We're excited to announce the blog tour for Witching Moon by K.E. Bonner. Join us as we share more about this novel, interview the author, and give away a copy of the book. This book is perfect for tweens, teens, and readers who enjoy historical fantasy.
Before we interview the author, here's a bit more about the book:
Every once in an eon, when the Earth eclipses the moon on a winter solstice, an immortal is born under a witching moon. Anne has always had the strangest feelings—memories she couldn’t place; strangers she inexplicably yearned for. After she rescues the enigmatic Phillip from a shipwreck, her comfortable life on the island of Cusabo is shattered, and the mystery of her destiny starts to fall into place. Anne leaves behind the life she’s always known and sets out with Phillip on an arduous journey to Amaranth, where her ancient family awaits her. But the path is dark and daunting, and Anne’s powers have only just begun to manifest.
Publisher: Belle Isle Books
ASIN: B096ST3G4Z
ISBN-10: 1947860925
ISBN-13: 978-1947860926
Print Length: 298 pages
You can purchase a copy of Witching Moon on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add Witching Moon to your Goodreads reading list.
About the Author, K.E. Bonner
Learn more about K.E. Bonner on her website or follow her on Instagram @kebonnerwrites.
---- Interview by Michelle Cornish
WOW: Congratulations on your book! I enjoyed reading about Anne and her family, and I especially enjoyed the time period. Witching Moon is set in the late 1800s during the American Civil War. What type of research did you do in order to write a story set during this time period?
KE: Growing up in South Carolina I was surrounded by Revolutionary War and Civil War history. It wasn't uncommon to go to a friend's house and see a saber or rifle that their great-grandpappy had carried into battle. Most everyone's grandparents told tales of the hard times that followed the war, so you could say I was raised on Civil War history. I did read several Civil War history books, and watched Ken Burns' excellent documentary on the Civil War, where I learned about Sherman's neckties and slave catchers. History has always been my favorite subject because it is story based, and I am a sucker for a good story.
WOW: History is full of stories, for sure. Writing a novel can be a time consuming endeavor. How do you make time to write and how do you motivate yourself to keep going?
KE: It took me over ten years to write Witching Moon. During that time my husband's business went bankrupt, we lost our home to foreclosure, my husband went into congestive heart failure, had open heart surgery, and almost died. We raised two sons, I worked fifty plus hours a week as an anesthetist, and a thousand other things happened. Although I didn't begin writing as a means to escape the stress, looking back on it, I believe that I persisted in writing to escape to another world that I had some control over. I designated every Sunday as my writing day. I got up early, made my coffee, and decamped to my basement office to write, read, and dream. During that crazy time I often took a month or two off from writing because life got too hectic, but I always went back to my book. Writing keeps me sane, it helps me put life into perspective.
WOW: What an amazing journey you've been on. You certainly went through a lot during the time you were writing Witching Moon! What is your top writing advice for aspiring authors?>
KE: Quite simply, the more you read and write, the better you get. Talent and inspiration will only get you so far, developing a solid routine of putting your butt in a chair and writing everyday is the only way to get better. Focus on the craft of writing: voice, dialogue, pacing, world building, structure, and characterization.
WOW: Sounds like consistency is the key to a solid writing routine. Do you consider yourself a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in-between? What is your writing process like?
WOW: Sounds like consistency is the key to a solid writing routine. Do you consider yourself a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in-between? What is your writing process like?
WOW: Speaking of magical realism, this plays a big part in your story. What was your inspiration for this?
KE: I'm a big believer in everyday magic. When you're in the habit of creating art, you begin to see that there are no coincidences, and that enchantments surround us. Ideas are magical. When an idea presents itself to me I get lit up; my spine tingles, my heart races, and I can become breathless and dizzy. Have you ever felt that tingle down your spine when you hear an amazing piece of music, or have that buzz of instant connection upon meeting someone? That is magic working into your life.
WOW: Yes, I love it when those spine tingles happen! Which authors or favorite books inspire your writing?
KE: Pat Conroy is my favorite southern writer. His novel, The Water is Wide is inspiring. I also love Rick Bragg, Flannery O'Conner, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King and George Orwell. Animal Farm is my hands down, absolute favorite book. I love the classics, and am a Jane Austin fangirl. Where The Wild Things Are is my favorite children's book. Everything I read seeps into my writing in some way.
WOW: What was your favorite genre to read when you were growing up and why?
KE: Even though I was a slow reader, I was a voracious one. I loved Judy Blume, I still love Judy Blume. My favorite genre was anything with a coming of age theme, but really I just read whatever caught my eye: Mad magazine, Cracked magazine, Rolling Stone, Jane Eyre, The Chocolate War.
WOW: I love that! Do you have a favorite writing spot? Tell us about it and why you love it so much.
KE: I am a big fan of Rockvale Writer's Colony in College Grove, Tennessee. At home I move between the kitchen table, my desk, and the couch. I love to prop my feet up and write semi-reclined.
WOW: Sounds wonderful. Witching Moon is full of so many themes like leaving home, coming of age, religion, the Underground Railroad, and the Cusabo Indian Tribe (just to name a few). Is this something you thought about before you started writing, and how did you balance the themes throughout the story?
KE: Most of the themes appeared as I was telling the story. I knew I wanted to write a coming of age story, but as the other themes began to show themselves, I would go back and flesh them out as I edited my work. In the end, I made a list of all the themes that had sprung up, and made sure that they threaded nicely throughout the story. For instance, I first read about the Cusabo Indian Tribe of South Carolina on a placard when my family visited Ellis Island. The Cusabo people were living along coastal South Carolina when European explorers showed up. I had to go all the way to Ellis Island to discover the Cusabo Indians. That little spark of magic brought Mama Jane and Ruth into Witching Moon, and gave me the name of the island where Anne was raised.
WOW: You were diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult. How has this journey impacted your experiences as an author?
KE: Dyslexia has taught me persistence. For many years I'd known that I had to study three times as hard as my peers to get the same grades. I couldn't cram for an exam, I had to begin studying a few days out. Maybe that is why I don't enjoy plotting a book. I love when ideas spill out of my head and land on the page. Having dyslexia allows me to see things from different angles, so in many ways it opens me up to new possibilities, which is a good thing.
WOW: Persistence and the ability to see things from different angles certainly are great skills to have as a writer. Will we be seeing more from Anne and her friends? Can you share what you are working on next?
KE: I do want to write a follow up book for Anne. Because immortal septs fight each other under the guise of mortal wars, the next Witching Moon book will be set during WWI. I have it loosely outlined.
Right now I am working on a book about Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. In the early 1900s, before there were child labor laws, children were sent there to work in the seafood industry. Daufuskie has a rich history: Black Beard the pirate sailed the waters around the island, some say the island is haunted, and it is part of the Gullah Geechee cultural area. My next book is a tale of survival about two children who are sent to work on the island during oyster season.
WOW: We will certainly be watching for those stories! Thank you so much for joining us today. All the best to you!
---- Blog Tour Calendar
December 19th @ The Muffin
Join WOW as we celebrate the launch of K.E. Bonner's blog tour of Witching Moon. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book!
December 20th @ Mindy McGinnis’s blog
Stop by Mindy’s blog to read “Release the Idea of Getting Rich or Published and Focus on Your Craft.” by K.E. Bonner
December 21st @ All the Ups and Downs
Join Heather as she spotlights Witching Moon. Enter to win a copy of the book!
December 23rd @ Michelle Cornish’s blog
Visit Michelle’s blog to read her review of Witching Moon.
December 24th @ A Storybook World
Join Deirdra as she features a spotlight of Witching Moon.
December 27th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews blog
Join Lisa for an interview with K.E. Bonner.
December 28th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Join us today for author Anthony Avina’s review of Witching Moon.
December 29th @ Rockin’ Book Reviews
Join us as Lu Ann reviews Witching Moon. Stop by and enter to win a copy of the book!
December 30th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Revisit author Anthony Avina’s blog to read “The Best Writing Advice I Received” by K.E. Bonner.
January 4th @ Bev Baird’s blog
Join us on Bev’s blog as she reviews Witching Moon.
January 5th @ The Knotty Needle
Stop by for Judy’s review of Witching Moon.
January 6th @ Bev Baird’s blog
Meet us back at Bev’s blog for “Ideas are Everywhere” a guest post by K.E. Bonner.
January 6th @ Look to the Western Sky
Join Margo as she reviews Witching Moon by K.E. Bonner.
January 7th @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie's blog where she interviews author K.E. Bonner about her book Witching Moon.
January 9th @ Sue Edwards’s blog
Visit Sue’s blog to read “Magical Realism Surrounds Us” by K.E. Bonner.
January 10th @ Celtic Lady's Reviews
Visit Kathleen's blog and read her review of Witching Moon by K.E. Bonner.
January 10th @ World of My Imagination
Stop by Nicole's blog where K.E. Bonner is a guest for "Three Things on a Saturday Night."
January 12th @ Life According to Jamie
Join us as Jamie reviews Witching Moon.
January 14th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Join Linda as she interviews author K.E. Bonner.
January 15th @ Fiona Ingram’s author blog
Stop by Fiona’s blog to see her spotlight feature of Witching Moon.
January 16th @ the Freeing the Butterfly blog
Visit Freeing the Butterfly to read “Life is Short, Do What You Love” by K.E. Bonner.
January 18th @ Jill Sheets’s blog
Stop by Jill’s blog to read her interview with K.E. Bonner.
***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****
Enter to win a copy of Witching Moon by K.E. Bonner! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway ends January 1st at 11:59 CT. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget the next day and follow up via email. Good luck!
Fantastic interview! K.E. - it's so inspiring to hear you stuck with your novel for ten years throughout all of life's ups and downs. That gives me such hope for my WIP. Your book's themes sound fascinating, and I'm glad you're writing a follow up book. Congratulations on your book and good luck on your tour! :)
ReplyDeleteMy 17-year-old would be very interested in this book.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks so inviting.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an exciting story!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your support.
ReplyDeleteWriting is a lonely business and one never knows if the story you are writing resonates with others.
If you are struggling with finishing, or trying to plump up a sagging act II, stay with it! Persistence is everything.
Also, if you get tired, take a break. Don't quit, just take a break until you feel the need to write. Be kind to yourself.
Karen
Interesting Read & Great Giveaway. Looking Forward to a Read.
ReplyDeletesounds interesting
ReplyDelete