix Prophetess.

Sea serpents and gods endanger the young prophetess’s journey and sour the omens. Yssa is cursed instead of blessed, and her duties at the Temple of Apenth prove it. She spends her days reading dusty scrolls, which does nothing to help her forget Tym, the boy back home. But the annoying yet gorgeous ferryman’s son Liam proves to be a distraction she can’t predict, even though he rarely leaves her alone for two sand grains.

Her boring temple life screeches to a halt when visions of her parents’ murders consume her. Yssa races across an ocean to stop the future. If she can’t change Fate, she’ll refuse to be the Phoenix Prophetess any longer. Fate, however, has other plans for her and the kingdom.

Yssa must either accept her destiny or fight to change Fate.

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Add it to your reading list on Goodreads, and check out Laura Sava, the artist of this fantastic cover. Here’s the full, wraparound cover for the print edition:

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A self-proclaimed bookworm, Cherie Reich is a speculative fiction writer, freelance editor, book blogger, and library assistant living in Virginia. Her short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies, and her ebooks include the horror series Nightmare, a space fantasy trilogy titled Gravity, and a fantasy series The Foxwick Chronicles. She is Vice President of Valley Writers and a member of the Virginia Writers Club and Untethered Realms.

Her debut YA Epic Fantasy novel Reborn, book one in The Fate Challenges, will be released on May 23, 2014.

Contact Cherie: Website | Blog | Newsletter signup

Recently, I was thrilled to answer some questions posed by a great writer friend of mine, Heather Day Gilbert. Among other projects, she is trying to find a publisher for her fantastic-sounding Viking novel. I can’t wait to read it.

In this interview, we talk about writing YA, world building and Indie publishing. It was a lot of fun. Thanks, Heather!

Recently, Sharon over at Obsession with Books invited me to do a guest post. Please pop over there and read about Why I write YA. Stay a while and nose around her wonderful site too.