Today I'm pleased to host Megan Orlowski-Russell in an interview about her Athena's Daughters 2 short story, writing in general, and what's coming up next for her:
1. Tell me about the Athena's Daughters Anthology
The first Athena’s Daughters Anthology was the most successful anthology in Kickstarter history. The anthology is all fantasy and fiction short stories featuring female heroes by female authors. Athena’s Daughters 2 continues this tradition, featuring stories from new authors and brand new internal art.
2. What is your story about?
My story is At the Corner of the Garden Wall. It’s about a twelve-year-old witch who loves fairies, cats, and all things pink. Through a bit of accidental magic, she ends up on a journey to save a kingdom.
3. What was your inspiration for the story?
My young adult fantasy novel The Tethering, published by Silence in the Library, the publisher for Athena’s Daughter 2. When I found out about the open submissions for Athena’s Daughters 2, I knew I wanted to write something in the world of The Tethering.
All sixteen-year-old Jacob Evans wants is to win the heart of Emilia Gray, but with order in the magical world crumbling, war threatening, and Emilia’s boyfriend living across the hall, he may never have the chance.
When Emilia’s life is threatened, Jacob must risk everything to save her. Does he have the power to rescue her in time? And what could their survival cost?
I knew I couldn’t write a story about Jacob for the anthology, what with his being a boy and all.
I needed to make sure I didn’t spoil anything from The Tethering series, so I couldn’t write about Emilia either. As I was trying to sort through my cast of female characters to feature, I almost jumped over Claire. She is often the reader's favorite character in The Tethering, but I wasn’t sure if Silence in the Library would want a pink-clad twelve-year-old for the anthology. I wrote the story, Silence in the Library accepted it, and the rest is history.
4. Why did you start writing?
My real people job is as a professional musical theatre performer. I spend my time living in imaginary worlds, and eventually I wanted to create one of my own. That’s when writing really became a passion.
5. Do you write strictly fantasy?
So far, all of my publishing endeavors have been fantasy, but I do have a contemporary romance fiction in the works.
6. What authors have influenced your writing?
The list is so long. But it starts with Madeline L’Engle and C.S. Lewis. They were my favorite authors when I was younger and gave me my love of storytelling.
7. What’s next for you?
The sequel to The Tethering, The Siren’s Realm, will be available for preorder through Kickstarter in mid-February. I also have a few other Works in Progress, so hopefully the next bit will be very exciting!
8. Anything else you'd like to share?
Yes! The Tethering is being offered as a stretch goal for Athena’s Daughters 2! What that means is if we get enough backers to reach ___(I don’t know what the number will be yet), then every backer at $5 or more will receive a free eBook of The Tethering! So go pre-order Athena’s Daughters2, tell all your friends to pre-order Athena’s Daughters 2, and then get a free eBook of The Tethering!
Add The Tethering to your Goodreads list at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21480311-the-tethering?from_search=true
Follow Megan O'Russell on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ORussellauthor or on Twitter @MeganORussell
Megan’s blog and website can be found at MeganORussell.com
A bit about Megan:
Megan O’Russell is thrilled to be publishing At the Corner of the Garden Wall with Silence in the Library. At the Corner of the Garden Wall is a part of The Tethering series, book one of which is currently available from SitL. And if you read The Tethering closely, you’ll find the night on which the adventure in the garden happens. Originally from New York, Megan is a professional actress who spends her time traveling the country for different shows. When not on stage or writing, Megan spends time with her beloved ukulele and her wonderful husband. To follow Megan’s writing adventures, you can visit her website at meganorussell.com.
1. Tell me about the Athena's Daughters Anthology
The first Athena’s Daughters Anthology was the most successful anthology in Kickstarter history. The anthology is all fantasy and fiction short stories featuring female heroes by female authors. Athena’s Daughters 2 continues this tradition, featuring stories from new authors and brand new internal art.
2. What is your story about?
My story is At the Corner of the Garden Wall. It’s about a twelve-year-old witch who loves fairies, cats, and all things pink. Through a bit of accidental magic, she ends up on a journey to save a kingdom.
3. What was your inspiration for the story?
My young adult fantasy novel The Tethering, published by Silence in the Library, the publisher for Athena’s Daughter 2. When I found out about the open submissions for Athena’s Daughters 2, I knew I wanted to write something in the world of The Tethering.
All sixteen-year-old Jacob Evans wants is to win the heart of Emilia Gray, but with order in the magical world crumbling, war threatening, and Emilia’s boyfriend living across the hall, he may never have the chance.
When Emilia’s life is threatened, Jacob must risk everything to save her. Does he have the power to rescue her in time? And what could their survival cost?
I knew I couldn’t write a story about Jacob for the anthology, what with his being a boy and all.
I needed to make sure I didn’t spoil anything from The Tethering series, so I couldn’t write about Emilia either. As I was trying to sort through my cast of female characters to feature, I almost jumped over Claire. She is often the reader's favorite character in The Tethering, but I wasn’t sure if Silence in the Library would want a pink-clad twelve-year-old for the anthology. I wrote the story, Silence in the Library accepted it, and the rest is history.
4. Why did you start writing?
My real people job is as a professional musical theatre performer. I spend my time living in imaginary worlds, and eventually I wanted to create one of my own. That’s when writing really became a passion.
5. Do you write strictly fantasy?
So far, all of my publishing endeavors have been fantasy, but I do have a contemporary romance fiction in the works.
6. What authors have influenced your writing?
The list is so long. But it starts with Madeline L’Engle and C.S. Lewis. They were my favorite authors when I was younger and gave me my love of storytelling.
7. What’s next for you?
The sequel to The Tethering, The Siren’s Realm, will be available for preorder through Kickstarter in mid-February. I also have a few other Works in Progress, so hopefully the next bit will be very exciting!
8. Anything else you'd like to share?
Yes! The Tethering is being offered as a stretch goal for Athena’s Daughters 2! What that means is if we get enough backers to reach ___(I don’t know what the number will be yet), then every backer at $5 or more will receive a free eBook of The Tethering! So go pre-order Athena’s Daughters2, tell all your friends to pre-order Athena’s Daughters 2, and then get a free eBook of The Tethering!
Add The Tethering to your Goodreads list at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21480311-the-tethering?from_search=true
Follow Megan O'Russell on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ORussellauthor or on Twitter @MeganORussell
Megan’s blog and website can be found at MeganORussell.com
A bit about Megan:
Megan O’Russell is thrilled to be publishing At the Corner of the Garden Wall with Silence in the Library. At the Corner of the Garden Wall is a part of The Tethering series, book one of which is currently available from SitL. And if you read The Tethering closely, you’ll find the night on which the adventure in the garden happens. Originally from New York, Megan is a professional actress who spends her time traveling the country for different shows. When not on stage or writing, Megan spends time with her beloved ukulele and her wonderful husband. To follow Megan’s writing adventures, you can visit her website at meganorussell.com.
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