Interview with Kalyn Josephson for The Crow Rider

The Crow Rider (The ​Storm Crow #2)

by Kalyn Josephson
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: July 7th 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synopsis:

Princess Thia, her allies, and her crow, Res, are planning a rebellion to defeat Queen Razel and Illucia once and for all. Thia must convince the neighboring kingdoms to come to her aid, and Res’s show of strength is the only thing that can help her.

But so many obstacles stand in her way. Res excels at his training, until he loses control of his magic, harming Thia in the process. She is also pursued by Prince Ericen, heir to the Illucian throne and the one person she can’t trust but can’t seem to stay away from.

As the rebel group prepares for war, Res’s magic grows more unstable. Thia has to decide if she can rely on herself and their bond enough to lead the rebellion and become the crow rider she was meant to be.

Can you briefly describe the series, its characters and what’s happening in THE CROW RIDER?

THE CROW RIDER picks up where THE STORM CROW left off, with Princess Thia and her friends desperately trying to reach Trendell for the alliance meeting between the kingdoms. To convince them to ally with her against Illucia, Thia and her storm crow, Res, must make a show of strength, but Res is new an untrained, and struggles to control his powers.

To make it a bit fun, can you describe the series or THE CROW RIDER with emojis?

🛳️⛈️⚔️🦅👑 – one day there will be a crow emoji!

How did this new story occur to you? Was this more difficult to write than the first book?

It was easier in some ways, and more difficult in others. I already knew the characters and the world, so there was a lot less to come up with from scratch, but I had also established a lot of rules and timelines in the first book that I had to abide by in the second book, and since I hadn’t completely outlined book 2 before book 1 came out, that was a bit of a struggle! I did always know how the series would end though, so I was always writing toward that.

If you could choose one song to describe this new book, which one would it be?

The She-Ra theme song haha. Only mostly kidding. But I struggle with these questions! I don’t make book playlists or listen to music when I write so I don’t often associate songs with my books.

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

A hot cup of tea and a comfy couch by the fire while it rains outside.

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish THE CROW RIDER?

CROWN OF FEATHERS by Nicki Pau Preto! It’s also a bird riding book, but phoenixes instead of crows.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Not rushing. I prefer editing over drafting, so I’m constantly trying to rush through my drafts so I can get to edits. Part of that comes from this feeling that publishing is a race (which it’s not!) but you feel like you have to be constantly producing. I’ve been doing a lot better at slowing down though!

What’s next for you?

I can’t talk specifically about any new projects, but I’m working on a couple potential new books right now.

Kalyn Josephson currently works as a Technical Writer in the tech industry, which leaves room for too many bad puns about technically being a writer. Though she grew up in San Luis Obispo, California, she graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in Biology and a degree in English (Creative Writing). Currently, she lives in the Bay Area with four awesome friends (because it’s the Bay Area and she’d like to be able to retire one day) and two black cats (who are more like a tiny dragon and an ever tinier owl). THE STORM CROW is her debut novel.

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Interview with Kalyn Josephson for The Storm Crow

The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow #1)

by Kalyn Josephson
Publisher: SourcebooksFire
Release Date: July 9th 2019

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

In the tropical kingdom of Rhodaire, magical, elemental Crows are part of every aspect of life...until the Illucian empire invades, destroying everything.

That terrible night has thrown Princess Anthia into a deep depression. Her sister Caliza is busy running the kingdom after their mother's death, but all Thia can do is think of all she has lost.

But when Caliza is forced to agree to a marriage between Thia and the crown prince of Illucia, Thia is finally spurred into action. And after stumbling upon a hidden Crow egg in the rubble of a rookery, she and her sister devise a dangerous plan to hatch the egg in secret and get back what was taken from them.

Can you briefly describe THE STORM CROW and their main characters?

THE STORM CROW follows Thia, a princess who trained her entire life to become a crow rider—until the day they’re destroyed. When she finds a surviving crow egg in the rubble, she teams up with her sister the queen, her best friend, and a kind-hearted inventor to hatch the egg and defeat the empire that destroyed the crows.

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

Kiva! I love her cutting honesty. She doesn’t beat around the bush and she’s not afraid to say what she thinks.

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

I did! The story was inspired by a newspaper article I read about a little girl who fed her neighborhood crows. In return they brought her gifts, and her neighbors called her The Crow Queen. That title is what gave me the idea for a kingdom whose way of life was based of magical crows and what would happen if they were suddenly gone.

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

Alive, by Sia. I think it really captures Thia’s emotional journey, and it has a raw strength to it that fits the vibe of the book.

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

Oh gosh, these types of questions are always so tough for me. I think Isabela Moner would make a great Thia, and I’ve thought of Ericen as a young Robbie Amell. For Caylus I think of a young Eddie Redmayne. Kiva is the one I really struggle with and haven’t figured out! Someone tall and seriously badass.

Summer is here and we love to go out and enjoy the sun. What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

I’d recommend somewhere cold and rainy, like Ireland, or warm and storming, like a little cottage off the US east coast. Anywhere with the steady drum of rain the background that promotes drinking a nice cup of tea ;)

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish THE STORM CROW?

CROWN OF FEATHERS by Nicki Pau Preto! Instead of crow riders, you get phoenix riders, and they’re super cool! It’s got fantastic worldbuilding for all your epic fantasy needs.

What’s next for you?

Right now I’m working on the sequel to THE STORM CROW, which we should be announcing the title for soon. Other than that, I have a couple drafts of other books I’m playing around with, all to do with more types of animal magic!

Kalyn Josephson is a Technical Writer in Silicon Valley, which leaves room for too many bad puns about technically being a writer. She grew up in San Luis Obispo, CA, but now lives in the Bay Area with four awesome friends (because it’s the Bay and she’d like to be able to retire one day) and two black cats (who are more like a tiny dragon and an even tinier owl). When not writing YA Fantasy, she loves baking, reading, playing sports, and watching too many movies.

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