Welcome, Booklovers!
I have my coffee mug filled with my favorite blend and am eager to meet today’s author, Courtney Brandt, a writer of YA fiction.
Nice to have you join us, Courtney. What may I get you to drink?
CB: I’m actually a tea drinker! I’m two sugars and some milk with black tea in the morning, and ginger and lemon tea during the day.
Ally: While I fix your morning brew in my magic pot, please introduce yourself to readers.
I have my coffee mug filled with my favorite blend and am eager to meet today’s author, Courtney Brandt, a writer of YA fiction.
Nice to have you join us, Courtney. What may I get you to drink?
CB: I’m actually a tea drinker! I’m two sugars and some milk with black tea in the morning, and ginger and lemon tea during the day.
Ally: While I fix your morning brew in my magic pot, please introduce yourself to readers.
BIO:
As a former drumline member, Courtney enjoys bringing a fictional voice to band geeks all over the world. Ms. Brandt is proud to present The Line, and the additional novels in the complete series, A Fine Line, Keeping in Line, and The Line Up. Each of the lighthearted novels was created for high school students and alumni in marching band. The author also released two additional stand-alone novels, Confessions of A Teenage Band Geek and her final YA marching novel, Major Pain. She also is the sole manager of the successful Tumblr ‘marchingartsphotography’ account.
Courtney has returned to her YA roots as she begins a new steampunk series set in Victorian England. The Queen of England: Coronation, The Queen of England: Grand Tour and The Queen of England: Ascension are a planned trilogy, with the first book in the series now available.
Something unique about Courtney that isn’t in her regular bio: “I live in Dubai and have been an expat for over ten years. I love living abroad!”
Website: https://annbenjamin.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@ABenjaminAuthor/
As a former drumline member, Courtney enjoys bringing a fictional voice to band geeks all over the world. Ms. Brandt is proud to present The Line, and the additional novels in the complete series, A Fine Line, Keeping in Line, and The Line Up. Each of the lighthearted novels was created for high school students and alumni in marching band. The author also released two additional stand-alone novels, Confessions of A Teenage Band Geek and her final YA marching novel, Major Pain. She also is the sole manager of the successful Tumblr ‘marchingartsphotography’ account.
Courtney has returned to her YA roots as she begins a new steampunk series set in Victorian England. The Queen of England: Coronation, The Queen of England: Grand Tour and The Queen of England: Ascension are a planned trilogy, with the first book in the series now available.
Something unique about Courtney that isn’t in her regular bio: “I live in Dubai and have been an expat for over ten years. I love living abroad!”
Website: https://annbenjamin.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@ABenjaminAuthor/
INTERVIEW:
Ally: What type of book is The Queen of England: Coronation?
CB: Young Adult (Steampunk*), the first book in a planned trilogy. I would consider this fiction for Middle School and older.
(Ally note: *Internet article and definition here.)
Ally: Describe your main character and why you believe readers will care about her.
CB: She’s the Queen of England! Juliette, Duchess of the House of Battle, ascends the throne after a series of incidents leads to the death of Victoria in 1840. While Victoria was destined to rule England, Juliette is unprepared to become monarch. With a threat to her country, the quest for Excalibur, and a handsome foreign prince, there’s a lot Juliette has to do before she officially crowned Queen. I think readers might care about someone who is expected to do great things while they are still trying to figure themselves out. Juliette doubts herself, and her right to rule.
Ally: Take us through your editing process, from first draft through appearance online or in bookstores.
CB: Excellent question! I generally write a rough draft of a manuscript in about 4-5 months, aiming for about 1,000 words a day, six days a week. Of course, life can sometimes get in the way, but that’s generally the first part of the process. And, as Stephen King suggests in On Writing, the book then goes in the proverbial drawer. As in, I won’t look at it for a minimum of three months or more (usually longer). At that point, I print out a hard copy and edit by hand, in red ink, then incorporate all the notes. It’s at this point I try to seek out words I overuse and perhaps run the draft through an editing program. I might ask some dedicated readers to have a look at this draft. After this, I hire an actual editor to review the book. Once the notes are back, I’m back to the book, reading notes and getting closer to the final version. As a last step, I send the novel to my Kindle, and read it on my device. As the very last step, I have someone else format the book so it’s the easiest to read, and free from weird errors. Yes, all this priced under $3. :)
Ally: Who or what inspired you to write fiction?
CB: I started writing from a very young age, and have always loved fiction. When I was younger, I appreciated the stories written by Tamora Piece, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Maud Hart-Lovelace. Even now, I still absolutely love reading and usually have a few books going at once!
Ally: How did you choose the title of the book you're featuring?
CB: The Queen of England was always going to be The Queen of England. Of the nine books I’ve published, I’d say about half have a few working titles and the other half have permanent titles. Of course, I am still on the fence about the final book in the series, but I’m hoping to come to a decision soon!
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
CB: While I don’t have a specific date, The Queen of England: Grand Tour will definitely be available soon. I’ve also already completed the third book of the trilogy, but I need to get working on a final draft.
Ally: After all this talk about writing, I'd like to learn more about you through a few short answer questions:
Ally: What type of book is The Queen of England: Coronation?
CB: Young Adult (Steampunk*), the first book in a planned trilogy. I would consider this fiction for Middle School and older.
(Ally note: *Internet article and definition here.)
Ally: Describe your main character and why you believe readers will care about her.
CB: She’s the Queen of England! Juliette, Duchess of the House of Battle, ascends the throne after a series of incidents leads to the death of Victoria in 1840. While Victoria was destined to rule England, Juliette is unprepared to become monarch. With a threat to her country, the quest for Excalibur, and a handsome foreign prince, there’s a lot Juliette has to do before she officially crowned Queen. I think readers might care about someone who is expected to do great things while they are still trying to figure themselves out. Juliette doubts herself, and her right to rule.
Ally: Take us through your editing process, from first draft through appearance online or in bookstores.
CB: Excellent question! I generally write a rough draft of a manuscript in about 4-5 months, aiming for about 1,000 words a day, six days a week. Of course, life can sometimes get in the way, but that’s generally the first part of the process. And, as Stephen King suggests in On Writing, the book then goes in the proverbial drawer. As in, I won’t look at it for a minimum of three months or more (usually longer). At that point, I print out a hard copy and edit by hand, in red ink, then incorporate all the notes. It’s at this point I try to seek out words I overuse and perhaps run the draft through an editing program. I might ask some dedicated readers to have a look at this draft. After this, I hire an actual editor to review the book. Once the notes are back, I’m back to the book, reading notes and getting closer to the final version. As a last step, I send the novel to my Kindle, and read it on my device. As the very last step, I have someone else format the book so it’s the easiest to read, and free from weird errors. Yes, all this priced under $3. :)
Ally: Who or what inspired you to write fiction?
CB: I started writing from a very young age, and have always loved fiction. When I was younger, I appreciated the stories written by Tamora Piece, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Maud Hart-Lovelace. Even now, I still absolutely love reading and usually have a few books going at once!
Ally: How did you choose the title of the book you're featuring?
CB: The Queen of England was always going to be The Queen of England. Of the nine books I’ve published, I’d say about half have a few working titles and the other half have permanent titles. Of course, I am still on the fence about the final book in the series, but I’m hoping to come to a decision soon!
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
CB: While I don’t have a specific date, The Queen of England: Grand Tour will definitely be available soon. I’ve also already completed the third book of the trilogy, but I need to get working on a final draft.
Ally: After all this talk about writing, I'd like to learn more about you through a few short answer questions:
- a. an item on your bucket list: It’s a goal to visit all seven continents. I’m up for five so far.
- b. Your pets: One very old lady cat, a Japanese bobtail named Nubbins. My husband adopted her in 1998. I also volunteer at a dog rescue shelter, so…there’s another 120 dogs that I love.
- c. What are your hobbies? I love food so much that I also write about it! I run a fine dining blog called A to Za’atar.
- d. favorite after five drink: Veuve Clicquot – I love champagne, and the story of the brand is a fascinating one.
- e. favorite place to write: My desk! For the longest time I wrote on work computers or my laptop, but for the past two years, I get the best work done at my desk. With lots of natural light, I’ve got all sorts of little things that make it my own, plus candles and a fan. I couldn’t imagine writing anywhere else.
- f. a supernatural power you'd like to have: I’d love to be able to speak every language. As an expat, it would make my life a lot easier.
The Queen of England: Coronation
Genre: YA steampunk (trilogy)
A story of growing up and leading a nation.
With Victoria and much of the aristocracy killed in a horrible dirigible accident in 1840, recently crowned eighteen-year-old Queen Juliette must balance fighting a shadowy terrorist organization, the hunt for Excalibur, and an undeniable attraction to the Captain of her Guard before she fully assumes the throne. This lighthearted steampunk adventure also features a handsome foreign prince, a gifted unicorn, and an alternate history you won't want to miss. Will Juliette's reign be over before it has a chance to begin? Download the novel to find out!
Fans of Gail Carriger, Shanna Swendson, and Colleen Gleason won’t want to miss out on this exciting book.
The Queen of England: Coronation is the first book in a planned trilogy by author Courtney Brandt.
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLYHA6G3Vzw
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Queen-England-Coronation-Courtney-Brandt-ebook/dp/B074N4PN6X
Genre: YA steampunk (trilogy)
A story of growing up and leading a nation.
With Victoria and much of the aristocracy killed in a horrible dirigible accident in 1840, recently crowned eighteen-year-old Queen Juliette must balance fighting a shadowy terrorist organization, the hunt for Excalibur, and an undeniable attraction to the Captain of her Guard before she fully assumes the throne. This lighthearted steampunk adventure also features a handsome foreign prince, a gifted unicorn, and an alternate history you won't want to miss. Will Juliette's reign be over before it has a chance to begin? Download the novel to find out!
Fans of Gail Carriger, Shanna Swendson, and Colleen Gleason won’t want to miss out on this exciting book.
The Queen of England: Coronation is the first book in a planned trilogy by author Courtney Brandt.
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLYHA6G3Vzw
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Queen-England-Coronation-Courtney-Brandt-ebook/dp/B074N4PN6X
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