Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Interview with S.S. Segran, #AegisTour



Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
My latest—and first—book is called Aegis Rising and it is part of the Aegis League series. I’m currently working on book two, Aegis Incursion, which is due for release in November of this year.

Aegis Rising is a basically a good old-fashioned, good versus evil story with a modern twist. Five teenage friends are in a small plane heading to Yukon for their vacation when a freak storm appears out of nowhere. The plane is struck by lightning and crashes into the remote forests of Northern Canada. When the friends regain consciousness, they find themselves in an uncharted valley inhabited by a mysterious people who have chosen to remain hidden from the rest of the world for centuries. The Elders of the village believe that the five are the chosen ones from their ancient prophecy and as such, are obligated to train them in their ways in order to prepare them to save the planet from a dark storm gathering on humanity’s horizon.

Do you have a favorite character?
I have a tendency to bounce from one character to another, and it entirely depends on how I’m feeling. Kody and Tegan have been my favorites as of late, but sometimes I’m partial to characters who have smaller roles; I suspect that this will continue on as I bring more characters into the series.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?
My dear dad was the person who designed the cover, actually, so I was quite involved! We’ve had the cover idea planned for a few years but it went through several modifications. I’d mainly give input regarding the positioning and sizing of different layers on the cover.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
My writing process first begins with jotting down notes for a specific chapter or scene (if it’s an action scene, it’ll be storyboarded). Then I head over to my laptop to begin the actual writing. Depending on my mood, I’ll either start typing right away or I’ll need to take some time to immerse myself into the story. Sometimes I work in total silence, but quite often I’ve got music going and they’re normally instrumentals. Some are Celtic tunes, others are action scores and even original soundtracks from certain video games.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
Both. I find that it’s good to have structure—a vision to know where you want the story to go and to ensure that you don’t sway from the arc of the plot. At the same time, I believe it’s vital to let imagination unfold organically within the framework of said arc. While having a plan is good, there’s something inspiring about letting creativity fuel the process of writing.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
I did indeed hire an editor before publishing Aegis Rising. He’s been a wonderful help. I’ve learned several things from him and we often discuss parts of the book that need some work to hopefully make it the best it can be. It’s great to work with someone who’s had years of experience in this field.

What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
I’ve learned that the job is not over when the book is published! There are promotions, book events, interviews and loads of other marketing-related things to do. It sort of caught me by surprise, especially because I’m more used to being behind a keyboard than going around trying to promote my novel on media or at events. It’s something that takes me out of my comfort zone, but I’m slowly starting to embrace it.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?
I used to do horseback riding and I absolutely loved it. The horses were usually so sweet and riding one is almost like flying. I also draw when I can find time and inspiration, and I enjoy reading as well as gaming. I recently went skydiving for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I’ll certainly be doing more of that.

How about some fun facts-which do you prefer? Dogs or cats, coffee or tea, vanilla or chocolate, morning or night?
I’m a dog-loving girl, and I’m especially fond of the big ones. I don’t really take coffee or tea but if I had to choose, it would be tea. As for vanilla or chocolate—how about chocolate-vanilla ice cream?? I definitely prefer nighttime as opposed to morning, as that’s when I’m the most creative (that can sometimes be unfortunate because there are instances when I’ll be drawing until 5 a.m.).

What’s next for you?
I intend to finish the rest of the Aegis League series—I have planned for five books in total—and then explore other concepts for future novels. Some ideas that I’d be keen on diving into are post-apocalyptical, steampunk, espionage and/or historical scenarios.


Title: Aegis Rising
Series: Aegis League Series #1
Author: S.S. Segran
Publication Date: November 15, 2013
Genre: Sci-Fi Action/Adventure

Synopsis
Over a remote northern forest, a small plane carrying five teenage friends flies into a freak storm. Struck by lightning, the aircraft crashes and the passengers find themselves cast into a life-changing adventure.

In a hidden valley, a mysterious people gaze at the stormy sky as a glowing object with fiery wings disappears behind a mountain ridge. The astonishing sight reignites an ancient prophecy foretelling the arrival of five chosen ones destined to become bearers of light against a dark storm gathering on humanity's horizon.

In a distant city, a secretive organization led by a shadowy figure initiates a sequence of cataclysmic events designed to wreak havoc across the planet, beginning with a remote mining site in northern Canada.

As the three worlds collide, unlikely heroes arise. Armed with powers entrusted to them by the ancient prophecy and the resilience of their life-long bond, the five teens take a stand against a malevolent foe.

Buy Links


Author Bio
S.S.Segran is the bestselling author of AEGIS RISING, the first book in the Aegis League Series. In crafting the premise for the novel, she drew from the inspiring imagery of the Pacific Northwest, the intriguing potential of the human mind and above all, her abiding love for adventure, science fiction and mystery stories. She enjoys drawing, horseback riding and is an ardent fan of parkour and freerunning. S.S.Segran is a proud member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in British Columbia.

S.S.Segran is also the founder of Aegis League (www.aegisleague.org), a non-profit organization whose goal is to support youths living in places and conditions that deny them opportunities to grow. The mission of the organization is to provide life-skills training and micro-loan funding to help them launch small businesses in the communities where they reside. Partial proceeds from the sale of her books go to this cause.

Social Media Links
Website  | Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads | YouTube


Giveaway: There is a giveaway for this tour. A $40 Amazon/B&N Giftcard or a Book Depository shopping spree of the same value.

One winner. Open Internationally. Ends 10/13. Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 



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