I’m sooo excited to interview author, Sarah A. Parker on her phenomenal international bestselling book, WHEN THE MOON HATCHED! In this exclusive interview, we dive into the making of the novel, some insights into the book and what to expect next in the Moonfall world. Check out my review of When the Moon Hatched here!
The Creators did not expect their beloved dragons to sail skyward upon their end. To curl into balls just beyond gravity’s grip, littering the sky with tombstones. With moons. They certainly did not expect them to FALL.
As an assassin for the rebellion group Fíur du Ath, Raeve’s job is to complete orders and never get caught. When a rival bounty hunter turns her world upside down, blood spills, hearts break, and Raeve finds herself imprisoned by the Guild of Nobles—a group of powerful fae who turn her into a political statement.
Crushed by the loss of his great love, Kaan Vaegor took the head of a king and donned his melted crown. Now on a tireless quest to quell the never-ebbing ache in his chest, he is lured by a clue into the capitol’s high-security prison where he stumbles upon the imprisoned Raeve …
Echoes of the past race between them.
There’s more to their story than meets the eye, but some truths are too poisonous to swallow.
Let’s dive in!
1. When the Moon Hatched is your first traditionally published book. Having started out as a self-published author, what was your journey into traditional publishing like?
SAP: As an indie author, we wear ALL the hats … and there are many! Our time is spent juggling the many different jobs required to keep our careers afloat, and though this is tiring, it’s invigorating.
However.
From the moment I first (indie) published When the Moon Hatched, I realised it was going to be too large for me to manage by myself. I had trouble distributing the book in a number of different countries, making it nearly impossible for a large chunk of my readership to get their hands on a physical copy. I knew in my heart that the story needed deep distribution channels that I could not obtain on my own, so exploring the traditional publishing route felt so right. Little did I know I would find such phenomenal teams with Harper Voyager and Avon Books—teams of people who are just as enthusiastic about and in love with the story as I am. Since the moment we aligned on this “When the Moon Hatched journey”, we’ve all been nothing but a well oiled machine. There’s a lot of respect that flows back and forth between us all, and I couldn’t be happier to be working alongside such amazing teams of people.
2. When the Moon Hatched takes place in a vivid high fantasy world filled with dragons, Fae and magic. Which parts of the world-building process did you find the most challenging?
SAP: The wall!! I could see it so clearly in my head, but getting that to translate onto the page in a way that was easy to visualise without bogging down the story was HARD.
3. Who are your biggest writing influences?
SAP: Patrick Rothfuss! He is a spectacular writer, and I really look up to the way he values his craft. Also, George R. R. Martin. He built such a spectacular world for us all to get lost in, and I take my hat off to him for capturing the imagination of so many people.
4. Raeve undergoes a lot in WTMH. Despite her ordeals, Raeve knows her self-worthand is humorous and brave, feisty and strong. What was it like getting into her head?
SAP: I find her strength inspiring, and she makes me want to stand up for myself more. Honestly, I could write Raeve for the rest of my life and never get board. She can so easily turn a plain chapter into something packed full of her wit and sass, and I love that she challenges me to get the very best out of every single page. Also, despite going through a lot of emotional trauma, I don’t find her taxing to write because of the way she compartmentalises.
5. You grew up in New Zealand. Did any of your experiences growing up there inspire WTMH?
SAP: Yes. There’s just something about the New Zealand countryside that makes you feel like you’re one misstep into a fairy ring from falling into some magical realm. But on a more personal note, my nana used to have a little hatching dragon egg ornament I’d enjoy whenever I went over to her place to read her stack of fairy books. I like to think this all hatched from there.
6. There is a glossary and terms of various words in WTMH. How did you come up with the unique terms, language and concepts?
SAP: I spent an entire month prior to writing Moon naming everything in the world. Honestly, this was so fun for me. I had such clear visions for the different cultures, so I wanted each different culture/part of the world to have its own flavour so to speak. From there, I searched through my master doc of different words I’ve come up with or been drawn to over the years, spliced a bunch of them into something that felt right for whatever I was naming, and built it up brick by brick. As I wrote the story, there were some terms that didn’t fit with the story’s evolution, and when that happens I always consult my editor. Her and I play the ‘name game’ where we pass words back and forth until we land on something that feels right.
7. Kaan is a mysterious and engaging character from the start. His relationship with Raeve is fraught with tension and longing. What song would you say best represents Kaan and Raeve?
SAP: Through Glass by Stone Sour. I listened to this song SO many times while I was writing Moon!
8. In WTMH, we are introduced to a world divided by different areas, contrasting atmospheres and cultures. Were there any real-world cultures you were influenced by?
SAP: No. When I’m building a fantasy world, I try my best not to draw from real world cultures at all. For me, writing is an escape, and I don’t like to tether that to reality if I can avoid it.
9. When the Moon Hatched was such a pulse-pounding novel with lots of plot twists and revelations. What can we expect in Book 2 of the Moonfall world?
SAP: More dragons, more action, more magic, intense plot progression, answers and revelations, character and relationship growth. Some huge things happen in book two and I’m SO excited!
10. What advice would you share with writers who need a motivational boost?
SAP: Every raindrop raises the sea. That’s what I tell myself on the days when I don’t make the progress I’d hoped … that every raindrop raises the sea. We can spend so much time focusing on our self-perceived ‘failings’ and in doing so, we forget to celebrate our wins. And that’s what every word we put to paper is.
The moment we start focusing on the positive, it becomes progressively easier to reach our goals.
A win.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah is an international bestselling author who grew up on a farm in New Zealand, where she spent her days getting lost amongst the rolling pasture, building forts in the hedge, climbing trees, and exploring the forest pathways—making up elaborate stories that never lost their grip on her.
She now lives in Australia with her husband, dog, three children, and countless plants, and spends her days pouring her stories onto paper rather than throwing them to the wind.
Her genre of choice is epic fantasy romance, and she thrives off dreaming up real, complex characters and immersive worlds to get lost amongst.
The Fiction Magnet 
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