The Next Big Thing …
Welcome to The Next Big Thing. My author buddy, Suzanna Williams, recently tagged me for a ‘chain’ blog entitled ‘The Next Big Thing’.
The deal is: I answer a few questions about my current work-in-progress, then I invite other authors to do the same. A bit like a chain letter, except it is only focused on an author’s work-in-progress.
Suzanna is the author of a young adult sci-fi action adventure titled Shockwaves. You can find her answers about her latest book by clicking here.
Suzanna was tagged previously by Katherine Lowry Logan, the author of The Ruby Brooch, a time travel romance.
Read about her work-in-progress here.
The authors I’ve chosen have been tagged can be found below my answers. So here goes:
What is the working title of your next book?
MER: volume 2. (This is just a working title until I make a decision on what the second book in the series will be called.)
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Besides the fact that I love anything fantasy, involving mermaids and magical creatures, it all started with a late-night conversation with my hubby. We were talking about current trends in young adult books and movies and I was like “There are so many vampire, werewolf, and wizard type books…what about merpeople?” And thus, MER was born.
What genre does your book fall under?
Young adult fantasy with a touch of romance.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
This is a very hard question, because I have so many characters in my book, a lot of them being children and teens. BUT I will say that Russel Crow would be a great Lord Emrys, the children’s 
father.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
MER is a dark and magically gripping tale of the Castlecray children, who are forced on a treacherous journey where bed-time stories come to life right before their eyes.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
This was a very hard decision for me at first, but for now I will am self publishing the MER series. If I get a fantastic offer from a big-time publisher, then it may be a different story.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
It took me nine months to write MER, the first book in the series, and I am shooting for six months for book 2! Wish me luck!
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
This is also a very hard question, because I believe my book is very different from any other. But if I had to choose I would say J.K. Rowling’s HARRY POTTER and George R.R. Martin’s A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, which are two very different styles.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My family. My daughter, who is absolutely obsessed with fairy-tales and anything mermaid and my husband, who is my biggest support system!
What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
This series is geared towards young adults, but it is great for and loved by many people of all ages. It has a little bit of everything, from knights who fight for honor, a rebellion war and slimy crag trolls, to magical creatures, ancient prophecies, mermaids, and romance. If that doesn’t get you, check out the book trailer here done by Director Jeremy Womac and Monsoon Productions. It is amazing!
The authors I’ve invited to join in the fun are: James Eggebeen, a fantasy writer after my own heart, and Bethany Aan, a steamy erotica/romance and sci-fi writer.
I hope you’ll visit their websites and check out their books. Their answers will be posted on their blogs on Friday, March 1st, along with the names of the authors they’ve tagged. Look for #BlogNextBigThing
JADE M PHILLIPS 