Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney
Publication Date:
February 14, 2017
Publisher: Clean
Reads Publishing
The end of an Empire, the rise of a Queen
Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life. That is until
two mysterious, and handsome soldiers show up at her apartment, and the life
she knew is instantly whisked away. Memphis Carter and Brokk Foster come from
the magical and war ridden world of Kiero, and upon Emory's arrival she will
discover she is the long-lost heir to the Royal Line and is thrown into the
Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her
throne.
With both men being darkly woven in her past Emory uncovers
hidden secrets, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are
worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.
Some things are better left in the shadows
AUTHOR INFO:
Mallory McCartney currently lives in London, Ontario with
her husband and their two dachshunds Link and Lola. Black Dawn is her debut
novel, the first in a series. When she isn’t working on her next novel or
reading, she can be found dog grooming, book shopping and hiking. Other
favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and
seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.
1.
When did you first
realize you wanted to be a writer?
Thank you for having me! I first realized I wanted to become a
writer in Grade Eight. I have always been an avid reader, but I first started
day dreaming about the world of Kiero in Grade Eight and I had a deep gut
feeling that I had to start writing it.
2.
How long does it take
you to write a book?
This has been different for me with each title! So, with Black Dawn, I had originally written the
first manuscript at the end of Grade Eight, and then I left it alone for seven
years after I was done. Then three years ago, I decided to re-write it, which
is the book we see now. The rewrites took me two years to do, before Black Dawn
entered the publishing stage with Clean Reads.
With the prequel I am releasing, Renegade,
it took me six months. And the sequel to Black Dawn, Queen to Ashes, has taken me two years, and I am still
finishing up rewrites. It really depends for me, but whenever I feel the story
has reached the best that I can possibly write, then that’s when I know to
submit it with my publisher.
3.
What is your work
schedule like when you're writing?
Right now, I have a block schedule worked out, because I am also a
part time dog groomer, which had been my career for the last five years. So, I
had my blocked out writing days during the week and work at grooming four days
a week 😊 I try to write a little
every day though!
4.
What would you say is
your interesting writing quirk?
Well, I can be often found singing to myself (I always where
headphones while I write) sometimes I feel that physical act of singing helps
me get the words flowing. Also, I usually hash out my plotlines while I am
hiking with my dogs!
5.
How do books get
published?
I feel like everyone’s journey is different. There is
self-publishing and traditional publishing.
When I first started looking at publishers I was leaning towards the
self-publishing road, which wasn’t a good fit for me personally, and then I
queried to company’s until I accepted with Clean Reads Publishing!
6.
Where do you get your
information or ideas for your books?
A lot of my dark mythical creatures we see in the Black Dawn Series, I have pulled and
blended from Irish and Scottish mythology. But the idea of Kiero has been with
me since a young age, and as I have grown up then they characters have vividly
come to life in my mind. A lot of writing, is answering questions about your
world, and once I had a handle on the history and back story, then the entire
world exploded to life. A lot of the times with the characters, plot lines come
to me when I’m not writing and am doing other things (hiking, driving, etc.) An
extensive amount of book two, Queen to
Ashes, and what Emory feels and goes through, I pulled from personal dreams
I have had. I tend to have reoccurring nightmares, and these fuels my writing a
lot of the time. So, for me it’s a mixture, of being creative, and research,
and sometimes personal experience, that helps blooms the ideas into life.
7.
When did you write your
first book and how old were you?
So, it was the end of Grade Eight, beginning of Grade Nine, so
around fifteen or sixteen, and this was the original manuscript of Black Dawn. It was titled, Kiero, and I wrote it for my cousin, who
has inspired me and I wouldn’t be here today without her.
8.
What do you like to do
when you're not writing?
I love to hike!!!! I also try to keep up with my too be read pile!
My husband and I love to binge watch shows on Netflix, and go to the movies! I
love to hang out with my friends, go camping, and travel!
9.
What does your family
think of your writing?
I feel extremely lucky, my family is very supportive of my
writing, and are my number one fans 😊 It’s an amazing feeling to share something that
is so close to my heart with all my family!!
10.
What was one of the most
surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Honestly, the writing process in general. You are never, ever, finished after your first draft,
and as a new writer this of course was a learning curve. Also, to this day it
surprises me the winding roads your characters take you down. Where the series
is heading right now, I wouldn’t have believed when I first started writing,
and that’s a really exciting feeling!
11.
How many books have you
written? Which is your favorite?
In full publication, it would be one, Black Dawn. But soon to be three! I am releasing the prequel, Renegade, after the summer and book two,
Queen to Ashes, in February 2018! I
am working on book three in the series as well as a separate upper YA fantasy
series! I love them all for different reasons, because the all bring something
new to the table for the story. Though I am extremely excited for this year, Renegade answers a lot of backstory, and
is Adair’s story of how he became the Mad King. Queen to Ashes I am very excited for next year, because of the
growth the characters go through, and we get to explore the world in more
depth!
12.
Do you have any
suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Never, ever give up! Writing is running a marathon, not a sprint,
and no matter what anyone says, don’t give up! If you are passionate about
writing, and your story, then the rest will come 😊
13.
Do you hear from your
readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I do! Social media is wonderful for writers, there are so many
platforms to connect to readers and other authors! Since February I feel so
fortunate, that for my first novel, Black
Dawn has been graciously received!! (Seriously, to all my readers, you are
AMAZING!!!!) You can check me out on Goodreads, I love to connect with my
audience!
14.
Do you like to create
books for adults?
Young Adult Fantasy is my favorite genre to write! I can’t see
myself swaying from this right now!
15.
What do you think makes
a good story?
For me personally, I loved complex characters, that are relatable
and feel real to the reader. I also personally adore an action packed read and
I think this really transfers into my writing.
16.
As a child, what did you
want to do when you grew up?
My career idea was always changing!!! In Grade Eight, I dreamt of
being an author!! Throughout highschool I dreamt of being an art teacher. I
went to college for Drawing and Painting. Then I got my Yoga Teacher
certificates, travelled for a year, and then my idea changed and I went into my
dog grooming career 😊 I think it’s best to
explore as many options as you can, and see what truly makes you happy. For me
it’s chasing my writing career!
17.
What Would you like my
readers to know?
Thank you for reading the interview and for having me! And thank
you if you decide to check out Black
Dawn!!! Remember to never give up on your dreams, and follow your passions!
Link to Goodreads:
Purchase Links:
Link to Tour Schedule:
Giveaway Details:
· Three (3) winners will receive a signed copy of Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney (INT)
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