Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since I was about eleven or twelve. I’ve always been a creative person, and very talkative, so I just started writing as I could talk to myself for HOURS and no one could tell me to stop (:P). My day job is as a consultant doing stuff that sounds cool but is quite boring, and I’ve run 2 marathons and rescue homeless dogs in my spare time. I also had an entirely secret life as a writer which nobody really knew about until four months ago when I, to borrow a phrase, “came out” as a science fiction and fantasy author. Now I’m in the process of selling my first book so that I can lose the day job.
There are tons of books that are half written, sketched out, or written when I was 10 years younger. The only book that is in any shape to be published is Double Life, the first in the Razia series. There are obviously the other four books (in varying degrees of completion), and three or four other multi-book series up in the ol’ mind palace and scattered amongst my files.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Double Life is the first book in the Razia series. It was actually the last book that I “thought up,” so to speak (or rather, developed the world for). I was inspired by Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider; I thought she was so incredibly powerful and badass – and unflappable, that I wanted to write a character like that.
What has emerged instead is more a reflection of me – someone who has the seeds to be a take-no-prisoners-gal, but is held back by her own baggage. As I was putting the finishing touches on this book, I was going through some therapy to deal with some baggage of my own, and was astonished to see a lot of my own emotional issues being displayed through my writing.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Long story short (if you want the whole story, check out my blog), there is a writer that lives in my head and her name is Suni (hence the S. in my nom de plume). She lives in tepid peace with the other half of me – the consultant. The two of them argue a lot about how to spend our time, amongst other things.
Suni does what she wants, basically, which usually means that when I have nothing to do, she’s uninterested in doing work on her book, but when we have tons to do and scheduled, she suddenly wants to blow everything off and stay home.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hands down, J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series. But actually more because it allowed me to hone my craft in fanfiction in-between working on original stuff. I was interested in exploring his parents’ lives, and wrote this great four book series called “Deer to Me” and so on. it was fairly popular for a while.
To be honest, for a while, I wasn’t reading any fantasy books (aah!). I would get about four pages in and I would start thinking about my books, and how much work needed to be done, and so on and so forth. There are a lot of half-read books littered about my iPad.
What are you working on now?
I’m always daydreaming about my books, so whatever Suni decides we’re going to work on today. I’ve been playing around with the sequencing of Book 2 of the Razia Series. There’s a lot that has changed in the Book 1 that has changed the story in Book 2. But I’m really excited to delve more into some of the new characters, and explore more of the ones you already know.
Well, you *will* know them when the book comes out next month!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The more that I play around with Goodreads, the more it seems to pay me back. I’ve been heavily promoting my Facebook page and in the three months that’s been up, I’ve only amassed 117 likes – most of those coming from either strong-arming friends and one week of Facebook ads (~$35). Whereas my free giveaway has over 120 entries and my book is on the to-read shelf of 57 people – after just three days. I’m stil active with the other stuff, but I feel like Goodreads is going to be my marketing method of choice.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Besides the writing stuff, which I’ll get to later, you are your brand. Invest the money, get a headshot, a domain name, professional hosting. Use the same picture across every-single-outlet, and don’t vary your story. Some users may see the same information twice, but most will only see it once – if that. Also, use your network to find like-minded folks.
As for the writing – you know how to do it. Just shut up and write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everything happens for a reason. You are where you are because of the life events that have transpired to this point, and you will be where you will be thanks to other life events. There’s no need to regret any decision you’ve made, or dwell on the past or worry about the future. Wherever you end up, there you are.
What are you reading now?
A lovely friend heard my rant about not being able to read any books without getting sidetracked and sent over some recommendations – including the Dresden files. Let me tell you – 23 pages in and I was hooked! I’m trying to read at least 25 books before the year is out so I can broaden my horizons in my chosen genre and whatnot. Send me your recs!!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am actually doing the unthinkable and quitting my job as a lovely and high-powered consultant to become a full-time novelist (and if that doesn’t pay the bills, I’ll think of something else). It’s terrifying and liberating all at the same time, but I feel very confident and secure in my decision. (So buy my book!)
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?
“How to build a raft?” (No that was shamelessly pulled from a pinterest photo of the actor who plays Fred Weasley)
To be honest, I would just beg for unlimited source of paper so I would have somewhere to write down all the thoughts in my head.
Author Websites and Profiles
S. Usher Evans Website
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