I met Amber during a workshop sponsored by the Cisco Writers Club. This was my first experience with her style of fiction, and it’s been great to read everything since. She’s been a great friend, and she’s always encouraging, ready to lend a hand. I know you’ll love her new Falling in Deep novella, Of Ocean and Ash.
Tell me about you. What are some of your previous projects?
Oh man. Where to begin? I’ve created stories since I could read. In college, I wrote a lot of screenplays. For the sake of brevity, some of my previous projects are Daughters of Men (set to release soon!) and Malice, a short story that I am shopping currently. {Check out Daughters of Men here.}
When did you start writing? When did you start publishing?
I first put pen to paper when I was six..maybe? As an adult, I first began writing with the intention of publishing in August of 2014. I signed my first contract to publish that October, and hope to release the fruit of that endeavor soon.
You’re new to this world. Tell me what part has been the hardest so far?
Navigation. Old days would have you seek an agent and hope to sell to a big NYC house. These days? Who knows where your efforts are better placed. It’s different for everyone, and with the market increasing saturated by half-assed e-books, it’s becoming extremely difficult to decide which winding path to follow. Sadly, most of the success in today’s market seems to be entirely opportunistic. Right topic, right genre, right time – and with little regard to talent or effort (at times).
What’s your favorite food? Color?
Ooooh. I love food. Mango may be my favorite. Watermelon? I can’t decide! As far as color, it’s a close call between varying shades of blue, blue-green, and purple. Most of my decisions on food and color depend on mood. 🙂
What has been your favorite character that you’ve written so far?
He’s actually one that I’m writing right now, Bastien. He’s a cocky, know-it-all, spoiled version of myself, and I absolutely adore the man he’s becoming.
Where does your inspiration come from? What do you do to break through a block?
My inspiration comes from any and everywhere. Reading, writing (usually writing something completely different), watching films, going for walks – all of those inspire me and help me to get through blocks. Brainstorming with others that I trust is a huge help. Learn to trust and take advice. Doesn’t mean you have to apply their specific advice – just heed the fact that something sticks out to them that you may need to fix/repair. I find a lot of inspiration in my dreams and have always been blessed with very vivid, very structured, very fascinating dreams.
Has there been a progression through genres with your writing, or do you mostly stick with one genre?
I don’t know that I have it in me to stick with one genre, although as a new author, I am constantly warned that switching genres early in the game will alienate my fans. Maybe, maybe not. I write for myself at the end of the day, quite frankly, and if I’m bored, I’m going to find another venue. I hope to narrow that down to 2 to 3 genres, but we shall see. 🙂
Part Two of my interview with hot, new author A.R. Draeger will be available on June 9, 2015!
Of Ocean…
Cast into the sea at birth, human-born Ia found her adoptive family among the merfolk. While her underwater upbringing was peaceful, Ia’s blood-heritage and the strict societal rules of the merpeople lead her to wonder of the world above the waves.
And Ash…
When a storm lands Ia ashore, she discovers her body has transformed into the human she would have been. Taken in as property by a callous plantation owner, Ia works alongside the slaves until she can make her way back to the water. There is nothing Ia wants more than to go home, that is, until she meets a handsome, troubled man named Matthias, who has a touch that can be as kind as his tongue is harsh.
Torn between two very different lives, Ia must choose – stay in his world and risk her life for a love untested, or return to the familiar arms of the underwater world that raised her and risk losing what may be the greatest love she will ever know.
Will Ia’s choice lead to her happiness or her destruction?
Author Amber (A.R.) Draeger specializes in macabre, fantastical fiction, spreading her interest across multiple genres including horror, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and thriller. Her debut romance novella, Of Ocean and Ash, to be published in the Blazing Indie Collective’s Falling in Deep Collection, will be released June 9th, 2015. Her debut horror/thriller/sci-fi novella, Daughters of Men, to be published in association with Bathory Gate Press, will follow in Summer 2015. She resides in rural Texas with her husband and son.
Talk to Amber (:
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Love mermaids? Looking for a great beach read? The Falling in Deep Collection, a collection of 15 unique tales of creatures of the deep, is rolling out the first novella in their collection at the end of May.
From mermaids to sirens, Miami to Athens, dark paranormal romance to contemporary stories with steam, the fifteen award-winning and best-selling authors of the Falling in Deep Collection are bringing you mermaid tales like you’ve never seen before.
Every week beginning May 26th, 2015, we’ll be releasing one unique, never-before-published novella! Each novella will feature our favorite creature of the deep: mermaids.
The Falling in Deep Collection (May – September Releases)
Ink: A Mermaid Romance by Melanie Karsak
Of Ocean and Ash by A. R. Draeger
Deep Breath by J. M. Miller
At the Heart of the Deep by Carrie Wells
The Mermaid’s Den by Ella Malone
How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes
The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless
An Officer & a Mermaid by Blaire Edens
The Water is Sweeter by Eli Constant
Cold Water Bridegroom by B. Brumley
A Beyond the Sea Prequel by Emily Goodwin
Immersed by Katie Hayoz
Siren’s Kiss by Margo Bond Collins
To Each His Own by Anna Albergucci
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hat authors do you like to read? Favorite saying about writing?
About the author: Melanie Karsak is the author of the Amazon best-selling The Airship Racing Chronicles, The Harvesting Series, and The Saga of Lady Macbeth. She grew up in rural northwestern Pennsylvania and earned a Master’s degree in English from Gannon University. A steampunk connoisseur, white elephant collector, and zombie whisperer, the author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children. She is an Instructor of English at Eastern Florida State College.
{Bokerah} 