Please welcome Roberta Trahan to The Qwillery. Roberta is the author of the Dream Stewards series. The Keys to the Realms (Dream Stewards 2) is out today. Please join The Qwillery in wishing Roberta a Happy Publication Day.
There will be a virtual release day party on Facebook on April 22nd from 3-9 pm PDT/6 pm-12 am EDT. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/258360841001705/.
TQ: Welcome back to The Qwillery. The Keys to the Realms, Dream Stewards 2, is out today. Has your writing process changed (or not) from when you wrote The Well of Tears (2012)? What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?
Roberta: Thanks so much for inviting me again! This is one of my favorite SFF hangouts of all time. Yeah, my writing process sure has changed since the last book – but I bet that is true of all writers. The more you do the better you get, right? I was really fortunate – my publisher hires top notch editorial support, and I was privileged to get to work with the legendary Betsy Mitchell on both books. I learned a ton about the art of storytelling, and how to streamline my writing process. The most challenging part of that process for me has always been honing in on the heart of a plot – pulling the central story thread out of the big-picture idea. I like to think I’m improving. I sure hope I am.
TQ: What do you wish you'd known about publishing when The Well of Tears came out that you know now?
Roberta: Wow. Well, the scary thing is that I actually knew more than most folks going in, and I still got blind-sided. The publishing industry is such a dynamic entity that what any of us knows about it at any given moment is obsolete before we get a chance to act on it. If anything, I wish I’d known how unbelievably difficult it is to get the attention of readers. Without bloggers like you, an author hardly stands a chance of attracting an audience. So, once again, I thank you.
TQ: Tell us something about The Keys to the Realms that is not in the description.
Roberta: Hmm. Let me think…*rubs hands together*…something juicy that isn’t spoilery. Ah! In this book, I introduce a secret sect of mage hunters called the Ruagaire Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is also a dying order, as all things magical are fading from the world of man. An important character emerges, however, who will take the lead in the next book in the series. Thorne Edwall is a tortured hero who is haunted by his past, but determined to accept the sacrifices of his calling.
TQ: In The Dream Stewards series so far which character has surprised you the most? Which character has been the most difficult to write and why?
Roberta: The character who surprised me the most was an extremely minor player in THE WELL OF TEARS who took on a much bigger role in this book. I never consciously intended for her to come forward as she has, but she was an unstoppable force. I think readers who remember Ariane from Book One will be surprised by her too.
Alwen, the heroine in Book One, has always been the most difficult character in this series to write and continued to challenge me in Book Two. I still don’t know why she confounds me so, but I am resigned to it now.
TQ: The Dream Stewards series is Fantasy. What appeals to you about this genre? Are there any other genre or sub-genres is which you'd like to write?
Roberta: What appeals to me about the Fantasy genre? Oh, that’s easy –the world building. No question. There’s just nothing like giving your imagination free rein – the possibilities are endless. I basically get to play out my daydreams – for a living. What could be better?
But I do like to write in other genres – all speculative fiction, of course, for the same reasons. I recently tried my hand at a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller – a novella titled AFTERSHOCK which was released in January by StoryFront (another Amazon Publishing imprint).
TQ: What's next?
Roberta: Book Three of The Dream Stewards, of course, and I am also at work on a full length book based on that recently published novella.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Roberta: It’s always a pleasure to visit The Qwillery. I’d hang out all the time if you’d let me, but then I’d never get any writing done ;).
Roberta: Thanks so much for inviting me again! This is one of my favorite SFF hangouts of all time. Yeah, my writing process sure has changed since the last book – but I bet that is true of all writers. The more you do the better you get, right? I was really fortunate – my publisher hires top notch editorial support, and I was privileged to get to work with the legendary Betsy Mitchell on both books. I learned a ton about the art of storytelling, and how to streamline my writing process. The most challenging part of that process for me has always been honing in on the heart of a plot – pulling the central story thread out of the big-picture idea. I like to think I’m improving. I sure hope I am.
TQ: What do you wish you'd known about publishing when The Well of Tears came out that you know now?
Roberta: Wow. Well, the scary thing is that I actually knew more than most folks going in, and I still got blind-sided. The publishing industry is such a dynamic entity that what any of us knows about it at any given moment is obsolete before we get a chance to act on it. If anything, I wish I’d known how unbelievably difficult it is to get the attention of readers. Without bloggers like you, an author hardly stands a chance of attracting an audience. So, once again, I thank you.
TQ: Tell us something about The Keys to the Realms that is not in the description.
Roberta: Hmm. Let me think…*rubs hands together*…something juicy that isn’t spoilery. Ah! In this book, I introduce a secret sect of mage hunters called the Ruagaire Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is also a dying order, as all things magical are fading from the world of man. An important character emerges, however, who will take the lead in the next book in the series. Thorne Edwall is a tortured hero who is haunted by his past, but determined to accept the sacrifices of his calling.
TQ: In The Dream Stewards series so far which character has surprised you the most? Which character has been the most difficult to write and why?
Roberta: The character who surprised me the most was an extremely minor player in THE WELL OF TEARS who took on a much bigger role in this book. I never consciously intended for her to come forward as she has, but she was an unstoppable force. I think readers who remember Ariane from Book One will be surprised by her too.
Alwen, the heroine in Book One, has always been the most difficult character in this series to write and continued to challenge me in Book Two. I still don’t know why she confounds me so, but I am resigned to it now.
TQ: The Dream Stewards series is Fantasy. What appeals to you about this genre? Are there any other genre or sub-genres is which you'd like to write?
Roberta: What appeals to me about the Fantasy genre? Oh, that’s easy –the world building. No question. There’s just nothing like giving your imagination free rein – the possibilities are endless. I basically get to play out my daydreams – for a living. What could be better?
But I do like to write in other genres – all speculative fiction, of course, for the same reasons. I recently tried my hand at a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller – a novella titled AFTERSHOCK which was released in January by StoryFront (another Amazon Publishing imprint).
TQ: What's next?
Roberta: Book Three of The Dream Stewards, of course, and I am also at work on a full length book based on that recently published novella.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Roberta: It’s always a pleasure to visit The Qwillery. I’d hang out all the time if you’d let me, but then I’d never get any writing done ;).
The Keys to the Realms
The Dream Stewards 2
47North, April 22, 2014
Trade Paperback and Kindle eBook, 360 pages
The Dream Stewards 2
47North, April 22, 2014
Trade Paperback and Kindle eBook, 360 pages
In this sequel to The Well of Tears, the last bastion of magic standing against the dark forces threatening the prophecy of the Ancients has narrowly escaped destruction—wrought by the sorcery of one of its own.
Reeling from loss and betrayal, the Stewardry at Fane Gramarye is in chaos. The young acolyte Glain is called to replace the traitor as Proctor and serve the new Sovereign. It has fallen to Alwen to lead the order and find the remaining Guardians of the Realms and their keys of power. Only then will the king of the prophecy win his throne.
When assassins breach the protective veil surrounding the Fane, an unexpected evil is revealed. The renegade mage Machreth has garnered new allies and his agents might already have infiltrated the ranks of the order. Glain must discover where the treachery lies before Machreth bends destiny to his will, but the truth is shrouded by secrets. Though her visionary powers are strong, there are things Glain can’t foresee. Can she still trust those she calls her friends—or her own heart? For even Glain has something to hide…
The Well of Tears
The Dream Stewards 1
47North, September 18, 2012
Trade Paperback and Kindle eBook, 325 pages
The Dream Stewards 1
47North, September 18, 2012
Trade Paperback and Kindle eBook, 325 pages
More than five centuries after Camelot, a new king heralded by prophecy has appeared. As one of the last sorceresses of a dying order sworn to protect the new ruler at all costs, Alwen must answer a summons she thought she might never receive.
Bound by oath, Alwen returns to Fane Gramarye, the ancient bastion of magic standing against the rise of evil. For alongside the prophecy of the benevolent king, a darker foretelling envisions the land overrun by a demonic army and cast into ruin.
Alwen has barely set foot in her homeland when she realizes traitors lurk within the Stewardry, threatening to destroy it. To thwart the corruption and preserve her order, Alwen must draw upon power she never knew she possessed and prepare to sacrifice everything she holds dear—even herself. If she fails, the prophecy of peace will be banished, and darkness will rule.
The Giveaway
What: One entrant will win an signed print copy of The Keys to the Realms from Roberta! US / Canada / UK / Australia Only
How: Log into and follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US, Canadian, UK or Australian mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59PM US Eastern Time on April 30, 2014. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
*Giveaway rules and duration are subject to change without any notice.*
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have not read Ms. Trahan's work but after looking at the descriptions and fabulous reviews it is on my TBR to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing this series making the rounds lately, and it sounds pretty interesting. I'm surprised that I hadn't heard more about it earlier, given the buzz that it's now generating.
ReplyDeleteI love the covers. They draw as mush as the blurb.
ReplyDeletethese look and sound fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing! This is the first I've come across this author and book and I'm so excited to "meet" them!
ReplyDeleteGood to *meet* you too, Erin :)
DeleteI love the book covers and it is a plus bonus to me since I love reading about Camelot.
ReplyDeleteHi Kai. I love the covers, too! Just wanted to say, so you aren't disappointed, that my series is set in Cornwall and Wales about 500 years AFTER Camelot. These stories are about another Welsh King who accomplished amazing things. They have an Arthurian feel to the, but they aren't actually about Arthur...
DeleteSounds a great read
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your newest release. I must say that the covers are amazing. I need to start this series soon I think.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary <3
Deletebook sounds good!
ReplyDeleteInteresting books
ReplyDelete