Kim Falconer's Blog: Supernatural Underground, page 8

Why YA Revisited

Ex Libra by Michael ParkesIn 2017, five years ago to the day, I asked you all for a show of hands - how many over 18'ers read YA (Young Adult) Fiction?STATSThe stats then were clear: 55% of YA Fiction readers were over eighteen. Now, it's more like 70%. This expansion of the YA market boils down to the reasons stated before - YA Fiction tends to:have a fast paceundergo rigorous editing deal with

What Makes A Fantasy Hero #8: Clever -- or Clueless?

 .When I commenced this "What Makes A Hero?" in Fantasy series, my initial focus was on essential elements, from the Call through to Courage and meeting the Challenge. Shuri: courageous and very cleverMore recently, I've been discussing qualities that may be considered optional. To date, I've canvassed Charisma and Chivalry – while today's topic addresses Clever vs Clueless. Last month, when

A Fantastic, Nine Book, YA Fantasy Giveaway!

Jump in on this YA Fantasy Giveaway! Hey Everyone,Welcome to a fantastic YA Fantasy GiveawayHere's the guffWe are giving away nine (9!) eBooks and a Kindle Fire to celebrate the launch of #TheLiarsCrown by New York Times bestselling author Abigail Owen.❤️ In the desert dominion of Aryd, a dynasty of queens is built on lies, the Shadowraith haunts the darkness, and twin princesses–one born to

What Makes A Hero? #7: Chivalry

.On 1 March, I posed the question, "What Makes A Hero?"in Fantasy fiction. Subsequently, I’ve examined the part played by the Call, Circumstance,Commitment,Courage,and meeting the Challenge.Last month, I argued that the above qualities areessential to the making of a Fantasy hero, and embarked on looking at an arrayof secondary characteristics, starting with Charisma, in order to

Turning Readers' Guilt to Delight

Pause by Yaoyao Ma Van AsRecently I experienced readers' guilt. With so many books on my TBR list, and the privilege of being asked by authors for cover copy quotes, I painted myself into a corner by saying YES to everyone... just as my editor sent pages for rewrites with a crazy deadline attached. The results? Having to say, "Not yet..." to myself and to requesting authors, and subsequently

Galleys, Giveaways, & Special Offers!

.Two of our Supernatural underground authors are having fun withgiveaways, net galleys, and special offers currently so we thought we’d sharethe good news with y’all right here!.AK Wilder (AKA Kim Falconer’s) eBook Special, Plus NetGalley (Squee!)For a limited time only, AK Wilder’s  Crown of Bones eBook is on specialfor $1.99: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N6595NG/... a world on the

What Makes A Hero? #6: Charisma

.On 1 March, I first asked the question, "What Makes A Hero?"in Fantasy, and since then have examined the part played by the Call, Circumstance,Commitment,Courage,and meeting the Challenge.Having done so, I believe these qualities are essential to the making of a Fantasy hero. In the next few posts I intend looking moreclosely at qualities that may be more moot. The first of these is

The Road of Trials

Artist: Igor Morski Inspired by Helen Lowe and her Hero Series, today I'm writing about this wonderful journey we writers take when bringing a new book to life.Joseph Campbell in his Hero of a Thousand Faces talks about how we are all on the hero's journey and knowing which stage we are in can be amazing support when things get challenging.And holy moly, they do get challenging! Vi Vi Arcane I've

What Makes A Hero? #5: Challenge

Astrology, Sex and Character Savvy (From The Backlist)

 .Here at Supernatural Underground we love the new — but sometimes we love looking back through our backlist as well, including this fabulous post from Kim Falconer (who some of you will also know as AK Wilder of Crown of Bones fame.) Astrology, Sex, and Character SavvyWe all want characters that are vital and authentic. Believable. People
we can fall in love with, cheer for, or shrink back