ABL Interviews: Julia Ember
1. My first question for all authors is simple, give me your top ten
“booket” list. The ten books you think
everyone should read.
“booket” list. The ten books you think
everyone should read.
The problem with reading
voraciously is that my Top 10 list is constantly evolving! I read so much that
I tend to forget things I’ve read years ago until someone reminds me of them.
Here are my Top 10 that I’ve read in 2017/2018, that I definitely think people
should read!
voraciously is that my Top 10 list is constantly evolving! I read so much that
I tend to forget things I’ve read years ago until someone reminds me of them.
Here are my Top 10 that I’ve read in 2017/2018, that I definitely think people
should read!
1.
An
Enchantment of Ravens by Margot Rogerson
An
Enchantment of Ravens by Margot Rogerson
2.
Girls
Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
Girls
Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
3.
Court
of Fives by Kate Elliot
Court
of Fives by Kate Elliot
4.
Dread
Nation by Justina Ireland
Dread
Nation by Justina Ireland
5.
For
a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig
For
a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig
6.
Not
Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer
Not
Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer
7.
Strange
the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Strange
the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
8.
And
I Darken by Kiersten White
And
I Darken by Kiersten White
9.
To
Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
To
Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
10. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by
Julie Dao
Julie Dao
2. What inspired you to write The Seafarer’s Kiss Series, and
specifically The Navigator’s Touch?
specifically The Navigator’s Touch?
The series was inspired by two things: my fascination with
mermaids, and the ocean in general, and my postgraduate study of Medieval
Literature, including Old English and Old Norse texts. Growing up, The Little Mermaid was by far my
favourite Disney movie. I loved the idea of an entirely new world under the
waves, and Ursula is by far the best villain in the Disney canon.
mermaids, and the ocean in general, and my postgraduate study of Medieval
Literature, including Old English and Old Norse texts. Growing up, The Little Mermaid was by far my
favourite Disney movie. I loved the idea of an entirely new world under the
waves, and Ursula is by far the best villain in the Disney canon.
The original idea for the series came to me as a single
scene, which became the cover of The
Seafarer’s Kiss. I imagined a Viking girl kneeling on the edge of the ice,
peering down into the abyss of the sea, when a mermaid girl rises to greet her.
I adamantly wanted to make it an f/f romance too. From that scene, I built the
rest of the story out of what I knew: Viking myth and mermaid lore!
scene, which became the cover of The
Seafarer’s Kiss. I imagined a Viking girl kneeling on the edge of the ice,
peering down into the abyss of the sea, when a mermaid girl rises to greet her.
I adamantly wanted to make it an f/f romance too. From that scene, I built the
rest of the story out of what I knew: Viking myth and mermaid lore!
3. What Ragna inspired by or similar to anyone real?
I got loose inspiration for Ragna from the Viking warrior
/ conqueror, Ragnar Lothbrok. Ragnar was a formidable seaman; whose legend is
fascinating. Historians can’t really agree on what aspects of his recorded life
were legend and which were fact. He made a name for himself as a raider –
conquering many towns and territories across Anglo-Saxon England and France.
He’s also the inspiration point for the popular TV show, The Vikings.
/ conqueror, Ragnar Lothbrok. Ragnar was a formidable seaman; whose legend is
fascinating. Historians can’t really agree on what aspects of his recorded life
were legend and which were fact. He made a name for himself as a raider –
conquering many towns and territories across Anglo-Saxon England and France.
He’s also the inspiration point for the popular TV show, The Vikings.
4. Who are your favorite authors?
Like the Top 10 list earlier in this interview, I find
questions like this really hard! I really love and admire Heidi Heilig, both
for her terrific stories and beautiful prose, and for her unfailing activism. I’ve
also read a lot of books by Kiersten White and Kate Elliot over the years, and
never been disappointed by any of them.
questions like this really hard! I really love and admire Heidi Heilig, both
for her terrific stories and beautiful prose, and for her unfailing activism. I’ve
also read a lot of books by Kiersten White and Kate Elliot over the years, and
never been disappointed by any of them.
5. Considering the setting and Norse mythology influences, how much time
did you spend researching for this book?
did you spend researching for this book?
I did spend some time doing research specifically for the
book, but as I did a postgraduate course, I’d already spent two years immersing
myself in the lore. When it came to the Norse gods in particular, I did need to
spend time refreshing my knowledge. I was pretty true to canon representation
of them in The Seafarer’s Kiss, but
chose to diverge a little in The
Navigator’s Touch and make them more my own. Both books are fantasy rather
than historical fiction, so there are definitely places where I took liberties
and made different choices.
book, but as I did a postgraduate course, I’d already spent two years immersing
myself in the lore. When it came to the Norse gods in particular, I did need to
spend time refreshing my knowledge. I was pretty true to canon representation
of them in The Seafarer’s Kiss, but
chose to diverge a little in The
Navigator’s Touch and make them more my own. Both books are fantasy rather
than historical fiction, so there are definitely places where I took liberties
and made different choices.
6. What is your favorite genre to
read?
read?
Definitely fantasy! I’ve always been a very escapist
reader and I like to explore new worlds when I read. I occasionally get drawn
in by contemporary, but it has to be a very special book!
reader and I like to explore new worlds when I read. I occasionally get drawn
in by contemporary, but it has to be a very special book!
Giveaway
Purchase Links:
Code:
The Navigator’s Touch (The Seafarer’s Kiss #2) by Julia
Ember
Ember
Publication Date: September 13, 2018
Publisher: Duet Books, the YA imprint of
Interlude Press
Interlude Press
After invaders destroyed her village, murdered her family,and took her prisoner, shield-maiden Ragna is hungry for revenge. A trained
warrior, she is ready to fight for her home, but with only a mermaid and a crew
of disloyal mercenaries to aid her, Ragna knows she needs new allies. Guided by
the magical maps on her skin, battling storms and mutiny, Ragna sets sail
across the Northern Sea.
She petitions the Jarl in Skjordal for aid, but despite
Ragna’s rank and fighting ability, the Jarl sees only a young girl, too
inexperienced to lead, unworthy of help. To prove herself to the Jarl and win
her crew’s respect, Ragna undertakes a dangerous expedition. But when forced to
decide between her own freedom and the fate of her crew, what will she
sacrifice to save what’s left of her home?
Ragna’s rank and fighting ability, the Jarl sees only a young girl, too
inexperienced to lead, unworthy of help. To prove herself to the Jarl and win
her crew’s respect, Ragna undertakes a dangerous expedition. But when forced to
decide between her own freedom and the fate of her crew, what will she
sacrifice to save what’s left of her home?
Inspired by Norse mythology and J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan,
this companion novel to The Seafarer’s Kiss is a tale of vengeance, valor,
honor, and redemption.
this companion novel to The Seafarer’s Kiss is a tale of vengeance, valor,
honor, and redemption.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julia Ember is the author of The Seafarer’s Kiss and The
Navigator’s Touch, as well as several novellas and short stories for young
adults. Originally from Chicago, Julia now resides in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her
hobbies include riding horses, starting far too many craft projects, and looking
after her city-based menagerie of pets with names from Harry Potter. She
regularly takes part in events for queer teens. A world traveler since
childhood, she has now visited more than sixty countries.
Navigator’s Touch, as well as several novellas and short stories for young
adults. Originally from Chicago, Julia now resides in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her
hobbies include riding horses, starting far too many craft projects, and looking
after her city-based menagerie of pets with names from Harry Potter. She
regularly takes part in events for queer teens. A world traveler since
childhood, she has now visited more than sixty countries.
OOOH this is interesting! I've been loving mermaid/sea-related books this year, so this is another series to add to my list. And a lot of Julia's Top 10 are on my TBR as well!
– Aimee @ Aimee, Always
It’s so funny how that happens! I have been seeing a lot is sea tales too, especially little mermaid retellings.