Today I welcome Children's/MG/YA author Katie Carroll and her book Elixir Bound, a YA Paranormal Fantasy.
Katie, tell us a bit about yourself.
I started seriously writing when I was 19 and my 16-year-old sister,
Kylene, unexpectedly passed away. She loved the Harry Potter books
and insisted that everyone read them. She made a lot of reluctant
readers into eager ones. I wrote my first book to give her a fantasy
adventure of her own. I learned a lot about writing and about myself
in the process and that book eventually became Elixir Bound.
Now my husband and I are raising our son in the small city that has
been my home for more years than I like to count.
Why did you pick to write books for
children and teens?
I didn’t! I just started writing a
book. When I finally got around to thinking about who might want to
read what I was writing, it just sort of fell into place that teens
would. So I kind of ran with that idea and I’ve never turned back.
From young adult to middle grade to picture books, I love writing
them all.
Here is a teaser from Elixir Bound:
Katora Kase is
next in line to take over as guardian to a secret and powerful
healing Elixir. Now she must journey into the wilds of Faway Forest
to find the ingredient that gives the Elixir its potency. Even though
she has her sister and brother, an old family friend, and the
handsome son of a mapmaker as companions, she feels alone.
It is her
decision alone whether or not to bind herself to the Elixir to serve
and protect it until it chooses a new guardian. The forest hosts many
dangers, including wicked beings that will stop at nothing to gain
power, but the biggest danger Katora may face is whether or not to
open up her heart to love.
What types of books do you like to
read?
Young adult, young adult, and more
young adult. Sure, I throw in the occasional adult book or classic,
and I do enjoy middle grade, but young adult is my go-to reading.
Whether it be fantasy, contemporary, or dystopian, I love young adult
fiction.
When you are not writing, what do
you like to do?
I have a one-year-old son who keeps me
pretty busy. I also like playing soccer, traveling when I have the
time and money to do it, and collecting signed books. I’m also an
editor, formerly of puzzle magazines and now I work on books.
What book did you wish you had
written?
I’d have to say The Sky is
Everywhere by Jandy Nelson, which is about a 17-year-old girl
whose 19-year-old sister has just died. It’s the only book I felt
compelled to write in (because I never, ever write in books). I think
the author somehow managed to get in my head just after my own sister
died and so eloquently put into words how I was feeling.
Have you written other books? If so,
tell us a bit about them.
I’ve written lots of other books, but
I’ll just talk about my newest book that is set to release next
month. It’s a picture book app called The Bedtime Knight, which
was illustrated by Erika Baird and is forthcoming from MeeGenius!
It’s about a young child who, with a little help from Daddy Knight,
learns how to turn the scary shadows of the night into fun
imaginings.
What’s next for your writing? Are
you working on a new story?
I’m working on a follow-up to Elixir
Bound, which is mostly still in my head. Right now it’s called
Elixir Saved. Kylene, the sister of Katora—the main
character of Elixir Bound—is the main character. I’ve also
got a middle grade adventure called Pirate Island, which I’m
hoping to find a home for soon.
What advice do you have for other
authors?
Read, read, and read some more. Then
write, write, and write some more. Then revise, revise, and revise
some more. Then submit, submit, and submit some more. Really, that’s
all it takes to be a published writer!
Anything else you want readers to
know?
Where can readers find you and your books?
