Hi all! It’s been a while since I posted an author’s spotlight. Today, I have Emily Fortney with me. Emily reached out to me to see if I could do a book review. Sadly, with the chaos of my schedule, I haven’t really been reviewing much in the way of fantasy since most of my reading of late has been squarely centered on my research pursuits and reading for articles I post on Atlas Island. So instead, I’m having her on today for an interview/spotlight. Well, without further ado, let’s jump right in. Enjoy!
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Of course, my name is Emily. I live with my husband in central Pennsylvania, USA. We have a cat named Philippe who was my writing companion from the beginning! Like many authors I’m addicted to coffee and dark chocolate and my favorite color is purple. I always enjoyed stories and storytelling but it wasn’t until after college that I fell in love with writing and finally gave myself the “permission” to write.
What kind of fantasy do you write, and what got you into it?
I write young adult fantasy with a dystopian undertone that I’d put in the “light” fantasy category. (If there is such a thing!) My books certainty have supernatural elements, but it kind of hangs around on the peripheral until you get deeper into the series. But all of my books have some level of magic and yes, there’s a witch at the source of it.
What genres do you read, and do you write the same ones?
I’m a pretty broad reader. My favorite guilty pleasure reading is definitely the genre I write it, young adult fantasy and dystopian stories, but I also enjoy classics like Pride and Prejudice and Dracula. I’m a heavy consumer of true crime and business non-fiction books too.
What are some of the things you like to do to relax?
I like to get out in nature and go for a walk or hike pretty regularly. This keeps the creative juices flowing! I also enjoy a nice brainless sitcom like The Office and if my wallet allows, I’m gonna be honest, I’ll hit up the spa for a massage or pedicure.
Can you tell us about your current work-in-progress?
Yes! I’m the author of the YA fantasy series, The Camilla Crim series, which follows the journey of 17-year-old Camilla as she tries to save her brother from execution. But she learns that the scheme to murder her brother goes higher than she thought and is somehow connected to her absent mother. Camilla is a feisty heroine that ends up re-awakening a rebellion from a decade ago. I just launched the 4th book in this series at the end of January 2021, so I’m at the very beginning stages of working on the next book in the series. I’ve been brain storming and taking notes of some big things I’d like to see happen in this book.
If you’ve published (self-published or traditionally published), can you tell us a little about the experience?
I have self-published all of my books so far. This was 100% by choice and it’s a choice I made early on. I have actually never sent a query letter or approached an agent and I don’t have any plans to.
Both publishing paths can bring you success, it’s just about a personal choice of which one will be better for you. For me, I grew up in a home that was sustained by a small family business so I always had an entrepreneurial mind so the choice was easy for me. Mostly I would say my experience with self-publishing has been positive and I tend to recommend it to my writer friends. You can get your book to market fast, like super fast, and you have FULL creative control over the product (your book). BUT it comes with a pretty big catch. You have to do EVERYTHING. You’re in charge of booking an editor and a cover designer. You have to advertise your book and find readers, and you have to fund it all yourself. Although self-publishing can be done cheaply, if you’re in it for the long haul, eventually you have to look at your book writing as a business. If that intrigues someone who’s reading this, then I say, go for it!
What were your inspirations for writing?
For as long as I can remember, I had a story in my head. I used to play it out as a kid and think about it while I sat in school. That story eventually became my Camilla Crim series. So, in a way, I would say I was inspired by my own play as a child. But through my teen and college years I really latched on to books like the Harry Potter and Hunger Games series and they helped fully formulate the Camilla stories in my head and drive the need to write them down.
Who got you into writing when you first started?
No one! I didn’t know a single writer or author when I started. It was my own need to write that got me to do it.
Was there anyone who came alongside you at any point when you were struggling in your writing journey and made a real difference? If so, who and why?
I never had a writing mentor or teacher that helped me, but in my early days when I was VERY unsure of myself, my sister, Sarah, would read my chapters and encourage me. I know my writing was terrible back then, but she kept encouraging me to keep going.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors and writers just starting on the writing journey?
Just write. I know that sounds trite, but what makes you a writer is that you write. Spend more time actually writing than you do talking about writing. Write tons of mediocre stuff and focus on improving your craft. I also highly recommend that every writer engage in a critique group, or writing class where you read and comment on each other’s works. It can be brutal and hard to take but your work needs to stand up to critique and it will help you to grow exponentially. I’ve been a part of a writer’s group for 6 years and there are still days that it’s difficult to hear what others have to say but usually after I’ve thought about it, I realize they’re right. And that’s how you grow as a writer.
What is one thing you wish someone had told you before you started writing?
Not to be afraid to write and not to be afraid to write whatever I want. I used to think I had to be highly educated and have tons of experience to be “allowed” to write. That’s simply not true. And the highly educated, experienced writers out there had to start somewhere. I also used to worry about what people would think about my books. Write what’s in your heart. Put it to paper and tune out any haters.
What’s your favorite book, and who’s your favorite literary character? Why?
Oh goodness. Favorite book? That’s tough. I would probably have to say The Hunger Games. It inspired my own character of Camilla Crim and it’s the book I use to compare all others. For favorite literary character I’d have to say Sherlock Holmes. I haven’t met a Sherlock Holmes story I didn’t enjoy and he’s such an insatiable, compelling character I can’t get enough of. I also love almost every rendition of him in other books, movies, and TV show. He’s a timeless classic.
Thank you so much to Ariel for having my on your blog! If anyone reading is interested in trying out my Camilla Crim series, I’m offering a FREE eBook copy of the first book in the series to anyone who signs up for my email newsletter. You can do that here>>> http://eepurl.com/g0x0bH
Thanks again! Emily