Book Promo: Sigil in Shadow by Constance Roberts @CBRstory @CedarFortBooks

Ellary Dane knows she deserves to die

- but not for a crime she didn’t commit.

She believes her 19 year streak of bad luck is over when she accidentally saves the life of a highborn officer and is taken to court to study under the tutelage of the most renowned healer in the kingdom. Suspicions surround her sudden presence, making her more enemies than allies. She soon finds herself ripped from her warm palace sheets and thrown into a dank prison cell.

As nobles vie for their spot on the throne, Ellary learns she is bound to a secret history that could change the kingdom forever. If she is going to break her chains, she must trust the stranger labeled as her accomplice and face the lie that pushed her into the silent warfare of highborn society.

Title: Sigil in Shadow

Author: Constance Roberts

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Expected Publication Date: June 12, 2016

Today we welcome Constance for an interview. Let's see what she has to say!

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else? 

I didn’t want to be a writer! Not professionally, anyway. As a kid I couldn’t stop making up stories and scribbling in my notebooks, but a whole book seemed unimaginable! Plus, I was like the worst speller in my school. In third grade, I was convinced that dolphin training was the career path for me.

How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

Depends on the book. My first novel took 8 years. But that book is really like two stories combined, so I cut myself some slack. The last book I wrote took about 4 months.

Do you have a schedule of when you write?

I write when the boss doesn’t need me. And when I say boss, I mean my 2 year old. I sit down and write when she naps and after she goes to bed. On a good day, that’s about 3 hours.

How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?

I just do my best. I don’t beat myself up if dinner ends up being frozen pizza or if I only get one paragraph down on paper. I try to focus on my accomplishments every day. Even little things like wearing my daughter out at the park or getting all the laundry off the floor.

What elements do you think make a great story line?

Something that always keeps me interested in books is seeking answers. I think the first line in your book should make the reader ask a question and keep reading to get the answer. Then reveal little by little and give more mysteries to keep the pages turning. For instance, even if I’m not really into the romance, I know that “Jeremy” is hiding something and I MUST find out what it is!

What was the hardest thing about writing a book?

Just getting that first draft out. It seems so daunting until I type “the end” but after that I feel like, “hey, I just wrote a book!” Polishing and editing seem fun after that.

Do you have a favorite character?

My favorite character is Joel Xader, from my book Onyx Moon. He’s fun to write because circumstances in life have messed with his mental health and left him a bit insane. The other characters are always having to explain and come up with excuses for his odd behavior.  

Where do you write?

I’ve turned my bedroom into my sanctuary, with scented candles for mood writing and surrounded by books and decor that inspire me. I have a little portable desk and I spread out on the bed with a cup of cocoa.   

When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took?

My first book was self-published. The acquisition editors that took the time to give me feedback about it all said it would be difficult to market. At the time I didn’t fully understand what that meant, but I wasn’t about to give up something I put 8 years of work into, so I did all the heavy lifting myself. Self-publishing is hard work, but I love the freedom and will definitely go that route for the rest of that series.

My second book, Sigil in Shadow, was picked up by a publisher and will be out July 12^th. It was a much smoother path this time around after studying the market and understanding what publishers are looking for.

What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

A new hobby I picked up recently is coloring. I love the adult coloring books based on novels. It’s something I can chill out and do while I binge watch my favorite T.V. shows.

What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?

Start. I feel like that’s what holds most people back. It’s scary, I know, but just get that first draft out. If after reading it you think it sucks, that’s actually a good thing. That means you’ve gained experience and are growing as a writer. Congratulations!

What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write?

I think the author that inspired me to take writing seriously and to get into the fantasy genre was Amelia-Atwater Rhodes’ book, Hawksong. She’s around my age, and was published when she was just 13! Her voice is amazing and I’ve always looked up to her. 

Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such?

I have one friend who reads kind of the same stuff that I do and she’s truly a gift from God when it comes to beta reading. She’s prompt, honest, and very helpful. She pretty much gets the first peek on everything.

Are you working on anything now?

Right now, I’m trying to decide on what to focus on next. I really want to get the sequel to Onyx Moon out and I have ideas that will change the whole series. But I’m also drafting the sequel to Sigil in Shadow, and that storyline just won’t leave me alone right now.

Tell us 5 things that make you smile

1: Seeing the wheels turn behind my daughter’s big bright eyes. 2: Cake. 3: The prospect of a nap. 4: The honesty of dogs. 5: My husband. He always knows how to make my day.

Tell us 5 things that make you sad

1: When a nap gets ruined. 2: Having nothing sweet in the house. 3: when I find out there’s no new episode on the night of my favorite show 4: math 5: when tragedy strikes someone I love and there’s nothing I can do about it.

If you could travel anywhere in the world to visit a place so you could use it as a background for a book, where would it be?

Definitely someplace tropical. Maui or Tahiti. I’ve always wanted to write a “stranded on a deserted island” story or an exotic beach town novel. I won’t lie, the trip will certainly double as a vacation!  

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Constance. It's been great having you here. Good luck with your launch!

Aboutthe Author

Constance Roberts is a retired flight attendant who turned in her wings to stay at home with her adventurous daughter and to write. She and her husband live in St. Louis, Missouri where they spend the weekends playing board games with friends. She wastes way too much time on Pinterest and her house is littered with half-finished craft projects. She is currently working on her third book, and making big plans for another fantasy series.