Author Q&A: Keira Gillett

11259428 Keira Gillett is a technical publications librarian, book blogger, world traveler, artist, and now author. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Drawing and Painting. From an early age her mother instilled a love of the written word, as such she has always been an avid reader and now she can share that love with others.

The Zaria Fierce Trilogy debuted March 2015 with Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest. The sequel, Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword, in November 2015. The third book, Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper’s Golden Shoes, is slated for release in early July 2016. Zaria Fierce is about a young girl’s quest to save her friend from a nasty river-troll.

Visit keiragillett.com for more information, including videos from television interviews and book readings, coloring pages, fan art, and more!

I got a chance to interview her so here goes…

1. What is the book that got you into reading?

Keira Gillett: The firsts book I remember is Half Magic by Edward Eager. My mom would read it to me and come into school to read it. I recently discovered it’s a series and I have the box set so I can finish it! Also, I loved reading Animorphs, Ella Enchanted, and Harry Potter growing up.
2. Who is your favourite author?

Keira: Ack. My answer always changes on this question and the next. It really depends on what I’ve recently read or am in the mood to read. So the best thing I can do is share with you my Goodreads account which I use to track this stuff. I am a book blogger as well as an author.
3. What is you favourite book?

Keira: The trilogy that I am about to finish is the School for Good and Evil. I saw it pop up on the different blogs I follow for book news and had to check it out. I’m glad I did! They’ve been quite fun to read.
4. What inspired you to write your book Zaria Fierce?

Keira: Loving middle grade and YA fiction. I knew I had a story within me and Zaria appeared one day, saying, “Here I am! Let’s do this.”
5. If you are to embark an epic adventure what kind of sidekick animal/ creature would you bring with you?

Keira: Norwick, hands down, from Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest. He’s a winter-wyvern (which is part bear, part bat, part reptile, part saber-tooth in appearance.) He’s not able to talk, but he can understand more than we think. He’s impressive in size, a warm companion to sleep next too, and can fly.
6. What is the hardest thing about writing?

Keira: Round one or two of editing, where I fact check and logic check the story for consistency and plausibility.
7. Can you give an advice to those aspiring writers out there?

Keira: You’ll never go wrong by be willing to learn about self-publishing. If you can teach yourself things like interior formatting, designing, digital formatting, etc. and research what you need to know you’ll be light years ahead of the game whether or not you decide to self-publish or traditionally publish.
8. Any message you want to give to your fans?

Keira: Yes, thank you for all your love and support! Zaria Fierce wouldn’t be the same without you.
9. What should we expect on the upcoming Zaria Fierce book?

Keira: Well, let’s see… what can I share? You’ll meet another type of wyvern. He’s pretty cool. I like writing him. You’ll go into the Under Realm. You’ll run into Olaf.
10. Will you describe your book to your new fans?

Keira: Sure! The trilogy is set in Norway. Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest is about a girl who must rescue her best friend from a nasty river-troll. Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword is about a girl and her friends questing for a magical sword that the river-troll wants. Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper’s Golden Shoes is about stopping the river-troll’s plans to free the dragons. Will they be able to do it? Or will the dragons be freed? Stay tuned! The answer to that comes July 2016!