Interview

 1) You have, correct me if I’m wrong, a total of 13 books published now. That is no small feat. Can you tell us a little about how you first decided to write a book and what it was like being published for the first time? 

I’ve always written. In 4^th grade, I wrote a 40-page pirate adventure which I still have! I knew I wanted to write but didn’t get serious until college. It was my boyfriend’s (now husband) birthday and I was broke. I decided to write him into a fiction novel. I wrote the first thirteen pages and bound it like a real book. Well, he loved it but was pissed it was unfinished.

After that, I took a long distance learning class on children’s writing and worked on Broken Forest. The only aspect that stayed the same was the main character’s name, Avikar. It took me a few years to polish. In 2012, a few days after I gave birth to my daughter, an acquisition editor at Curiosity Quills Press offered me a contract. It was amazing, and I couldn’t wait to start that series.

That is quite a journey! I love your husband’s (then boyfriend) reaction to the story no being finished. Honestly, that probably would have been my reaction as well. It truly is amazing that you still have your first ever book, that pirate adventure. I know your fans are happy that the 4th grade you continued to write. I bet it felt so great to have someone reach out to you for your novel, that is truly every author’s dream.

2) Daughter of Song was recently published, April 9th. This novel deals with Arabella and new magic she finds within herself. Creating a magic system can be both challenging and exciting. What are some of your favorite books with their own magical systems? Favorite movies?

So, I played tabletop Dungeons and Dragons and use a lot of that experience to craft magic. Regardless of books, video games, or board games, a lot of the magic systems are similar. I loved the magic system in Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone series.

When I planned this series, I wanted to give the book a different spin on magic. While there still a mage vs sorceress vibe, I hadn’t read anything using songs. I thought it could be really fun to play with. It almost reminds me of the weirding way in the movie Dune, except their voices amplified a weapon.

I agree many magic systems are fundamentally similar. I started that series but had to put it down because I have too many other books to read right now. You can’t see me but I am making a sad face right now. I really love your idea of using songs because music, like books, has a special place in my heart.

3) If Arabella were a famous singer in today’s world, what type of music would she sing? Could you give us a short playlist of some music she might sing or listen to?

Florence and the Machine. 100%

While I wrote Daughter of the Song, I had a few songs on repeat. Strangely, they were more geared toward Leo’s POV.

I Found  by Amber Run

Let you Down and Lie   by NF

Thanks so much for that! So I hope everyone puts those songs on repeat as they read to really get the feel for the novel. I know I probably will at least play them in the beginning.

 

 

 

4) I understand you play video games as one of your hobbies. There have been so many amazing games with crazy great inspiration for monsters or storylines. Have you ever pulled inspiration from a game you played? Which ones?  What are your current favorite video games?

Oh man, there are so many. I don’t pull too much from video games BUT I just finished two Sherlock games on PS4 set in Victorian London for a bit of atmosphere for book two of the series, Hunter of the Song.

One of my favorite games, The Witcher, is actually based off book series by Andrzej Sapkowski. I can’t wait to read the novels. I loved the games so much!

I’ve never heard of that author but not I have to admit, I’m intrigued and have to look those books up to add to my TBR pile that is threatening to topple me in my sleep. Victorian London is a beautiful time period and I am now even more excited for the second book in the series!

 

 

 

5) As a mom, I know kids say some crazy things. This might not be completely book related but I’m curious and it is always fun to see. What are some of the craziest things your kids have said or done? Have you ever pulled inspiration for characters from them?

I have 4 kids under ten…they say and do nutty stuff all day. Definitely not a fan of the youngest throwing poop or my oldest having Fortnite meltdowns. So far I haven’t used any of their stuff in my books, mainly because I try and forget lol

My youngest hasn’t thrown his own poop yet but I’ve had my fair share of nasty experiences…especially the times where he takes his underwear off because he pooped in it and his foot goes in the poop. That is a facepalm moment for sure. My oldest son is obsessed with Minecraft and Pokemon but loves Fortnite as well. He has the same type of meltdowns, especially when the younger turned off his Xbox mid-game once. Oh, the joys of kids.

 

 

 

6) We all know that not every book is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. We all have different preferences when it comes to what we like and reading is no exception. Who would you say your book is meant for? Who is your ideal reader? Are there any trigger warnings for people who look for those?

I write how I read, fast. One reviewer called my books, snack books. You can read one in a day. I love short, fast-paced, edgy books that I can gobble up in a day. There’s always tension, heartbreak, and romance.

I like snacks and with kids, those books are honestly the best! Sometimes I can only get 10 minutes of reading in at a time…if I’m lucky. Who doesn’t love some good tension, heartbreak, and romance? I do!

 

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About Eliza Tilton

 

 

USA Today Bestselling author, Eliza Tilton graduated from Dowling College with a BA in Visual Communications. When she’s not arguing with excel at her day job, chasing after four kids, playing video games, or writing, she’s getting her post-baby body back and inspiring people on the way. Her YA Fantasy, The Daath Chronicles, is published by Curiosity Quills Press.

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Eliza’s Books

 

**Remember to click the book image to read more about it and buy your copy today!**

 

Daath Chronicles

Broken Forest (Daath Chronicles #1)

 

Wicked Path (Daath Chronicles #2)

Deadly Dance (Daath Chronicles #2.5)

Crimson tides (Daath Chronicles #3)

Deceptively Beautiful: A Daath Wedding (Daath Chronicles #4)

 

Dreamscapes

Catching Ivy (Dreamscapes #1)

Finding Zane (Dreamscapes #2)

Unholy Magic Saga

Daughter of the Song (Unholy Magic Saga #1)

Shadows of Kiev

Soulspark

 

Gears of Brass: A Steampunk Anthology

Curiosity Quills: Primetime (Charity Anthology)

Wrath and Ruin

 

 

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Giveaway

 

Eliza is giving a copy of her book…the winner gets to choose which book they’d like. This is available to international winners as well. If you live in the US, you will receive a paperback copy of your choice of book. If you live international, you will receive an ebook of your choice. That means you better get those entries in book lovers!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you again, Eliza Tilton, for taking the time to talk with me here on The Bibliophagist about your debut novel. It was so fun hearing about your writing journey and the silly things your kids do. I appreciate you taking the time from your busy day to talk to me about your books and yourself.

 

If you have not read any of Eliza’s books be sure to head on over to Amazon and check them out! There are so many amazing ones to choose from. Some are even free with Kindle Unlimited.

 

 

 

**Again, If you are an author interested in being hosted on Saturday Spotlight contact me! I would love to help support you and your work.**

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