Interview With Author Rhiannon Hargadon
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book! I’ve written many short stories and many *unfinished* book ideas, but this is the first to ever make it to publishing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Queens of Moirai – it’s a dark fantasy folklore, origin story of the Grim Reaper. I’ve always wanted to write a story that was for girls like me who aren’t “pink and rainbows and butterflies”, for the girls who wore black and loved Slytherin. And that started me on this journey of wanting to write a book about the Three Fates, and then about the descendant of the controller of death, Atropos. What would her granddaughter be like? And then, I thought, oh, well….. what if the granddaughter of Atropos is the grim reaper, and it’s not a man at all, but a tall, awkward girl, and she wears an enchanted mask?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Since I have a full time job and two small children, most of my writing is done after 8pm. Or, like right now, its a Saturday and I’m sitting on the porch, and my two year old is playing with her toys at my feet while I’m filling this out.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Without a doubt, NK Jemisin and George RR Martin. I read over 50 books a year, and many of those are fine, they are ok, but when you read truly great writing – you immediately feel the story, you are consumed by the characters, you “see” what’s happening so vividly. I aspire to write as well as either of them.
What are you working on now?
Queens of Moirai is a series, so I’m working on the prequel, which is called Queen of the Blood Throne. This is the story of the grim reaper’s mother, a very morally gray character who made many bad choices.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Kindlepreneur. It’s so full of ideas and research and insights… it has undoubtedly made me better at book marketing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you can, hire a developmental editor. My “fifth draft” that I sent to my developmental editor was made so much better by her inputs and experience. It is one of the most worthwhile things I’ve done, not just to improve the book itself, but because the coaching has made me a better writer.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Can’t never could.” My father said this to me all the time and now that I’m in my forties, I’ve seen far too many people just assume that they can’t do something without really trying. And simply trying, simply putting in the work, can allow you to do incredible things. I’ve maybe come to believe that great things are made possible by working on something daily, over years.
What are you reading now?
Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu
What’s next for you as a writer?
mmm I’d like to write a true sci-fi thriller novel. I have an idea for one, and it’s already outlined, I just haven’t committed to it yet.
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?
Harry Potter, Sorcerer’s stone
Khalil Gibran, The Prophet
Sarah J Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury
George RR Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire
Author Websites and Profiles
Rhiannon Hargadon Amazon Profile
Rhiannon Hargadon’s Social Media Links