Unity Book Tour Author Exchange

Hello lovely people! I’m so excited today to be hosting an exchange with not one, but TWO authors from TWO different continents: Leandri Geldenhuys from Fire Quill Publishing located in South Africa, and Alison Clarke from Little Bird Publishing located in the UK.

Without further ado, here’s Leandri Geldenhuys!

Hello there! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi, my name is Leandri Geldenhuys and I write various genres under various names. I co-wrote ‘The Journal of Blake Leaf’ under the name Lea Cherry with Adrienne Woods where you will see all my poems featuring the darkness that is Blake Leaf. Lea is my YA name to which I will bring all the fantasy and magic alive. Leandri Geldenhuys will be published as my children’s literature name, which the first book will be coming out this year called “Lumin finds the Lighthouse”. I’m currently busy working on a women fiction called ‘Undiscovered’ under the name of Jillian Rose.

When did you start writing and why?

This is the age old question with the same age old answer. I started writing short stories with my friends in Primary School (age 10) and was considered a very complex person at school because of my poetry. It was only after school that I started taking writing more seriously. My first book I wrote was basically a test to see if I was able to write. I was, but not very well yet. So I decided to learn as much as I possibly can to hone my craft. I kept getting ideas from songs or situations that soon found their way into my mind and became stories. Wish I had more hands to write them all.

What were the biggest challenges about becoming a published author?

I would think that the biggest challenge now isn’t finding a publisher, but actually writing and marketing something worth reading. You can publish anything lately, but if it isn’t good enough and if your marketing isn’t great, then you won’t make sales.

Shout out your publisher and tell us how they helped you on your creative journey.

Fire Quill Publishing isn’t there to just make money. They are there to try and change the way authors and publishers work with each other and to bring forth the books and stories that are amazing that other houses don’t want to try and publish. There are so many great stories out there, and with FQP, they will take the time and help best the book to its full potential without losing the relationship with the author.

Where can we find out more about them?

You can find Fire Quill Publishing on Facebook, their Website, Twitter and Instagram.

What are you working on right now?

I am currently working on my women’s fiction novel called “Undiscovered”. It’s about the main character rediscovering who she is after a disastrous ending to her marriage of 15 years. Let’s just say you will laugh, cry and be embarrassed along with the character the entire time.

Who is your most favourite character you’ve written and why do they speak to you so much?

That is a tough one. I tend to add a bit of myself to each character whether it is in their past, personality or experiences. At this stage my favourite would be Lumin, from the children’s books. She speaks to me because of the way she sees the world and everyone in it. With the purity and magic of children.

Do world events and politics influence your writing?

I tend to shy away from politics and world events as they are lately very negative and do not like to bring that into my writing.

How important are places you have visited and where you live to your writing?

To be able to write about a place you have been before brings about a better understanding of the place, a sense of authenticity if you will. It helps a lot in that sense. Otherwise you will need to have either a great imagination or killer research skills.

Share with us your favourite line from your most recent release.

My recent release is the poetry journal, as the kids book isn’t released yet. But here is a poem from my latest WIP:

As light enters the broken glass

Of tormented self and forgotten past

The rainbows dance in the morning sun

Rejected soul comes undone

Piece by piece, the thread unveils

A newer being emerges and hails

No freezing cold or scorching sun

Can now stop this being until it’s won

For they have walked the darkest path

And lived a life of self hate and wrath

Five things that you love in life?

I love my family, they are my inspiration for many ideas

My writing, my sacred space, my dreams and my future.

Five things that you hate in life?

Negativity, writer’s block, BS, narcissists, selfishness

What book started your love of reading?

I’m not quite sure which series started it to be exact, but I read the Disney books when I was small, and soon went on to Goosebumps and Sweet Valley when I was older. I guess anything that helped me escape to another world could be to blame for my reading addiction.

Tell us about your most recent release.

The Journal of Blake Leaf, was released in January of this year. It is a companion to Adrienne Woods’ Dragonian Series as it is the journal of the badass Rubicon dragon named Blake Leaf. It has to do with all his fights with his inner darkness and how he managed to cope before his rider came. It’s a very dark mooded experience throughout the pages and was fun diving into that part of myself.

Where can we buy it?

The Journal is available of all leading stores like Amazon. And I must say that the layout looks amazing! Especially the print copy.

Where can we find you on social media?

I have a few pages, but here is the one where all my personalities come together to play:

https://www.facebook.com/collectivescribbler/

Thank you! And now, here’s Alison Clark!

Hello there! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Alison Clarke, and I’m a young adult fantasy author, as well as a poet, who also performs spoken word, and author of children’s picture books.

When did you start writing and why?

I started writing in elementary school, and enjoy writing because I can create different worlds.

What were the biggest challenges about becoming a published author?

I didn’t have any connections with anyone in the business.

Shout out your publisher and tell us how they helped you on your creative journey.

My publisher is Little Bird Publishing House, and they helped me on my journey by believing in my manuscript, and reminding me that anything is possible.

Where can we find out more about them?

On their Facebook page, Little Bird Books.

Who is your favourite character you’ve written and why do they speak to you so much?

I think Racine is my favourite character, because she enjoys travelling to different worlds.

Do world events and politics influence your writing?

World events and politics do influence my writing.

How important are places you have visited and where you live to your writing?

Places I’ve been to, where I live–they are both important to my writing. Travelling has always inspired me. The Library Of Congress in Washington, D.C., I’ve been to, and it is a beautiful space. This magical library features in Racine, Book Two of my Sisterhood Series.

Share with us your favourite line from your most recent release.

That was the beauty and power of love. It not only heals, but it gives a sense of belonging: a sense of home.

Five things that you love in life?

I love books, libraries, walks in nature, travelling, and hanging out with friends.

Five things that you hate in life?

I hate ignorance, racism, misogyny, injustice, and a lack of respect for others.

What book started your love of reading?

Anne Of Green Gables.

Tell us about your most recent release.

Racine is a mystical odyssey that transcends time and space. It’s also about discovering your beginnings, and the power of learning about yourself.

Where can we buy it?

You can buy it on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and Amazon.co.uk.

Where can we find you on social media?

On Twitter, I’m @mythologist200. My Instagram username is @monetlover200. The link to my Facebook author page is https://www.facebook.com/Alison-Clarke-749948061789271/.