Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in 1991 in Russia, Kamchatka. When I was 7, we moved to Stavropol, a small southern city not far from the Black Sea. My family found new friends here, and many of them had impressive fantasy libraries at home, so I’ve started reading fantasy very early. At 16 I started reading in English, as it was a lot more interesting than reading in my own language. My first idea for a book came to me when I was 18, and it wasn’t very serious at first, but it developed into something bigger 4 years later when I started re-writing it in English. I got enough material for a series, and the first book was published in December 2014 at Amazon (Sky Ghosts: All for One). The second book – Sky Ghosts: Marco – was written in just 10 days and published in August 2015.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s Sky Ghosts: Marco, and it was inspired by my readers. Their interest to Marco gave me the idea to write a side story in between the two parts of the trilogy where I could put more clues to the main storyline and deepen the characters’ relationship. The book is receiving a very positive feedback, and I’m happy my readers found it entertaining and touching.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I only write when I know I have the best idea for the next scene, and for that, I need to zone out and live that scene as one of my characters or even a few of them. The best time for that is before sleep, so I often end up writing down something in the dark on my phone.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sergei Lukyanenko, David Eddings, Cassandra Clare would certainly be at the top of the list.
What are you working on now?
Now I’m working on the book 2 of the Sky Ghosts trilogy, which is going to be 100 times more complex than the first, and the chapter outline alone is already impressive. Over the past two years I’ve saved more than 70 scenes and 20 plot twists for two books in my head, and the process of tying it all up together is intense but fascinating.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ll leave out promo services that blast out Kindle Free Days and say that it’s Goodreads. Posting there has brought over 100 readers who’ve contacted me personally for free review copies, and it helped me double my number of reviews in a couple of months. Most of my loyal fans are from there or other book forums.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you’re planning to self-publish your work, research and learn everything you can about it before doing it. There are a lot of ways to make it easier and more effective.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Reviews are no place for the author. If negative reviews are too hard for you to take, find someone who’ll read them for you and tell you if there’s any useful critique.
What are you reading now?
Patrick Rothfuss – The Wise Man’s Fear. I think I liked the first book in the series a lot more.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Something about plants and herbs, another one with practical tips for living in the wild, and a really huge one with blank pages where I’d write with my blood.
Author Websites and Profiles
Alexandra Engellmann Website
Alexandra Engellmann Amazon Profile
Alexandra Engellmann’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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