Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
TO REAP THE SPIRIT is the third installment of the Dead Dreamer series surrounding Brenna Whit as she deals with college, chaos, and death. Although Brenna’s journey through Nephesburg College hasn’t been easy in the slightest, her junior year takes the kick. Only enemies resurface, her soul rebels, and death haunts the campus of Nephesburg, leaving everyone in shock and horror. Brenna must do all she can to save those she cares about, but at the same time, she has to keep her wits about her…or else Maura will consume her forever.
Do you have a favorite character?
Lara and Leon are my absolute favorites in this series. They made their first appearance in TO WAKE THE DEAD (Dead Dreamer Book 2) and they’ve always been my pride and joy. Are they insane? Yes. Are they power hungry? Yes. But I just can’t help it. Knowing their full history (that only I know…for now), I understand why they are the way that they are. Things are not black and white in the Dead Dreamer universe and that goes for all of my characters. No one is inherently evil or pure and good. Everyone is the way they are for a reason…its up to you to keep reading and find out the truth behind everything.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?
In a way, yes. Considering I originally wrote the first three books back in 2009-2011, things have evolved and changed drastically. A character that was only mentioned in TO DREAM IS TO DIE (Dead Dreamer Book 1), has now joined the cast a serious threat and I’m so excited to see where this will go.
Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
Originally yes. For years, I attempted to query agents and publishers, anyone I could find. But this was over ten years ago. The world has changed a lot since then and so has my writing. I now understand why my work was originally rejected. It took time but going back to put the work in rewriting the series was the best thing I could have ever done for myself.
How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?
It took a long time, but in 2018, I officially signed with Parliament House Press. I’m so grateful they were willing to take a chance on my Dead series considering no one else had. But they gave me the chance and the time I needed to change the story and improve it. Officially, TO DREAM IS TO DIE (Dead Dreamer Book 1) was my first published novel.
What factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher?
Circumstances, honestly. At the time, I was laid off from my first big girl job and I was in a deep depression. But some friends encouraged me to submit to Parliament, not only because they wanted to encourage my writing, but also because I had known the owner for a long time. It was worth a shot. And it worked.
Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?
Currently, I am under a traditional contract for one more book for the Dead Dreamer series. As for future work, I’m uncertain where life will take me. We’ll have to see!
If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?
Shayne from Parliament created the original covers for my Dead Dreamer series. But we are working together to create new covers once all of the books are completed and published. I’ve been working with an artist on Instagram who has been AMAZING at sending me artwork to go with my series, so I hope to incorporate some of those as well.
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
Music. I always need music. I have a couple playlists that I usually work with, but there is one called Epic Writing and that one gives me goosebumps every time.
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
I’m a pantser. Being a chaotic writing, I just open Word and start writing. I love it. I watch my character move in my head and all I can do is record what they do. I have zero control.
To Reap the Spirit
Sarah Lampkin
(Dead Dreamer, #3)
Published by: Parliament House
Publication date: October 13th 2020
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal
The third installment in the haunting Dead Dreamer series.
Somehow Brenna Whit has survived to her junior year at Nephesburg College. Despite all odds, she’s fought against the Gatekeepers and lived. But the battle for the Fade has only just begun.
New pieces have been added to the board.
The Fade opens to the Veil.
And a Shade from the past returns.
With Brenna’s secret out, everyone is after her: dead and living alike. Those from across the sea have come and they’re determined regain control of their broken faction.
Questions will be answers
Fires will be lit
Chaos will reign
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Author Bio:
Sarah Lampkin is a New Adult/Young Adult fiction author from Southern Virginia. She currently resides in Northern Virginia with her cat, Fox (who is practically a dog). When she’s not writing, she’s playing video games, rock climbing, or getting ready for hunting season. Sarah began writing over a decade ago with her first novella called Angels: Moon and Sun, which is now being rewritten as Tainted Wings on Wattpad. She draws inspiration from Celtic mythology in her stories and aims to create unique worlds following strong female protagonist. In 2015, Sarah was able to utilize her Dead Dreamer series in her graduate program and graduate with an MA in English.
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