MARA RUTHERFORD INTERVIEW AND CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL GIVEAWAY AND IWSG POST

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have debut author Mara Rutherford here to share about her YA fantasy CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL. It sounds like a real page turner filled with mystery and high stakes. I’m really looking forward to reading it.

Before I get to Mara’s interview, I have my IWSG Post. 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday is officially Insecure Writer's Support Group Day.

The co-hosts this month are Gwen Gardner,Doreen McGettigan, Tyrean Martinson, Chemist Ken, and Cathrina Constantiner!

Optional Question: If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would you write it and why?

That's an easy one for me. I'd write at home. I already write five days a week at home for my job. I love just wearing what I want, taking a walk when I want to, and being in a really comfortable space for me. That's where I write for myself too.

What about you? Where would you choose to write?

Now let's get to Mara's interview. Here’s a blurb of CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL from Goodreads: 

For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…

Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.

Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.

In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie. 

Hi Mara! Thanks so much for joining us.

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

Thank you so much for having me! I’m originally from California, but I’ve spent the second half of my life living all over the world with my husband, who was in the military before joining the Foreign Service. We have two sons and a small red poodle and currently live in Belgrade, Serbia.

I studied cultural anthropology in school and started my career in journalism. I knew I wanted to move over to publishing, but we were living in San Diego at the time, so my options were limited. I worked for a book distributor while interning for a literary agency and started writing women’s fiction in my mid-twenties, then switched over to young adult a few years later. My fourth YA novel (set in Russia, where we were living) got into Pitch Wars, and that’s how I signed with my first agent.

  

2. I bet your travels gives you lots of story ideas. Where did you get the idea for your story?

This was a story that had been brewing in my head for a while – twin sisters whose lives are a competition, whether they like it or not. Other elements, like diving for pearls and a mountain castle, came to me in bits and pieces in the form of magazine articles, photographs, and music.

3. CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL has been described as a real page turner that readers couldn’t put down. How did you keep the plot moving and what are your tips for other writers?

That’s great to hear! I once did a writing exercise where I had to choose a word that I wanted to describe my writing, and mine was “compelling.” My favorite books are the ones that keep me up past my bedtime. I would say my biggest tip for writing a “page turner” is to always try to end each chapter on a cliff hanger. When the reader tells themselves they’ll just read until the end of the chapter, make it impossible for them to put the book down!

4. I love books I can't put down too. Good world building is so important when writing a fantasy. What was your world building process like?

Writing Varenia, the world in the ocean, was a lot of fun. It’s a limited environment in some ways, which made it easier, but it’s also completely different from anywhere I’ve ever lived. I didn’t want it to be too closely associated with any real place, so I made up my own sea creatures, like maiden’s hair jellyfish and windwhales. Ilara is a more typical fantasy kingdom, but the setting of New Castle, a mountain fortress, is also strange and otherworldly, with glowing fungus for lights and cave salamanders for fauna. I think it’s good to give yourself constraints to work within. Otherwise, it can feel overwhelming.

5. So funny that you picked somewhere so different from the many places you lived. Nor is a twin and chosen to marry the Crown Prince when her twin Zadie is seriously injured. You’re a triplet. Did this help you develop Nor’s character and her relationship with Zadie?

Twins are a popular trope in fiction, and I actually had an agent tell me I shouldn’t write them. But

not only is it completely vital to this story; it’s also probably the most intrinsic part of my identity. While I am a triplet, I have an identical sister and a brother – so I’m both an identical and a fraternal twin. My sister and I have never traded places (except for a brief desk swap in fifth grade that lasted about ten minutes), but we would do anything for each other. We talk every day and always have, even though we’ve both lived and traveled all over the world (Sarah is a producer at National Geographic). Essentially, I couldn’t have written this book if it weren’t for my relationship with my twin. I hope that comes across in the novel!

6. Your agent is Uwe Stender. Tell us about how you got your agent and your publishing contract.

Uwe and I actually met through Pitch Wars, when I signed with a different agent. When that book didn’t sell, I asked Uwe if he’d like to see CoCaP, and I ended up signing with him not long after. CoCaP sold to Inkyard about a year later. I’ve been with Uwe for almost three years now, and I can’t say enough good things about him. He is the fastest responder in the business, always open to talk, and he has a great sense of humor (something you need to have in publishing!). It has been really fun to watch Team Triada grow over the years – I’m so proud to be a part of it.

7. What has been your favorite social media platform to develop after you signed your book contract and why?

Instagram is definitely my favorite social media platform, though I try to use Twitter. Bookstagrammers are so kind and positive, and I love looking at their gorgeous photos. I like taking photos too, so it’s a win-win for me.

8. How are you planning to market your book?

I’ve enjoyed marketing my book on IG, as I mentioned, and making my own swag. I just designed some bookplates that will go out with preorder gifts and I love them. Beyond that, I’ll be doing a lot of giveaways once my author copies come, and I’ll try to make it to as many conferences and events as I can, but it’s tough because I live overseas. Mostly, I know that authors can only do so much marketing on their own, and I’m okay with that. After fifteen years of writing, I’m trying to enjoy the debut experience without letting it stress me out too much.

9. That's true about only being able to do so much as an author. How have you connected with readers and librarians on your social media sites? What advice do you have for debut authors once they get a book deal? Should we start connecting even earlier than this?

I’m not sure if I’m doing the best job connecting with readers and librarians, though I certainly want to! When people post pictures of my book, I always make sure to compliment and thank them. I sincerely appreciate it! I have accepted every interview that has come my way, and I’ve been lucky that bloggers have approached me for tours. I don’t think you need to go out of your way on this stuff. Focus on your writing for now. The other things will come, and you can’t control it anyhow. What I think matters most is being a genuinely kind person. Publishing is a small world, and if you’re rude or a snob, word will get around. People remember the authors who were nice to them even when they weren’t published.

10. What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on the sequel to CoCaP, KINGDOM OF SEA AND STONE! I’m so thrilled I get to finish telling Nor and Zadie’s story, and I hope readers are too!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Mara. You can find Mara at:

IG: @mararutherfordwrites

Twitter: @mararaewrites

Website: mararutherford.com

Mara has generously offered a hardback of CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through September 21st. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter either contest.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S. 

Here's what's coming up:

Monday, September 9th I have an interview with debut author Sara Faring and a giveaway of her YA psychological thriller THE TENTH GIRL

Monday, September 16th I have an agent spotlight interview and query critique giveaway with Marlo Berliner

Monday, September 23rd I have a guest post by Martin Cavannagh from Reedsy

Hope to see you on Monday, September 9th!