Hello and welcome back to The Bibliophagist. I hope you are all having a fantastic weekend. I know mine has been crazy busy. We have to clean the house and outside the house, get everything for winter…etc. There is a never-ending list of things to do around here. With that, the crystal selling business, my blog, and proofreading/editing business…I am not sure I know what personal time or relaxation is, not that I ever did before.
I know now is the time of year we all settle in for the winter, get comfortable and read more books. I really a hoping to fit in more reading time. I am behind on Goodreads and I know I can catch up if only I read like I used to. What are some ways that you fit more reading into your schedule?
Now, on to the reason we are all here…Saturday Spotlight. Today I am happy to talk to an author who I’ve been following for awhile now, waiting to read her book! As a book lover, my biggest joy is finding new authors and helping them out as well. That is why I do these spotlights. I love being able to bring new authors to the spotlight, introduce them to other readers. Maybe…just maybe, I can help someone find a new favorite.
Well…let’s get to know more about today’s spotlight author…Kelly Coon!
About the Author
Interview
Thank you so much for taking time from your crazy busy schedule to talk with me today, it is an honor to host you on my blog. I’ve been following you and your work since I discovered you as a #Novel19 author. I was very happy you agreed to an interview, so…let’s get to it!
First of all, the cover of your book is gorgeous! Where did the idea for the story originate? Was it something in everyday life that sparked that creative flame? Was it difficult coming up with the title?
Thank you! I’m kinda partial to this cover, seeing that it is my first. 😉
The idea for the story came after I was researching the ancient practices of human sacrifice (as one does). I find it fascinating that some young people would willingly choose to go to their deaths, or that others would so easily put someone to death. Our culture is so far removed from this ritual, that the idea really struck me as interesting.
The title took us 11 billion tries to get right. I think I came up with at least a hundred different title options between Souls of Dead Girls, which is what I originally pitched to my agent and Gravemaidens, which was obviously our final choice. My agent actually came up with the title. She texted me the option on the way to my 40th birthday party and at first, I said no way because it sounded like a death metal band. But then I said, OH HECK YES because it sounded like a death metal band. haha
Naturally, I feel like many authors are on the FBI watch list. We’ve looked up some crazy things for stories. I picture you surrounded by crumpled papers to your waist as you struggle to find a title. It is incredibly hard sometimes. I love the title and I think it fits the story well. You have some amazingly strong female characters in your book. Can you talk a little about the significance of that to you? Why is it important to see strong, independent female characters in young adult books?
Thank you! I grew up in a sect of Christian fundamentalism where women did not have a lot of power. The pastor used to preach from the pulpit that women had no place working outside of the home unless they didn’t have children. I was taught from my church from a young age that my job was to serve my husband and children exclusively and I was supposed to let my dreams die in order to do that.
Though I left the church a long time ago and no longer ascribe to that indoctrination (if I ever did), I wanted to showcase a world where a young woman doesn’t have to make that choice, no matter what her cultural traditions tell her she has to do.
I love that so much, thank you for sharing. I think a world where we are not forced to make that choice is a dream. So many women struggle with that every day and I appreciate you bringing something amazing to them to read, something that encompasses what you value. Writing a book is difficult, creating the world from a thought or idea…what a daunting task. Can you tell everyone some of the challenges and triumphs you went through while writing Gravemaidens?
Oh my gosh, what a good question. There were many challenges in writing Gravemaidens. It was the fourth novel I’d written, and when I first sat down to write it, I had no idea if it was going to be my fourth failed novel or the first one I’d sell. It was terrifying to put that much time and research and effort into another book, not knowing the outcome.
But once I got an agent and we sold it, I was so glad I’d taken the leap of faith. We went through a ton of revisions to get it to the state that’s on the shelves, dropping a POV character, reshaping the world, and restructuring characters, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m so proud of the story it is today.
One triumph that happened about midway through the book was when I figured out how I was going to position Kammani’s character arc throughout the sequel. It lifted such an enormous weight from my shoulders and made me think that I might actually be able to do this.
Knowing where your characters are going and where they end up in sequels is a huge weight off your shoulders. That is amazing! See, if you never would have tried…we’d all be missing out on this amazing novel. If you could pick any place in the world, with no money restrictions, where would your ideal writing place be? What would it look like? Can you share a picture or write a short description?
I’m seated in a cushioned, wicker chair on a balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. It’s March. There’s a breeze blowing my hair and the sun reflects off the surface of the cerulean sea. As a pelican swoops down over the water, hunting for its herring, I take a sip of my ice-cold Corona, slide my sunglasses up my nose, and tip-tap swordfights and bloodshed and long, slow kisses into my laptop.
Wow…that sounds like the perfect writing get away! So, when are we going? Haha. Now, let’s have some fun…what would your characters do at a Halloween party if they were to go? Could you possibly write a short scene or describe how they would interact?
“Kammani, you’re not going to stand there and stare out the window all night like a dog waiting for its master, are you? Lugal Marus will be fine. Relax. Have a snack.”
Iltani drains her frosted mug of sikaru and swipes three peanut-butter cups out of a jack-o-lantern bowl on the coffee table. She unwraps them and stuffs them all into her mouth. From somewhere deeper inside the house, music thumps.
Kammani rolls her eyes. “Can you please control yourself? For once?”
“Why?” Iltani asks her pirate’s hat askew on her head. “You control yourself enough for the both of us.”
“I can’t believe you made me wear….this.” Kammani plucks at her mint green fairy costume as they leave her perch by the window and elbow through the group of sea hags and dragons and goddesses eating pizza and dancing and making out.
Iltani directs Kammani around a pair of ghosts trying to figure out who the other person is under the sheet. “You might actually look good in that costume if you weren’t scowling like a toad.”
Kammani grimaces. “Better?”
“Not at all, but you should try harder. We’re going to go find that handsome lion of yours. I saw him wandering into the yard, an emerald dagger in his hand.”
“Dagan is here?”
“Not that you care.” Iltani eyeballs Kammani brazenly.
“Of course, I don’t care.”
“Yep. Of course not.” Iltani smiles at Kammani wickedly. “So you won’t mind if I take a stab at him, right? I’ll bet Dagan wouldn’t mind walking me home, not when he sees me do this—”
“Iltani!” Kammani glowers. “Knock that off.”
“See? I knew you cared. Come on. Let’s go find him and see if that good-looking brother of his is around, too.”
“You’re impossible, you know that?”
Iltani links her arm through Kammani’s. “Yes, I certainly am, and you love me for it.”
OMG…I love this so much! Thank you, I will forever picture them in that setting. Finally, are you someone who can remember an idea or do you have to write it down right away? How many story ideas are rolling around at once?
I have sooooo many story ideas rattling around in my head that I can’t keep them straight. I usually jot little notes to myself in my phone so I remember them when I have time to act on them.
I know that feeling! In that sense, phones have become a great resource for authors. I am so glad we were able to talk. I loved your responses and I think your fans will too.
Thank you so much for the interview, Cassandra! I appreciate it so much!
Thank you so much to Kelly for taking the time for this interview! Be sure to look her up on social media as well as Goodreads! Check her book out and maybe find a new favorite book or author. You will not regret reading Gravemaidens.
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