Interview With Author Kristina Elyse Butke
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! I’m an author based out of Ohio who writes YA fantasy. My inspirations include fairy tales, anime and manga, and the time I spent living abroad in Japan and Wales. I’ve written two novels–one was my graduate thesis at Seton Hill University, and the other is my official debut, SON OF THE SIREN, published by Oliver-Heber Books. It releases July 2, 2024.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
SON OF THE SIREN has a lot of inspiration from fairy tales, namely three: Allerleirauh, The Wild Swans, and The Little Mermaid. I took major motifs from each story, gender swapped the characters, and mashed everything together into a new tale. I wrote it while I was living in Japan, so a lot of locations in Japan, like Yakushima and Takachiho, inspired the fantastical settings in the novel. Some folklore from Japan also made an appearance, namely the myths surrounding the kitsune.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
For the longest time I would write with a hat on — literally, my “thinking cap.” It was an old mariner’s/sea captain’s cap and I would put it on while writing. I had it for a good while, but when I moved to Japan, I lost track of it, and learned to write without the hat on. I miss it, though. It functioned, in a way, as a sort of device that cleared my mind and made me feel ready to work. That hat was like one big “on” button.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Juliet Marillier, Holly Black, Alix E. Harrow, and Margaret Rogerson are all inspirations. Juliet Marillier was the big one–I read her novel DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST in college and it made me want to write a novel influenced by fairy tales. Holly Black’s FOLK OF THE AIR trilogy inspired me to write about the fae in my fantasy SON OF THE SIREN; Alix E. Harrow’s FRACTURED FABLES got me to view fairy tales in a whole new way; and Margaret Rogerson’s SORCERY OF THORNS is the influence for my current work in progress, THE NAME AND THE KEY.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a YA fantasy trilogy. The first book in the series is THE NAME AND THE KEY. It’s about Lily, a girl who discovers her mother’s body in the marshes, and the curse that follows her through every reflective surface–her mother’s corpse begging her to “open the door.” Lily’s childhood friend Andresh may hold the key to breaking the curse, but his own secrets may destroy them both.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find promotion to be a bit difficult and I don’t really have a budget to do so, so I try to do as much free promo as possible. I promote on social media and use Book Brush to make all of my graphics. I promote heavily on my author website and in my author newsletter. I also rely on the wonderful team at Oliver-Heber Books to help round things out–they have a wonderful newsletter and blog. Lately I’ve been looking for blogs that offer free promotion, and that’s how I found this wonderful site! I’m so appreciative for the interview!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be kind to yourself and try not to compare your success to other people’s. A lot of publishing is outside of your control, and you need to realize that it’s not a reflection of your talent or ability if things aren’t working out the way you wish. Just keep writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Try not to fight your process–this was something my mentor Tim Waggoner taught me when I was in graduate school. I was so worried that I wasn’t doing things “the proper way.” I struggle with writing daily and I edit as I go, and I thought I had to force myself to change because this often goes against common advice. But in doing so, I actually made my writing process worse for me. So I relied on Tim’s advice to not fight yourself, and let yourself write in the way that works for you.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a manga called DAYS OF DIAMOND by Ohashi Hirai. It’s about Jiro, a young baseball player whose innate talents often alienate others, and as a result, Jiro is lonely and doubts himself. I just finished the arc where Jiro joins the All Japan Under-12 baseball team and they go to Taiwan to play other international teams. It’s been a great read so far and I really feel for Jiro.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on my YA fantasy trilogy. Book One: THE NAME AND THE KEY. Book Two: THE STEP AND THE WALK. Book Three: THE FEAR AND THE FLAME. I’m journeying into some darker fare, with a focus on death and trying to conquer it. Plus, there are demons, which has been great fun to write!
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?
I’d bring Holly Black’s THE CRUEL PRINCE, Margaret Rogerson’s SORCERY OF THORNS, Brigid Kemmerer’s A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, and N.K. Jemisin’s THE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINGDOMS.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kristina Elyse Butke Amazon Profile
Kristina Elyse Butke’s Social Media Links
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