Ask the Author: K.D. Edwards
Answered Questions (95)
K.D. Edwards
Oh, I **absolutely** want to write stories for my book teens. Now that I’ve made the leap to full-time writing, I can finally start making that a reality.
The next two books in The Tarot Sequence will include interlude scenes focused on Quinn, since so much of his personal journey—and the revelations tied to it—happen beyond Rune’s line of sight. I can’t wait to dig into those moments.
And yes, I’m 100% planning to create a Magnus Academy series once Book V is done. I’ve been building my own version of a magical boarding school—a diverse, welcoming, and emotionally supportive one—for over a decade now. Now that I'm writing full-time, this might actually happen....and sooner rather than later.
Keep an eye here or on my Patreon site (https://www.patreon.com/c/KDEdwards) for future details.
KD
The next two books in The Tarot Sequence will include interlude scenes focused on Quinn, since so much of his personal journey—and the revelations tied to it—happen beyond Rune’s line of sight. I can’t wait to dig into those moments.
And yes, I’m 100% planning to create a Magnus Academy series once Book V is done. I’ve been building my own version of a magical boarding school—a diverse, welcoming, and emotionally supportive one—for over a decade now. Now that I'm writing full-time, this might actually happen....and sooner rather than later.
Keep an eye here or on my Patreon site (https://www.patreon.com/c/KDEdwards) for future details.
KD
K.D. Edwards
Thank you so much for asking! At present, I have a large group of beta readers, but that could always change in the future. The best place to look for opportunities to get early content is on my Patreon site (https://www.patreon.com/c/KDEdwards), where I share everything from the occasional free snippet for anyone, or advance peeks to my actual patrons. Be well, Edie. -- KD
K.D. Edwards
What a good question. I think there comes a point where a family -- or a bloodline, or a ruler -- is so thoroughly defeated that the ownership bond comes apart. I don't think anyone could have taken Sun family sigils from Rune -- but I absolutely think anyone could have taken Sun family sigils from anyone after the elder Lord Sun was defeated and destroyed, his resources plundered, his closest vassals killed, his estate turned into a toxic haunted site. I think one of Rune's biggest challenges in becoming an Arcana isn't the actual title -- it's rehabilitating his seat of power, and renewing his family's magical legacy to the point where it's truly a legacy again.
And if any of this contradicts things I wrote about, I plead what I always plead: wild magic. It must be wild magic.
KD
And if any of this contradicts things I wrote about, I plead what I always plead: wild magic. It must be wild magic.
KD
K.D. Edwards
HAHAHAAHHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH I LOVE IT
He dances to more than just country (he has a secret love for house techno, too -- 90s style), but he rarely dances in front of other people like Addam will.
But Brand's secret love of country music, driving RVs, and wearing his Big 10 hat while navigating the intricacies of a beard-growing contest is indeed a factor in Book 4....
He dances to more than just country (he has a secret love for house techno, too -- 90s style), but he rarely dances in front of other people like Addam will.
But Brand's secret love of country music, driving RVs, and wearing his Big 10 hat while navigating the intricacies of a beard-growing contest is indeed a factor in Book 4....
K.D. Edwards
I do! I think? This is my username..... "znl9yce9tgrb8pjevyxgo6fmp"
I love saving reader playlists to my library, too! I've discovered some of my best writing songs that way.
KD
I love saving reader playlists to my library, too! I've discovered some of my best writing songs that way.
KD
K.D. Edwards
I posted an answer to this general question last week -- you can see it in my recent answered questions, if that's OK.
As for inspiration and reading......? I'll be honest, the Pandemic rewired my brain. I found myself shifting from books to TV. (Though I greatly expanded my TV watching to include international and diverse shows. I love sci-fi set in other parts of the world.) I'm going to start a series of blog entries in the near future tied to a Patreon-type concept (no cost to view the blog entries; but I'll have more special content as part of the Patreon-style support, including a project in which I share my entire writing process from start to finish) in which I review the TV that I'm watching and the books I'm reading. I'd love to share that with readers, so you can see where my inspiration comes from. And maybe YOU can recommend books to ME.
As for right now? I'm reading Kelly Armstrong (love her Rockton books -- more mystery than sci-fi, but it's a cool mystery concept set in a gorgeous part of the world), Murderbot, the Ilona Andrews Wilmington books (have you read the Kate Daniels series? I adore it so much), and I'm excited to catch up on the latest Patricia Briggs (love love love Mercy Thompson). I also have the Kai Butler books in my Kindle. You should check out David Slayton, too -- love his books.
As for inspiration and reading......? I'll be honest, the Pandemic rewired my brain. I found myself shifting from books to TV. (Though I greatly expanded my TV watching to include international and diverse shows. I love sci-fi set in other parts of the world.) I'm going to start a series of blog entries in the near future tied to a Patreon-type concept (no cost to view the blog entries; but I'll have more special content as part of the Patreon-style support, including a project in which I share my entire writing process from start to finish) in which I review the TV that I'm watching and the books I'm reading. I'd love to share that with readers, so you can see where my inspiration comes from. And maybe YOU can recommend books to ME.
As for right now? I'm reading Kelly Armstrong (love her Rockton books -- more mystery than sci-fi, but it's a cool mystery concept set in a gorgeous part of the world), Murderbot, the Ilona Andrews Wilmington books (have you read the Kate Daniels series? I adore it so much), and I'm excited to catch up on the latest Patricia Briggs (love love love Mercy Thompson). I also have the Kai Butler books in my Kindle. You should check out David Slayton, too -- love his books.
K.D. Edwards
I think that was more Rune's personal lack of confidence around relationships. I didn't mean to imply he DIDN'T think Addam was a boyfriend -- he's just nervous and new, in general, at even using the title.
Addam wouldn't hesitate in calling Rune a boyfriend, though. :)
I hope you enjoy Book 3!!!!!!!!
KD
Addam wouldn't hesitate in calling Rune a boyfriend, though. :)
I hope you enjoy Book 3!!!!!!!!
KD
K.D. Edwards
I spent a lot of time thinking about how to answer this question. So, so much time. There are a lot of factors at work.
For example, I put a ton of time into my outlines. (I've been working on the outline for Book 4 for over 10 years now.) I also am not a fast writer -- though I have tried so hard to improve. Also, and maybe most pertinent of all, the basic reality is that most publishing doesn't pay enough to live off. Most small authors need to be both writers and....well, something else for 40 hours a week.
(I actually love my "something else" -- it's a fun, intense, and demanding day job. Though I dream and dream and dream of being a full-time writer someday soon.)
Another basic and personal reality for me is that I don't have a very rewarding relationship with my print and ebook publisher. It's something I try hard not to talk about publicly, but it's a real and present frustration in my life.
I don't know why they released a pre-order link and a pub date of May 2024. If May 2024 was ever a reality, it certainly wasn't when that link got posted. I also don't know why they shifted it to January 2026 -- I can only guess, since they didn't communicate the change to me in advance.
The moment I heard it had happened, I knew a lot of readers would be upset -- and I'm sorry I didn't have the opportunity to address it in advance. This bond I've made with a lot of you? You, the reader, many of whom have become real and online friends? It's one of the coolest things in my life. I had no idea how much I'd cherish this connection, but I do, and I feel like I've let you down. It's a horrible feeling, even if some of the decisions are out of my hands.
Anyway.... Since I can't control the pub date, the only thing I can do is to be honest with you about my process and milestones.
Here it is:
I spent about 18 months on the final outline for Misfit Caravan. I think -- I really hope -- it may be one of my best books yet. (At the very least, it's making me laugh A LOT, and I almost never laugh out loud when I'm reading my own writing. Putting them all into two RVs -- and throwing in someone like Lord Wheel -- has been a freaking joy.)
I am now fully in "writing mode." The manuscript is almost exactly half done, and I'm happily wallowing in the second half this weekend. I'm writing or preparing what I call "scene notes" every day. I genuinely hope to finish this over the next ten to twelve weeks, with a beta reading process that begins even sooner than that.
I'll let you know when all that happens. All of it. I'll let you know when I turn in my book, and I'll let you know what happens every stage after that. I usually update readers on Twitter -- but I'll try to remember to post here as well.
I am hoping that the shift to January 2026 was just the publisher pushing out the date as far as possible until they have an actual book in their hands to set a more realistic date. Either way, like I said, I'll be honest about my milestones going forward. Unless a bus hits me, this is my creative life's goal -- to get all 9 books in people's hands. There is so much ahead -- Dragons! Storms!
(That's not a secret -- they're in the names of the next two books: The Dragons Rise, and The Living Storm.)
More soon, I hope. I'll keep in touch.
KD
PS - Oh, and my tentative working title for Book 7 is "Atlantis Reborn." I've been playing with a lot of words like reborn. And resurrection. ;)
For example, I put a ton of time into my outlines. (I've been working on the outline for Book 4 for over 10 years now.) I also am not a fast writer -- though I have tried so hard to improve. Also, and maybe most pertinent of all, the basic reality is that most publishing doesn't pay enough to live off. Most small authors need to be both writers and....well, something else for 40 hours a week.
(I actually love my "something else" -- it's a fun, intense, and demanding day job. Though I dream and dream and dream of being a full-time writer someday soon.)
Another basic and personal reality for me is that I don't have a very rewarding relationship with my print and ebook publisher. It's something I try hard not to talk about publicly, but it's a real and present frustration in my life.
I don't know why they released a pre-order link and a pub date of May 2024. If May 2024 was ever a reality, it certainly wasn't when that link got posted. I also don't know why they shifted it to January 2026 -- I can only guess, since they didn't communicate the change to me in advance.
The moment I heard it had happened, I knew a lot of readers would be upset -- and I'm sorry I didn't have the opportunity to address it in advance. This bond I've made with a lot of you? You, the reader, many of whom have become real and online friends? It's one of the coolest things in my life. I had no idea how much I'd cherish this connection, but I do, and I feel like I've let you down. It's a horrible feeling, even if some of the decisions are out of my hands.
Anyway.... Since I can't control the pub date, the only thing I can do is to be honest with you about my process and milestones.
Here it is:
I spent about 18 months on the final outline for Misfit Caravan. I think -- I really hope -- it may be one of my best books yet. (At the very least, it's making me laugh A LOT, and I almost never laugh out loud when I'm reading my own writing. Putting them all into two RVs -- and throwing in someone like Lord Wheel -- has been a freaking joy.)
I am now fully in "writing mode." The manuscript is almost exactly half done, and I'm happily wallowing in the second half this weekend. I'm writing or preparing what I call "scene notes" every day. I genuinely hope to finish this over the next ten to twelve weeks, with a beta reading process that begins even sooner than that.
I'll let you know when all that happens. All of it. I'll let you know when I turn in my book, and I'll let you know what happens every stage after that. I usually update readers on Twitter -- but I'll try to remember to post here as well.
I am hoping that the shift to January 2026 was just the publisher pushing out the date as far as possible until they have an actual book in their hands to set a more realistic date. Either way, like I said, I'll be honest about my milestones going forward. Unless a bus hits me, this is my creative life's goal -- to get all 9 books in people's hands. There is so much ahead -- Dragons! Storms!
(That's not a secret -- they're in the names of the next two books: The Dragons Rise, and The Living Storm.)
More soon, I hope. I'll keep in touch.
KD
PS - Oh, and my tentative working title for Book 7 is "Atlantis Reborn." I've been playing with a lot of words like reborn. And resurrection. ;)
K.D. Edwards
I have never posted fan-fic on any fan-fic site, no.
That said, I wrote a soap opera in high school that was very much like fanfic, in that it was a bad, bad, bad clone of One Life to Live, Dallas, Dynasty, the Colby, General Hospital, and Falcon Crest.
And I consider the free content on my website (good God, there's now over 100K words of it) to be me writing fan fic for my own world. :)
KD
That said, I wrote a soap opera in high school that was very much like fanfic, in that it was a bad, bad, bad clone of One Life to Live, Dallas, Dynasty, the Colby, General Hospital, and Falcon Crest.
And I consider the free content on my website (good God, there's now over 100K words of it) to be me writing fan fic for my own world. :)
KD
K.D. Edwards
Quinn will have a committed and romantic partnership someday. Yes.
(And I explore his Ace-ness in more depth in Book 4.)
:)
(And I explore his Ace-ness in more depth in Book 4.)
:)
K.D. Edwards
AHHHHHH! Please make sure you reach out to me -- by Twitter (I can't call it X; I can't) for now, or my website (kd-edwards.com). Let me know how it goes.
And yes, you learn about Max. It's inevitable. There is a strong fae element in the next story; they'll be stopping by the fae-run Sanctuary City; and Max's exiled grandmother, Lady Lovers, lives in the US exile community.
I think one of the things I love best so far in writing Book 4 is how Max just shines. I don't even think I planned it -- it just happened. His growth, and him understanding his generational role in watching over Anna and Quinn, is really a good storyline, I think.
:)
And yes, you learn about Max. It's inevitable. There is a strong fae element in the next story; they'll be stopping by the fae-run Sanctuary City; and Max's exiled grandmother, Lady Lovers, lives in the US exile community.
I think one of the things I love best so far in writing Book 4 is how Max just shines. I don't even think I planned it -- it just happened. His growth, and him understanding his generational role in watching over Anna and Quinn, is really a good storyline, I think.
:)
K.D. Edwards
This answer contains spoilers…
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K.D. Edwards
No release date -- but the writing is going well, and I'm hoping for a date this spring or summer. I'll know more by the end of December. (And there will be some free material posted on my website before the spring, too.)
Yes, there is still much to learn about Rune's past -- and his father, and who the masked attackers were. It's a significant part of the next two trilogies.
And that short story is just something quick that I did for readers. I do like it (and made one of the characters in it part of the actual future world-building). You can find a bunch of free content on my website, including the short stories and novellas.
So far, Novel 4 -- the Misfit Caravan -- has been a joy to write. It's filled with (I hope) a lot of humor, and adventure, and a ton of found-family moments. It's making me so happy and excited while writing it. :)
KD
Yes, there is still much to learn about Rune's past -- and his father, and who the masked attackers were. It's a significant part of the next two trilogies.
And that short story is just something quick that I did for readers. I do like it (and made one of the characters in it part of the actual future world-building). You can find a bunch of free content on my website, including the short stories and novellas.
So far, Novel 4 -- the Misfit Caravan -- has been a joy to write. It's filled with (I hope) a lot of humor, and adventure, and a ton of found-family moments. It's making me so happy and excited while writing it. :)
KD
K.D. Edwards
This answer contains spoilers…
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K.D. Edwards
It is never cheating to pat me on the back :) It always makes my day
THANK YOU DANIELLE! The next book is a bit delayed -- but only because it's surprising me in a very good way. I originally described it as a slow, found-family-heavy intro into the second trilogy, but it's become much more. If you like the characters and world-building, I really think you might like this book. By stuffing the core characters into two luxury RVs and having them drive through America, it's like adding steroids to the found-family element. It's rare that I have this much fun during the actual writing process. :)
Thanks for the kind words. Please check out my website for a ton of free content, too. Plus, the Eidolon is for sale in a few formats, and it's best described as a "200 page expansion" to Book 3.
Be well,
KD
THANK YOU DANIELLE! The next book is a bit delayed -- but only because it's surprising me in a very good way. I originally described it as a slow, found-family-heavy intro into the second trilogy, but it's become much more. If you like the characters and world-building, I really think you might like this book. By stuffing the core characters into two luxury RVs and having them drive through America, it's like adding steroids to the found-family element. It's rare that I have this much fun during the actual writing process. :)
Thanks for the kind words. Please check out my website for a ton of free content, too. Plus, the Eidolon is for sale in a few formats, and it's best described as a "200 page expansion" to Book 3.
Be well,
KD
K.D. Edwards
Good grief -- thanks for the heads-up. I've been having some trouble with older plug-ins on my website; but I just sent a note to people who can fix it! The extra content should be up soon.
TMC is coming along slowly -- but really, really well, I think. It's rare that I'm so pleased with something in draft form. After the heaviness of Book 3, TMC has been filled with a lot of fun and found-family humor, with some sneaky massive world-building changes inching their way into view. It's just been so much fun being with these characters again -- and shoving them all into luxury RVs is a great way to give each of them their Moment. :)
Cheers, Laurie!
KD
TMC is coming along slowly -- but really, really well, I think. It's rare that I'm so pleased with something in draft form. After the heaviness of Book 3, TMC has been filled with a lot of fun and found-family humor, with some sneaky massive world-building changes inching their way into view. It's just been so much fun being with these characters again -- and shoving them all into luxury RVs is a great way to give each of them their Moment. :)
Cheers, Laurie!
KD
K.D. Edwards
Hey Nathalie! I do a lot of research -- a ton of it. It's fun for me. I'm one of those people who love websites like Reddit's "Abandoned Porn" channel -- where they showcase the photos of urban explorers. Readers also send me suggestions every now and then. I think the Fool's compound came from a reader suggestion in Book 3, for instance. (But researching ghost ships was probably the most fun of all -- I have so many ideas I'll need to go back to the Green Docks some day for another chapter.)
It also helps that I work on the outline of each novel for years -- I have been, for each novel, for the last thirteen years. So by the time I write a novel, I usually have a handful of ideas already set aside, and can pick the best of them for the final story. I've got photos of an abandoned....er, place...in America on my wall right now that I'm about to write about in Book 4.
Cheers. Thanks for asking!
It also helps that I work on the outline of each novel for years -- I have been, for each novel, for the last thirteen years. So by the time I write a novel, I usually have a handful of ideas already set aside, and can pick the best of them for the final story. I've got photos of an abandoned....er, place...in America on my wall right now that I'm about to write about in Book 4.
Cheers. Thanks for asking!
K.D. Edwards
Fingers crossed, but it should be early 2024. It's being written and edited this summer.
My website is down today for some plug-in repairs, but there's a bunch of free content there, including two free novellas. And if you haven't read THE EIDOLON, it's a 200-page expansion to the story told in HOURGLASS THRONE, and available in eBook and Audio format (with a waiting list for hardcover). And I also hope to surprise readers with more free content between now and winter!
Best, and thank you!,
KD
My website is down today for some plug-in repairs, but there's a bunch of free content there, including two free novellas. And if you haven't read THE EIDOLON, it's a 200-page expansion to the story told in HOURGLASS THRONE, and available in eBook and Audio format (with a waiting list for hardcover). And I also hope to surprise readers with more free content between now and winter!
Best, and thank you!,
KD
K.D. Edwards
Oh yes. After Book 1, I backed off a bit to be true to Rune's trauma. He's best represented on the sexuality spectrum as being demisexual -- he needs to build a strong reservoir of trust before he explores intimacy comfortably. By the time Book 3 comes along, that trust has been established, but I didn't have space to fit it into the outline. So yes, there will be more heat in Book 4 as they take a vacation across the American continent!
K.D. Edwards
Hard to say. Rainbow Crate (a subscription book service) actually had a promotion where they sold 500 hardcover sets of the trilogy. They did a beautiful job, and even had 2 bonus covers per book. Those sold out fairly quickly. Getting the order licensed was a complicated endeavor, however -- I'm not sure if future orders are being planned.
I will say that the experience I had self-producing the Eidolon (well, self-producing the eBook, but working directly with Rainbow Crate on the hardcover, and Audible on the audio version) was a phenomenally positive experience, and I hope to do much more with that in the future. I am so impressed with how Rainbow Crate planned the hardcover, in particular. I wish I had the power to make the same sort of decisions for the main series!!
I will say that the experience I had self-producing the Eidolon (well, self-producing the eBook, but working directly with Rainbow Crate on the hardcover, and Audible on the audio version) was a phenomenally positive experience, and I hope to do much more with that in the future. I am so impressed with how Rainbow Crate planned the hardcover, in particular. I wish I had the power to make the same sort of decisions for the main series!!
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