BBB: What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you while writing a book? EH: Well, it’s generally not a funny processsatisfying, but hard work. It is kind of funny to write steamy sex scenes in public places, though. Years ago I was writing one of the books in my Shadowfae series on my laptop on the train on the way to my boring day job, and my sexy dark fantasy fae were doing something particularly bizarre and steamy… I realised the guy behind me had been reading over my shoulder for the last ten minutes. I think he thought I was a closet dominatrix, or something. Um. Not embarrassed at all.
BBB: What character was the toughest for you to get onto the page, and why? How did you finally crack it?
EH: In Scorched? The archvillain, Razorfire. He’s difficult because he NEVER puts a foot wrong. Never says the wrong thing, never loses his composure or gives his enemies an opening. Dialogue like that is hard. You have to revise a lot. But it’s also fun, because it’s larger than life – he says cool stuff we wish *we* could say. So in the end, I just let him be outrageous.
BBB: What were you like in school?
EH: Nerdy! Yeah. I was that scruffy chick who was good at math and English and kept having time off for music lessons. Haha. Everyone probably hated me
BBB: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing versus being traditionally published or the other way around?
EH: I think that depends on the individual author. I’m becoming a hybrid author, so for me there are goods and bads about both.
Self-publishing is great because you can get to market so quickly, and you have ultimate flexibility – if something doesn’t work, you just change it. But it’s also a lot of time and work, and frankly I’d rather be writing. Traditional publishing is nice for me because I don’t always want total control – I have a hard time with cover art, for instance, because I have peculiar taste and what works for me isn’t always good for readers. So sometimes it’s nice to have a marketing department to set me straight! Also, no matter what people say, I do not believe that print is dead. Print books in stores are still a discoverability tool. Why throw that away?
So yeah. I’m not an evangelist for one or the other, and listening to people who are just makes me yawn. I’m learning how to self-pub, but I also still have an agent, who helps me seek traditional deals for suitable projects, both in print and digital-first. All avenues to publication have their uses, and I think these days, authors have to keep their options open.
And when it comes down to it? Most readers don’t actually care who published the book, so long as they can buy it how they want, when they want, at a price they’re prepared to pay. We have to reach readers any way we can.
BBB: Please tell us more about Scorched and the storyline that drives it.
EH: Scorched is an urban fantasy thriller with a dark conspiracy edge, and it features superpowered crime-fighters and villains. It’s a cool action/adventure story, with a hint of romance. Here’s the cover copy:
“In a world where everyone wears a mask, you can’t trust anyone… not even yourself.BBB: How many more books will there be in this series?
Verity Fortune was once Sapphire City’s top crime-fighter, wielding her powers of telekinesis to battle the city’s most despicable villains. Now, she’s consumed by a single burning desire: revenge. Against those who took away her mask, her memory, and nearly her life.
Having escaped from the asylum they left her to rot in, Verity dons her mask once again and becomes the Seeker, a vigilante warrior for truth. But when she unwittingly uncovers an evil conspiracy deep within her own family, she’s suddenly on the run, alone and hunted by those she thought were on her side…”
EH: I’ve contracted for two, in digital first and then PoD paperback. Book 2 – the working title is Scarred – will come out later this year. Hopefully, there’ll be more!
BBB: What sets Scorched apart from other books in the same genre?
EH: It’s a superheroine story, to start with, and that means masks and costumes and secret identities. Urban fantasy has a lot of female leads, but they’re called investigators or enforcers or whatever, and they live in a world where the magic/supernatural is the norm, at least in their subculture. Verity is a crime-fighter in a city where ordinary people hate and fear superhuman powers. She has to conceal her identity for her own safety.
BBB: What types of creatures/characters can readers expect in your world?
EH: Scorched is set in a near-future city, infested with superpowered heroes and villains. Their powers, which are called ‘augments’, are kind of a cross between science and magic – they have a genetic anomaly that gives them parahuman senses and strange abilities, but that’s all anyone knows. There’s an alloy called augmentium that neutralises augments – a bit like Superman’s kryptonite – but no one really knows how it works, or why.
So the heroine, Verity, is telekinetic. Her sidekick, a mysterious dude named Glimmer, has illusion powers. Her brother has the power of charisma – yeah, you don’t mess with him – and her father can manipulate shadows. All sorts of crime-fighting goodness!
And of course, the villains are kick-ass. But I’ve got some wacky ones, too. Not everyone can be super-cool, right? Nature gifts you weirdness, you’re stuck with it. There’s a villain in Scorched called Weasel. Enough said.
BBB: What advice would you give to your younger writing self?
EH: Don’t stop. Don’t be afraid to write about what you think is interesting. Oh, and give up that stupid boring job you’re doing. Trust me, it’ll go nowhere
BBB: Is there a message in Scorched that you want readers to grasp?
EH: First and foremost, it’s an adventure story and a dark conspiracy. It’s meant to be exciting and fun! So, y’know. To hell with the message, and enjoy
But, sure, there are themes. Don’t ignore your dark side. Listen to your instincts. It’s not what you say, but what you do under pressure that counts. Oh, and when you’re up against your archenemy? Don’t listen to their monologue, or devise elaborate plans to make them suffer in imaginative ways. Just kill ‘em. Now.
BBB: What has been the toughest criticism you’ve been given as an author?
EH: I’ve had some lovely bad reviews! Worst book ever, awful characters, so bad it’s funny, this author can’t write to save herself, etc.. But, y’know. Shrug. You can’t please everyone. Someone who says ‘this author must be sick to even think of this’ – and yeah, that was the gist of a mainstream review for my debut novel – is obviously not my target audience
BBB: Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published? If so, can you tell us more about the storyline?
EH: I’ve got nothing left in the drawer right now. I did self-publish one novel that wasn’t appropriate for my print publisher – Demon Chained. It’s a dark fantasy/horror romance with a reanimated hero. The gore and icky bits are a little… extreme, for mainstream romance. It’s a challenging book – but I think that just makes the romantic conflict more intense. Tam from Demon Chained is one of my sexiest and most charming heroes. He just happens to be dead. You gonna let that get in the way? Are ya?
BBB: Please describe your current writing area? Is it perfected or what do you want to do to make it that way?
EH: Computer, desk, crap everywhere. Sigh. This is why I write in the cafe… I would love my space to be more organised. But it’s by a window, which I like.
BBB: What’s coming up for you for the rest of 2014?
EH: I have a sci-fi novella coming out in July called Heartless, about a resistance spaceship captain who gets captured by her ruthless cyborg enemy. I’ve just finished book 2 of the Scorched series – that should come out later this year – and now I’m moving on to another sekrit project that I’m really excited about.
10 Quick Things About Erica
Favorite Food? Chocolate.
Favorite Color? Green.
Favorite Movie or TV Show of all Time? er. Pass. There are too many.
Favorite Drink? Orange juice! Mmm.
Favorite Book? Not just one.
Favorite Season? Summer, the Australian kind.
Favorite Online Hangout? Twitter
Favorite Animal? Giant tortoise. They’re so adorable.
Favorite Band or Musician? Me! No, wait.
Mode of Travel? (Trains, Planes or Automobiles) Planes. They go good places.
Favorite Vacation Destination? Italy.
About Erica Hayes
Author Bio:Erica Hayes was a law student, an air force officer, an editorial assistant and a musician, before finally landing her dream job: fantasy and romance writer. She writes dark paranormal and urban fantasy romance, and her books feature tough, smart heroines and colourful heroes with dark secrets. She hails from Australia, where she drifts from city to city, leaving a trail of chaos behind her. Currently, she’s terrorizing the wilds of Northumberland.Connect with Erica| Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Books by Erica Hayes| Reviews of Erica’s Books |
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