Today is a very exciting day because I get to talk about The Demon Race by Alexandria Warwick! Alexandria ever-so-kindly contacted Ashley and me a couple months ago about her debut novel, The Demon Race, and we hopped on the opportunity to get a copy! I was also offered a spot on the blog tour, so be sure to check out all the other posts Alexandria has coordinated for this tour here.
For my part of the tour, I got the chance to interview Alexandria about all things The Demon Race, writing, and being a debut author!
Katie (Lost in Pages): To start off, what inspired you to write The Demon Race?
Alexandria Warwick (AW): The movie Hidalgo! I was brainstorming new story ideas at the time and I thought of that movie and a race across the desert. Thus The Demon Race was born.
K: Do you have any writing inspirations or authors you admire?
AW: Tamora Pierce, who paved the way for young heroines in fantasy. She had such an impact on me growing up. Her books are the reason I wanted to become a writer. I would be honored to meet her someday.
K: What’s your writing process like? Do you write during certain times of the day? In certain places? Etc.
AW: My writing process does have some consistency in that I don’t ever write at a desk (I don’t even own a desk!). I always sit on the couch or a comfy armchair with my laptop. Generally I find the words flow a lot better in the evening. Another thing is that I don’t force myself to write. I can only write when I’m feeling inspired. If it’s forced chances are I’ll scrap the words anyway, so I step away from writing to do other things like watch a TV show, take a walk, etc. Most of the time I write in chronological order, but if I reach a point in the story and I’m stuck, I’ll skip it and go to another scene I’m excited to write about. I don’t have a word count goal because I like to write in as low-pressure a setting as possible, which is what allows the story to flow the way in needs to. As long as I’m enjoying what I’m doing, then that’s enough for me.
K: I saw on your website that you mentioned dabbling in watercolors! Do you have any artwork you can share? What do you get inspired to paint?
AW: Sure! Here are a few of my works (attached). My favorite thing is painting the natural world, especially animals! I also like scientific illustration. I have been feeling lately that I’d like to try out some fantasy-type paintings, but still having the natural elements as a prominent theme.
K: I love random questions for readers to get to really know authors! So: favorite color, movie, book, season, and TV show?
AW:
Color: Blue (I try to buy clothes that aren’t blue but I can’t seem to buy any other color)
Book: The Song of the Lioness Quartet (which I guess is technically 4 books…)
Season: Fall! I actually just recently moved to the Northeast from the South so I’m really excited to experience a true fall!
TV Show: Avatar: The Last Airbender of course! #1 fan here. Don’t get me started because I am already tearing up as I think about it.
K: Back to books, how does it feel to be a published author? It’s my dream to one day be published, so what can you tell us about the process?
AW: I really hope your dream comes true! My journey is a bit swervy. Before settling on self-publishing, I originally pursued traditional publication. I queried for a few years another YA fantasy before I queried The Demon Race. I did get agent representation. Once you have agent representation, generally you’ll spend time revising your novel with your agent before it is sent on submission to editors. A good agent knows which editors at which imprints will be a good fit for the book, and they know this by the deals announced on Publisher’s Marketplace, their wish lists, past books they’ve acquired, etc. Then . . . it’s a lot of waiting. Also, every time you open your email and see the little (1) in your inbox you have a heart attack, haha (I laugh but it’s no joke). Sometimes the editors will give you feedback, but sometimes they’ll just pass. If the editor wants to acquire it, it has to go through acquisitions, whereby they discuss the selling potential of the book, among other things.
K: I’m always interested to see what authors are reading! Are you currently reading any great books? If not, what are some upcoming releases you’re excited for?
AW: So I actually just finished my 3rd reread of the Captive Prince series by C.S. Pacat! Every time I read it I am blown away by the precision in which she develops characters. Last week I read An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson which I really enjoyed! As for upcoming releases: The Wicked King!!!! Because, you know, Cardan.
K: If given the opportunity, would you like to see your book adapted into a movie or TV show? Which would you prefer?
AW: The Demon Race would definitely be a better fit for a movie, as there’s just not enough story for a TV show!
K: What’s one piece of writing advice you’d give to aspiring authors?
AW: Embrace your unique writing style. There was a time when I would read someone else’s writing and feel pressure to change. It took me quite a while to settle into my distinct style and feel comfortable in it. And, of course, your writing will improve over time, so trust in your ability to improve as you practice.
K: Can you tell us a little bit about your next book or project?
AW: Absolutely! My next project is a dark YA fantasy series inspired by Inuit mythology. The first book is titled Below, and it will be published in 2020. I really, really, really love this world and these characters. Here’s a short blurb:
When Apaay learns her sister’s face was stolen by a demon, she travels through the North to get it back. Instead, she becomes trapped in a fortress—a labyrinth of ice and stone—where her only chance of escape is to find her sister’s face before the labyrinth kills her.
For more information about Alexandria, be sure to check out her website and Instagram!
Author Bio:
Alexandria Warwick is the #1 fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The Demon Race is her first novel.
Be sure to grab a copy of The Demon Race — out on the 18th! Go here to preorder it from Amazon!
Along with the blog tour, there’s also a giveaway! You could win a signed copy of The Demon Race, an original watercolor featuring a quote from the book, AND a $10 Amazon gift card! It’s international as well, so be sure to enter here!
Until next time,
Lost in Pages 