Interview with Sarah Remy, author of Across the Long Sea

Title: Across the Long Sea
Author: Sarah Remy
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Format: Ebook/Paperback

The gripping follow-up to Stonehill Downs

As the most valuable asset in the kingdom of Wilhaiim, Malachi Doyle has many responsibilities—protector, assassin, detective, and King Renault's right-hand man. And until he met Avani in the cursed village of Stonehill Downs, he believed he was the last of his kind: a magus who can communicate with the dead.

But Wilhaiim is left vulnerable when Mal and his page, Liam, are kidnapped and ferried across the Long Sea to a warring kingdom in search of its own magus. To make matters worse, a springtime plague is rapidly spreading, and beneath the earth the sidhe are preparing for war. With Mal missing and presumed dead, Avani reluctantly takes his place as Wilhaiim's magus. But her powers are unreliable and untested, her many allies are treacherous, and she is certain Mal is alive. Will she be able to keep Wilhaiim—and herself—safe?  

ORDER INFORMATION

Across the Long Sea is available for order at  

   

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was twelve. I was her  helpmate and caretaker for my early adolescence and through into my thirties when she finally lost her battle. I changed her bedding, her diapers, administered meds. If I never accomplish anything else in my life, I’ll always be proud that I never faltered when my mother needed me.

How has your upbringing influenced your writing?

The things I write about where not things my father approved of. He once forbade me from reading fantasy or science fiction; the ban didn’t last long. As a child and as an adult I write what I like and don’t worry about approval.

On the other hand, both my parents worked very hard. I have their work ethic. Writing is a job. I always meet deadlines and I always give my best to every project.

When and why did you begin writing?

I started writing in third grade after finishing The Hobbit. I knew I wanted to create worlds and characters as enthralling as Tolkien’s.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

When did you first know you could be a writer? 

If you put words down on a page, you’re a writing. I’ve always called myself a writer, even as I work two other day jobs. It’s not about being published or making money, it’s about telling a story or using words to create a mood.

What inspires you to write and why?

People. I like to write interesting characters and then test them with misfortune or adventure.

What genre are you most comfortable writing?

Fnatasy, foremost. Then scifi and romance. Almost any fictional genre. Not mysteries. I don’t have the specific ‘logic bone’ needed to write mysteries, but I adore reading them.

What inspired you to write your first book?

One of Elton John’s songs; The One. There’s a bit in that song about a beach. The lyrics stuck with me and a story sprang forth, one about a post-apocalyptic society living near a poisonous sea.

Who or what influenced your writing once you began?

Reading. I’m sure the authors I love to read and have been reading since childhood have all in their own way influenced how I tell a story.

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general?

Choosing a book title. Definitely choosing a book title.

Did writing this book teach you anything and what was it?

Across the Long Sea was challenging in that I needed a believable medieval plague. I did a lot of research on plagues. I learned that they can be far scarier things than even I suspected from those days of studying the Bubonic Plague in high school.  I very much appreciate modern medicine.

Do you intend to make writing a career?

I intend to continue to make writing my job. One of several I hold. I’m the sort of person who likes to do more than one interesting thing in a day. I work at the local elementary school; the children there help me remember that life is bigger than my computer screen.

Have you developed a specific writing style?

I think my style is always evolving. My strength is dialogue, but I’ve also been accused of having ‘lyrical’ prose. I’d like to think that as I continue to write I’ll steadily become a stronger story teller.

What is your greatest strength as a writer? 

I don’t give up or get frustrated. I never stop writing, and I keep looking ahead to the next book.

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

I’m a generally peaceful person. Also confident but not self-obsessed.

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?

'There is nothing new under the sun. It has all been done before.' - Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Scarlet

I’m a Holmes fan, but also I always find this quote reassuring. Whether you apply it to writing or human nature, it’s a relief to know it’s all been done before to varying results.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 In 1994 Sarah Remy earned a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from Pomona College in California. Since then she’s been employed as a receptionist at a high-powered brokerage firm, managed a boutique bookstore, read television scripts for a small production company, and, more recently, worked playground duty at the local elementary school. When she’s not taking the service industry by storm, she’s writing fantasy and science fiction. Sarah likes her fantasy worlds gritty, her characters diverse and fallible, and she doesn’t believe every protagonist deserves a happy ending. Before joining the Harper Voyager family, she published with EDGE, Reuts, and Madison Place Press. Sarah lives in Washington State with plenty of animals and people, both. In her limited spare time she rides horses, rehabs her old home, and supervises a chaotic household. She can talk to you endlessly about Sherlock Holmes, World of Warcraft, and backyard chicken husbandry, and she’s been a member of one of Robin Hobb’s longest-running online fan clubs since 2002. Find Sarah on Twitter @sarahremywrites, and on Tumblr at huntpeck.

For More Information

Visit Sarah’s website. Connect with Sarah