Interview with an Author Featuring Erin McFadden and K.L. Bone

The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Erin Mc Fadden and K.L. Bone! Their upcoming release, Once Upon Another World: A Twisted Fairy Tale Box Set is set to release on October 6th 2020.

What inspired you to start writing?

Erin: I have always been a reader. Even as a young child, I wanted to tell stories and carried books around with me. It didn’t occur to me then that I could be an author. Mostly, I told myself stories to pass the time on the school bus and such. Eventually I began writing stories down. It wasn’t until after I became a wife, mother, and established in my profession that I realized something was missing and began writing as an outlet. A co-worker’s wife published a series of books about magic and suddenly it clicked that I could do that too!

K.L.: I began writing when I was a teenager. I had to write a short story for an assignment in high school and it ended up winning a collegiate writing competition. The short story, many years later, would be expanded to a full-length novel, The Indoctrination, and became my first published work. I also have a Master’s degree in literature and am working toward a PhD in Creative Writing at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. I hope to one day teach writing and help others find their love for this field as a professor.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Erin: I like to slip references to my favorite pop culture icons into my work. Sometimes in Easter Egg fashion, or obvious nods.

K.L.: I write to music and I tend to give each main character their own playlist, which evolves and expands throughout writing a series.

How do you deal with the emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

Erin: I laugh, cry, talk to myself, and snack a lot. Basically all the things I hope my readers go through after I’ve finished!

K.L.: I do tend to connect emotionally to the characters. As I write dark fantasy and dark romance, this often includes heartbreak and the trials of forbidden love. There have been some days where this can have an impact on me, as I experience these ranges of emotions, at least on some level, alongside the characters. I tend to make my way through them in a similar way to my readers do: taking breaks, having treats and an occasional glass of wine.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Erin: I’ve written seven. Four are published and the fifth is a co-write with K.L. Bone for the Once Upon Another World Box Set. Two will never be seen again (I hope) but were wonderful practice. I have several nearing completion as well. As for my favorite, I’d have to say Confess because I feel like that world has really gelled for me and is my best to date. I hope to top it soon!

K.L.: I have written 13 full lengths book to day, including the bestselling Black Rose Guard dark fantasy series and the Flames of Kalleen, paranormal romance dragon-shifter series. I have also written numerous novellas including several in the multi-author midnight coven series, featuring vampire romance and numerous twisted fairytales.

Hard to pick a favorite, as I love various aspects of each story for different reasons. However, among those favorites would be Releasing the Dragon, book 2 in the Flames of Kalleen series.

The novel includes a back-story of a dragon knight accused of betraying his kingdom, and the princess who attempts to clear his name. It’s a forbidden love story which explores the trials of heartbreak, the depths of love, and the power of eternal devotion.

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Erin: Everything I read influences my writing in some way. I don’t read purely for enjoyment as much as I once did, because now I find myself looking at everything as educational material and inspiration. How was this scene effective? How did it convey sensory information to pull me in? I love learning about writing from other writers.

K.L.: I am a fan of mythological tales. Stories of King Arthur and his knights, particularly Sir Gwain, as I have a character in my dragons novels partially based on the Arthurian knight.

Tristan and Isolde, along with Lancelot and Guinevere, inspired my Black Rose Guard series. I enjoy epic romance blended with fantasy elements and tend to write in a similar style to those myths.

I was also greatly influenced by the writing style of Anne Rice, George Martin and J.R.R. Tolkien. Each are brilliant in their world building and ability to vividly bring ancient or fantastical scenes and lands to life.

Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?

Erin: I don’t hear from readers very often, but the ones who have reached out have been wonderful. I enjoy talking to them. It’s nice to see reviews and get that validation when your efforts actually reach an audience.

K.L.: I enjoy interacting with readers through various social media channels. I’m always pleased to hear their reactions to new book releases and their opinions. I try and make myself approachable as an author and like reading through various debates and opinions they have as they journey through the fantasy lands I have created.

What book is currently on your bedside table?

Erin: I just finished Poison Study by Maria Snyder. I haven’t decided what to pick up next, but I’m open to suggestions!

K.L.: I’m currently reading Karpov-Kinrade and Gaustad’s novel, A Werewolf a Vampire and a Fae Walk into a Bar. So far the novel is fantastic!

Do you have any new series planned?

Erin: I have three series going right now and a stand alone coming soon. That being said, I’m not very good about staying away from new ideas, so I’m certain there are new worlds coming. Right now I plan on playing in the ones I’ve already built!

K.L.: Yes! I am working on a co-write series called Starbound with fellow author Greg Wilkey. The story is a fantasy-romance investigating the mystery of why stars are vanishing from the sky. Book 1, Fallen, is in the process of being written and Greg and I are both very excited!

In addition, I am working on what I hope to be the first of several twisted fairytales with another author, Erin McFadden. The story, Shattered Moonlight, recently became available for pre-order in the Once Upon Another World Twisted Fairytale Boxset.

I also have plenty to finish in my current series, including book 3 in my Flames of Kallen and book 7 in the Black Rose Guard series.

If your book was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?

Erin: For Shattered Moonlight, one character is an easy casting choice. Arawn the Huntsman definitely has a Henry Cavil as Geralt vibe, so I would pick him. Celine, our heroine, seems like a great fit for Jenna Coleman (Victoria, Doctor Who). I would love to see Chris Evans (Captain America) for Prince Stephen. Ghost from Game of Thrones can step in as Fenrir, our white wolf!

K.L.: When I write stories I tend to picture characters as individual people with unique personalities and appearances. This makes it difficult to say who might play them.

There are only two characters I clearly envision as a particular actor or actress. The first is Queen Clarissa, the villainess of my Black Rose series. If the book were ever a film, I would love to see Eva Green’s interpretation of her.

The other is in my upcoming release, Shattered Moonlight. We were inspired somewhat by Henry Cavill’s Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher. Erin and I would love to see him play our huntsman one day!

Also, any dream film adaptation would have to Hugh Jackman. I don’t care which role, as long as he is in it!

What is advice would you give to other authors?

Erin: Keep writing what you love!

K.L.: When I was a young author I asked this question to one of my own favorite writers, Laurell K. Hamilton. Hamilton told me the same advice which was once given to her. Choose a wall in your house and cover it with rejection. Only when it is completely full, can you begin to find success.

Writing is not an easy task. It’s challenging, time-consuming and often discouraging. Rejection comes in various forms, from letters when submitting to publishers, to negative reviews to disappointing signings and booksales slumps. Authors should take each of these in stride and never forget that their stories and goals are worth fighting for.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

Erin: I write fantasy, but I feel it’s important for my fictional worlds to feel realistic and my characters to be relatable. When you read something of mine, I want you to experience my world and wonder if you’ve discovered a hidden secret from your own.

K.L.: I am not always a Happily Ever After writer. I tend to take on darker aspects of writing and storytelling often steeped in ancient myths. This allows me to craft worlds with rich, vivid landscapes as I explore darker themes and characters. I’m a huge fan of writing complex villains within these worlds.

Also my favorite way to experience a book is through audio versions. I grew up listening to audiobooks on long road trips with my mother and enjoy listening on long flights and car rides to this day. I am very excited to have my own novels available in audio format as well. Hearing the stories brought to life in the voices of my talented narrators is an amazing experience for me. I love hearing their interpretations of the story!

Thank you Erin McFadden and K.L. Bone for chatting with me! I will include their information down below. Check out their pre-order, Once Upon Another World: A Twisted Fairy Tale Box Set today!

~Synopsis~

Not all fairy tales are as they appear.

Was it actually Red who hunted the wolf? What if the prince was the one in distress? Did the straw really get spun into gold? How well did those glass slippers truly fit?

Where princesses do their own rescuing, princes aren’t who they first appear to be, and beasts are friends, not foe—and maybe something more…

With stories spanning from true love’s kiss to reverse harem, skyscrapers to ancient castles, sweet romance to steamy nights, these alluring tales will satisfy readers of fantasy and romance alike.

Grab your copy of ONCE UPON ANOTHER WORLD and discover 22 twisted fairy tales with a happily ever after unlike anything you’ve ever read before.

Authors included in the box set are: Monique Singleton, Joel Crofoot, Zack Hacker, D.E. Chapman, Erin McFadden & K.L. Bone, Jaclyn Roche, L.R.W. Lee, JB Trepagnier, Silvana G. Sanchez, Cassidy K. O’Connor, Jude Cocaigne, M.L. Garza, Hunter S. Jones, Aldrea Alien, Amari Ara Dreamer, D.C. Gambel, Krista Ames, K.A. Fox, Christa Ann, Iris Sweetwater & Chandra Trulove Fry, and Lianne Willowmoon & Phillip Shadowdragon

Erin McFadden is the author of three contemporary fantasy series, Descended from Myth, Hollow Man, and Confessor.

McFadden obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Ball State University in 2001. She is the mother of two daughters and works full time in law enforcement. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, developing new story ideas, arts and crafts, and spending lots of time with her children.

K.L. Bone is a bestselling author of dark fantasy and paranormal romance. Her works include the bestselling Black Rose Guard dark fantasy series. The bestselling Flames of Kalleen paranormal romance series. The Rise of the Temple Gods fantasy series. And a stand-alone science fiction novel, The Indoctrination and numerous novellas.

Bone has a master’s degree in modern literary cultures and is working toward her PhD in creative writing at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. She wrote her first short story at the age of fifteen and grew up with an equally great love of both classical literature and speculative fiction. Bone has spent the last few years as a bit of a world traveler, living in California, London, and most recently, Belfast. When not immersed in words, of her own creation or studies, you’ll find her traveling to mythical sites that have inspired storytellers for generations.