Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week!!
Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release!
We will also be hosting a giveaway of the book we are highlighting!!
Introducing Kelly St Clare, YABC’s Author of the Week!!
When Kelly St Clare is not reading or writing, she is lost in her latest reverie.Books have always been magical and mysterious to her. One day she decided to start unravelling this mystery and began writing.
The Tainted Accords was her debut series, and her second series, The After Trilogy, is now available.
A New Zealander in origin and in heart, Kelly currently resides in Australia with her soon-to-be husband, a great group of friends, and some huntsman spiders who love to come inside when it rains. Their love is not returned.
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram
Meet The Retreat (The After Trilogy #1)!!
Earth is ruined. Humankind destroyed. And it’s old news.
Romy’s life is simple—for a genetically enhanced space soldier; pick up space junk with her four friends, and stave off the invaders fixated on stealing Planet Earth.
It isn’t much. But it’s temporary—only another 850 years to go, give or take.
When her crew tangles with a gulp-worthy alien mothership, Romy’s return to Earth is brought forwards at hurtling pace.
Strength comes from the unlikeliest of quarters.
As does leadership.
…As does betrayal.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
Houston. A highly intelligent and eccentric doctor with a questionable moral compass. He blurs the line between wrong and right so often, it leaves the other characters (and the reader) uncertain as to whether they can trust him. He is so much fun to write.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
The title. I pick the title right at the start—and usually name the entire series while I’m at it.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
Ooo, I like this question. I’ll tell you my second favorite, because it has no spoilers. I am proud of the scene where Romy and the rest of Knot 27 crash-land on Earth. I did a ton of research on space shuttles, previous crash-landings, astronauts, spacesuits, and Earth’s atmosphere. I consulted astrophysicists and then, once I collated all this information, I sat in front of my laptop and visualized how it would happen. I had to edit it a billion times to get it juuust right.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
I’ve learned that writing time needs to be protected. There are many aspects of being an author that can encroach on it.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
The feeling of suspense I get from looking at it.
YABC: What was your favorite book in 2015?
Hardest. Question. Ever.
I am going to go with Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. But there were a lot.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
More books! Sin, a companion novella to my first young adult fantasy series, The Tainted Accords, comes out January 14th , 2017. I am currently writing the sequel to The Retreat, it is titled The Return. That will come out June 2017.
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
Atlas! Our mysterious romantic interest. He didn’t want to tell me any of his secrets. He kept them behind the locked door in Jimboomba settling in futuristic earth for a long time. Now I know them all. *evil chuckle*.
YABC: Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
The first draft is my favorite, hands down. I also enjoy the second draft because it’s satisfying to pick up any plot holes – it’s also when I get a lot of my ‘extra ideas’.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
Nothing big and fancy that would attract the eye of the government, or research facilities. I would settle for the ability to read ten books, simultaneously.
The Retreat (The After Trilogy #1)
By: Kelly St Clare
Release Date: August 30th, 2016
*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*
Five winners will receive a signed paperback copy of The Retreat (Kelly St Clare) ~ (International)
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
I found the cover fun and beautifully designed. I found the synopsis insightful.
Thanks for the interview, YA Books Central! 🙂
Intriguing synopsis – definitely makes me want to read the story. And the cover is BEAUTIFUL and eye-catching. Really grabbed my attention so I wanted to see the book details.
The Retreat sounds great! I love the cover, it’s very mysterious ♡ Thank you
Thank you – The cover is awesome!
The cover is intriguing, and the synopsis makes me really want to read the book!
Great insights into the creative mind of an author. The book cover captures a sense of anticipation and awe.
The cover is really cool, very futuristic. The synopsis makes you want to read more. Sounds like an exciting read.
We recently watched the first season of The 100, and I think this book would be a great way to tide me over until we get to see the next one. Love the cover – very pretty.
Dianna
I’m impressed that you did a lot of research of how to write a plausible crash landing. I can’t wait to read that sequence. I’m a pilot so I get so annoyed with ridiculous aviation plots or incidents.