Interview with Jill Ramsower, BORN OF NOTHING

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

Born of Nothing is the forth book in The Fae Games Series but can be read as a standalone novel. The story is still a fantasy romance but has a somewhat different feel than the other three books in the series. The romance is much more tender while the conflict is darker and more emotional. The change of pace made me apprehensive about releasing the book—reader expectations can be a scary prospect. Fortunately, early reader response has been overwhelmingly positive, and I’m so glad I took the leap to share this story with the world.

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?

Both of the main characters in Born of Nothing originated as minor characters earlier in the series, and I had no intention of them having their own book or falling in love. In fact, when I was brainstorming Cat’s story, my initial thought was that Fen was not an option for her. And yet, my mind kept coming back to the two of them. The more I thought about it, the more I realized they were perfect for each other. At that point, the story practically wrote itself in a matter of days.

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers? What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?

My foray into the publishing world was sudden and unexpected. A month after deciding to write a book, I had a rough draft in my hands and no idea what to do with it. I then threw myself into researching the publishing options and quickly decided that I was not interested in the drawn-out process of seeking an agent to help me find a publisher. Patience has never been a virtue of mine. Since that time, I’ve considered seeking an agent for future projects, but have yet to make that decision.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?

I have used a cover artist and been so involved in the process that I have taught myself to use photoshop and now do all of my own ads and marketing images. I’m still using a cover artist, but have considered doing my own covers for future projects because I am so particular about my desired look.

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing? Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?

I don’t have a traditional critique group, but I have a group of friends and family that act as beta readers. They give me fabulous input on story structure/weaknesses. Once I’m happy with the foundation, I send the book to my editor, who is a traditionally published author. I love that she doesn’t hold any punches and tells me exactly what she thinks. After my post-edit rewrites, if I think the book needs one more set of eyes, my sweet husband does a quick read through. In all, I go through the book at least a dozen times before it gets released.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence? Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

I outline the outlines of my outlines. As far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing as too much outlining. I have no idea how the uber creative types free-form a book. I want to make sure there is consistency and flow in my stories and the only way I can do that is to have the whole thing fleshed out first before I start writing.

What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey? Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book? What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?

There is TONS of information out there about indie publishing—research!! Reach out to individuals already in the business and ask for advice. Do everything you can to arm yourself because it’s a tricky business, and there is so much to learn that it can feel overwhelming. I jumped in and published my first book before I had any idea what I was doing, and I wouldn’t recommend that approach. Learn the ropes, study the social media aspects, learn where you want to spend your budget, create a concrete business plan all before you put yourself out there.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?

I love love love to travel. I am fascinated with different cultures and the varying landscapes around the world. If I could, I would travel at least a week out of every month!

What’s next for you?

Book 5 is scheduled to come out in June of 2019 and will be the final installment of The Fae Games Series (at least for now). After that, I think my next project will be a standalone novel that I’ve been wanting to write for a while—something very near and dear to my heart. It’s not paranormal, so I wasn’t sure if I wanted to deviate from the brand I’ve started to create, but I can’t get the story out of my head. I’m a big believer in listening to your instincts, and my gut says this story needs to be told!

Born of Nothing
Jill Ramsower
(The Fae Games #4)
Publication date: March 5th 2019
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

It was over before it began.
A druid woman and a Fae man—we were two people from different worlds, only by chance did our paths happen to cross. He was beautiful and damaged and totally captivating. If only I could have continued to buy into the propaganda of fear and hate my people had taught me about the Fae, then maybe I would have believed him to be the savage he appeared to be.

Instead, I offered the cryptic man my help. The time I spent with him allowed me to see the man he was behind the chiseled, formal exterior. What developed between us was tender, intimate, and totally unexpected.

My druid family was not as enlightened as I was. My mom didn’t want me near the Fae; she certainly never would have understood that I had developed feelings for a Fae man. I tried to keep my private life a secret. I tried to keep the peace, but my mother’s threats and intolerance left me with no choice. I had to make the hardest decision of my life. I had to leave the only family I’d ever known. I just never imagined what I’d face when I didn’t make it out in time…

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:
Jill is a Texan, born and raised. She manages the hectic social calendars for her three active children and occasionally spends an evening with her dashing husband. Aside from being an author and a mom, she’s an attorney, travel junkie, and voracious reader.

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