I’m pleased to host author Krista Ball on my blog today. Krista has written an 11,000 word novelette entitled, Harvest Moon. She has published several short stories in a variety of markets, and is a co-editor of 4 Karma RPG books. Her favorite topic is turning stereotypes on their head, as in this story.
Katie: Can you tell us more about Harvest Moon?
Krista: This story follows Dancing Cat, a Canadian First Nations young woman, who angers an ancestor and is turned into a man as her punishment. While in exile, she rediscovers both friendship and love and finds an inner strength she didn’t know she possessed.
Katie: You certainly have a lot of publishing credits to your name. How did you get started in your writing career?
Krista: I just sat my butt down in front of the computer and started working. It's hard to get published when you don't write. Once I figured that part out, the rest was pretty easy!
Katie: How long did it take to establish a reputation and following?
Krista: I'm still working on that J
Katie: In Harvest Moon, how do you go about turning “stereotypes on their head?”
Krista: A couple of ways. First, there is that entire "damsel in distress" trope. I decided to make the damsel undergo a gender change. Then, I changed the sexual orientation of the avenging man. It makes things a lot more interesting.
Katie: What was your motivation for writing Harvest Moon?
Krista: I was working at an inner-city agency at the time. Jim Thunder, who later passed away, would tell traditional Cree stories. I decided to write my own, with a gender bending twist.
Katie: This novelette has magic in it. Have you always written with some fantasy elements, or does your writing cross a variety of genres?
Krista: I generally write speculative fiction, yes. I enjoy science fiction and fantasy, so I tend to write more in those genres.
Katie: Do you anticipate ever writing full-length novels? Why or why not?
Krista: I have a completed high fantasy novel that is currently being reviewed by a publishing house. I am editing a science fiction novel and should be done in a couple of months.
Katie: You say that your stories are self-published in an e-format only. How did you decide to publish your stories in this fashion? Are all your stories published in e-format?
Krista: Only one of my stories are self-published, The Amazing Transformation of Wicca Dog. All others are published in anthologies, magazines, or as ebooks. I choose to self-publish Wicca Dog because it's a light-hearted story that doesn't really fit into the traditional spec fiction markets for were-animal stories.
Katie: What advice would you give to someone who is considering self-publishing in the e-format?
Krista: Well, I only have a little experience doing it. If you are considering it, I recommend reading self-publishing blogs and books. Talking with other authors would be helpful, especially if you are looking at long pieces.
Katie: For an author who wants to break into the market with short stories, articles and/or novelettes, what advice would you give them?
Krista: Like anything, know your market. Don't waste your time submitting to markets who aren't interested in your kind of topics (i.e. men's magazines aren't generally interested in articles on the PMS medications). Read lots, so that you know what's out there. That way, you can take fresh approaches to your work.
Katie: Thanks, Krista, for being a guest on my blog today. You can find out more about Krista and order her book at (Buy link) http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/19781, her blog: www.kristadball.com/blog, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kristadb1
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4 comments:
Great interview Krista - intriguing peek at your work. Thanks for sharing your insights on e-book publishing.
Krista, your book sounds fascinating. I love the cover. Did you have input or did the publisher surprise you with it? Best of luck with your career. I'm Metis, so hearing about FN writers doing well is always uplifting.
Hi Joylene,
Oh, I'm as white as Wonder bread :) However, I have a number of aboriginal extended family members, so telling FN tales, for me, are like telling stories that are part of my family's legacy, too. After all, we're all intertwined!
Working with the homeless in Edmonton, who sadly have a high percentage of FN peoples, really exposed me to the rich and varied history of Canada. I felt that I had to give my own spin on it.
I had a different vision for the cover, but the one given to me by the publisher is still in line with my original vision. I'm very happy that the cover wasn't white-washed, as so many covers are. It says a lot about the publisher, IMO.
Krista
Some books beg to be written don't they. A trilogy turns into a series. It is so much fun writing the story and they just keep growing.
Wonderful interview.
Thanks for sharing
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