Happy New Year, readers! Today, I welcome international bestselling author J.C. McKenzie, who joins us to talk about her new urban fantasy novel, CONSPIRACY OF RAVENS. Let's dive right in!
1) How did you get started writing?
I've been interested in writing
stories from a young age. My mom (also an author) encouraged me to
write. The first "book" I wrote was in grade 7 and it detailed what
happened *after* the happily ever after in Snow White's story. I used to
imagine fantasy worlds and designed maps in high school, but it would
take awhile for me to complete my first novel. This happened when I
returned to Canada
from living abroad for a few years and found myself in that awkward “I’m
broke and have no job”
stage of life. Like any other time I faced anxiety-inducing events, I
turned to
reading for an affordable escape from reality and stress relief. After
binging
on several fantasy series, I started having strange dreams and the urge
to
write them down. I hadn’t had this feeling since high school, which I
ignored
at the time, because I was too busy withering in self-doubt like pretty
much
every other teenager on the face of this Earth. This time, the push was
more forceful. I wanted to write a
story of a fictitious woman who wasn’t me, nor meant to be a fantastical
version of me in any way. I viewed the characters like a spectator and
the
dreams of the woman’s life and journey were so vivid and real, I HAD to write them down. And since I had
no job, I had the time! This woman’s story ended up being the first manuscript
I ever completed. I called it “Earthen.” The manuscript was 80,000 words, 300
pages, and a hot, hot mess. It collected proverbial dust on my hard drive but I went on to write other stories.
2) What interests or excites you most about your genre(s)?
I love escapism, especially
right now. I think that's what makes fantasy and all its subgenres
appeal to me so much--the ability to escape in a fictitious world.
3) Who or what is your favorite inspiration when writing?
My mom, Jo-Ann Carson, is one of my biggest inspirations, along with
Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews and Faith Hunter to name a few. When
writing, I actually try to *not* think about other writers. I have a bad
case of imposter syndrome, and if I thought of all the authors I admire
and how well they craft stories, I wouldn't get a single word down!
4) Tell me about your latest book or work in progress.
Conspiracy of Ravens is best described as a dystopic
urban romantasy, which is an urban fantasy with strong romantic and
dystopic elements. Set in Vancouver after a "faepocalypse", the main
character, Raven, is faced with tough decisions to save her brother.
Here's the blurb:
Raven
Crawford knows better than to venture into the seductive world of the
dark fae or agree to any of their salacious promises. She plans to pay
off her debts so she can get on with her life and stay far away from the
denizens of the Underworld.
Unfortunately, her numbskull twin steals from the most tempting and
lethal fae of them all. Now, Raven must help the Lord of Shadows get
back what her idiot brother stole. Her only weapons? Just a little
ingenuity and a whole lot of snark. It’s suicide for sure, but she’ll do
anything to protect her twin.
5) Please share with us the first paragraph of your latest work.
The bell above the entrance door chimed and Raven’s impending doom
walked into Dan’s Diner. She froze with a coffee carafe in one hand and
an empty mug in the other.
Buy CONSPIRACY OF RAVENS for a limited-time price of $0.99, now through February 5th, at:
About J.C. McKenzie:
J. C. McKenzie is a book-loving, gumboot-wearing, unapologetic science
geek. She predominantly writes urban fantasy and post-apocalyptic dystopian
fantasy with strong romantic elements. When she’s not spinning tales, she’s in
the classroom sharing her passion for science and mathematics while secretly warping
the young impressionable minds of our future to carry out her evil plans for
world domination. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family.
