Today I am proud to welcome author Jane Shand to our little humble corner of the multiverse! Jane just released her YA epic fantasy, A Shimmer of Magic. It’s the first in the trilogy, and she’s dropping by today to share with us a little glimpse behind the scenes. So buckle up, and take a little ride into down ye-olde writer’s lane!
Did I mention there is also a giveaway?!
Writing with children in the house is not easy, though now both mine are at school I get plenty done after they leave and before they come home. But holidays are more difficult. Usually, we do stuff in the morning and then when they slink away to use electronics after lunch, that’s my writing time! It can be hard after the holidays are over to get back into writing morning and afternoon. But I always aim to write at least 1200 new words a day, five days a week. I take weekends off but not really many holiday days. When the kids are at school, I do the writing in the morning then after lunch I will do any admin tasks, or I may have a video or article on writing or publishing to watch or read. Or I might try and write a short story. I have had a few shortlisted and two cosy crime stories published. My novels are YA Fantasy, but that’s the beauty of short stories, you can explore a different genre more easily. I also do research for the next project in the afternoons.
Although my books are set in fantasy, made-up worlds, I still want them to be believable. So I research the climate, the types of plants and animals that might live in that type of landscape. I will also research the culture and it all influences my writing.
My first published novel The Shard took me almost two years to write, edit and publish, but since then I have brought the time down. It takes about 4 to 4.5 months to write, then anything between two weeks and a month for editing (allowing a week for it to sit in a draw while I work on something else) – this time depends on whether the kids are on holiday or not! Then I send it for a professional edit, to ensure I am putting out the best quality I can, and that can take 5 to 6 weeks to come back. Then a week or so on making any changes. During the professional edit I also commission a cover. For A Shimmer of Magic, I chose MiblArt as I had heard of them in a Facebook writing group and seen a cover on a book I really liked. I try to have everything done before I put the book on pre-order, but if I have to, I will use a homemade cover and then upload the new one once it arrives – well before it releases!
A Shimmer of Magic
The Crystal Mages Trilogy Book 1
by Jane Shand
Genre: YA Epic Fantasy
Elin believes she will never belong
Her magic is too dangerous.
This is the first book in The Crystal Mages Trilogy, a young adult coming-of-age epic fantasy series.
Elin is pulled into a dangerous quest and her life is changed forever when she is found by Kamaria, a mage with her own issues, and a group of rangers. Kamaria is desperate to prove herself and Elin could be the key.
Elin struggles with her burgeoning friendships, learning to control her magic, and her feelings for the grey-eyed ranger, Kai. All while contending with renegade mages, assassins, and deadly creatures from legend. She also learns secrets from her past and the reason why her parents abandoned her as a baby.
She discovers that her dead parents have bequeathed her a heavy responsibility, as well as a key. A key that could release a dark mage.
Try this brand-new YA coming-of-age, epic fantasy series today!
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads
Jane Shand has always been an avid reader of fantasy and mystery and is an author of YA Fantasy. She got hooked on fantasy after reading ‘Lord of the Rings’ at a young age and was determined to write books full of magic and adventure.
She lives in Hampshire, England with her family and two cheeky cats who would love to help her write. She has published The Darkling Duology plus a prequel novella, a standalone book, and is now working on The Crystal Mages Trilogy which will be followed by a longer series set on the same continent.
Giveaway
$20 Amazon
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway
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