Author Interview With Katie Zaber

This week, I'm delighted to introduce Katie Zaber to you all. Katie's latest book, "Below Dark Waters" (her second book in the Dalya series) has just been released. The first in the series is "Ashes and Blood".

Tell me more about the first book in your series?

Ashes and Blood is about a young woman named Megan who goes on a hike with her friends when the forest suddenly morphs around them. They find themselves in the woods nearby a frontier style town without electricity or water and clueless of how to return to Earth.

I wanted to write a story about a woman who isn’t a heroine. A woman who makes countless mistakes driven by her own desires and has good intentions, but good intentions can become deadly in ignorant hands.

What prompted you to write it?

Boredom. Pure Boredom while stuck at home recovering from surgery. Ashes and Blood evolved over six drafts and started with an insane king singing a sinister version of Lord of the Dance. In his twisted version of the religious song, he is the lord, dancing around his kingdom, subjecting his people to his will and killing them for entertainment. From there, the story grew and grew and changed perspective until I was happy.

What are you working on at the moment? Are there already plans for the next book in the series?

Right now I’m finishing up DNA—Angels & Demons, a book about a woman named Evie who mysteriously gets pregnant. After a DNA test proves that her husband is not the father, her life becomes complicated.

People become possessed around Evie, telling her to kill the baby or protect it at all costs as she tries to rebuild her life after a heart-breaking divorce. Throughout the book, she realizes that her child might be a celestial being, but isn’t sure if it’s angelic or demonic.

When her perfect child is born, she sees the symbol and knows that her child is in fact the antichrist, leaving her with a decision. It’s almost done, and I hope to have it on sale by summer. 

I’m also working on the third book in the Dalya series, title undecided. It’s roughly 20,000 words, and I hope to have it out this fall.

When did you first start writing? And what made you start?

My first attempt at writing a book was after I had read Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. I must have been ten years old and wanted a sequel. So I got a pen and stack of paper and wrote around 50-60 pages before I started a different project. I still have it.

What was the first full-length novel you ever wrote? (I realise this may not be the same as the first book you have had published!)

Ashes and Blood is my first novel.

Which is your favourite secondary character in your book, and why is it your favourite?

I love Kilyn. She is a preteen Fae slave who was sold by her parents because she has bad blood and was born without any magical gifts. She’s spunky and fearless, using her wits and resources to survive.

Where is your ideal writing space?

At my desk when it’s nice and quiet.

What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given? (not necessarily writing-related!)

My piano teacher told me when I was a kid that his friend had auditioned for Prince. Prince gave him sheet music and told him to play it. The guy nailed the song. Prince then said to play it backwards. The man looked at Prince confused. Prince said you should be able to read it forward and backward. That every band member he performed with was that fluid.

Now, I don’t know how much of that story is true, but the thing that always stuck with me was the ability to think in different directions and not just read left to right. It’s important to be flexible and learn how to bend in different ways in every situation.

And now for some more random questions...

What’s your radio tuned to most often?

I usually listen to my iPod that has a crazy selection of random musicians and genres. About half would be rock alternative, but my all time favourite singer/songwriter is Ani DiFranco, who is a folk/rock singer.

You’re stranded on an island. You can choose one of the following three things. Which do you choose, and why?
1. Limitless supply of paper and pens.
2. A computer which will never run out of battery and which can access the internet, but you can’t post anything/get help via it, only read what others have put up.
3. An endless supply of loo roll.

Computer. It would at least entertain me and keep me semi sane, though I would worry about sand getting into it. 😉 

You can only wear one of the following colours for the rest of your life. Which colour do you choose?
Yellow. Orange. Green. White. Pink.

Green. At this moment, 75% of my clothes are already a shade of olive or forest green. The rest are brown, grey, and black.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs

City or country?

Depends on where the city is located. I’m not a fan of New York City, but I love Rome. I’m not a fan of country either, I like to order takeout way too often and live close to shopping.

Real book or e-book?

I used to love real books until I hurt my neck and shoulder. My e-book is much lighter when I want to read for hours.

Fountain pen or biro?

Neither. Mechanical pencil. 

Thanks very much for letting me bombard you with questions!

Links to Katie's Dalya series:

Ashes and Blood (US)

Ashes and Blood (UK)

Below Dark Waters (US)

Below Dark Waters (UK)

You can keep up to date with Katie at all of the following places:

Website: http://zaberbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dalyaseries
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Zaberbooks
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/katie-zaber
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20290665.Katie_Zaber
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Katie-Zaber/e/B087YXPDF2/



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