Welcome to A Month of Rain and Reads, a celebration of self-published and indie SFF throughout the entire month of November. To find out how you can take part and view the whole list of content, visit our introduction post.
Today we have an interview with E.A. Bard, author of recently released A Tempest of Ravens.
Our theme for November is A Month of Rain & Reads. Do you subscribe to the idea of curling up with a good book while the rain pours down outside? What book would you read? Would you bring tea and a blanket? What would make the moment perfect?
I absolutely subscribe to this! It sounds like the ideal day to be honest. I would be reading something comforting like my friend Marie Voinson’s book Us Against the Likes. I would have a mug of tea, a fluffy blanket, and probably a fuzzy hoodie and socks as well. The only thing that might make the moment even more perfect is listening to some relaxing music, and burning a cosy-smelling candle.
As I’m writing this, it’s a little over a week until you’re publishing your debut novel, A Tempest of Ravens, the first book in your series The Noble Exiles, but the book will be available to readers when this interview goes live. How do you feel right now, and what can readers expect from your book?
I’m feeling relieved and proud! It’s been a long road to get here, and I’m so excited it’s available for everyone to enjoy. Readers can expect a witchy historical romantasy with swashbuckling Scottish adventure, a gothic, moody atmosphere, and an agonisingly slow-burn romance. It’s perfect for fans of Outlander and One Dark Window.
What made you decide to self-publish your book?
I’ve been revising and querying multiple projects for almost a decade, but since it seems that traditional publishing isn’t looking for the genres I write (at least right now), I decided to jump into self-pub and find my readers that way.
What themes are important to you, and how are they reflected in your writing?
I really gravitate towards themes of found/forged family, self-discovery and coming into your own power, and the classic “love conquers all”. I hope they all come through in my writing in the different character arcs and relationships, and in the way that all my stories revolve around romance in some way.
What are you working on next? Can you tease us?
I’m working on the sequel to A Tempest of Ravens, and it will continue exactly where ATOR left off!
And a few quick questions. What’s your favourite…
…book, in recent times?
Two Truths And A Lie by Annie Abel
…tree?
I love an old English oak
…writing advice?
Find critique partners you trust and who will cheer you on when times are tough
…advice for someone who wants to publish their own book?
Research as much as you can, and reach out to other self-pub authors too
…source of inspiration?
Historical adventure films from the 2000s
…way to clear your mind when everything gets a bit much?
Going for a walk in the woods
Do you have any last words? Any shoutouts to authors who have supported you or whose books have inspired you?
Thanks to everyone who’s supported me on my self-pub journey, but especially my bestie Nicole Evans, who inspired me to go self-pub, and who wrote Blood Price, a fantastic feminist fantasy.
E.A. Bard
E.A. Bard (she/hers) writes romantic and evocative historicals, fantasies, and thrillers. She has a PhD in art history, is firmly anti-AI and anti-Covid, and believes in community care via masking. When she isn’t working on her next novel or tackling her TBR pile, she’s likely watching archaeology documentaries, or going on woodland walks to visit her favorite tree. Originally from the US, she lives in the UK with her partner and a collection of struggling houseplants.
