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Teen Fiction with a Dark Twist

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Archives for December 2024

Ten indie authors to check out

29 December, 2024 by Roz MacLaren 2 Comments

Ready to dive into new worlds and explore uncharted lands? Here are ten indie authors I’ve discovered in 2024 and I think you’ll like them too!

Renée Shantel

Renée is a phenomenal writer and I’m so happy I accidentally stumbled across her work. Her 2024 novel, In The Days Before, was a work of art and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a twisty, pacy thriller.

Dana Gricken

Dana is the most prolific indie author I know, whose output is incredible. I especially enjoyed her short stories, Whispers In The Woods, as her creativity and original thinking was palpable.

April Grace

April and I met at YALC and quickly hit it off. Where my books are dark and twisted, hers are uplifting and wholesome. April’s book The Steel Princess is on my reading list for 2025.

Jennifer Ascienzo

Jennifer is a gifted indie author, creator of the highly-enjoyable sci-fi trilogy, Foiled Stars. I can’t wait to see what Jennifer comes up with in 2025. I especially love Jennifer’s ability to create flawed, relatable characters.

Roxan Burley

Roxan is a dystopian fantasy indie author. I had a lovely time meeting her at YALC and can’t wait to delve into her work in 2025.

L. S. Delorme

Lexy is an original thinker turned indie author who creates gorgeous books. She is the author of The Limerent Series.

Kiera Nixon

Kiera’s debut novel, The Dream Maker, came out in 2024. I love Kiera’s thoughtful, intelligent writing style and can’t wait for her future releases.

Kerry Law

Like me, Kerry is based in Scotland – so it’s always special to read about places I know (or, at least, could drive to in under a day). I follow Kerry on Instagram and I’m very excited about her current WIP. Kerry kindly agreed to be interviewed for an upcoming blog post, so stay tuned for that!

Amy Woodruff

I got an ARC of Amy Woodruff’s fabulous new book, Of Kingdoms And Curses. It was a magical, engaging tale and I can’t wait to read Amy’s future installments in the series.

Hayley Alderton

Hayley isn’t merely the powerhouse behind Indie Visible, where she helps indie authors promote themselves and frequently runs amazing events: she’s also an indie author in her own right.

Oh, wait, there’s more…

If you’re a reader, let me know in the comments which indie authors I should check out. If you’re an author yourself, I regularly interview indie authors for my blog, so send me a message and we can chat.

Filed Under: General

Gifts for the readers in your life

15 December, 2024 by Roz MacLaren Leave a Comment

As many people across the world contemplate what to gift their friends and loved ones, I thought it would be an appropriate time to suggest some presents for the readers in your life.

Books – of course!

If you’re not a reader yourself, however, it can be very hard to buy for your bookish friends. Even if you are a reader, your tastes may not match theirs! I’d recommend a quick squiz at their socials – sometimes people have their Amazon wishlist in their biography and you can use that to surprise them with something they’ll definitely want. Assuming they haven’t helpfully made a wishlist public, their socials may give you something to work with in terms of their tastes and preferred genres.

Books with sprayed edges

If your friend is into books that look pretty, sprayed edges might be the way to go. This means, even if you happen to get them a duplicate title they already have, the aesthetics will speak for themselves.

Perfectly Edged

When I was at YALC, I caught up with the amazing creatives at Kingdom Book Designs and Perfectly Edged. The work that goes into making these custom designs was phenomenal. I also bought a gorgeous copy of a book from Victoria Alyssa – I can’t even begin to describe how pretty her work is.

Book-related accessories

These don’t need to be as obvious as bookmarks (though bookmarks do tend to be a good shout and you can get some gorgeous custom bookmarks on Etsy). It could be something that makes reading more comfortable – like a heated blanket to snuggle up in or a cushion to cuddle up with.

If you know your friend has a favourite series, could you get them some related merchandise? Perhaps a T-shirt or hoodie with their favourite fictional character. Or maybe a keyring or customised water bottle. Check out the author’s website and see if they have a shop integrated into their website – you might be surprised what’s available.

If all else fails…

Venom and Blaze is available to order now. It’s the perfect gift for the dark and twisted reader in your life. (Just be sure to check the trigger warnings before gifting it to your friend – it’s not suitable for arachnophobes and contains violence, childhood trauma and death.)

Whatever you plan to get your friends, let me know in the comments.

Filed Under: General

‘We all start a story with an idea followed by a dream which is either followed by hard work or not’ – interview with author, Joy E. Held

11 December, 2024 by Roz MacLaren Leave a Comment

The Mermaid Riot

I first came across Joy E. Held because we were both published by the very lovely Fire and Ice YA. Joy very kindly agreed to be interviewed for my blog. Read on as we chat about her novel, The Mermaid Riot, and Joy’s brand-new venture, My WriteDay.

Your novel intertwines a historical setting with the fantastical element of mermaids. How did you balance these two genres to create a cohesive world?

One of the things that I like about reading and writing historical fiction is the ready-made setting and timeline that comes with real life history and events. That is true where The Mermaid Riot is concerned because the inspiration for the story comes from an actual situation that happened in Charleston, South Carolina after the U.S. Civil War. It involved a rumor about a mermaid at a time in history when a select culture believed in mermaids as important water spirits. They took the rumor to heart and created a situation that required law enforcements help in clearing up. This is all reported in newspaper reports of the event in local papers in Charleston and elsewhere, which I have researched and seen in digital records of The Library of Congress. I took actual events and fabricated a story of fantasy around the truth of the situation.

Serena and Tobi’s friendship is central to the story. How did you approach writing their dynamic, and were they inspired by real-life relationships?

I wanted a team of young people to be captivated by the premise of the rumor but also
have a sense of rationality about the situation. Serena and Tobi’s friendship is integral to the plot because they each represent a different perspective on whether or not mermaids are real, and they each try to convince the other to see things through their eyes. That is until they see some things with their own eyes that don’t align with their beliefs about mermaids. They have conflicting beliefs but the same goal and have to deal with the interpersonal challenges as well as the social ones that they encounter.

The Ainsley River and the Robinson Phosphate Mine Company play significant roles in the story. Why did you choose South Carolina, and what role does the historical context play in shaping the narrative?

Charleston and South Carolina were chosen for me (even though I renamed the city) as I used the actual events reported in the local newspapers about the mermaid incident. I
challenged the historical timeline of the Reconstruction era in the south as the states
worked for many years to overcome the economic devastation caused by The U. S. Civil
War. In my research, I discovered that phosphate rocks used to produce fertilizer, which
farmers needed to regrow crops, were discovered in Charleston area and helped revitalize the economy. It came with hazards and problems which I will treat more broadly in the next book in the duology.

The mermaid in your story symbolizes mystery and survival. What inspired you to use
mermaids as a focal point for this tale?

Besides the true story behind the rumor about a mermaid being captured, I wrote the
mermaid Mari-Morgan to be young and conflicted much the same way Serena and Tobi
are in their world. Things are changing fast at the time, and their way of life is threatened in some respects on land and underwater. I definitely played on their youthful energies and ideals in the survival sense.

The title, The Mermaid Riot, is intriguing. What’s the significance behind the word ‘riot’ in the context of the book?

    When I first caught the tweet online about this story, it was referenced as “the mermaid
    riot.” The image of rioting mermaids captivated my imagination, but that isn’t what the
    actual event is about at all. I discovered this through my research. Some refer to it as “the mermaid incident” to reflect a gentler approach to the story. However, local legends latched onto the term riot over incident and ran with it. Here are a couple of interesting links (here and here).

    You’re not just a writer but also a yoga teacher and book coach. Do these practices
    influence your writing process or the themes you explore?

    The practices of yoga and book coaching definitely play into everything I do. I’m on a journey like everyone else, and I sometimes stumble and fall like a normal person. My 40+ years of yoga has taught me to be kind to myself and others when I stumble while working to be better at whatever I’m doing. My work as a book coach influences my writing process by reminding me that we all start a story with an idea followed by a dream which is either followed by hard work or not. I’m talking about the consequences of choices. As a book coach, I am constantly asking my clients a lot of questions because I believe that questions are a great source of understanding
    and learning. When a client is tasked with answering questions, they feel more empowered as creators, and I believe that is the kind of learning that sticks and that can be repeated. They aren’t challenges but more like nailing down true inner and outer desires for their writing much the same way their characters must do the same things.

    How do you decide which age group or genre is the right fit for the stories you want to
    tell?

    I’m more like dust in the wind when it comes to this sort of thing. I get ideas, tons of
    ideas, and follow the ones that won’t let me go. However, many times I can identify a
    particular need within a genre or age group coupled with an idea I have and put the two together. For example, the political environment of people listening to and believing only one side of a story concerns me. Without being particularly overt about it, this singular belief concept without the willingness to listen to another perspective plays a big part in the relationship of the characters throughout The Mermaid Riot. As another example, I created My WriteDay subscription and gift boxes for children, teens, and adults because I saw a need to make reading and writing a pleasurable experience for others like it is for me.

    What motivated you to start My WriteDay, and how has it helped you or other writers grow?

    I am a college creative writing instructor for an online MFA program and have been a
    higher education professor for 21 years. I have taught hundreds of freshmen who come to me with negative histories around reading and writing. My WriteDay is part of my work to change that at an early age. I take stories and bring them to life with the contents of a gift box that I hope is inspirational and enjoyable. It’s my favorite passion right now as it is a brand-new venture for me.

    What does a typical writing day look like for you, and how do you balance writing with your other commitments?

    I’m always writing a story in my head and can’t sleep for working out plot lines. It’s
    always been that way. I’m a one-woman business with several outlets for my energy. I
    like it that way. Balancing it all is a matter of making a lot of checklists and enlisting help from family and friends. My mentor from graduate school is my primary editor and is available when I have a question or need another pair of eyes on a manuscript. I have a great husband who believes in all of my works and does his best to support me. My grown children are very loving and accommodating to my sometimes erratic schedule, and they are also very helpful when I can’t get something done from picking up groceries to listening to my plot problems and brainstorming ideas with me. Honestly, my actual writing time is sporadic, but once the story falls into the right slots in my brain, I type until it’s out. I am a serious plotter though. Gave up pantsing except for when a surprising plot twist presents itself during the writing.

    Your career includes roles in education, coaching, and publishing. How has your
    experience in these fields shaped the way you approach storytelling?

    All of my training and experiences remind me never to stop learning and moving. When I am not curious any longer, that will signal that the last story has been written.

    Visit Joy’s website
    SHOP JOY’S BOOKS
    check out my writeday


    Filed Under: Interviews

    2024 in a nutshell

    10 December, 2024 by Roz MacLaren Leave a Comment

    2024 was the year my author dreams came true. My debut novel was traditionally published. I had an author stand at the UK’s biggest YA festival. My book has been read all over the world. I made new author friends. I got more books accepted. As the year draws to a close, I like to reflect on what’s been achieved and where I’d like to go from here.

    One book released

    16 July 2024 saw the release of my debut novel, Venom and Blaze. I wrote this book in Jersey, CI, one of my favourite places in the world, and it’ll always have a very special place in my heart. Real places, both in Jersey and Scotland, influenced the settings and landscapes in the series. You can read more about that here.

    Six novels written

    I wrote six novels this year – some of which I suspect will never see the light of day, but everything I write helps me practice and hone my skills. Even in this last year, I can see my writing has matured and tightened up. The twists are more twisty. The action is more engaging. I constantly strive to get better (and this is a double-edged sword) but I owe it to everyone who picks up my book to make sure the words in your hand are the best that I could make them.

    Three upcoming book releases

    Fable and Legend‘s release is imminent and will be followed in 2025 by City and Shadow, the third in the series. I also have another book accepted by an indie press in Canada and that will be released in 2025 as well.

    Eleven positive reviews for Venom and Blaze

    While that doesn’t sound like much, it means eleven people enjoyed my book and bothered to let other people know about it. I can’t stress enough the importance of leaving a review on Goodreads and Amazon when you’ve enjoyed an indie author’s book – it really helps! So thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to let me know their thoughts. Rest assured, I read every single one and try to reply when I can.

    Unlimited hours of editing and fixing typos

    I have a plan for one of my books, if it ever sees the light of day, to include a section at the back with all the typos I caught and fixed – akin to a bloopers reel, if you will. Honestly, there were some hilarious catches. In fact, as I’m feeling generous, here are a few of them.

    The creatures tuned ferocious.

    Obviously, this was meant to be ‘turned’ but I love the visual image of a bunch of creatures in an orchestra, ferociously tuning their instruments before the big concert.

    “Just how good is a hawk’s earing anyway?”

    It’s very subjective. Depends on the hawk’s overall sense of style and what earring they chose to wear. How good a hawk’s ‘hearing’ may be is another question entirely.

    2,459 (+ three hours Spotify didn’t know about) listening to Taylor Alison Swift

    One of the highlights of 2024 was spending three magical hours at the Eras Tour. I feel so lucky to have got to go – getting a ticket was no mean feat! – and see Taylor perform the songs that defined so many of our formative years. It was an oddly spiritual experience – something I’ve never had at any concert before.

    Thirty-eight books read

    I’ve been privileged to review some amazing ARCs this year – many of them reviewed on my Instagram. I’m going to do a round-up of books I’ve enjoyed this year so watch out for that if you’re looking for any book recommendations.

    Filed Under: General

    Meet the characters in Fable and Legend

    9 December, 2024 by Roz MacLaren Leave a Comment

    Fable and Legend, the second book in my YA fantasy series, The Mirrordom Legends, is out soon – so it seemed like an appropriate time to introduce you to some of the characters you’ll be meeting (some of whom you already know from Venom and Blaze!)

    All the books in my series are set in a world where humanity is divided into Good and Mirrors. As their name suggests, the Good are unable to lie, steal or kill – but their Mirror twin can do all those things and more. To protect the world, the Mirrors are taken from their mothers at birth and kept on Mirror Island, where they can’t hurt anyone. The souls of the twins are so bound up in each other that to kill a Mirror would kill their Good twin – so it would be impossible to simply eliminate the Mirrors without eliminating all the Good too.

    I know a lot of you are waiting to hear what happens to Venom and Blaze after the events of the first book. However, you’ll have to wait until the third book (City and Shadow) to see what happens to Venom and Blaze.

    The setting

    Fable and Legend is set directly after the events of the first book and follows Fable, one of The Five Mirrors who were imprisoned in the dungeons of King Viper’s castle. Now, all of The Five have escaped and are navigating an unfamiliar world they’re entirely unprepared for.

    Most of the action in this book takes place either in taverns, in a farmhouse or in the infamous Glittering City, renowned for its decadence and wealth.

    The characters

    Fable

    Fable, who occasionally goes by Elegance when she wants to be incognito, is trying her best to blend in and pretend to be Good. She’s making it her mission in life to track down her Good twin, Legend. Fable is clever and resourceful, but also innocent and naïve. She struggles to make sense of the world around her, having been imprisoned in a dungeon since she was a baby. Can she trust the people around her? Will finding her family help her find herself?

    Cobalt

    The boy who can read minds. Cobalt doesn’t believe in prophecies (even though there’s one about him) and all he wants to do is make money, live richly and capitalise on his abilities. Shortly after crossing paths with Fable, he realises he can use her in his nightly cons. However, after an enemy from the past shows up and someone tries to kill him, Cobalt realises he needs Fable to protect him while he figures out who wants him dead and why.

    Legend

    Legend is Fable’s twin – and she’s nothing like Fable imagined. The happy-ever-after, fall-into-each-other’s-arms meeting never happened. In fact, if anything, Legend seems unnaturally hostile towards Fable. Just what secrets is Legend hiding? And can Fable ever bridge the chasm that lies between them and truly connect with her twin?

    Ballad

    Ballad is an old friend from Cobalt’s past – who isn’t acting like a friend at all. She wants revenge for something that happened when they were both fifteen – and she’ll stop at nothing to get it.

    There’s also going to be a surprise appearance from another of The Five, who shows up in a most unexpected manner – but I can’t say any more than that!

    Which character do you think you’ll relate to most? Driven, confident Cobalt? Determined, stubborn Fable? Or someone else entirely? Let me know in the comments which character you’re most intrigued to meet.

    Filed Under: Fable and Legend, Mirrordom

    Venom and Blaze: free on Kindle!

    7 December, 2024 by Roz MacLaren Leave a Comment

    Fancy some dark and twisted holiday reading this season? The Kindle version of Venom and Blaze (and loads of other indie books) is currently free.

    The Indie Author Winter Wonderland event runs from 6th December to 9th December, so don’t miss your chance to download Venom and Blaze for free!

    The event showcases various indie books, either free or reduced, so it’s a fantastic chance to stuff your Kindle full of goodies.

    DOWNLOAD THE KINDLE VERSION
    CHECK OUT THE INDIE AUTHOR WINTER WONDERLAND

    Venom and Blaze is the first in my series, The Mirrordom Legends. Now is the perfect time to check it out as the second in the series, Fable and Legend, is due out very soon. Here’s the blurb for Venom and Blaze. (Be sure to check out the trigger warnings before you dive in – it’s not suitable for arachnophobes and it does contain violence and lots of childhood trauma.)

    “During a time when unicorns roamed free and dragons cast shadows across the sun, the wise men and women of the land told stories of a troubled future. The legends whispered of a time when every baby born would be blonde, genial and entirely Good. But straight after it would emerge a baby with black hair, dark eyes – and an entirely different nature. They would be called Mirrors, and nobody would know from whence they came or what to do with them once they arrived.”

    Venom wants a normal life where no one can tell her what to do, especially her father, King Viper.

    Blaze wants to be free, after all, he has been imprisoned in a dungeon since he was a baby.

    Thorn wants to get the girl, which is a shame, because the girl has other things on her mind.

    At least one of them is going to be disappointed.

    Venom and Blaze is also FREE on Smashwords, where you can download the .epub version. Smashwords are running their 2024 end-of-season sale, where multiple titles are discounted or free altogether.

    CHECK IT OUT

    If you do snag a copy of Venom and Blaze, it would mean a lot if you left a review on Amazon or Goodreads! Even if you hated it, I’d still like to know. Constructive feedback is always welcome.

    Filed Under: Mirrordom, Venom and Blaze

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