Friday, May 24, 2019

Interview with Alexandrea Weis, REALM


Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
Realm is a standalone historical fiction novel about the wife of Alexander the Great. She was a footnote to many historians in history, but up until a few decades ago, history was written by men and women were overlooked. I always believed she played a greater role in Alexander’s life, so I wanted to tell her story.

Do you have a favorite character?
Alexander is a favorite character because he is so difficult to write. Historically we know much about him, but little about his nature, so he was a big challenge. Also, his second in command, Hephaestion, was another tough one to write since we know very little about him.
   
What factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher? 
The belief my agent had in me and that publisher had in my book was vital. Make sure you are not just another cog in the wheel. If they don’t believe in you or what you write, they won’t help you to promote and build a brand.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
I prefer silence and never listen to music, but my writing is interrupted by frequent barking, chirping, and assorted animal noises. So I guess that is a sort of music.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
With historical books, you have to outline to make sure you get the history elements right. But with fiction novels outside of historical, I do not outline and go with the flow.

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?
All social media and I have a blog, but I rarely blog since I am constantly writing books. Also, newsletters are important, but hard to keep up with.  

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
Always. When you are in deep in writing, breaking away for marketing can take you out of the story flow, but it is necessary.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?
Get to know your genre and other authors. They will be your biggest source of information. Those who have already made the journey will know better than anyone what to do and not to do.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?
Animals. I am an animal advocate and also a permitted wildlife rehabber with the LA. Wildlife and Fisheries. When I’m not writing, I am rescuing orphaned and injured wildlife. 

What’s next for you?
The follow up to my YA thriller Death by the River. River of Secrets picks up where Death by the River left off and follows the mystery and murder in the small town of St. Benedict Louisiana revolving around the Devereaux family.   




Realm
Alexandrea Weis
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Publication date: May 14th 2019
Genres: Historical, Young Adult

Based on a true story.
When her homeland is conquered by the mighty Alexander the Great, Roxana—the daughter of a mere chieftain—is torn from her simple life and thrown into a world of war and intrigue.
Terrified, the sixteen-year-old girl of renowned beauty is brought before the greatest ruler the world has ever known. Her life is in his hands; her future his to decide.
Without formal education or noble blood, Roxana is chosen by the Greek conqueror to be his bride. Soon she comes to know profound happiness and unyielding desire in her warrior’s arms.
However, being the king’s consort comes at a heavy price. To survive her husband’s treacherous kingdom, she must endure continuous warfare, deadly plots, jealous rivals, victory-hungry generals, and the stigma of being a barbarian. Persian blood will keep her from claiming the grandest title of all—queen—but her reign will seal the fate of an empire.
History tells his story. This is hers.

Author Bio:
Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable.
A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.

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