Author Interview – R.A Harrison
Today, I’m thrilled to be chatting to an author who is releasing her first novel in one week, on September 1st, 2023. R.A Harrison writes Science Fantasy novels and you can find Mosaic, the first book in her Caldrius Chronicles series on preorder now. I am happily reading an ARC at the moment, so look out for my book review soon.
Helen: Welcome Rachel, and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. Tell us a little about your debut novel, Mosiac.
Rachel: Thanks for inviting me onto your blog Helen, and for the opportunity to talk about my debut novel which releases on 1st September. Mosaic is a science fantasy, set aboard the Caladrius, a spaceship crewed by the Gifted — telepaths, empaths and telekinetics. It’s also a mending-broken-lives story, which is where the title comes from … the idea of taking the shards of a former life and creating something new and beautiful from them.
I began writing Mosaic during the 2020 lockdowns when, unable to see my friends, I began inventing new ones! The first few chapters grew out of an idea I had many years ago (more than I’m willing to count or admit), although they’re almost unrecognisable now. But, as I’m sure you know all too well, writing is addictive — what I intended almost as a stand-alone, hobby-write is now book one of The Caladrius Chronicles.
Helen: The premise sounds great, I love the idea of creating something new from the shards of the past. Almost like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Your cover is really vibrant, tell us how you chose the design.
Rachel: I didn’t choose my cover, it chose me! It’s a Shutterstock image, by Amanda Carden, which was too perfect and too appropriate not to use. Although I’m writing science fiction, I prefer to steer away from the conventional illustrations of starships, space battles and explosions. To me, this image carries a feeling of hope and expectation, especially combined with the slightly whimsical font.
Helen: What’s your next project? Will you be staying with science fantasy, or branching out?
Rachel: I have several books on the go at the moment! Two more of the Chronicles: a prequel, Crusader, and a sequel, Tapestry. But I’m also planning a series of cosy mysteries, set in a fictional Dorset market town. Unfortunately these have had to take a bit of a back seat in the push to get Mosaic ready for publication, but I’m looking forward to seeing where they take me … and if that includes research trips to the coast, I wouldn’t say no!
In addition to fiction, I also write text books. My day job is teaching piano and music theory, and the new books are a rewrite and update of a summer school course I taught for twenty-six years. It’s an exciting project involving blended learning — a mix of traditional and online resources — and producing it will be a steep learning curve! There’s a piece of advice often given to new authors: write about what you know. Whilst I’m definitely doing that, I do think it could be rather limiting and that a bit of research never goes amiss! I have plenty of ideas to keep me busy for years, but who knows?
Photo by Marius Masalar on Unsplash
Helen: That is quite a range of topics and genres to write about. Who inspired you to start writing? Were you influenced by your favourite book or author?
Rachel: I don’t have a favourite book, but I do have favourite authors and they, probably more than anyone, inspired me to write. I grew up reading a lot of science fiction and fantasy, especially Anne McCaffrey, CS Lewis, Ursula Le Guin, David Eddings, Susan Dexter and, of course, Tolkien, and that has definitely influenced my writing. But I also have a serious addiction to cosy mysteries — is there a support group available? Preferably one run jointly by a strong, independent, small business owning woman, and a long-suffering local Sheriff or Chief of Police?
Aside from authors, the two people who encouraged me the most were a couple of my teachers. Miss Galley, a tutor whom my parents engaged to teach me to read when I was nine (I had a hearing loss and an undiagnosed learning difficulty) and who turned me into a bookworm. And Mrs Curtis, my ‘A’ Level English Literature and Language teacher, who was the first person to believe in me as a writer.
Helen: That is so wonderful that your love of books and writing was discovered early. I can also say your favourite authors are some of mine! How do you fit writing into your daily life?
Rachel: I’m fortunate that my teaching practice (I’m self-employed) allows me to work part-time. But even so, I’m excited when the school holidays roll round and I can concentrate on my writing … or, as I’m doing at the moment, learning how the self-publishing process works.
Because of my dyspraxia, I have to be hyper-organised … but sadly that doesn’t always extend to my writing! I tend to have flashes of inspiration, often at silly-o’clock in the morning — sometimes even resulting in entire scenes, complete with dialogue, materialising in my imagination. The planning comes in assigning a purpose to that scene, in manipulating it, making it work hard for its place in the narrative … and that’s when the fun really starts!
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, Rachel. Just to close us out, what is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
Rachel: Probably two things … the unbelievable satisfaction of knowing that I’ve written and published a book. Every time I hit another milestone in the process, I can’t stop giggling with excitement! But also, being welcomed by the amazing community of writers and authors on Instagram, without whom this would have been a very lonely journey.
Helen: I am so thrilled you have completed your first book and launch day is only around the corner. I wish you every sucess with Mosaic. Book lovers can find Rachel signing copies of her brand new book at the Marlow Indie Book Fair. Make sure you visit and grab a copy.
About the Author
R.A HarrisonR A Harrison is the pen name used by Rachel A Harrison for her science fiction and fantasy novels. Rachel began writing during the 2020 lockdown when, unable to meet up with her real friends, she began inventing new ones. Mosaic is the first of The Caladrius Chronicles, with prequels and sequels to follow.
When she’s not glued to her computer screen, Rachel is a singer, pianist and music teacher, with an honours degree in Music from the Open University. She’s also a bookworm – devouring mostly science fiction, fantasy and cosy mysteries – and a crafter, and occasional poet. Rachel was delighted to be an award winner at the Chiltern Arts Festival 2022 with her poem ‘Wordsmith’.
In addition to further books in The Caladrius Chronicles, Rachel is planning a series of cosy seaside mysteries under the pen name Raquel Harris. You can find out more at http://www.unendingsky.uk.
Follow Rachel:
Purchase Mosaic via Amazon
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook
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If you enjoy fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather, or my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
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