Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m Sonya Lawson and I like to write stories about magic with a bit of mayhem, struggle, and sass thrown in for good measure. I’ve written a lot in my life, both as an academic for many years and as a fantasy author. As of today I have two novels completed. They are a contemporary fae fantasy duology.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first novel, Sabrina and The Lady, was released in February 2022. It was inspired by (and also references) an old John Milton play from 1634 titled Comus. Hence the name of the duology – The Comus Duology. It follows the struggles of two women who are best friends. Sabrina is a human academic thrown into the fighting of the Fae court while Nin is a Fae princess doing her best to survive in and outside of that court.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I think my writing habits are pretty average. Other habits, however…
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many! Milton, of course, was a big influence on this duology in particular. I also love the classics in general. In terms of contemporary fantasy, Pratchett, Moning, Gaiman, Maas, and Hamilton are big influences on my writing. I also read widely in lots of genres, so I like to take inspiration and influence from all over, not only in fantasy.
What are you working on now?
The Comus Duology will be completed with the publication of The Queen and The Scholar in May of 2022. I’m also currently finishing up a long (30k+word) high fantasy novella featuring dragons and magic.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to book promotion, so I’m doing so much to get the word out to readers it all feels a bit of a blur.
Anywhere authors can directly relate/speak to readers (like here, social media, interview sites or podcasts) really seems like the best way forward for promotion.
My author website, sonyalawson.com, is also really useful because it has the best, most up-to-date info about me and what I’m working on at the moment. To get freebies and additional tidbits to my readers, my monthly newsletter is a huge help (and you can sign up for that on my website).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, read, and share/talk about both. That’s the best advice. The more you talk writing (your own or others) the more you learn about craft. The more you share your writing, and read what others have written, the better you become at recognizing what works for you as a writer and a reader.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A direct quote from an old grad school professor: “Sometimes good is good enough.” We try for perfection too much and realistically can never reach it. But we can get good results even if they are not perfect. I try to tell myself this often and keep it in mind, especially when I’m writing. Getting a good story out is the end goal for me. I don’t need perfection. Good is good enough.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado and All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman
What’s next for you as a writer?
My next series project is a urban fantasy quartet based in Columbus, OH that pulls on the Lovecraft mythos.
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?
Such a hard question, so I’m going to cheat just a little bit!
1. Terry Prachett – Lords and Ladies (one of the all time best books about evil elves)
2. Angela Carter – Burning Your Boats (collected short stories)
3. Laurell K Hamilton – Club Vampyre (collection of the first 3 Anita Blake novels)
4. Mary Shelley – Frankenstein (because it’s my absolute favorite novel of all time)
Author Websites and Profiles
Sonya Lawson Website
Sonya Lawson Amazon Profile
Sonya Lawson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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