Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Selah and I’m a writoholic! I love writing epic fantasy and reading it, although I do read and write other things occasionally too. I’ve written three books. Dream of a Vast Blue Cavern is my first book, available now, Dream of a City of Ruin is my second book and will release on March 20th, and Shattered Dreams is my third book, still in draft stage. All are part of the Dreams of QaiMaj Series.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dream of a City of Ruin is my latest book, and it is largely inspired by the state of the world today. I see how divided people are by ideology, and how so many problems could be solved if people could overcome their differences and work together. This is a strong theme in DCR. Of course, the characters are facing unbelievable odds, so they have no choice–it’s cooperate and survive or be divided and die.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
You mean, other than spending most of my time in fantasy worlds as an adult? Probably my weirdest writing thing is that I write better when I walk. I have a treadmill desk for this purpose, so I can walk and write at the same time! The oxygen flow to my brain seems to help, although it could all be an illusion : )
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to count! I love so many books in all genres. Probably my very biggest influence has been epic fantasy author Robin Hobb. I gobble up everything she’s ever written. Reading her taught me that epic fantasy can be character driven but still transport the reader to another world and sweep them up in adventure. I strive to write as well as she does.
What are you working on now?
Right now I am tying together some loose plot ends in my draft of Shattered Dreams, Dreams of QaiMaj Book II. I drafted the whole thing in one month during Nanowrimo, so it’s very different from books I’ve drafted over the course of years. It is fun and challenging. My worst fear is that I will mess it up while trying to improve it!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads giveaways, by far. Nothing else has gotten me as much visibility, reviews, and loyal fans for as low a price (the cost of books plus shipping).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t compromise your ideals. Remember why you started doing this in the first place. Was it because you love writing with a passion? Yes. Was it to torture yourself with self-hatred when you don’t sell as many copies as you wanted to? No. Don’t panic, keep writing, and be patient!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. This has turned out to be true every single time.
What are you reading now?
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, Dreams of QaiMaj will be four books, so I’m a little over half-way there. After I finish this series, I’ll be exploring some other projects that have been in the back of my mind for awhile. Still epic fantasy, but a new cast of characters and a whole different storyworld.
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?
Can all of Robin Hobbs books count as one? No? Darn. Well, I just read The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams, so I would probably take Stone of Farewell and To Green Angel Tower. That should keep me busy for awhile. For my other two, I’d bring Kushiel’s Dart (I can’t die not knowing what will happen to Phedre) and a blank journal–plenty of time to write on a desert island!
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