IndieView with Honor Raconteur, author of Rise of the Catalyst

Honestly, I don’t know who my demographic is anymore. I thought it was teenagers, but then I realized about half of my readers were adults. Anyone who can appreciate a good story is my demographic, I guess. 

Honor Raconteur – 3 June 2022

The Back Flap

One ancient mask with earth-bending powers searching for a bearer.

One magical retrieval expert who is determined to seal it back in its tomb.

At the moment, both are failing at their goals, but Arwen is not about to be bested. So what if she doesn’t know what culture it’s from or where to put it back. She’s smarter than a semi-sentient mask. Hopefully.

But if the thrice-cursed mask breaks out of her seal one more time, she’s melting it with prejudice, magical backlash be damned.

About the book

What is the book about?

Ah, the most dangerous question to ask the author. I’ll try not to write the full book as a response. In essence, the book is about Arwen Arnoult and her team. Arwen’s legally blind but has amazing magical sight, and she’s using it to scurry around 1910 America to solve unusual problems. She’s called upon to handle cursed objects, which we see in this first book as the Boston Museum pleads for her to take a stone mask from them. The mask of unknown origin likes to sing and send stones spinning—like the very stones of the museum in which it’s housed. Arwen takes the case.

When did you start writing the book?

November 2021.

How long did it take you to write it?

I believe it was end of January when I finished the draft. It was the end of February before I had the edits done, though.

Where did you get the idea from?

Like most things, Arwen started out as a dream. She lived in my head rent free for a good year before I had enough time to actually start her book.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I seriously underestimated the amount of research this book would take. I thought I knew, because of the other steampunk series I have, but no. I really should have started researching about six months before I started the draft. If not for my historian research assistant, I would have been beyond screwed.

What came easily?

The characters. Definitely the characters came the easiest. I didn’t really have to think of them, they just came as I needed them.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They are entirely fictitious. I rarely base characters off of people I know.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’m heavily influenced by David Eddings and Lois McMaster Bujold. I consumed their books as a teenager, and it was their works I studied when I broke down the techniques of writing.

Do you have a target reader?

People who like to read. Honestly, I don’t know who my demographic is anymore. I thought it was teenagers, but then I realized about half of my readers were adults. Anyone who can appreciate a good story is my demographic, I guess.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

My general writing process is that I dream up the first four or five chapters, sit and write everything I know, then hit about page 50 in the draft. At that point, I come down with a severe case of what I call Fifty-itis, where I am utterly stuck, and then I call my editor and whine at her until she helps me figure out how the story should go from there. Works like a charm. 😊

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Depends on the book. For quite a few, I just do general notes on the story and write it. The mysteries, though, require detailed outlines in order to keep the clues straight.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I wait until I finish.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Oh yes. I have a full team of editors and proofreaders.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No music equals no writing. I always have soundtracks playing. The more epic sounding, the better.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

In the very, very beginning of my career I did. I no longer bother.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I spent about three years with the first book trying to get into a publishing house with no luck. It was about that time when Amazon announced self-publishing through KDP. I gave it a whirl, as I was a broke college student with nothing to lose. The book went international in three months, which floored me. I now only self-publish.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I have been banned from doing my covers. I’m too slow of an artist. I always have them professionally done.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Oh, I have a marketing plan. I always do.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Do not self-edit. You will not see your own mistakes, trust me. Hire a professional editor, have a budget for marketing and advertising, and spend as much time thinking about distributing your book as you did writing it.

About You

Where did you grow up?

All over. Literally all over the United States. I’ve moved 36 times.

Where do you live now?

Michigan. I quite like it, actually. It’s pretty up here and the people are nice.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the next Case Files of Henri Davenforth at the moment. I have a juicy case this time.

End of interview:

Get your copy of Rise of the Catalyst from Amazon US or Amazon UK.