Lindsey Renee Backen's Blog

Emberling - A Clean Fantasy by Kaytlin Phillips

Hi Readers!

My friend, Kaytlin Phillips is releasing the first book of her new trilogy! She has given me an exclusive interview for Ever Ink Press. If you’re curious about what it’s like to be a writer or if you’re looking for a clean book to purchase for a young person in your life, check out Emberling. Thanks, Katilyn for letting me feature you on my site and best of luck with your launch!

One never realizes how large their world is until they struggle to protect it.

Her entire life, Iya has been pursued by the Rangers, who despise her people for the fire in their veins. She has lost everything to their hatred, and now the fate of Uriu hangs in the treacherous balance. The Emberlings are dwindling in numbers, causing unleashed chaos that threatens not only Englewood but the Meadows of Harvanth as well.

Malcolm Cabe is fueled by hatred as he sets out to annihilate the fire-wielding Emberlings responsible for his father’s death. However, his mission takes an unexpected turn when he saves Iyana, a secretive girl haunted by a heartrending past.

Iya must keep her identity hidden from Malcolm and the other Rangers because if they discover who she is…death awaits her. But if the truth is never told how can they find the strength to forgive and unite? Decisions need to be made, and the wrong ones could lead to the destruction of all of Uriu.

Interview with Katilyn PhillipsHow do you find time to write?

I usually write at night before bed, so I make sure to carve out some time to do that. It's a priority for me and I've been doing it for so many years now it's hard for me to go to sleep without doing my nightly brain dump. XD

What is the best time of day for you to write?

Honestly, the afternoon is when I seem to get the most words down, but I don't always have time to write then because of work. So I make due where I can.

Where did your idea for Emberling come from?

I'm honestly not sure. An Emberling just showed up in my head, a person who has fire in their veins and that was running from a past that was in flames. The story changed shape over the years until it became the book I published! Originally the concept was much different, but also not as cool as the published concept.

How long did it take you to write Emberling?

It took me 6 months to write Emberling which is the fastest I've ever finished a project of that length. I was very happy with myself.

What was the most difficult part of writing Emberling?

Probably getting the climax right. It didn't want to happen. I wrote myself into a pit for a bit and had to edit and change some things to get myself out. I can't go into more detail because to say anything more would be a spoiler. XD

Did you self-publish or go the traditional publishing route and why?

I self-published. I looked into hybrid publishing, but it just didn't seem to be a good fit for me. I like having control of my books, being able to fix typos whenever, being able to order copies whenever, join giveaways, donate my profits, etc. It gives me freedom to publish on my own timeline as well and I appreciate that because deadlines aren't exactly my friends. XD

What important advice would you give a first-time author?

You don't have to be like everyone else. You don't have to write like them, outline like them, or even plot like they do. Find your own rhythm and voice, it might take time, but it will come. Don't box yourself in with rules. Let the words come and worry about rules later during the editing phase.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

When I was 14 and had finished my first novel, one that I co-wrote with my sisters. My dad encouraged us to start writing the story down, so we did and then next thing you know we all fell in love with writing. Once I had started putting words on the page I couldn't seem to stop. The worlds and stories just kept coming, and continue to come faster than I could ever write them. It's a bit overwhelming having an overactive imagination, but so much fun!

What are your favorite books to read?

Oh, so many! I love Fantasy and Suspense especially (which if you read Emberling you can tell because I wove some suspense into the fantasy). Some of my favorite books lately have been:

The Redwyn Chronicles by Madisyn Carlin

The Guild of Thieves by Jaiden Phillips

Frozen Secrets by Marisa Phillips

The Fireborn Epics by Gillian Bronte Adams

The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes

And so many other books!

How important are book reviews?

Super important for the author and other readers. It lets people know where the book is something they will enjoy or not and lets the writer know what the reader enjoyed or didn't so they can work on it in future books. They are also super helpful in boosting sales because the more reviews a book has the more visibility it has as well. So for Indie authors that makes them especially important.

About the Author:

Kaytlin Phillips is a homeschool grad who spends her days praising her Savior, reading, writing, blogging, and annoying her sisters with random thoughts. She is the fifth child out of seven and resides in the Southern Appalachian foothills of Western North Carolina.

She believes in the power of stories and their ability to change lives. And when not writing stories of hope, purpose, and redemption, you can find Kayti (as everyone calls her) reading, hiking, or taking random pictures.