What’s The Next Big Thing Blog Hop?

Welcome to the second installment of the RaftPeople.com Next Big Thing Blog Hop. The idea is that I was tagged by an author with a work in progress. I, as the tagee, have to answer the interview questions and then tag some other authors with a work in progress. It’s a great way to network and expose readers to new authors.

Here was my first Next Big Thing Blog Hop post from a few months ago. It was about an entirely different books, and I have different tags this time – so I hope I’ll be forgiven for double dipping.

NightMarz – A Dark Fantasy Series by Irna Geddon

[image error]I was lucky enough to be tagged by Irma Geddon, She is a favorite poster around The Writer’s Cafe forum at KBoards.com, and is working on NightMarz – A Dark Fantasy Series. She says it is an adult themed, dark fantasy, and may not be appropriate for very young or very sensitive readers. Otherwise, the book sounds great. You can buy the first installment of NightmareZ: Asylum on Amazon today. There are several other places to buy it, and you can find them listed on the author’s blog: http://irmageddon.com/

Here is her one sentence synopsis – When her nightmares suddenly become reality, 17 years old Gabrielle must find a way to survive while she tries to understand the curse that plagued her family for generations.

Floaters – What Comes After Raft People?

What’s the working title of your new book?

Floaters is the semi-unappetizing working title. In the post-flood universe, floaters is a slang term for either dead bodies found in the water or people who have stayed out at sea longer than they needed to.

Where did you get the idea for Floaters?

Some readers have called out for a sequel to Raft People. When Permuted Press picked up my Raft People they asked for a sequel. I had not really intended to enter that universe again, but once I started writing, the story appeared.

What genre is this book?

This is absolutely a post-apocalyptic book in the truest sense. It takes place about a year after the worst of the crisis in Raft People. Some people say my books have a bit of steampunk and alternate history too.

Which actors should play the main characters in a movie version?

I didn’t really write with any specific characters or people in mind, but that is an interesting thing to speculate about on those long nights spent over a hot computer. Many of the characters in my book are young, and I keep thinking of actors who were young when I first liked them, but are older now.

Can you give us a one-sentence synopsis of your book?

After the flood, you’re a floater if you’ve been out at sea too long.

Is your book self-published, or do you have a publisher?

Raft People started out Indie, and sold over 1,000 copies that way. Since then it has been picked up by Permuted Press, but they are doing a second edit and some other prettying up – so it may be awhile. Yes, Floaters was requested by Permuted as well as a sequel – so I hope so.

How long did your first draft take to write?

How long is a piece of string? Kidding, but I guess I completed it a first draft in about 6 weeks. Right now it is off at a beta reader, and then I’ll take another pass or two at it.

Can you compare it to other books in your genre?

I know that Stephen Baxter’s Ark and Flood books influenced Raft People. But this book can probably best be compared to Raft People.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

As I mentioned above, Raft People was inspired by Stephen Baxter’s Flood series. But I’m not sure where the muse for Floaters came from – the place stories come from, I guess.

Is there anything else you’d like to say to pique reader’s interest?

Well, quite a few readers wanted to know what happened next. In my mind, the story of Andrew – the brother who left to join the Navy during the Big Flood was under-developed. Raft People became Mark and Liz’s story. Liz resented Andrew for several reasons, and some of them were not entirely fair. Hey, even heroines have flaws.

Andrew is still out at sea, trying to rescue survivors and bring comfort to refugees. Meanwhile he battles actual threats like an increasing number of smugglers and pirates. He also battles his own grief and loneliness because he was separated from his family. Maybe it’s Andrew’s time to get a little lucky.

Mark and Liz do make an appearance, as do Rabbi Gerson, Dr. Pham, Sally Chan, Shirley, and Dr. Peterson. Leah Green is with them all in spirit.

Who’s The Next Big Thing?

Look for these fine authors, and their contributions to the blog hop next week!

Find Krystal McLaughlin George at Krystalmclaughlin.blogspot.com She writes intriguing young adult fantasies.

Ezekiel Carsella posts at animalconflictseries.wordpress.com He writes exciting science fiction / steampunk fiction.