Tuesday, June 20, 2017

BLOG TOUR: INTERVIEW WITH ANDI O'CONNOR, AUTHOR OF CALL TO WAR @oconnerandi #blogtour



Andi O'Connor is the award-winning author The Dragonath Chronicles, The Vaelinel Trilogy, and The Legacy of Ilvania. She’s written multiple books, including the critically acclaimed Silevethiel, which is the 2015 Best Indie Book Award winner for Science Fiction/Fantasy, and the 2015 New Apple Official Selection for Young Adult. Silevethiel was also named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2013. Andi's short story collection, Redemption, is a 2014 Kindle Book Awards Semifinalist.

You can frequently find Andi as a ​guest panelist at Comic Cons throughout the country including the Rhode Island Comic Con, Philcon, Conclave, WizardWorld, and Chessiecon. Andi also writes for Niume where she provides writing tips, advice, and insight on her career as an author. You can connect with Andi on
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information, visit Andi’s website.

About the Book:


Book Blurb:
 
Darrak's adventure concludes with this thrilling finale of The Dragonath Chronicles!  

Following the betrayal of two of his trusted companions and a devastating battle in Mystandia, Darrak's talents are desperately needed by the citizens of both Earth and Dragonath. Torn with the decision of where his loyalty should remain, he finally decides to confide in Andillrian. Together, they craft a plan they hope will save Darrak's home planet, but their optimism is short-lived.

The Hellborn's army has begun the march to war.

With less than two weeks of preparation remaining, their weaknesses become unavoidably apparent. Planning for defeat suddenly becomes as important as planning for victory. Darrak's insecurities continue until the moment the first arrows begin to fly. He can only hope that help from a few unlikely sources will be enough.

For if they fail, Dragonath will fall.

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Thanks for this interview, Andi.  Can we begin by having you tell us about yourself from a writer’s standpoint?

I write Fantasy, and lately I’ve been leaning toward the darker side of the genre. I’m totally a pantster and don’t plan anything out before I begin writing. The thought of an outline is restricting to me. I prefer to let the characters lead me through and tell me their story. My process is extremely reactive, but that’s what works for me!

When not writing, what do you like to do for relaxation and/or fun?

I’m a ballet girl and take class about three or four times a week when I’m not traveling. I also run when I can, usually on the treadmill in the basement, but hey, it counts!

Congratulations on your new book! Can you give us the very first page of your book so that we can get a glimpse inside?

Darrak stared into the fire, shivering despite the intense heat radiating from the flames. Three days had passed since he'd read the entry in Mionee's journal revealing the spell to save Earth. And he had yet to tell anyone.
He'd memorized the spell that first day, bewildered that he'd been handed the very thing he'd spent weeks tormenting over. Despite everything happening here on Dragonath, he'd never lost sight of saving his home planet. He'd spent almost every waking moment obsessing over finding a way to nullify the effects of Mionee's spell.
Then suddenly, the very woman who'd caused his people so much suffering, and who had ordered the murders of his parents, provided him with all of the answers he'd needed. In an instant, she'd lifted a tremendous weight from his shoulders. He could go home. He could save his people. He could help those on Earth repair the damage that had been done to their planet.
But he hadn't. He'd stayed on Dragonath, training to fight a war by day and mulling over his predicament at night. He couldn't leave. The people here needed him as much as those on Earth. Only he stood a chance of defeating the Hellborn, and even then, he'd need the help of every single person in Krémarra.
If he left, people all over Dragonath would be forced into slavery or killed. But if he stayed, he'd send billions of people and animals on Earth to extinction. His home would be a barren planet devoid of any life.

Would you say it’s been a rocky road for you in regards to getting your book written and published or pretty much smooth sailing?  Can you tell us about your journey?

Call To War was actually pretty smooth. I didn’t have difficulty writing it, and the editing process went without difficulty. The cover was actually a premade cover by my designer that fit perfectly with the story and absolutely nothing had to be changed. Formatting was easy as I’d created a template for the other books in the series. Even the printing went smooth! I got the books weeks before I expected!

If you had to summarize your book in one sentence, what would that be?

Tormented by where he truly belongs and where his loyalties should remain, Darrak gathers help from unlikely sources and prepares for battle against the Hellborn who is determined to claim rule over all of Dragonath.

What makes your book stand out from the rest?

It’s epic fantasy with a twist. Darrak, the main character, is from Earth. But, although there is technically space travel as he and other characters travel between Earth and Dragonath, it’s still fantasy. All the traveling is done with magic!

If your book was put in the holiday section of the store, what holiday would that be and why?

The dark, heavy themes and paranormal elements make it perfect for the Halloween section!

Would you consider turning your book into a series or has that already been done?

It’s already been done. Call To War is actually the third and final book in The Dragonath Chronicles.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on the third and final book in my other series, The Vaelinel Trilogy. It’s tentatively scheduled for release in 2018, though still without a title! I’m also working on another collection of four short stories in my Legacy of Ilvania series. After that, I don’t know! I have to decide where I want to go. I’m torn between starting something new or writing another series in the world of Dragonath so it will be familiar to my fans.



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