Interview with YA fantasy author K. Kibbee

YA fantasy author K Kibbee is here today. We’re chatting about her new novel, Forests of the Fae book two—The Raven Queen.

Bio:

K (Kristine) Kibbee is a Pacific Northwest writer with a fascination for all things literary. Kristine’s passion for creative writing began in her early youth and led her to the doors of Washington State University, where she earned a degree in Humanities, with a focus in Professional Writing. Kristine followed her scholarly pursuit of writing with published works in The Vancougar, The Salal Review Literary Review, Just Frenchies magazine, and S/Tick Literary Review. She is presently a regular columnist for Terrier Group magazine.

Kristine’s novella, “The Mischievous Misadventures of Dewey the Daring,” was her first and only self-published release, and is still currently available on Amazon.com. Her middle-grade fantasy novel, “Whole in the Clouds,” was released in November 2014 with Zharmae Publishing, and the first installment in her YA fantasy series, “Forest of the Fae-Devlin’s Door,” was released in early 2016 with Incorgnito Publishing Press. Book two in the “Forests of the Fae” series (“The Raven Queen”) was released in February of 2017, also with Incorgnito Publishing Press.

Welcome, K. Please tell us about your current release.

Following a summer spent untangling a century-old mass disappearance and fleeing dark Fae Folk, 13-year-old Anne finds that her struggles have only just begun.

Though she’s closed Devlin’s Door behind her, it would seem that something sinister has followed Anne from the other side. Her dearest friend Grace is not a she would seem. Something dark has taken hold of the girl . . . something not of this world. Ravens surround her, people mindlessly do her bidding, and wickedness drips from her lips. It’s only a matter of time before Anne uncovers Grace’s secret and with it, her vengeance.

Meanwhile, somewhere deep in the Forests of the Fae, the real Grace struggles to retain her humanity and escape the revolting Faerie body that imprisons her. With pet raven Onyx at her side, she is heralded a Queen, and worshiped by the very creatures that she despises. Set atop a throne of thorns, she feels all is lost, until a stranger with human eyes and a sorted past is shackled at her feet.

Though worlds apart, both girls must race against time if they hope to unravel the mysteries of the Fae folk and unmask The Raven Queen.

What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve long loved fantasy but felt there was a demographic missing from the depiction of Fae folk. Where is the dark side—those ominous creatures of folklore who lurk in the shadows? If I couldn’t find them in the pages of existing books, I’d create my own!

Excerpt from The Raven Queen:

The creature’s eyes seemed to darken a shade as they linked with Anne’s reflection. A quiver shot up the back of Anne’s spine. It drew closer, nearly spooning her backside.

            Though it was intimately near her now, its breath felt cold as it hit her neck. “I simply want to do as my dearest friend does...be as my dearest friend is.” It smiled. “You are still my dearest friend, are you not?”

            Anne felt a chill blossom deep inside her, as though her bones had begun to freeze. In her mind a vision grew of them turning to ice and shattering beneath her flesh like brittle sticks. When she pushed the vision down and looked outward, the Changeling was still grinning at her in the mirror. She forced a smile to match and replied, “Best friends, always.”

            “Oh good,” the beast cooed. It shrank back, floated out of the bathroom and into the bedroom beyond. Anne obediently followed and found herself warm again.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am presently working on book three in the “Forests of the Fae” series, as well as a “pet” project for Incorgnito Publishing Press, which will follow their comically clumsy Corgi mascot, Theodore through his adventures in the Enchanted Bookstore!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I sincerely believe that I was born a writer. Better you ask when I chose to manifest a heartbeat!

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Yes—I am fortunate enough to be a full-time writer. My work day is less disciplined than it ought to be. When I’m on a proper roll I’ll plop down and devote a couple solid hours a day to writing. When I’m busy with the monotony of everyday life, I sometimes find myself not writing a spec (beyond some hashtag Twitter games!). I’ll cop to often becoming distracted by mundane tasks. I’ve often said that nothing gets my house cleaner than a writing deadline!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

As the Grinch so vehemently put it—noise, noise, NOISE! I can’t have a ghost of a noise . . . even a whisper in the background, or I can’t write a word! It must be entirely quiet or I lose my train of thought completely. And when that train veers off the track, it’s cataclysmic!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

*Blushes.* A writer.

Links:

Twitter | Facebook | Amazon

Thanks for visiting today, K!