KaSonndra Leigh has written When Copper Suns Fall.
1. What is your name and where do
you call home?
My name is
KaSonndra Leigh and I live in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina.
2. Do you have a pen name?
No fancy, seductive names or anything like
that for me. KaSonndra is my real name.
3. What is
the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less
words, what would you say?
My most recent book
is my debut novel and it’s called When Copper Suns Fall. To sum it up in 20
words or less (b/c I’m really good at these mini pitches now, haha) I would say
it’s about a fifteen-year-old girl trying to use her memory power to face rival
demon slayers and save her brother.
4. Do you have plans for a new
book? Is this book part of a series?
I do. I have three
books that will published in 2012. One of them is the sequel to Copper Suns. It’s
called When Silver Moons Rise. I’ve already begun writing it and I have some
big shoes to continue to fill after the reviews Copper Suns received.
5. What or who inspired you to
start writing? And how long have you been writing?
Actually, I attempted to write my first book
after watching the movie the Last Unicorn and reading the book My Sweet Audrina
by V.C. Andrews. That was a long time ago, so, um it probably wasn’t a very
good first attempt. I ended up chucking the story. About five years ago, I
tried to write it again. I revised it, sent it to agents, and then…crickets!
Oh, and rejections. It was terrible. I hadn’t found my voice/style yet, so I
chucked the story yet again and enrolled in an official writing program. I’ve
been writing since I can remember. But professionally, I’ve only been at it for
about three or four now.
6. Do you gift books to readers
for book reviews?
Yes! All of the indie & major publishing
houses do that. Without the reader, we have nothing. Readers trust other reader’s
reviews. Period.
7. How did you come up with the
cover? Who designed the cover of your book?
Oh fun! Fun! I was hoping many people ask about
the cover. My story is a cross-genre, and not just your typical one. I created
an urban fantasy inside of a dystopian world. The urban fantasy doesn’t have
vampires, either. I chose two very
different genres so the cover had to reflect the flavor of both while pulling
the story into it too. Phew! What a task. Enter super graphic designer
extraordinaire, Shy3 (a nickname) and the world was saved. The result?—A
dystopian style cover that clearly tells the reader about the supernatural
element present in the book as well. Pretty clever, right? Big grin. :-D
8. Which is your favorite cover of all the books you have
written?
The cover to When Silver Moons Rise (Copper
Suns trilogy#2) is the best of the two, so far. Hands down. Once again, we had
to continue the cross-genre theme which made it.
9. Is there anything you would change about your book
covers?
Nope. Love them all so far!
10. Would you have different book covers for different
countries?
Only if the publisher said I had to. I think
the industry standard is to have several different ones for other countries,
but when you’re with a small press, you have to keep the budget in mind.
11. How did you come up with the
title for your book?
The title changed almost a million times! No,
but seriously though, it was hard. My story was different and I knew that. But
my readers had also confirmed that what made it unique was also what made it so
memorable. The title had to fit the story and vice versa. So it came to me one
day as I stood in the Barnes & Noble that your story is actually about what
happens after the copper suns fall. I said all that without spoiling too much,
didn’t I? Haha.
12. Is there anything you would
change about your book? And why?
**Groan** Always a double-loaded question for
a writer. At the end of the day, I’m a perfectionist. My editor told me to stop
reading through and picking out sore spots. So, I did. That was hard. But I’m
pretty sure if I would’ve kept on reading through, I would’ve found something I
just ‘had’ to change.
13. Do you have a book trailer?
And what are your thoughts on book trailers?
The book trailer is coming. It will probably
hit YouTube about the same time as the book’s release. There’s a matter of
permissions, etc. with the song we want to use for it. **groans again**. But I
promise it will be well worth the wait.
14. Do you prefer e-books,
paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?
I prefer any readable format. But e-books are
slowly becoming my fav. I can gobble books up faster in that format. Big grin.
My attention span is terrible, so audiobooks end up talking to my walls.
15. Are you a self-published /
Indie author?
I’m an indie author and proud. TriGate press
is the brainchild of several local readers/writers/authors who believed enough
in my baby to invest. I heart all of you dearly. Copper Suns was given the same
treatment as the works of authors at major houses. I’ve gotten much respect and
support from the industry all over. And I’m both grateful and proud. :-D
16. Have you ever read a book
more than once? And if so what was it?
I read Copper Suns through almost twenty times
before I was satisfied with my editor’s handy work. That’s how I know others
will enjoy it, too. Other than that, I’ve never read anything twice. Not
because I’m that picky, but because there’s so darn many books and so little
time. **sigh sigh**
17. Have you ever bought a specific edition of a book
because of it’s cover? (For example a UK, US or Canadian version)
Guilty! I used to do it all the time. But I
got stuck with some eh-em things I probably won’t be finishing. Now I go and
sample things on Kindle/ibooks/Nook first. Gotta love technology. hehe
18. Has the quality of the cover of a book ever put you off
of reading it?
Nah. But typos all over the first page has,
and still does quite often.
19. What book are you reading at
the moment? And in what format?
Daughter of Smoke and Bone in e-book!
20. Do you have any advice for
other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it
comes to writing?
Follow your dreams, and work on fine-tuning
the knowledge you’ll need to master in order to get there. Read, write every day,
find a mentor if you can (I did), and keep reaching for the stars. Persistence
always pays off in the end.
21. Where can your readers follow
you?
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/When-Copper-Suns-Fall-by-KaSonndra-Leigh/111665822268673?sk=app_163325500392236
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12387007-when-copper-suns-fall
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kasonndraleigh
Thankyou so much for taking
the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing
world!
Thank you for hosting me at your blog Rachel. I had fun interviewing with you.
ReplyDeleteHugz,
KaSonndra