I was asked to write about what inspired me to set my new fantasy trilogy, ELEMENTAL, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As you’ll see (if you follow this link), the answer is that I simply had to set it there.
By the way, the link includes a giveaway of a signed ARC of ELEMENTAL, so please enter!
Oh, yeah, and I only just realized that I haven’t actually shared the cover before (at least not on this blog), so . . . what do you think? It rocks, right? (I had nothing to do with the cover by the way, much as I’d like to take credit for it. It was all the work of the extraordinarily talented Tony Sahara, who book covers are amazing, as you can see.)
Woo, Tony did your cover! And yes, it absolutely rocks. Off to check out the interview!
Awesome cover!
Yes, indeed, Capillya – I guess I’m in the big leagues now, huh? Glad you like it!
Thanks, Brian. I rather like it too!
ACK ACK ACK the cover is gorgeous! What beautiful detail. (And man, I took a look at the designer’s portfolio… he’s created some pretty amazing covers.)
Antony, it’s so cool getting to read about the inspiration behind your setting. I definitely wasn’t expecting it to be so thoughtful and deliberate, but it makes perfect sense reading your explanation behind it. Absolutely fascinating! And those pictures you shared in the post were gorgeous – I’d love to see a place like that.
I’ve often found worldbuilding to be one of the most remarkable things about reading books- if I love a book, it’s often because the author did an excellent job developing the setting and the world. And it can easily be detrimental to a book if the world development is poorly done as well.
And I have to add that the cover is incredible. There is SO Much going on there and I love seeing a hint towards the elements with the clouds & waves!
Brenna from Esther’s Ever After
Yes, the cover is amazing. I agree! I’d like to say I had something to do with it, but I’m totally useless when it comes to art. Thank goodness Penguin enlisted the help of the awesome Mr. Sahara! Thanks for the comment, Yahong!
Thanks Brenna. I agree – worldbuilding is half the battle in fantasy, and it certainly helps me that the Outer Banks (in all their craziness) actually exist. If only I’d been able to justify a few more research trips there!
I intend to, tj! There’ll be two more books in the series. As for the cover, I can’t take credit for that, but I agree, it’s awesome!