Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Scifi/Fantasy author, Rosalie Skinner

I’m pleased to have “series” author, Rosalie Skinner, on my blog today. Rosalie’s love of the ocean, nature, history and horses has enabled her to give her books an authentic air. She is the author of a series of eight books called “The Chronicles of Caleath.” Book one, Exiled: Autumn’s Peril will be released in September, 2011.

Rosalie, tells us a little bit about your first book.

Rosalie: Caleath is a star traveler, a surveyor of planets and champion of virtual reality games, who is abducted and stranded on a planet where magic happens and science and technology is regarded as alien. He has a plan to escape using a survey beacon he knows landed on the southern continent. Things get complicated when a wizard saves his life and in return Caleath promises not to kill another of his rangers, alas, they are the assassins. They are programmed by the same man who abducted him, and they determined to kill him. To stay alive he must stay ahead of them. He takes a hostage who turns out to be a woman who makes his life even more complicated. Book One Exiled Autumn's Peril, chronicles the journey to find the beacon and Caleath's one chance of escape.

Katie: I want to read this book, and I’m an adult. You say your book has been read and enjoyed by young adults and adults alike. When you were writing the book, did you write with that slant, or were you pleasantly surprised at the varying age group of readers?

Rosalie: I was very surprised. One of my proof readers is a young girl who was still in school. She was one reason I kept writing. When I self-published the first book I found the few copies I had were read and loved by my friends, their fathers and even grandmothers, so I had stumbled on a story that appealed to most ages.

Katie: You created your own world for this sci-fi/fantasy book. What special challenges did you face in world creation?

Rosalie: Creating the world was fun. Although a fantasy world I wanted readers to be able to visualize and empathize with the terrain, so I based the world on familiar settings.

Katie: Why did you decide to write in this genre?

Rosalie: I have always loved reading science fiction and fantasy and wanted to use ideas from both areas of interest. The story evolved before I thought about genres.

Katie: What sort of research did you have to do for this book?

Rosalie: When writing Fantasy I believe the reader needs to imagine or understand why things happen and think they are almost possible. Research is vital to achieving this. Of course the magic is pure fantasy, but everything else is based on laws of physics, facts of nature and new developments in science. Research pays off when your ‘fiction’ foreshadows ‘fact’. For example; I came across an article that said before Man travels to Mars, we will need to develop three different types of nanobots to combat the radiation astronauts would be subject to in their nine month trip. I had already written nanobots into my story, so it was great to hear that in reality they worked on the same principal.

Katie: This book is first coming out in ebook format through MuseItUp Publishing. What made you chose that form of publication?

Rosalie: Ebooks are becoming more popular and a successful way of publishing. With Kindle and e readers at affordable prices, this market is growing daily. Print books will always have a place on the bookshelf, but for readers to access books easily ebooks are the next big thing.

Katie: You say that the first four books in this series have already been self-published twice. What difference is there in the process between ebook publication and self-publishing?

Rosalie: The relief of being with a publisher who knows what they are doing is overwhelming. To have the Chronicles of Caleath released as a series of ebooks with Museitup Publishing is a dream come true.

My self-publishing experience has been educational to say the least. The first publisher went out of business within weeks of my 800 page book being printed. Luckily I had ordered a few copies and was able to get reader feedback. My readers then sponsored my next printing adventure and although there were pitfalls and disappointment, again the story was available. It was published in two shorter books. None of the books were edited professionally, covers were a nightmare and they were not readily available. Firstly, because the company went out of business. The second attempt failed because printed books cost so much to transport here in Australia. Although things are improving now, the high cost of postage and not being able to restock shelves made the whole process painfully unsuccessful. The good thing is that the books I did purchase and pay to get here, have given readers a taste for the series. They sold out of the local bookshops, and the library needed additional copies for their readers, all my copies were snapped up and I struggle to keep hold of my last copy. Even as they were printed I already wanted to re write/ edit them and re design the cover, but that all costs more. Mistakes stay.

Katie: What words of advice would you give to an author who is trying to decide between self-publishing and e-book publishing?

Rosalie: Today’s market is changing rapidly. The availability of e-books globally has changed the playing field. My leaning is toward the e-book market. Create a following for your story. Print versions can always follow.

Thanks for having me as your guest today Katie. It has been a pleasure. If anyone has further questions, please ask. I will endeavor to answer them.

By the way, Katie, I love the premise of your book and the cover art is stunning. It is on my shopping list as a perfect Christmas gift.

Katie: Thanks for being my guest today. You can learn more about Rosalie Skinner on her blog Ramblings from Lady Rosalie at www.rosalieskinner.blogspot.com ,

at her website www.dragonmuse.webs.com,

or on Facebook page, facebook.com/ladyrosalieskinner

She also welcomes new members to the Facebook group, A Gathering of Fantasy Readers and Writers.

13 comments:

Lea said...

I had read The Chronicles of Caleath a couple of years ago so when Rosalie submitted the series I can't tell you how excited I was. I knew immediately this was getting a contract as soon as I spotted Rosalie's name. GRIN

Awesome book.

Unknown said...

Rosalie,
It's always nice to learn more about fellow authors. Welcome to Muse It Up. I'm honored to be in such talented company.

Anita Davison said...

Lovely to see you here, Rosalie. I don't normally read science fiction, but the above blurb caught my attention. Caleath's adventures sound fascinating, maybe I'll change the habits of a lifetime and delve into this series.

Wendy said...

Lovely interview, Katie. Rosalie is indeed a talented fantasy writer. She has researched not only her subject but her genre, and has written many quality articles to aid the fantasy writer. I've had the privilege of reading Exiled: Autumns Peril. It's wonderful! Caleath is the kind of hero you want to travel with, in spite of the danger. Compelling.

M. L. Archer said...

Rosalie sounds like a very talented writer and her story sounds like one compelling read! I look forward to reading it next September!

Karen McGrath said...

I can't wait to read this series. :) Great interview, ladies, thank you!

Rosalie Skinner said...

Thank you Lea for your support and bringing me into the Muse family. Thank you Ginger, Anita, Wendy, M. L. Archer and Karen for taking the time to comment. Your enthusiasm has made my day.
Thanks Katie for hosting me here today. It has been thrilling for me. I look forward to having you as a guest on my blog very soon.

Unknown said...

As one of the "fathers" mentioned in the interview, and a lover of science fiction, I have read all eight books and cant wait for the next. Great story line, great hero, great suspense, and wonderful imagination. Thanks Rosalie and thanks Lea for finally getting this artist published

Rosalie Skinner said...

Thanks John, for your comment, your support and for proof reading all the books. I am glad you enjoyed them and I promise I will get the next book finished ASAP. :)

Lisa said...

As a lover of science that borders on science-fiction and the escapism provided by fantasy novels I admire your ambition to ground your sci-fi tech and your magical phenomena in physical fact. Reading well researched sci-fi always excites me and I think it’s important to find magic just a little bit believable... your book is an enthralling combination of the two.

I’m glad to see that your books will be made available again through your new publisher. Congratulations! I’m also happy to see that you are leaning toward an e-medium. The future of e-publishing could mean that imaginative and intelligent books such as yours aren’t held back from reaching more people because they don’t as easily placate the masses with yet another vacant summer blockbuster.

Rosalie Skinner said...

Thanks Lisa! I am sure ebooks will provide an answer to getting books here in Australia. Print books have their place but are difficult to distribute. Ebooks have jumped that hurdle and with the many forms of e reader, I think they are going to prove their popularity.
Thanks for your comment.

Unknown said...

I too have read the books of Caleath's Chronicles. To me it has been the best fantasy/SF I've ever read and I've read a lot. To me Lady Rosalie is somewhere between Andre Norton of yesteryear, and Anne MacAffee and her Dragon series. Yet she is also in her own, firm genre. I expect many happy hours reading more, many more I hope of Rosalie's books.

Shtara

March 31, 2011

Rosalie Skinner said...

Shtara,
Thanks for your generous support. I wouldn't getting published if not for the enthusiasm you and other readers have shown.
Thanks for commenting and making my day!