From Shelf to Self: An Indie Author’s Spotlight
1) Let’s start with the basics. What is your Author name; use your Pen name if you have one.
J.C. Wade
2) What is your genre and what drew you to it?
Historical Fantasy, action/adventure, romance
I’m especially drawn to low fantasy because it’s just that, realistically fantastical. I get to escape reality by entering a world that isn’t so very different than my own, but with a twist of magic or the paranormal. Adding romance to the story just makes it all the better.
3) What is the most important bit of information you would want to tell a person interested in publishing a book?
Don’t overwhelm yourself. Writing is one thing in and of itself, but learning all the ins and outs of publishing is a bit like drinking from a fire hose. There is no rush. Don’t get it in your head that you have to put your book out to market as soon as you’ve written “the end.” Take your time. Do you your homework. Don’ t be afraid to ask for help.
4) What is your favorite part about being a writer?
Aside from just seeing other people enjoy my work, I think it would have to be the sense of accomplishment. Writing a book is HARD, at least for me, so when I was able to write those two little words when I finished my first book, it was a high like no other. The feeling never gets old.
5) What is your favorite book and why?
How can I possibly choose? I have several, but if I must narrow it down: I’ve read Gabaldon’s Outlander at least seven or eight times. I’ve read Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson at least that many. Then there’s Elizabeth Kingston’s The King’s Man. I just keep going back to them because they make me laugh, cry, mourn, and swoon. They transport me to another place and time. I can open them up to anywhere in the story and get transported back to the moment when I first read them.
6) Which book, other than your own, would you like to see turned into a movie or T.V. show?
The King’s Man by Elizabeth Kingston. If you enjoy historical romance, then you’ve got to read it. Brilliant bit of writing, there. The prose, at times, is so moving.
7) Where is your favorite place to read?
I read on my device at night, after my kids go to bed. I can’t get any real work or reading done until after dark, so I’ve gotten used to reading in bed. If the book is good enough, I won’t sleep at all read until the sun comes up.
8) Name one book that you have reread several times.
I feel like I already answered this question, but years ago, Julie Garwood was my gateway drug to historical romance. Lol. I think read Honor’s Splendour the most out of her medieval series.
9) If you had to write in any other genre, what would that be and why?
Probably something dark and full of violence. Maybe something to do with time travel. I’ve found that I really enjoy causing pain and suffering to some characters. I’m not sure what that says about me, but it’s the truth.
10) What is one book that is currently on your To-Be-Read list?
There are SO MANY, but I think my next in line is Heart of the Fae by Emma Hamm
11) Do you prefer to read series or independent novels?
I prefer to read independent novels, but sometimes, I love certain characters so well that I wish I could stay with them a bit longer.
12) What is your best book memory?
My mom reading to me as a pre-teen. I don’t recall the title of the book, but it was about dragons. I remember feeling that I was a little too old to be read to, but my mom--no doubt looking to connect with me—just did it. She came into my room and started reading. I secretly loved it even though I kind of rolled my eyes. By the end of the book, I was so hooked. Fantasy had its hooks in me.
13) What is the name of your book/series? Tell me a little bit about them.
I currently have two books published. The first is a full length novel entitled The White Witch’s Daughter. The second is a short prequel novella in the same genre with the same characters, which delves into my FMC youth (more on that later). These stories are historical fiction, low fantasy, action/adventure with a romance subplot. The FMC, Edyth, loses her home and family at the start of The Great Cause, when the English King sacked a Scottish city and subsequently took the entire Scottish nation for his own. Edyth must travel through the wilds of Scotland to the only family she has left in a desperate attempt to run from a dangerous secret. In doing so, she meets her would-be savior, Ewan. But things are never simple; when she starts having dreams of war-ravaged landscapes, and sees Ewan amongst the dead, she knows it’s not just some simple nightmare.
This book has since blossomed into a series because I couldn’t say goodbye to my characters. They wouldn’t shut up…there was more story to tell, so I kept going. The Great Cause spans several years, of course, so there’s lots of fodder to pick through as an author. Book 2, A Conjuring of Valor, is set to go wide on Oct 1st, 2022. Preorders are open currently for this book.
My prequel novella, The Fate of Our Sorrows, is “wee keek” into Edyth’s childhood, where we see her gift of sight/premonition come to light at the tender age of nine years old.
14) Do you have a website? If so, what is it?
https://jcwade-originals.mailchimpsites.com/
15) Where can we find and follow you? (Name your social media platforms.)
My link tree has ALL the links (facebook, Instagram, twitter, TikTok)
16) If there anything important that you would want my readers to know about you?
I want to interact with my readers. I want fan art. I want to hear how they threw the book across the room at a certain point or called me names. I want to hear about all the feels!
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