1. First off, welcome to the blog. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Although writing is my passion, I love travel, good food, and trying new things. I’ve lived in four countries and four American states, am a dual British and American citizen, and currently am on sabbatical in Bologna Italy, where I just finished my latest novel, Spirits of Light and Shadow.
2. How old were you when you decided that you wanted to be a writer?
It started with a one-act puppet show I wrote, produced, and acted in at age six. Then one day, I remember my mom reading to me. I asked her whose name was that on the front of my book. I was astonished and delighted to learn that there were people whose job it was to make up stories. I’ve wanted to do for a living that ever since.
3. For those readers that haven’t had the pleasure of reading your work, can you tell us a little about the work included in the set?
Blood Faerie is the first in the six-book Caledonia Fae series. I wrote the series while living in Scotland, and the place heavily influenced and inspired the characters and setting. Here’s what it’s about:
Unjustly sentenced to death, Eilidh ran—away from faerie lands, to the streets of Perth, Scotland. Just as she has grown accustomed to exile, local police discover a mutilated body outside the abandoned church where she lives. Recognising the murder as the work of one of her own kind, Eilidh must choose: flee, or learn to tap into the forbidden magic that cost her everything.
4. Do you see yourself in any of these characters?
I suppose there’s a bit of me in all of them, good and bad. I probably identify most with the male protagonist of the story, a police constable named Quinton Munro. He has a good heart and is basically an ordinary guy. I think what I like about him is his acceptance of others and his adaptability.
5. Do you have any odd writing habits or rituals?
Like many people, I start my day with a cappuccino and answering email (I like to get certain tasks out of the way early so they don’t weigh on my mind when I’m writing.) I subscribe to Lumosity, a website full of games designed to ‘train your brain’. So after my coffee and email are done, I find that running through a few memory, flexibility, and problem solving game is as good for freeing up my thinking as a good stretch is for loosening the muscles.
6. All writers have them, but what was that a-ha moment that inspired you?
I have them all the time. Sometimes it’s a person on the street with a funky hairstyle or a snippet of overheard conversation. The more I write, the more I find inspiration all around. The opening scene in Blood Faerie was inspired by a dilapidated church in Perth’s city center. All of the real world places, streets, and landmarks in this series are based on places I’ve visited.
7. What are your most difficult scenes to write?
Ones where I kill off a character. I always hate doing it, even the bad guys.
8. Describe your ideal writing place.
By a window. For me, writing involves a lot of staring out of windows. Without one, I’m not sure I could think straight!
9. When you first started out as a writer, what were some of your biggest challenges?
Before I started self-publishing, I was stuck in what I call the query-go-round. I’d spend months sending agents a query, then a partial manuscript, then a full manuscript, only to have them say they liked it, but it wasn’t quite right for them. This went on for years. I even went through a period where I gave up on the dream of trying to publish. Finally I had a book accepted by a small publisher. I was elated, but sadly, the relationship didn’t go well. When self-publishing became a real possibility, I was reluctant at first, but in the end, decided I had nothing to lose. Best decision I ever made, but it was a long and difficult road.
10. Any advice for other writers that are just starting out?
One thing I wished I’d known was to not spend years trying to perfect one project. Now that I have eight published books under my belt, it’s clear to me that it just isn’t possible to learn everything you need to know with one book. It’s important to learn to move on, understanding that when you learn more, you can always go back and apply those lessons to older projects.
11. Are your family and friends supportive of you?
My son is now at university in Scotland, but sometimes we’ll still talk on the phone and he’ll talk through my plots with me. He’s smart and intuitive, but has a very different way of looking at things. These discussions and his support mean the world to me.
12. What do you do when you are not writing?
Reading, travelling, cooking, I love trying new things! I’m currently staying in Italy, so I am spending quite a bit of time learning Italian and discovering new foods and new ways to cook. I love it!
Thanks so much for having me on the blog today! It’s been a pleasure!
Readers can find me on my Facebook author page and on my blog. For more about my books, check out my Amazon author page.
India's latest book, Spirits of Light and Shadow, was released in May to wonderful reviews.
Book 1 of The Gods of Talmor:
When the most powerful senator in Talmor's second-largest city is cursed with dark magic, the other legislators secretly turn to his estranged son Korbin as a last, desperate chance to find a cure. With the assistance of a refugee schooled in the foreign magic of the One, Korbin seeks to help his father—and find redemption. But an ancient Spirit of Shadow sets the pair in her sights, corrupting their every hope into despair... and turning their quest for a cure into a fight for survival.
Book 2: Coming Winter 2014
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This is one of the ten titles that appears in the Faery Realms Bundle.
Unjustly sentenced to death, Eilidh ran—away from faerie lands, to the streets of Perth, Scotland. Just as she has grown accustomed to exile, local police discover a mutilated body outside the abandoned church where she lives. Recognising the murder as the work of one of her own kind, Eilidh must choose: flee, or learn to tap into the forbidden magic that cost her everything.
Caledonia Fae series:
Book 1: Blood Faerie
Book 2: Azuri Fae
Book 3: Enemy of the Fae
Book 4: Druid Lords (Coming Dec 2012)
REVIEWS:
"If you like a little magic with your murder, Blood Faerie will keep you turning the pages." L.J. Sellers, author of the bestselling Detective Jackson series
“…from page one I was pretty much hooked like a carp.” Mark Everett Stone, author of Things to Do in Denver When You’re Undead
“If you're looking for a compelling, well written mystery with a touch of romance, I highly recommend this book.” – Talli Roland, author of The Hating Game
“…by far one of the best books I have read with regards to the realm of the Fae.” – Darkissreads.com
“This novel has a lot going for it. There is tension and evident culture clashes with a splash of romance thrown in for good measure.” –ForBooksSake.net
“All in all, this is hands down one of the most unique Fae stories I have ever read before- India Drummond has truly created a beautiful world.” – Avery’s Book Nook
Available At:
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*Purchased individually, these books cost over $15 - List price $9.99 - Save 90% - Now on sale for only .99 cents!*
Enter the magical realms of Faery with these ten award-winning, bestselling fantasy authors. Each title in this sampler collection offers a new and different world full of mystery, love, and most of all, fae enchantment~
Over 1400 virtual pages, with *EXCLUSIVE* titles from Alexia Purdy, Tara Maya, and Anthea Sharp! Together, these books have over 250 5-star reviews on Amazon. (And check out Faery Worlds for more fae-themed books: amzn.com/B00DI9D5O8)
Best for ages 13 and up~
THE FAERIE GUARDIAN - RACHEL MORGAN
Kickbutt faerie Violet is about to graduate as the top guardian trainee of her class, but when an assignment goes wrong and the human boy she's meant to be protecting follows her back into the fae realm, a dangerous plot is set in motion. (298 pages)
THE WITHERING PALACE (A Dark Faerie Tale 0.1) - ALEXIA PURDY *EXCLUSIVE CONTENT*Untold darkness rules the Unseelie realm of the Land of Faerie. Hidden in this vast area, Aveta, the future queen of the Unseelie Army, perfects her gifts over lifetimes. Learning that magic isn't the only way to manipulate the world around her, this naive girl grows into a woman of strength and cunning, ultimately becoming one of the most feared leaders in Faerie. (75 pages)
DARK PROMISE - JULIA CRANE & TALIA JAGER
Rylie's life is turned upside down when a stranger knocks on the door, claiming to be her real mother. Soon she will have to face the terrifying fact that not only is she a faery, but one that has been promised to the dark prince. (240 pages)
FEYLAND: THE FIRST ADVENTURE - ANTHEA SHARP
Jennet Carter never thought hacking into her dad's new epic-fantasy sim-game would be so exciting... or dangerous. But behind the interface, dark forces lie in wait, leading her toward a battle that will test her to her limits and cost her more than she ever imagined. (65 pages)
BLOOD FAERIE - INDIA DRUMMOND
Unjustly sentenced to death, Eilidh ran--away from faerie lands to the streets of Perth, Scotland. When she discovers a human murdered by one of her own kind, she must choose: flee, or learn to tap into the forbidden magic that cost her everything. (264 pages)
HOOD & FAE (Daughters of Red Riding Hood) - TARA MAYA *EXCLUSIVE CONTENT*
Roxy Hood is just trying to make ends meet to pay her mom's medical bills. Sure, Roxy takes on some jobs of, ahem, dubious integrity, like pretending that she can speak to the dead. But hey, that's harmless. It's not like a malignant ghoul is going to attack her. Or a sexy billionaire will show up trying to buy her red jacket. Or a werewolf will attack Granny Rose. Because that would be whacked. (100 pages)
THE DARK FAE - TERRY SPEAR USA Today Bestselling Author
Alicia can recognize the mischievous fae when they show up to "play" with the humans. Only now she's faced with one highly annoyed dark fae and she's certain he knows the truth about her. She can see him, which means her life is forfeit. (184 pages)
EHRIAD - JENNA ELIZABETH JOHNSON
Cade MacRoich is Ehríad, an outcast of Eile. While hunting Otherworldly monsters in the mortal world, he discovers Meghan, a young woman whose magic seems very familiar ... Three scenes from Faelorehn - Book One of the Otherworld Trilogy, told from Cade's perspective. (84 pages)
ONCE (Gypsy Fairy Tale) - DANA MICHELLE BURNETT
Harmony's life will never be the same... Every day is just as normal, and just as boring, as the one before it... And then the Carnival comes to town. Suddenly, Harmony's small town world is overtaken by the handsome Kieran and she discovers that not all fairy tales are pretend. (140 pages)
FAE HORSE: A Faery Tale - ANTHEA SHARP *EXCLUSIVE CONTENT*
Accused as witch, Eileen must flee for her life, leaving her village and true love behind. With her pursuers closing in, she chances across a strange black horse - but can she pay the price of escape?
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