1–What is the title of your latest release?
My latest release is the second book in the Felserpent Chronicles series entitled, BLOOD DIVIDED.
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Kyra and Sebastian have finally remembered their pasts as the former Felserpent King and Queen and now it’s time for them to change the future—by reuniting the realms and bringing peace to Astrals and Daevals. But tensions between those in Aeles and Nocens have never been higher, and it will take help from Cyphers, as well as friends old and new, to defeat their arch enemy and bring those with silver and gold blood together again.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
“Blood Divided” picks up a week or so after “Reign Returned” left off. I wanted to give the characters a chance to start developing a new routine, mostly so I could upend whatever they’d established and throw their lives into chaos.
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely. I have two protagonists—Kyra and Sebastian—and I’d hang out with either of them. In real life, I’m very much a rule follower, like Kyra, so I think it would be fun to spend time with Sebastian, my morally grey assassin. The only rules that apply to him are the ones he sets for himself, and he does what he wants, when he wants…there’s a freedom in that I’m slightly jealous of. He’s also an avid reader, so hanging out with him would involve a trip to LeBehr’s Bookstore, which would be amazing, and given that he secretly loves animals, we’d probably stop by a shelter where he’d make a massive donation he’d insist be kept anonymous.
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
For Sebastian, it would be 1) protective, 2) traumatized, and 3) strategic. For Kyra, it would be 1) kind, 2) smart, and 3) trusting.
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
It’s a constant balance of knowing what to cut versus what to keep. There’s one section in “Blood Divided,” (the Dekarais’ party) that I went back and forth over with my editor. I was determined to have a scene with a lot of my characters together so they could interact, and it was originally set as a dinner party, but it just didn’t work. My editor finally said, “If you can’t figure out how to make this scene reveal more about a character or advance the plot, you need to cut it.” When it comes to cutting things to improve the story, my editor is right 98% of the time, but in this particular instance I was determined, so I spent months reworking that one scene until it finally fell into place. It’s funny because I’ve had a few readers say that’s one of their favorite scenes in the book, and it just makes me so happy I trusted my gut…which wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t have a strong relationship with my editor.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
When I start a new book, it’s all about getting things out of my head and onto the page. I write until I have a solid first draft, and then I go back and start editing. I don’t worry about grammar or spelling or things I know I can change in the early stages, because at that stage all ideas are welcome and I’m just exploring where the story might go.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Anything involving dark chocolate! Brownies, cakes, chocolate-covered strawberries…if it involves dark chocolate, I’m there.
9–Describe your writing space/office!
My office is in a converted bedroom, and there’s really nothing in there except bookshelves and a desk. I like being to put papers or index cards on the walls or lay things out on the floor, so I try to keep it open and as clutter-free as possible.
10–Who is an author you admire?
V.E. Schwab. She writes across multiple genres for different ages, which is amazing, but what I really appreciate is how open she is about her mental health, as well as her efforts to destigmatize mental illness. I’m a neurodiverse trauma survivor who struggles with anxiety, depression, unexpected change, and being vulnerable. Some days are better than others, but the one thing I know for sure is that people face battles even those closest to them know little to nothing about. Be kind, because you never know what someone else is dealing with.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
“The Book Thief.” I finished that book as a teen and just sat there holding it, thinking, “I wish I could write something this amazing.” I learn something new every time I reread it, and it never fails to touch my heart.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I submitted the first book in my trilogy to agents, and it was actually their feedback that made me go with a hybrid publisher. I kept getting positive feedback, but the book was still being rejected, and I got to the point where I almost wished there was something wrong with it because I could fix bad writing or a plot hole, whereas I couldn’t do anything about a book that was well-written but just not what that particular agent was looking for. And then I had three agents in a row tell me, “I love your writing and I love the story, but I’m not taking another YA fantasy author right now.” That really made me think, if the only thing keeping this book from being published is that I don’t have an agent, why should that stop me? The way I saw it, working with an indie publisher was a way to get my work out there and start building my brand as an author. I live in Silicon Valley, where everyone has a very entrepreneurial mindset and you’re encouraged to invest in yourself, so I try to have that same mindset when it comes to my writing.
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
Fantasy. Specifically, YA fantasy.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
This is so hard, but I have to go with “The Fellowship of the Ring” from the LOTR universe. I don’t care if I’ve just seen it, I will always sit and watch that movie. The music, the cinematography, the characters, the action…it’s just perfect.
15–What is your favorite season?
Without a doubt, it’s fall. I love changing leaves, sweaters, boots, Halloween, colder weather, the days getting shorter, and that sense of change as we prepare for winter.
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Very quietly. I’m kind of terrible about celebrating myself, even when it comes to big accomplishments, although I’m trying to get better! My ideal way to celebrate my birthday is to be traveling someplace fun where I can get out in nature with my husband. Hiking, kayaking, or horseback riding are all things I love to do, and any birthday of mine will definitely involve something chocolate for dessert.
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I haven’t always been a big Star Trek fan, but my husband and I watched Strange New Worlds, and now I’m obsessed. I love the diverse characters, their arcs, and the way every episode has a different tone (some are humorous, some are love-filled, others are like a mini horror movie). No kidding, I listen to the playlist for the episode “Subspace Rhapsody” on Spotify and sing along at the top of my lungs whenever I’m alone in my car.
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Pretty much anything involving carbohydrates! I love pasta and bread, and I’m working on learning to make my own pasta sauces rather than using something from a jar. I find cooking very intimidating, because unlike writing books where I have a ton of control, I can follow a recipe to the letter and still have no idea how the dish will actually turn out.
19–What do you do when you have free time?
Travel! I love visiting other countries and spending time in different cultures. If I don’t have that much free time, I’m perfectly content to sit on the couch with my husband and our two cats, watching Disney Park vlogs and eating pizza and basically hiding from the outside world.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
The final book in the Felserpent Chronicles series has a pub date of October 2024, so readers will have all their burning questions about Kyra, Sebastian, and Batty answered next year. I’m currently working on a middle grade contemporary novel, but even though it’s set in the present day there’s still a dash of magic because it’s me writing it, after all. I also hope to offer some workshops and attend more comic cons and book festivals in 2024 because meeting readers is without a doubt one of the best parts of being an author.
BLOOD DIVIDED by Katie Keridan
Kyra Valorian and Sebastian Sayre have finally remembered their pasts as the former Felserpent Queen and King, and now it’s time for them to change the future—by reuniting the realms and bringing peace to Astrals and Daevals. But tensions between Aeles and Nocens have never been higher, and those of silver and gold blood are more divided than ever.
In addition to improving her recovrancy abilities and completing internship, Kyra is determined to uncover her father’s role in the evil Astral experimentation program, no matter the danger. As Sebastian learns to be in a relationship, he finds himself facing the traumas of two very different pasts, forcing him to make tough decisions about his chosen profession and who he wants to be. Meanwhile, Tallus, arch-enemy to the Felserpent monarchy, has also returned—and it will take help from Cyphers, as well as friends both old and new, to find and stop him.
As Kyra and Sebastian struggle to navigate the differences between their past and current relationship, one thing’s clear: part of fulfilling their destiny means accepting their fate. The choices they make will reach all the way into Death in this thrilling found family sequel to Reign Returned.
Fantasy [Spark Press, On Sale: October 3, 2023, e-Book, ISBN: 9781684632206 / ]
Buy BLOOD DIVIDED: Kindle | BN.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Katie Keridan
Katie Keridan made her literary debut at ten years of age when she won a writing contest by crafting a tale about her favorite childhood hero, Hank the Cowdog. After that, Katie has continued to write, through college and graduate school and during her career as a pediatric neuropsychologist. But while Katie enjoyed being a doctor, scientific research didn’t bring her nearly as much joy as creating her own characters and worlds, so she slowly left the medical world behind to focus exclusively on writing. In 2018 she self-published a poetry book, Once Upon a Girl, and her work has been featured in Highlights Hello Magazine, The Blue Nib, Youth Imagination Magazine, Red Fez, The Red Penguin Review, Sand Canyon Review, and Every Day Fiction, to name a few. Her debut young adult fantasy novel, Reign Returned, will be published by SparkPress September 2022. She loves sharing her writing with others who feel different, misunderstood, or alone. Katie lives in Northern California with her husband and two very demanding cats.
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