Today I’d like to introduce indie author Jacey K. Dew and their book Dezirah.
Who are you?! What are your credentials? Where are you from?
My name is Jacey K Dew. I’m from Parkland County, Alberta. I’m an indie author with four books published.
What book(s) have you written?
Dezirah Volume 1, Dezirah Volume 2, Dezirah Volume 3, and Blood Mountain.
What is the title of your most recent book and how did it come to be named?
Dezirah Volume 3, which will be launching March 15th, found its name after I had finished the first character’s point of view. I ran through a number of names before I finally settled on making up a new word. The word formed as a twist on the word desire, to symbolize the revolutionist’s desire for a new world order.
What does the cover look like?
Title in levels at the top with the Dezirah revolution symbol taking up the bottom half of the cover. Paint on concrete style.
Describe the book in 5 words.
Supernatural, revolution, magic, survival, dystopia
What genre(s) do you think it fits into or breaks?
General fantasy
What’s the synopsis for the book?
Spring thaws the snow and awakens all that lies dormant. Movement returns to the frozen North. The revolution is onto its next phase. Alexa is sent to find a gift Darius left her. Nikki wishes to find her family. Jaiden knows through her visions that the calm will not last. A rebellion emerges.
What is one thing you want readers to know about this book that the official synopsis doesn’t cover?
Crisis can bring all sorts out of people. People do things they otherwise would never, while others can be their true selves.
Where can we buy the book?
It will be available at Chapters, Indigo, Barnes & Noble, all major eBook shops, and Amazon worldwide.
Where did your main sources of inspiration come from for this story?
Countless horror movies, fantasy books, and fantasy movies. I started writing it in high school as an outlet after my mom passed away.
Who is the book dedicated to and why?
I have varied people I thank through the eBooks. Most in a generalized sense, and thanking everyone who puts up with me. But, it’s mostly a dedication to me. It’s a story that I would like to read, so I’ve written it.
What three other books would you use to describe your book?
There would only be single parallels which I could draw. Like, Harry Potter, because I have magic in the books, but it’s nothing like Harry Potter.
Why is indie publishing important to you and why do you think it is important to our culture?
Indie publishing, to me means complete control. It’s the author having 100% say in the entire book. From plot, to writing style, to cover artwork. There are less commercial rules to follow. You are publishing because this is what you love to do, not because you’ve written the next regurgitated piece that readers can swear they’ve read a thousand times. You can take risks that a traditional publishing company may not be willing to take.
If you could choose one ideal reader – no matter who – to read your book, who would it be and why?
A fantasy loving reader interested in fast plot, and the unexpected.
If your book was an animal, what would it be and why?
A chameleon, because the series is constantly evolving and changing.
What is your favorite sentence from the book?
There isn’t a favourite sentence, but I do have a favourite portion. Would be too long to post here, but Dominique writes letters to her parents. I cried while writing the letters.
If you were to collaborate with another writer, who would they be and why?
I don’t know. I don’t think I would. I’m a bit of a control freak, and would likely try to take over the entire project.
What books do you think the world needs to read more of and why?
The world in general could use a little more reading in any type of learning departments. How To books, Encyclopedias, science texts…
What does diversity in publishing mean to you?
Points of view. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone sees the world differently. Bad things tend to happen when the world is an echo chamber with one type of view.
How have libraries affected your writing?
Other than I went to the library as a kid, it hasn’t.
What do you see as problems that need to be fixed in the traditional publishing model?
They have rigid guidelines to what they think is publish material creating a lack of diverse pieces causing generally predictable plots. It would be nice to hear back from every place you inquire at; even just a ‘No thanks.’ More of the profit going to the author.
What is the best piece of advice you got from another writer?
“Write what you know.” Ms. Howsen, my Grade 12 English teacher.
What indie authors have influenced you and how?
I’m guilty as an author and general busy person, that I don’t actually take the time to read much. When I do, it’s usually whatever book is really popular at the moment. Ex. Hunger Games.
Is the Amazon publishing model scary to you in any way?
I don’t know too much about it, but from what I hear, it could be bad for authors. Essentially, monopolising where your books go by requiring it to be exclusive to them. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was just another option out there without the exclusivity.
What is something you learned about writing when writing your most recent book?
The love/hate relationship people have with cycling views. That’s how DV2 and DV3 are written. I don’t mind it and some others I’ve talked to don’t mind it or don’t mind how mine is written. But, I’ve had some people come back saying they hate figuring out who’s head they are in and would prefer one character’s point of view.
What are some ways you think gatekeepers in publishing (literary agents, librarians, book bloggers) can help indie authors gain discoverability?
It’s all about visibility. Indie authors don’t have much more then friends and family vouching for them when they are starting out. Gatekeepers of the industry have access to readers that the indie author may not have been able to gain the attention of.
What is the book you wish you had written?
Harry Potter. JK Rowling created a wonderful world.
The last book that made you laugh? Cry?
My own, Dezirah Volume 3. Plugging my own, because I’ve just finished writing it and going through the editing stage. It’s the last, and the last twenty books I’ve read back to back. At this point, I’m not sure what year we’re in, and what the last book (not my own) I read was.
The thing you’ve written that makes you cringe?
Hypocrites- the entire book. I wrote it in a month and was angry at the world. I’m redoing it as my next book, but the whole thing needs a major overhaul.
What is your favorite online resource as an author?
Google. I go Google crazy some days, and I’m sure there is a government agent that watches my searches while shaking their head.
How do you feel about authors giving their work away for free?
It depends on the type of free. Free as a promotion or the first book to a series or a short story; free with a purpose is fine with me. But I shake my head when everything an author does is given away for free. That’s when you know it is a hobby for them, and that’s great, but it also drives down prices and gives readers a sense of entitlement to free. Authors that try to make a living off their work, have a hard time when their royalty is already pennies to a couple dollars per piece sold, and readers wish for everything to be free.
What was your favorite book as a child?
The Girl Who Owned A City by OT Nelson
What are the books you’ve read more than once?
My own, a thousand times; part of being an author…
I mean, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Not the whole series, just the first book. I’ve read it a few times.
The book people might be surprised to learn you love?
Twilight. I haven’t read it since I was an angsty teenager back when it came out. I’m sure my answer might change if I had to reread it, but I loved it at the time.
What music do you write to or find inspiration in?
Nursery Rhymes and Disney songs, but not by choice. I have a toddler.
What roadblocks did you encounter when publishing your work?
There was a lack of clear knowledge out there for a process. I had to figure it out on my own. I made some costly mistakes.
What TV show are you watching now?
Van Helsing on Netflix. Great series. Vampire dystopian world.
Cat or dog or both person?
Cat person. I like certain dogs, but I’m generally scared of them. I had a grumpy demon dog growing up that bit me and all my friends.
Alice in Wonderland or Wizard of Oz – and why?
Alice in Wonderland because it’s wacky and creative.
Coffee or tea or both person?
Tea. Coffee is disgusting.
Print book or ebook or both person?
Print book. I prefer a physical book and turning the pages. However, I’ve also done my fair share of ebook reading because it’s light and convenient. So, both.
How do you see book culture changing, other than the ways it already has, because of ebooks?
Heavier ebook purchasing. They are cheaper, and don’t take up room on a shelf. As people are having more minimalist lifestyles, and less of a budget, I see print books being a luxury item rather than a preference.
How do you see book culture changing, if at all, because of indie publishing?
I see indie publishing growing to be as big as traditional publishing. Then, traditional publishers may be forced to change and adapt to what the general reading audience wants, rather than what stereotypical avid readers in the trial group and the big boss want.
What is one cause or charity you support and want to give a shout-out to?
“Little Warriors is a national, charitable organization based in Canada committed to the awareness, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.”http://littlewarriors.ca/
What is your biggest grammatical struggle to overcome in your writing, or what is your most common typo?
Commas. Can we just all agree that no one can agree, on where commas should go?
Where can we stalk you? (What are the links to your social media platforms and blog?)
Blog: www.jaceykdew.ca
Twitter: @JaceyKDew https://twitter.com/JaceyKDew
Instagram: jaceykdew https://www.instagram.com/jaceykdew/
Tumblr: jaceykdew https://www.tumblr.com/blog/jaceykdew
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaceyKDew/
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about yourself and your upcoming book, Jacey!
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