Anyway, here's the interview.
Victorine: Welcome, Chrys. I’m so glad to have you on my blog today. Tell me a little bit about your book.
Chrystalla: Hi Vicki, thank you for having me here! You are the reason I discovered indie publishing and decided to publish my novel this way.
My novel, Rex Rising, is a YA science fiction adventure set in a post-apocalyptic sort of world ruled by a race of women called the Gultur. In this world, where parasites create new human races, Elei leads a peaceful life as aircar driver — until a mysterious attack on his boss sends him fleeing with a bullet in his side and the fleet at his heels. Pursued for a secret he does not possess, he has but one thought: to stay alive. Yet his pursuers aren’t inclined to sit down and talk, and that’s not the end of Elei’s troubles. The two powerful parasites inhabiting his body, at a balance until now, choose this moment to bring him down, leaving Elei with no choice but to trust in people he barely knows in a mad race against time. It won’t be long before he realizes he must find out this deadly secret — a secret that might change the fate of his world and everything he has ever known — or die trying.
Victorine: What inspired you to write this book?
Chrystalla: Several things came together to make me write Rex Rising. One of them was the idea of sensing who to trust from the people around you, an instinct we have but rarely trust. Should we trust our gut feeling or the facts as they appear? Another was my fascination with parasites, which basically started after reading a wonderful book called “Parasite Rex” by Carl Zimmer on all the crazy things parasites can do, how they can change our behavior, our abilities and our very nature. They are almost magical!
Victorine: Do you have a favorite scene in the book?
Chrystalla: I love many scenes and I don’t want to give away the plot, but there is one where I really like for the settings. The four protagonists are discussing what to do (they suspect a traitor in their midst) in the shadow of giant white mushrooms:
“The agaric stalks shed white light into the night. Elei led the others underneath the huge milky caps. Kalaes and Maera huddled at the base of a huge mushroom. Their breaths rose in clouds into the air, mingling with fireflies and scintillating flying spores.”
Victorine: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Chrystalla: No, I was innocent and carefree until the age of nine, lol. Then I read a fantastic book, The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, and my fate was sealed. I immediately started writing fantastic stories, much to the chagrin of my parents who hoped I’d become a serious person one day. lol!
Joking aside, I really love my parents, they always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted with my life.
Victorine: Why did you decide to self-publish this book?
Chrystalla: I saw the revolution in publishing take place – mainly through you, Vicki – and I liked what I saw. Having published stories the traditional way too, I know to appreciate the degree of freedom self publishing allows the author. In particular, I was really interested in seeing what it felt like to be the one in control of the cover and general design and of the editing. I also liked the fact that I wouldn’t have to wait for at least a year to see my story out (as is the norm even with small traditional publishers) and that I could set the price, change it, re-upload new versions of the story if I found problems, and in general have all this freedom that you have when you are your own publisher in the digital era.
Victorine: How has your experience been so far?
Chrystalla: So far it has all been great. Since I did all the design and formatting myself, I did run into small problems from time to time, but I had wonderful people around me who helped me a lot. It all went amazingly well and fast, better than I expected. Since I only paid for the royalty free image I used for my cover and for the copyright, I have already practically paid off all expenses already. I am very happy.
Victorine: What has been the hardest thing about self-publishing?
Chrystalla: Deciding to do it. Weighing the pros and cons for months, asking for and receiving sound advise for either option, knowing I can do either but having to make up my mind.
Victorine: What has been the most rewarding?
Chrystalla: Seeing the book on Amazon and Smashwords the way I want it. I am quite proud of all the work I put in it, definitely more than I would have for traditional publishing. After all, I did everything – from writing to editing to designing to formatting it!
Victorine: Thank you for coming by my blog today, Chrys!
Chrystalla: Thank you again for having me here!
You can find Rex Rising at the following distributors:
Amazon US Amazon UK
Amazon DE
Smashwords
Watch the book trailer:
Visit Chrystalla’s blog for more information on the world of Rex Rising and her other works:
Thank you for having me here Vicki! :)
ReplyDeleteI had the pleasure of including one of Chrystalla's short stories in the Extinct Doesn't Mean Forever anthology. I can testify she's a talented and imaginative writer -- and I'm really looking forward to reading Rex Rising!
ReplyDeleteThank you Phoenix! *blush* :D
ReplyDeleteNeverending Story is a favorite of mine, too, and that setting with the huge mushroom type foliage in Rex Rising is awesome. Lovely interview, Chrys and Vicki.
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