Interview with Jayde Brooks – Daughter of Gods and Shadows

Please welcome to the blog Jayde Brooks who is here talking about her debut-sort of- Daughter of Gods and Shadows.
Enjoy!

• ISBN-13: 9780312591113
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Publication date: 2/3/2015
• Edition description: First Edition
• Pages: 368

 

Overview

Eden Reid is not interested in prophesy. The problem is that a doozy of a prophesy is bearing down on her. Such is the case when you’re a twenty-four-year-old from Brooklyn, New York who is about to discover she is an ancient god. A truly powerful one. And with power comes problems.

A truly formidable demon is gunning for her; a zombie-like pandemic is spreading across the country, creating creatures who are hungry for flesh, fast on their feet and clever; and there is the mysterious, handsome stranger with powers of his own who claims to have been her lover from a time and a life that Eden cannot remember. He promises to help awaken her powers for the upcoming war. A war where there is only one prize: survival…in Daughter of Gods and Shadows from debut author Jayde Brooks.

Jayde, Hi! Welcome to The Reading Frenzy.
Tell my readers about Daughter of Gods and Shadows

It’s a story about a reluctant heroine who is the reincarnation of an ancient being destined to destroy a demon, Sakarabru, and save the world from his tyranny.  But her enemy isn’t just the demon.  The enemy is also this prophecy that she wants no part of, and her fear.  In order to become powerful enough to defeat this demon, Eden has to first find and bond with the three Omens, which could kill her.  But with the help, protection and guidance of her Guardian, Prophet, she can survive those bonds and ultimately fulfill the prophecy, but at a terrible cost.

Is this a stand a lone or the start of a series?

Daughter of Gods and Shadows is the first book of a trilogy.  I’m currently working on the second book titled City of Dark Creatures that is scheduled for release November 17, 2015.

Jayde this is touted as dark fantasy.
How dark?

It’s pretty doggone dark, in my opinion.  I mean, we’re talking demons, prophecies and folks being brought back from the dead.  In this book, it’s the end of the world as we know it, but it’s also about tackling your destiny head-on, love that transcends time and space, rebirth and the possibilities of starting over and what that might look like.  If nothing else, this series is a lesson in moving forward when you have no other option. 

Jayde, this is your debut novel. Congratulations!!

How long was your journey from aspiring to published author?

This is my first novel in the dark fantasy genre.  I’ve actually been writing for more than a decade under another name.  Currently, I write women’s fiction, slanted more towards pulp in recent novels.  But with Daughter of Gods and Shadows, I am starting over brand new again because no one knows me under this new name, and it’s scary. 

All the feelings I had when I first started writing over a decade ago are back now and I’d forgotten what it was like to feel this level of apprehension and excitement, even fear about and worry over whether or not readers will even read it. 

It’s exhilarating, but I know that this book is just the first step.  I am so new at writing in this genre and I have so much to learn, so I’m looking forward to hearing feedback from readers to hopefully, help me to fine tune the last two books in the series, and any future books I might be fortunate enough to write in this genre.

And regarding that journey Jayde was there anything that totally gobsmacked you about the entire process?

I went into this project thinking, “Oh I love fantasy, and I’m an experienced writer so pulling this off will be a piece of cake.”

Well, four years and six rewrites later, I’m choking on that thought.  I have had to learn the hard way that world building ain’t easy.  And the fact that I’ve been writing for so long meant absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. 

I’ve spent my career writing fact-based fiction, meaning fiction based off real life elements and rules.  In writing Daughter of Gods and Shadows I had to learn how to kick the rules to the curb and work through the feelings I had that an element I was putting into the story was impossible or just ridiculous because “that can’t happen in real life”.  And then I had to remind myself that I wasn’t writing real life.  I was writing fantasy.

I’ve also learned so much about the fantasy genre readers.  They are a diverse and critical group, and they love the world of the fantastic.  They expect a great deal from writers and are quick to call us out when we miss the mark.

Jayde you will be a panelist at this years 2015 RT Booklovers Convention in Dallas.
How did this come about?

After my book was featured on SF Signal’s online magazine, I was contacted by my publicist about an inquiry from D. D. Ayres, author of the K9 Rescue series, about participating on a panel she was proposing for the RT Convention in Dallas called “The Right to Write”, a panel about diversity in fiction.  I was flattered, especially since, as Jayde Brooks, this was my very first novel.

Is this your first major event?

As Jayde Brooks, yes, and hopefully, there’ll be more opportunities to do more.  I love conferences because they offer a great platform for meeting your existing readers and of possibly gaining new readers.  You also get a chance to meet other authors who write in your genre, which is always exciting.  I’m really looking forward to participating in some speculative fiction events. 

Jayde do you write full time or do you have a “day job”?

At the moment I’m a full time writer.  I had to take time off of from the world of Corporate America to catch up on my deadlines.  Since I write under two names now, my writing schedule has gotten to be pretty demanding.  But alas, all good things must come to an end, and now that I’m somewhat caught up, it’s time for me to venture back out into the real world.  Know anybody who’s hiring?

Jayde tell us about your next novel City of Dark Creatures coming out in late 2015?

City of Dark Creatures is about a world that’s been changed forever by the Demon, Sakarabru.  It challenges the idea of what it means to be human and puts a new face on humanity.  Eden Reid has been changed as well, and with great power comes great responsibility.  She’s come to terms with who she is now, and with the role she must play in this world, and she has to decide which side she is on.  In the process she discovers  who her true enemy and is once again, backed into a corner that could cost her everything.

Jayde thanks so much for chatting with me today. Good luck with the novel!
Will you be touring with the book?

I’m not touring this first book, because I’d rather use the opportunity to build a stronger following for it, mostly through online resources.  Through the years, I’ve learned that touring isn’t always the best use of an author’s money and/or time and I’m trying to be smart about it.  But depending on how this first book performs, I’ll definitely consider touring the next two books.

Thank you for this opportunity to share some thoughts on this project.  You have no idea how grateful I am for your time and for space on your site.  This whole experience is absolutely terrifying because I am starting over from scratch and have no idea what to expect, but your support is appreciated.  And even though you haven’t asked for any, I’d like to offer advice to anyone out there who’s considering taking a chance on a dream—You’re never too old to step outside of your comfort zone, and in fact, I think you’ll enjoy the ride when you do.

 Connect with Jayde - Blog - Twitter - Goodreads

MEET JAYDE:Jayde Brooks lives in Colorado.  She loves the mountains, Greek food, deep space, jewelry, God, and everything super hero-ish.  Daughter of Gods and Shadows is her debut novel, and is the first in a planned series of three books. 

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