Self-Publisher’s Showcase: Today we are joined by Alicia Wright, author of Blood Price. Welcome to the Showcase Lounge, Alicia.

Alicia Wright:  Thank you for spending some time with me, I’m eager to tell readers more about my first book.

SPS: For any of our readers that haven’t come across your work previously, can you take a moment to tell us all a little about yourself?

AW: I’m a small town girl at heart, living in a big city.  Mother of 2. Lover of literature.  Bit of an introvert. Because of that it was a difficult decision to publish and put my work in the spotlight.

SPS:  What are your perfect writing conditions, and how often do you write?

AW: Quiet house, background music.  I usually write at night when everyone is sleeping.  I try to write every day, even if it’s only a few sentences or just to jot down thoughts in my plots pages.

SPS: Can you put your finger on the moment where you decided that you wanted to publish your work?

AW: Publishing was always in the (very) back of my mind.  It took 2 solid years to finally dig up the courage to do it.  My current career path felt like it was losing momentum and I thought “I need to do something that actually makes me happy”.

SPS: Why do you think it is that you have found yourself writing in the style that you do?

AW: I love to leave just a bit to the imagination of the readers, but not so much that they don’t connect with the characters.

SPS: What would you say if anything, best differentiates you from other authors?

AW: I try to come up with completely different twists on the stereotypes of monsters and magic.  I try to steer away from the norm when it comes to the “rules” of the undead or magical/mystical types.

SPS: Can you take a moment to tell us all about your debut release in the Noble of Blood series – The Blood Price?

AW: I can’t tell too much without giving away plot points, but the story is a love story at heart.  The Nobles are a race of undead, magically enhanced humanoids, who are strong and live eternal lives.  Led by The Patriarch, they are slowly swelling their ranks in order to keep the lands of the humans around them safe.  The Patriarch’s son falls in love with a human girl and turns her into one of them, and in the process sets off a chain of events that leads to discoveries pertaining to the beginnings of their race.  And in the seeking of those things he leaves his lady alone and vulnerable within the palace of the Nobles.  Are the answers he seeks worth the price of putting her in danger?

SPS: Where did your inspiration for the story come from?

AW: A dream.  Most of my story ideas come from dreams.

SPS:  What can you tell us about your protagonists?

AW: The Patriarch, Mortul, is quite old and has seen the human race almost destroyed once.  He will do anything to protect the lands, which is why he continues to turn humans into Nobles.  His only weakness is his love for his son.

The Patriarch’s son, Dartein, was a very adventurous sort until he met Josaleene.  He fell in love with her quickly and demanded she be turned so they could spend their lives together.  This demand made others in the Palace quite jealous, as the Patriarch has never let any of them choose those who get turned.

Josaleene grew up very poor, and wanted to leave that life behind.  Her plan to catch the favour of a Noble got her the attention of Dartein.  She had not planned on falling in love with anyone, she just wanted turned so she could live in the rich palace of the Noble’s.  She did fall in love with Dartein and trusted him to protect her against the jealous Nobles after her turning.

SPS:  Why did you choose to write the story from 3 points of view? (Ignore if this isn’t correct, just how it comes across from the blurb)

AW: The full story just couldn’t be told from only two characters.  There was too much character and story history that needed sharing for it to only come from the couple in love. 

SPS: What parts of putting together your debut work did you find most challenging?

AW: The biggest challenge really was my own self.  Like I said before, being an introvert and avoiding the spotlight made it difficult to finally nail down the decision to move into the publishing phase.  The story felt much too personal for me to let go of, and took a serious “now or never” moment to push it forward.

SPS: How has the general reaction to your work been so far?

AW: So far I’ve had a very positive reaction from people who have read it.  I didn’t think I was descriptive enough, but then folks are telling me that I describe scenes very well.  So it’s been great to hear those kind of affirmations.

SPS: What can you tell us about how the second book in the series will go?

AW: Well the first book is a bit of a primer for the story, a lot of setup.  I can’t tell much about the second book, it will give away too much of the first.  But there will be more characters, characters introduced who were mentioned in the first book and brand new ones.  And another love story.  Or two.

SPS: Would you say that the pacing will be different in the second book, with most characters already familiar to the reader?

AW:  There is a timeline jump, but I think the pacing will be similar…due to the introduction of new characters whose stories unfold through the book.

SPS: Are there any new characters that readers of Book One can look forward to meeting?

AW: Definitely a focus on new characters, as mentioned before.  People from The Patriarch’s past come into play, as well as brand new characters who get swept up in the story.  And at the root, characters from the first book whose stories get deeper, and a bit richer.

SPS: How far do you plan on taking the series?

AW: I’ve planned three books, and it will probably stay at three.

SPS: What’s next on the self-publishing horizon for yourself?

AW: So many things.  I have more ideas than time to write!  I have another trilogy already in the works, and the first book of that series will most likely be published before the second of the Noble of Blood Series.  And I have several other stand-alone book ideas that I may turn into a short story anthology.

SPS: Was the Self-Published/Indie-Published route always your preferred route for your work?

AW: Absolutely.  I wanted to dip my toes in the pool myself before signing up for anything I may not have complete control of.  It will most likely stay that way for quite a while.

SPS: Has the experience so far been all that you thought it would be?

AW: Ah, no.  Not at all.  The one piece I didn’t think of at all was marketing.  That was pretty intimidating when I got to that point.  It’s smoothing out though, but it is a LOT of work.

SPS: If you could give one piece of advice for someone looking to get into writing, what would it be?

AW: Have more than one book idea ready, or be ready to write a follow up story.  Seems the best way to get your name out there is to have more than one book under your belt.

SPS: Before we bring this interview to a close, it’s your chance to name-drop. Anyone who you feel is deserving of more recognition at present or someone whose writing you have recently enjoyed? Now is your chance to spread the word.

AW: I recently read the whole Outlander series, by Diana Gabaldon, in about two months’ time.  Incredible writing.  She makes me jealous as a writer!  I recommend her work to anyone.

SPS: Thank you for joining us today, Alicia, and all the best for the future.

AW: Thank you so much for the opportunity to chat, and thank you for your support!

SPS: For more information on Alicia Wright and her work, please do visit her Showcase Author page here.