#BlogTour, #AuthorInterview and #Giveaway--> The Fire and The Light by Tracy A. Akers
Title: The Fire and the Light
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Print Length: 396 PagesLanguage: English
Blurb: In the world of Aredyrah, things are not what they seem. An ancient Purge has plunged the island into darkness, isolating its cultures by superstition and fear. Dayn lives in the northernmost region of Kirador and knows nothing of the great city-state of Tearia far to the south. All he knows is the Kiradyns are the only survivors of a god’s fiery wrath, and he looks nothing like them. Meanwhile Ruairi, a prince destined for greatness, resents his Tearian obligations, longing for a life he can never hope to have. But when tragedy takes his beauty as well as his name, he finds himself exiled by the very beliefs he once held dear. Both boys long for acceptance in societies that cling to religious ideals, but when fate throws them together, Dayn and Ruairi discover some unwelcome truths: not only are they bound by blood and prophecy, but the teachings they have been raised on are nothing more than lies. Will they reveal what they have learned, risking their lives and the security of those they love? Or will they keep silent, denying their destinies and the future enlightenment of their world?
Buy the Book
Ebooks: KindlePaperback:
Meet The Author
Tracy A. Akers is a former language arts teacher and an award-winning author. She grew up in Arlington, Texas, but currently lives in Florida with her husband, three naughty pugs, and a feisty chihuahua. She graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in Education, and has taught in both public and private schools. She currently divides her time between writing, lecturing, spending time with her family, and costuming at fantasy and science fiction conventions.
Ms. Akers has won numerous awards for her Souls of Aredyrah fantasy series for young adults. As a Florida Book Awards winner, she was acknowledged for her contribution to YA literature by the Governor of Florida during the 2008 Florida Heritage Month Awards Ceremony. Books One and Two of the Aredyrah Series are included in the Florida Department of Education’s 2008 Just Read Families Recommended Summer Reading List. In addition, Ms. Akers has been an invited guest author at major book events and writers’ conferences, a panelist at fantasy and science fiction conventions, and was on the steering committee for Celebration of the Story, a literary event held at Saint Leo University.
The Souls of Aredyrah
INTERVIEW
Today, Tracy A. Akers is here on Njkinny's World of Books for virtual coffee. Lets welcome her.
Welcome to Njkinny's World of Books, Tracy!
I am so happy to have you here and look forward to getting to know you better. :)
Lets start the interview.
Q1. Tell us
something about yourself.
I was born and
raised in Texas, but haven’t lived in the Lone Star State for about twenty
years. I’m told I still have a Texas accent. However, I must disagree. Everyone
says y’all, right? My public school years were pretty typical of those of my
generation: girls were not allowed to wear pants to school—ever—and boys were paddled in the hallway for
being disruptive in class. These days, girls can wear pretty much anything, and
spanking is strictly forbidden. As Filch would say, “A pity
they let the old punishments die. Was a time detention would find you hanging
by your thumbs in the dungeons. God, I miss the screaming.”
It begins the epic tale of two boys, one an outcast, the
other a fallen prince, whose chance meeting sets them on a path of danger,
discovery, and hidden truths.
Q3. What inspired you to write this book?
I did not initially set out to write a book, I set out to
draw a picture, but the image I envisioned refused to cooperate with the pencil.
A very stubborn character named Ruairi was determined to be drawn instead. During
the process of creating (and battling with) the drawing, Ruairi introduced me
to his world, his friends, and the challenges they faced. It was so oddly
profound, I figured I should at least jot down a few notes! I didn’t know at
the time that it would turn into four novels. And I still don’t know why he
chose me to tell it.
Q4. What has been the biggest surprise or learning
experience you've seen through the process of seeing your book get published?
The biggest surprise would be the many awards it has won for
YA Literature. The biggest learning experience has been how competitive the
book industry is, and how competitive I’m not.
Q5. Tell me about a fun moment you've had while writing your
book The Fire and the Light
.
Sometimes characters seem to pop out of nowhere. I met one
at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure while I was waiting for family
members to get off a ride. As I sat nearby, watching the line snake around, I
saw an antsy young boy interacting with a very stoic teenage boy. The younger boy was my inspiration for
Kerrik, a character in the story who brings goodness and hope to Ruairi’s
unhappy life.
Q6. Which character from your book The Fire and the Light
is
your favorite and why?
Well, I’d have to say Ruairi because he’s my muse, but
Kerrik has been the most fun to write. I love Kerrik’s humor, innocence, and energy.
He always makes me smile.
Q7. What is the one thing that you hope readers take away
after reading your book?
Whatever they need or want, but mostly I hope they enjoyed
the visit.
Q8. If someone were to tell you one thing before you started
writing, what do you wish it had been?
Be less trusting. I know that sounds terrible, but as I said
earlier, the book business is very competitive. If something sounds too good to
be true, it’s probably fiction.
Q9. What kind of research did you do for this book? Did you
travel for conducting the research?
Q10. How did you first know that you had the writing bug in
you?
I knew the moment I started jotting down notes about Ruairi.
Before that, I’d never considered being a writer. After that, I couldn't imagine being anything else.
Q11. What is the best thing you have done in your life?
Q11. What is the best thing you have done in your life?
There are two things that make me the most proud. One was
going to college during my middle-age years and graduating with honors. The
second was writing (and completing) The Souls of Aredyrah
series.
Q12. What are your favorite hobbies?
Writing of course, but I also enjoy costuming on a budget. A
friend of mine and I have a convention boutique called Two Ladies and a Con. We
work a few fantasy conventions each year, selling clothes and accessories that
are perfect for creating unique and affordable costumes or adding interest to
everyday wardrobes. We call it persona-wear.
Q13. If you had to
describe yourself using three words, it would be…
A nice person. (That’s three words.)
Q14. What are your pet peeves or interesting things about
you that you dislike? What are the interesting things about you that you like?
I dislike my inability to stick to a diet.
I like that I’m a grandma who actually knows what Steampunk
is.
Q15. What's the one thing, you can't live without?
Mexican food.
Q16. What are the four things you always take care of while
writing your books?
Not the housework, that’s for sure.
Q17. 5 things you would like to share with all the aspiring
authors out there?
- Write every chance
you get, even if it’s only in your head.
- Write the story you
were given, not one to fit a particular genre.
- Write because you
love it, not to fill your pocketbook.
- Write even if
others tell you you’re not good at it.
- Write because the
universe picked you to be a writer. It’s an honor to be picked by the
universe.
Q18. Where can people find you on the Internet?
Right now I have no Tracy A. Akers website, but I do have a
series website: http://www.soulsofaredyrah.com.
That’s where you can find series information, my events calendar, writing tips,
character illustrations, etc.
Q19. What’s next up for you, writing-wise?
I am working on a new novel that takes place in Aredyrah but
is set during a different time, more toward the present. Readers of The Souls of Aredyrah
series will likely recognize a few descendants of earlier characters, as well
as see the progress (or lack of it) that some of the cultures have made. It
might be a stand-alone book, or it might turn into a series; I have it mapped
out both ways. I plan to shop it, so I guess it will depend on what the
publisher thinks.
Q20. Before you go how about you share the 5 things that no
one knows about you?
- The only class I ever failed was high school French. I am not proud.
- I’m terrified of spiders, but have “pet” spiders on my front porch.
- I collect pug figurines. I really do need to stop.
- I think Charlie Hunnam is the handsomest actor on the planet.
- I have a fear of dialing wrong numbers. (Not sure what that’s called. It’s so weird, there probably isn't even a name for it.)
Buy the Book
Series Reading Order
Book 1: The Fire and The Light
Book 1: The Fire and The Light
Paperback: Amazon
Book 3: The Taking of the Dawn
Ebooks: Kindle
Paperback: Amazon
Book 4: The Shifting of the Stars
Ebooks: Kindle
Paperback: Amazon
Find & Buy The Complete Series From
Amazon.in : Souls of Aredyrah Series
Amazon.com: The Souls of Aredyrah
Book 3: The Taking of the Dawn
Ebooks: Kindle
Paperback: Amazon
Book 4: The Shifting of the Stars
Ebooks: Kindle
Paperback: Amazon
Find & Buy The Complete Series From
Amazon.in : Souls of Aredyrah Series
Amazon.com: The Souls of Aredyrah
GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for the giveaway..!!
ReplyDeleteI nominated you for a Liebster Award..
http://gatewaytodifferentworld.blogspot.in/
Thanks Ipshita..I am so happy.. :)
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