Can you give us a brief overview of
your latest book? Is it part of a series?
Hunters of the Dream, Book One: The Gathering, is the first book of a trilogy. Hunters, combines the ‘real’ world with the wondrous worlds of Spirit, Nature, dreams, deep intuition and magic. It weaves a story as old as time: the Light against the Dark, and our call to become more than we could ever imagine, in order to overcome challenges and defend ourselves, and the natural world – our home. Aurora thinks she’s just a normal teenager, and – like many readers – she has no idea how powerful she really is. When the long-silent Oracle awakens she is called upon to lead the charge against the Darkness that is seeping through time threatening all worlds. Will she be able to find the courage to lead the Hunters of the Dream and step into her true calling? Will she know who to trust along the way?
Hunters of the Dream, Book One: The Gathering, is the first book of a trilogy. Hunters, combines the ‘real’ world with the wondrous worlds of Spirit, Nature, dreams, deep intuition and magic. It weaves a story as old as time: the Light against the Dark, and our call to become more than we could ever imagine, in order to overcome challenges and defend ourselves, and the natural world – our home. Aurora thinks she’s just a normal teenager, and – like many readers – she has no idea how powerful she really is. When the long-silent Oracle awakens she is called upon to lead the charge against the Darkness that is seeping through time threatening all worlds. Will she be able to find the courage to lead the Hunters of the Dream and step into her true calling? Will she know who to trust along the way?
Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
I didn’t
try the traditional route to publishing, Hunters of the Dream. I respect the
experience and work that agents and publishers bring, and sometimes wish I’d
gone that route, but I knew it would take longer than doing it myself. I
wouldn’t rule out working with an agent, or publisher in the future.
What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
I’m a
designer, as well as being an artist and writer, and have helped people
self-publish their books. So I knew that I could publish my own books, and that
it would be faster than going the traditional route.
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
I hired a
great editor, Rosanne Catalano, who specializes in young adult fiction. She did
the line edit on the first manuscript. The final edited manuscript was then
copyedited by, Carole Audet. In between the edits I also had feedback from
early readers. After writing the book, I think that hiring a professional
editor is one of the most important things an author can do. I can’t stress
enough to anyone wanting to self-publish a book: hire a professional editor!
They will make your work better.
What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
Everything
takes longer than you think it’s going to! I now know how long I need to allow
for editing, early readers, re-editing and creating the final manuscript for
publishing. My new formula is: multiple everything by two!
Do you find it difficult to juggle
your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
Yes.
Marketing takes a lot of time. I would rather be writing instead of marketing.
The upside is that I get to see Hunters of the Dream from a different
viewpoint. Sharing my process – and the behind the scenes story of Hunters –
gets me out of my head and into a place where I can begin to see the reader’s
perspective.
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
I light a
candle and meditate before I begin. I like listening to music, softly in the
background. Music helps me to stay focused, probably because it blocks out the
sounds of our dogs. Actually, my husband tells me I don’t hear anything when
I’m in the midst of writing! (It’s true.)
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
I don’t use
an outline. Part of what I love about writing is that, like the reader, I don’t
know what’s coming on the next page or the next chapter. I don’t know where the
story or characters are leading me. I trust the story to become. Having said
that, I understand the merits of outlines and am trying to find my own take on
it…the non-outline, outline.
Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?
Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?
Hunters of
the Dream is available, online, in print from Barnes & Noble and
Chapters/Indigo (and Amazon). From March 9th it will also be
available as an ebook at Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Chapters/Indigo and Amazon.
Hunters is in the Ingrams Book Catalogue, so any book store will be able to
order it for you.
Besides writing, do
you have any other passions?
Before being an author, I am an environmental artist. Through my work as an artist I enter a world of wonder, much like a Shaman. I communicate with the Earth, the Spirit world, and the Animal, Insect and Plant worlds to create gallery exhibitions. I was called to expand upon the way that I work; to communicate messages from the Earth and Spirit worlds, with a wider audience–especially with youth – through story. And invite readers into a world of wonder where they can begin to access their own innate memories of ancient mysteries and our deep connections to all beings, both seen and unseen.
Before being an author, I am an environmental artist. Through my work as an artist I enter a world of wonder, much like a Shaman. I communicate with the Earth, the Spirit world, and the Animal, Insect and Plant worlds to create gallery exhibitions. I was called to expand upon the way that I work; to communicate messages from the Earth and Spirit worlds, with a wider audience–especially with youth – through story. And invite readers into a world of wonder where they can begin to access their own innate memories of ancient mysteries and our deep connections to all beings, both seen and unseen.
I am also a novice flower farmer J My husband,
Robin, and I recently purchased a 10-acre farm on, Salt Spring Island that we
call, Alchemy Farm. It’s a huge dream come true to be the steward of such a
special and beautiful piece of land. We are busy creating a sustainable farm
growing flowers, berries, fruits, veggies and willow. We have two beehives
arriving in a few weeks, just in time for our orchard’s blossoming. Small eco
retreats are also a possibility in the future.
What’s next for you?
I am currently working on Book Two of the Hunters Trilogy: Darkness Approaching. I am also creating a membership website where readers can continue their journey into the world of Hunters of the Dream. Membership is free to readers, and gives them access to complimentary art and writing projects. Paid modules are also available for a nominal fee. The paid modules will be especially appealing to youth, parents and home schoolers who are interested in developing a deeper understanding of our sacred connections to the natural and Spirit world through a variety of teachings and videos. Signup to become a member here:
I am currently working on Book Two of the Hunters Trilogy: Darkness Approaching. I am also creating a membership website where readers can continue their journey into the world of Hunters of the Dream. Membership is free to readers, and gives them access to complimentary art and writing projects. Paid modules are also available for a nominal fee. The paid modules will be especially appealing to youth, parents and home schoolers who are interested in developing a deeper understanding of our sacred connections to the natural and Spirit world through a variety of teachings and videos. Signup to become a member here:
I would like to
invite your readers to get a free online Eco Heart Oracle reading here: bit.ly/FreeEcoHeartOracleReading
BLURB:
When the
summer holidays begin, Aurora thinks she’s just a normal teenager about to have
another boring summer. Then, for her seventeenth birthday, Nana Brin gives her
a long-silent Oracle that has been passed down through their family for
generations. The mysterious Oracle soon awakens in response to the creeping
Darkness that is escaping and destroying all worlds. Aurora must quickly find
the courage to come to terms with her calling as the Huntress of the Dream.
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IKoivukangas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HuntersTheDream
Website: www.IngridKoivukangas.com
Chapters /
Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/hunters-of-the-dream-book/9780973632767-item.html
NOTE: Hunters of the Dream will be available at Amazon from
February 22 to March
20 for only $0.99
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the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better the chances of winning.
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