Dianna Skowera's Blog - Posts Tagged "wynn-mercere"
Spotlight on author of Utopea, Wynn Mercere
Utopea
Here is an interview Happy Wanderer Press did with author of Utopea Wynn Mercere! Wynn talks about characters and background of her new release as well as upcoming events you can catch. Check it out
H.W.P.-Describe Utopea like a one-sentence movie slugline:
Wynn-When newspaper publisher Hector Browning arrives in Utopea to trick its residents into leaving their homes, his underhanded plans for fame and fortune are challenged by the supernatural talents of the town’s citizens.
H.W.P.-What will readers like most about Utopea?
Wynn- I hope readers will enjoy discovering the hidden talents of each citizen of Utopea while they follow Hector’s fate among them. Utopea has action, romance, comedy, and fanciful, enchanting scenes. With a broad range of character types, each with distinct challenges and dreams, the reader will have many personalities to explore and cheer for as the adventure unfolds.
H.W.P-What is compelling about your main character?
Wynn- Hector Browning is very much an anti-hero. Much of the fun of this book is enjoying his resistance in yielding to the wonder around him. He clings to his denial and superiority like two security blankets, which results in many funny situations. He’s not the only one in the book with issues, though. Many of Utopea’s citizens are also struggling with their own personal failings which add depth to Hector’s reluctantly undertaken quest for redemption.
H.W.P.-What inspired you to write Utopea?
Wynn- This book was inspired by historical research and my own cultural heritage. The turning of the 20th Century is one of my favorite periods of history. I chose to set Utopea in the year 1909 to highlight significant technological achievements such as the Ford Model T automobile. Many of the names and places are twists on the identities of my own ancestors and their West Virginia localities. Some of the supernatural happenings in the book reflect stories about omens and “haints” told to me by my grandmother.
H.W.P.-Does Utopea relate to anything current?
Wynn- If history shows us anything, it’s that people face the same problems again and again. The people of Utopea have to deal with corrupt powers trying to steal their land and way of life. While this book is not a war story, the circumstances of land theft and deception of a population play out repeatedly and cause many conflicts in the real world.
H.W.P.-Is there a message you hope to convey with Utopea?
Wynn- Themes of community, acceptance, forgiveness and respect for individual freedom are threaded throughout Utopea. My goal is that these concepts help readers think about the ethical issues and real-life consequences that arise when outside groups, whether their agenda is for good or ill, attempt to enforce their way of thinking and doing on others.
H.W.P.-What is your favorite scene in Utopea, if you can tell us?
Wynn- My favorite scene takes place one night in the boarding house when an animal gets into Hector’s room. That’s all I can say without spoilers!
H.W.P.-How long have did it take you to work on Utopea?
Wynn- Utopea began as a 2009 National Novel Writing Month project. When I was able to easily knock out 50,000 words about this world and its characters, I knew it was a viable idea. Initially developed as a screenplay, Utopea finally found its home as a novel in the magical realism genre.
H.W.P.-What was the most difficult thing while writing Utopea?
Wynn- The hardest part of structuring this book was deciding how much to reveal about the workings of this world and the powers of its special residents. Although Utopea is not intentionally written to lead to direct sequels, there is enough mystery left to explore in future books should fans desire more. Fortunately, the genre of magical realism allows for holding back some information without damaging the general narrative.
H.W.P.-Tell us a little about your next project:
Wynn- My next release will be the third novel in the City of the Gods Universe written in partnership with that concept’s co-creator M. Scott Verne. The conclusion to our initial trilogy is called City of the Gods: Ambassador (coming in December 2015). This story takes place in a world where all the famous gods of earthly mythology coexist. In Ambassador, the gods face a great rebellion of their mortal servants and an invasion of their world by Heavenly forces.
H.W.P.-What would you like to say to your fans?
Wynn- I would like to encourage them to interact with me through my Patreon.com page. At that website, fans can access additional material from my books that is unpublished and unavailable anywhere else. They can also chat with me through my activity stream and even be a part of some of my projects. http://www.patreon.com/wynnmercere
H.W.P.-What are some of your upcoming events?
Wynn- I will be signing April 24 – 26, 2015 at RavenCon in Richmond, VA at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Richmond-Midlothian. RavenCon 2015 celebrates the genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. Stop by my table in Artist and Author Alley and say hello. I’ll have copies of all my books and other merchandise related to my fictional worlds for sale. http://www.ravencon.com
Utopea
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Raven Press/CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 17, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1508779899
ISBN-13: 978-1508779896
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Utopea-Wynn-Mer...
About the Author
Wynn Mercere writes fantasy, horror, and historical fiction. Since 2010, she has written novels, comics and game supplements in the "City of the Gods" series with co-creator M. Scott Verne. Past work in the gaming and comics industries under other pen names includes titles in the Catalyst (TM) Citybook, Traps, and Maps series. She has scripted radio and television commercials, short documentaries, and several indie comics. Wynn’s latest release is Utopea, a historical fantasy novel set in 1909 Appalachia.
Here is an interview Happy Wanderer Press did with author of Utopea Wynn Mercere! Wynn talks about characters and background of her new release as well as upcoming events you can catch. Check it out H.W.P.-Describe Utopea like a one-sentence movie slugline:
Wynn-When newspaper publisher Hector Browning arrives in Utopea to trick its residents into leaving their homes, his underhanded plans for fame and fortune are challenged by the supernatural talents of the town’s citizens.
H.W.P.-What will readers like most about Utopea?
Wynn- I hope readers will enjoy discovering the hidden talents of each citizen of Utopea while they follow Hector’s fate among them. Utopea has action, romance, comedy, and fanciful, enchanting scenes. With a broad range of character types, each with distinct challenges and dreams, the reader will have many personalities to explore and cheer for as the adventure unfolds.
H.W.P-What is compelling about your main character?
Wynn- Hector Browning is very much an anti-hero. Much of the fun of this book is enjoying his resistance in yielding to the wonder around him. He clings to his denial and superiority like two security blankets, which results in many funny situations. He’s not the only one in the book with issues, though. Many of Utopea’s citizens are also struggling with their own personal failings which add depth to Hector’s reluctantly undertaken quest for redemption.
H.W.P.-What inspired you to write Utopea?
Wynn- This book was inspired by historical research and my own cultural heritage. The turning of the 20th Century is one of my favorite periods of history. I chose to set Utopea in the year 1909 to highlight significant technological achievements such as the Ford Model T automobile. Many of the names and places are twists on the identities of my own ancestors and their West Virginia localities. Some of the supernatural happenings in the book reflect stories about omens and “haints” told to me by my grandmother.
H.W.P.-Does Utopea relate to anything current?
Wynn- If history shows us anything, it’s that people face the same problems again and again. The people of Utopea have to deal with corrupt powers trying to steal their land and way of life. While this book is not a war story, the circumstances of land theft and deception of a population play out repeatedly and cause many conflicts in the real world.
H.W.P.-Is there a message you hope to convey with Utopea?
Wynn- Themes of community, acceptance, forgiveness and respect for individual freedom are threaded throughout Utopea. My goal is that these concepts help readers think about the ethical issues and real-life consequences that arise when outside groups, whether their agenda is for good or ill, attempt to enforce their way of thinking and doing on others.
H.W.P.-What is your favorite scene in Utopea, if you can tell us?
Wynn- My favorite scene takes place one night in the boarding house when an animal gets into Hector’s room. That’s all I can say without spoilers!
H.W.P.-How long have did it take you to work on Utopea?
Wynn- Utopea began as a 2009 National Novel Writing Month project. When I was able to easily knock out 50,000 words about this world and its characters, I knew it was a viable idea. Initially developed as a screenplay, Utopea finally found its home as a novel in the magical realism genre.
H.W.P.-What was the most difficult thing while writing Utopea?
Wynn- The hardest part of structuring this book was deciding how much to reveal about the workings of this world and the powers of its special residents. Although Utopea is not intentionally written to lead to direct sequels, there is enough mystery left to explore in future books should fans desire more. Fortunately, the genre of magical realism allows for holding back some information without damaging the general narrative.
H.W.P.-Tell us a little about your next project:
Wynn- My next release will be the third novel in the City of the Gods Universe written in partnership with that concept’s co-creator M. Scott Verne. The conclusion to our initial trilogy is called City of the Gods: Ambassador (coming in December 2015). This story takes place in a world where all the famous gods of earthly mythology coexist. In Ambassador, the gods face a great rebellion of their mortal servants and an invasion of their world by Heavenly forces.
H.W.P.-What would you like to say to your fans?
Wynn- I would like to encourage them to interact with me through my Patreon.com page. At that website, fans can access additional material from my books that is unpublished and unavailable anywhere else. They can also chat with me through my activity stream and even be a part of some of my projects. http://www.patreon.com/wynnmercere
H.W.P.-What are some of your upcoming events?
Wynn- I will be signing April 24 – 26, 2015 at RavenCon in Richmond, VA at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Richmond-Midlothian. RavenCon 2015 celebrates the genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. Stop by my table in Artist and Author Alley and say hello. I’ll have copies of all my books and other merchandise related to my fictional worlds for sale. http://www.ravencon.com
Utopea
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Raven Press/CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 17, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1508779899
ISBN-13: 978-1508779896
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Utopea-Wynn-Mer...
About the Author
Wynn Mercere writes fantasy, horror, and historical fiction. Since 2010, she has written novels, comics and game supplements in the "City of the Gods" series with co-creator M. Scott Verne. Past work in the gaming and comics industries under other pen names includes titles in the Catalyst (TM) Citybook, Traps, and Maps series. She has scripted radio and television commercials, short documentaries, and several indie comics. Wynn’s latest release is Utopea, a historical fantasy novel set in 1909 Appalachia.
