Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the author of the fantasy series REBEL VAMPIRES. Blood Dragons was my debut novel and Blood Shackles is the second book. Blood Renegades is published spring 2017. I’m a fantasy and paranormal romance fanatic and music junkie – cut me open and I bleed Nirvana… I spend my time falling in love with the rebels fighting their way out of my head… and onto the page.
I’m a traditionally published short story writer under the name R. A. Johns. I write fantasy for rebels – dark romance with a thriller edge.
I wrote my first fantasy novel at the age of ten, when I discovered the weird worlds inside my head were more exciting than double swimming. My teacher called my parents, concerned about the ‘strange fantasy and science fiction books’, which I was avidly reading. My parents were rather proud of that. Since then I’ve studied history at Oxford University, run a theatre company (my critically acclaimed plays have been described as ‘uncomfortable, unsettling and uneasily true to life’) and worked with disability charities.
I head the Oxford writing group Dreaming Spires and am a member of the British Fantasy Society. But usually? I’m lost in my own secret worlds. And who would want to leave them?
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Blood Shackles is out 1st November 2016. You can see it here: http://viewbook.at/BloodShackles
It is available now for pre-order.
It’s the second book in the Rebel Vampire series but is standalone. The first book in the series – Blood Dragons – was released in August: http://viewbook.at/BloodDragons
Rebel Vampires is set in the supernatural world of Blood Life, where vampires are both predator and prey. In a secret paranormal London, society is divided between First Lifers (humans) and Blood Lifers (vampires). I love vampires. But I wanted to write a vampire book for adults. Where they were not simply the hunters but also the hunted. They’ve always hidden in the shadows. But their whole species – and even the world – is threatened when at last they’re dragged into the light.
In the first book – Blood Dragons – the idea was sparked by my autistic son. He has a photographic memory. Light (the Blood Lifer in both books) has both a talent for remembering things and for numbers too. I wondered what it would be like to live through the centuries witnessing glorious wonders and devastating horrors. And remembering everything with the clarity of a photograph.
Blood Dragons is out now (e-book and paperback): http://viewbook.at/BloodDragons
There are three people in this affair…and two of them aren’t human. A rebel, a red-haired devil and a Moon Girl battle to save the world – or tear it apart.
In my latest book – Blood Shackles – the idea was sparked by freedom. Or the loss of it. Human trafficking and slavery. My husband is a police officer and it’d startled me the increase in human slavery in England. What would happen if it was the Blood Lifers, who could be trafficked? Like Taken with vampires. Light is forced to write a slave journal for his new Mistress: but can a slave truly love his Mistress? Or a Mistress their slave? What different types of freedom are there? And can Light free his family, his whole species – even himself – from their chains?
WELCOME TO THE BLOOD CLUB – WHERE THE PREDATORS… BECOME THE PREY.
http://viewbook.at/BloodShackles
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write everything out by hand, rather than onto a computer. I can’t write creatively on a computer. I can write emails, interviews and essays. But not novels, plays or short stories. For me, the same flow isn’t there. And there’s also the danger of the easy edit. On a computer you can stop. Delete. Shift around whole sections. On the page, you can’t do that. For the first draft you need to simply let it all flow out. And not edit as you go. The critical voice – which allows you to edit – shouldn’t be switched on until the second draft. That’s the one I do when I type onto the computer. After that, I do edits, which focus on different elements – and polish the text, like polishing a gem.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was eight I injured my leg and wasn’t able to walk for six months. I’d been a little tomboy until then. But that forced me to devour books. And I read two things: my mum’s entire collection of antique Dickens. And my parent’s (and local library’s) adult fantasy and science fiction. Including Brian Aldiss.
Aldiss’ books are genius for world building and hit you in the gut with their emotion: without even appearing to try. They taught me that fantasy and science fiction can be powerful. Because they can talk about our world, through new ones. Can challenge and subvert. And can do it under the guise of thrilling entertainment. It hooked me. And I never returned to children’s books again.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing the third book in the Rebel Vampires series – Blood Renegades. It’s out spring 2017.
Light has only two weeks to give his witness to a Blood Life inquiry, on trial for his life, before he’s burnt at the stake – because who wants to hear the truth? There will be ancient Long-liveds, conspiracies and of course dark romance. There may even be revolution…
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Bloggers. Having a good relationship and working well with the people around you. Being a UK based author is tough. A large number of my readers are in America – and I physically can’t get to see them or tour around easily. I can’t visit bookshops. But I can go online whenever I want. I can interact via email, my website, Facebook, Twitter and Google. I love chatting to readers, reviewers, other authors and bloggers. I’m highly social, so it works well for me. Being an author is primarily solitary. But promoting a book isn’t. You need a network. So thanks to all the fantastic people, who’ve supported me so far – as Light would say – ‘you’re blinding’!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Know your craft. I wrote plays before writing novels, so I do see it as a craft. If you have the talent, then it can be refined. You can learn by writing, just like a violinist practices for hundreds of thousands of hours to become a virtuoso. I’ve written a number of novels before these ones. Also short stories. The more you write? The better you’ll be.
2. If you’re passionate and love writing more than anything else? Live it? Breathe it? Would write even if you were never published? Then don’t stop. Don’t give up. And think how many times all writers have been knocked back. A writer will have a writer’s heart. And you’ll know it. Just keen refining, keep writing and keep trying. Writing is tough – but if it’s in your soul? It’s who you are. And don’t let anyone make you doubt that.
3. Don’t be solitary. Find a group and writers who are further along the journey than you. You can learn from them – their mistakes more than their successes if you’re wise! I head the Dreaming Spires Group in Oxford and love Book Groups and Writers Group. I’m always open to them contacting me. I think it’s important writers help each other out. Many authors will point to a writing mentor as the defining point in their career.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Be authentic.”
It doesn’t have to just apply to writing. In fact it shouldn’t. It should sink deep into who you are. To be able to present who you truly are to the world? That’s something few of us can manage.
In writing terms? It sounds easy. But it isn’t. It means strip away ostentation. Or learnt rules. It means thinking deeply about what genre you intend to write in – and why. Does it truly represent who you are – what you’re passionate about? The issues you care about? And writing them in a style and voice, which reflects that?
But the pay-off? A truly authentic voice sings off the page. It’s where great writing lies. And even greater compensation? You as a writer will feel truly passionate about your work because it will mean something to you down to your core. Because it’s authentically you. It won’t be marketing – it will be telling people about a book you love – and means something. Genuine.
That’s what Rebel Vampires means to me. Both Blood Dragons and Blood Shackles are personally important to me. They’re authentic.
That’s why it’s the best advice I’ve ever heard.
What are you reading now?
I’m rereading Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat. It’s my favourite Anne Rice novel because I love Lestat. Anne Rice has the ability to take you with her deep into the world she creates. Lestat is such a compelling and morally complex antihero.
I love antiheroes; I’ve always been drawn to the dark character, who’s searching for redemption. In plays or books, I would focus often on the minor character, who was struggling to do the right thing, rather than the hero who won the day without a second thought. If there was no struggle – no near insurmountable obstacle to overcome – where was the excitement?
In Rebel Vampires Light is just such an anti-hero on a redemptive journey. And the obstacles he has to face? Let’s just say…it’s going to be exciting…
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next year I have Blood Renegades coming out in spring. It is the third book in the Rebel Vampires series. I’m also working on several other ideas around the Rebel Vampires world.
I’ll also start work on another series but this time something different to vampires… It will, however, still be fantasy for rebels, dark romance with a thriller edge.
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?
OK, so if I was stranded, I would want books either for comfort or which would make me laugh (because come on – not much else to laugh at, right?). So…
1. Douglas Adams: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Don’t EVER see the film. Just read the book. Ever since I was a kid and I was unwell, this was my comfort book to make me snigger. So English. And so funny.
2. Mikhail Bulgakov: The Master and Margarita. The best Russian satire you’ll ever read – and if that doesn’t sell it to you…add in vampire attacks, the devil dropping in on Moscow and a vodka-glugging black cat… The best fantasy I’ve ever read.
3. Charles Dickens: Pickwick Papers. When I was eight and working my way through Dickens, this was my favourite. And still is. It was Dickens’ first novel, written when he was only 24. And it’s a genius mix of hilarious characters, farcical events and satire, which tips into the tragic. There’s nothing more English. Or reminds me more of London. I’d need that on a desert island: to think of home…
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