Hey everyone this week K.C.Neal stops by as part of her blog tour for her debut novel Pyxis: The Discovery. As part of the tour K.C.Neal has kindly offered a giveaway to go with her interview. Check out the interview and the giveaway at the end!
A little about K.C.Neal and her writing career so far:
I liked to write when I was a kid - when I was 9 or 10 I started writing a novel in a spiral notebook - and wrote a lot as a teenager. I got away from writing in my 20s, when I majored in Chemistry and worked science-related jobs. Now, I work full-time as a Medical Writer, so writing fiction is something I do in my spare time. I started writing a novel about three and a half years ago, after having a dream and waking up inspired. It was a good learning experience, and I spent a ton of time reading about the publishing industry, but ultimately it wasn’t a novel I wanted to try to publish. At the start of this year I wrote the first draft of Pyxis, and I knew it was something I wanted to get published.
Pyxis: The Discovery the first book in the Pyxis series is released today as an Ebook! Can you tell me a little about it?
Pyxis: The Discovery is a young adult paranormal/fantasy book, the first in the Pyxis Series. The main character, 16-year-old Corinne, discovers there are two universes - the waking universe we live in every day, and a universe our minds enter when we're asleep. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two universes, to keep evil and harm from cycling between them, but the person who was supposed to teach her everything she needs to do this died unexpectedly. Her friend Mason has a role in all of this, too, and together they search for answers. I don't want to give away too much, but there are some fun paranormal elements to the story, like ESP. It’s a fast-paced story that’s full of mystery.
Where did you get the idea for the Pyxis Series?
I wish I had a great answer for this because I get asked this question a lot. :) I’m not really sure where the idea came from, but the first seed of the story was the pyxis box with the bottles full of mysterious colored liquids that influenced people’s emotions. I thought the story would center around the potions, but it grew into something much larger.
I love the cover of Pyxis: The Discovery. Who designed it and did you have much say in the designing of the cover?
Thank you, I love it too! The photographer is Tiffany Mize-Carter, and the designer is Claudia at Phatpuppy Art. Claudia has created so many amazing covers, I feel very fortunate to work with her. I did have a lot of say in the cover, though I will be the first to admit that visuals are definitely not my strength. But I work directly with my publisher, StoneHouse Ink, so I get a lot of input in everything that happens with my books.
How does it feel to be releasing your first book?
It’s so exciting! Lately I’ve been thinking about how much has happened this year. I started writing Pyxis on January 5th, and now it’s out in the world. I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from ARC reviewers, which is really gratifying. I love hearing other people’s reactions to the characters and the story. It’s so strange to think that the story that existed only for me, in my head, now lives in other people’s heads, too.
How many book are going be in the Pyxis series?
I’ve planned it to be a trilogy. I’m almost finished outlining the next book, Alight: The Peril, and I’ll start writing it in November. After I’ve finished writing the whole trilogy, I’m thinking about also doing a novella that has the prologue to the whole story and some of Corinne’s journal entries.
Why should we read the Pyxis series?
I think it offers something unique in YA fiction. The story doesn’t center around creatures like vampires or fairies, and it’s not set in a dystopian world of the future. It’s a world and story all its own. Reviewers are telling me they can’t wait for the next book, which makes me feel like I’ve done my job creating an entertaining story that people really get into.
K.C.Neal's Book History!
Favourite book as a child and why?
Some of the first chapter books I read were the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary, and I loved those books. Ramona was a quirky, fun young heroine.
Favourite book as a teenager and why?
The Stand by Stephen King. It’s this really epic read - a huge book - with this incredibly well-drawn cast of characters, some great good versus evil matchups, a story you can really get lost in.
Favourite book you have read this year and why?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. An absolutely amazing and vivid story. I think I was tearing up on like page 17, when Katniss takes her sister’s place and the people of her District raise their arms in a gesture of respect. I knew I was in for a ride.
An author you would recommend to my followers?
Angeline Kace and M.R. Merrick each released debut YA novels this year, and both are fantastic reads I highly recommend (Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace and Exiled by M.R. Merrick).
You can pre-order a paperback copy of Pyxia: The Discovery now on Amazon available to buy from December 2nd!
Now onto the giveaway!
Giveaway is an Ebook copy of Pyxis by K.C.Neal
Must be 13 years or older to enter!
Fill out the rafflecopter!
Giveaway is an Ebook copy of Pyxis by K.C.Neal
Must be 13 years or older to enter!
Fill out the rafflecopter!
- ×1Pyxis by K.C. Neal (eBook) - International Giveaway
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Tell us in your comment: If you could have a magic potion, what would you want it to do?
Terms and Conditions
Must be 13 or older. International giveaway. One winner chosen at random receives an ebook copy of Pyxis in the format (ePUB or mobi) specified by the winner. Winner will be notified via email provided in the entry. Please note that PDF format is not an option.contest powered by Rafflecopter.
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oups, forget my entry i found we could have a pdf-
ReplyDeletegood luck to others
Thanks so much for the feature, Megan! <3
ReplyDeleteI think that my potion would make me invisible! I really don't know I've never thought about it before! Thanks for the giveaway!
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