REUTS Author Interview: Carys Jones

     


     Today we have the first of the REUTS authors for this month's features. Please welcome Carys!

Carys Jones loves nothing more than to write and create stories which ignite the reader's imagination. Based in Shropshire, England, Carys lives with her husband, two guinea pigs and her adored canine companion Rollo. 

When she's not writing, Carys likes to indulge her inner geek by watching science- fiction films or playing video games. 

She lists John Green, Jodi Picoult and Virginia Andrews as her favorite authors and draws inspiration for her own work from anything and everything. 

To Carys, there is no greater feeling then when you lose yourself in a great story and it is that feeling of ultimate escapism which she tries to bring to her books.

For more information about Carys please visit www.carys-jones.com or follow her on Twitter; @tiny_dancer85



1.     Tell us how you came to be an Author with REUTS.
I’d heard about Reuts as I’d been following their progress online and knew they were an upcoming YA publisher. I approached them with my manuscript, Dare to Dream. They read the initial chapters and asked to read Maggie’s whole story. After a few months tentatively waiting they got back to me saying how much they loved the book and wanted me to join the Reuts family!
I was so excited as they were definitely the publisher I wanted to work with as they understand the YA market and put so much love and support behind all of their books.
2.     What do you enjoy most about being a REUTS Author?
Working with people who understand the genre. My editor, Eleanor, totally gets my story and whenever I have a query, Reuts founder Ashley always gets back to me right away. Reuts make me feel like I matter and that I’m a part of something special. I’ve also virtually befriended some other great Reuts authors like fellow Brit Melody Winters and also Drew Hayes. Everyone associated with Reuts is so friendly and positive that they have made my journey to publication feel extra special!
3.     What have your experiences been like working toward being published?
In all honesty they have been tough. So often you get doors shut in your face. Maybe you manage to get a foot in first, but the doors almost always close. It is hard to be new to publishing and striving to make a name for yourself. That’s what is great about Reuts, they genuinely care about the story, even if you’re an unknown writer.
I’m also published through Harlequin UK with my adult work so am starting to slowly understand the publishing world more and more.
4.     What would you have done differently?
I’d have started writing a lot younger. I didn’t write my first full length novel, First to Fall, until I was twenty three. Looking back, I wished I’d started writing as soon as I could! I’ve got so many stories I still need to write and worry about finding the time to do them! I don’t know what I was waiting for, I think a part of me feared that if I wrote books too young people wouldn’t take me seriously but now I realize that’s not the case at all. The story is all that matters, if you write a great story who cares how old you are?
5.     How has your book been marketed?
Dare to Dream has been marketed through Reuts. They have a great connection with YA bloggers who help spread the word about new books.
6.     Any advice on how to better market a book?
I could honestly wax lyrical on this. I’m sure any author will tell you that these days you spend 50% of your time writing and the other half marketing your books! The best advice I can give is to be active online, get on Twitter and Facebook and engage with readers as much as possible as they are the people who matter.
Sadly it is all about visibility. You could have written the greatest book ever but if people aren’t aware of it, how are they going to read it? It is tough to get your work noticed. Harlequin use promotional websites like Book Bub and Amazon Daily/Monthly deals are great too.
Marketing can be difficult but it comes with the territory of being an author.
7.     Last question; If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, when would it be, and what would you be wearing?
I’d go straight to Main Street in Disneyland, California! I’d go at Christmas! I’ve always wanted to see Disneyland decorated for the holidays! (I’m actually getting excited thinking about this) Ooh and I’d be wearing my favorite Disney Christmas jumper, my Hollister jeans and my beloved Rocket Dog Boots! So I’m snug but still dressed appropriately to go on all the rides! Yay! So can we go, like seriously? *waits expectantly*

Dare To Dream:

“The world was going to end. Of that, Maggie Trafford was certain.”

Fourteen-year-old Maggie Trafford leads a normal life. Well, as normal as being crammed in a three-bedroom house with four siblings and a single parent can be, anyway. But despite being somewhat ignored at home, Maggie excels, earning top grades, a best friend who would do anything for her, and stolen looks from a boy in Maths. 

It’s not until the dreams start that Maggie realizes “normal” is the least of her problems. Every night, she lives the same nightmare—red lightning, shattered glass, destruction. But nightmares are just that, right? No one believes her when she says it’s an omen. At least, not until the already mysterious pillars of Stonehenge start falling. 

No longer alone in her fear, Maggie and the world watch with bated breath as one after another, the historic stones tumble, like a clock counting down. But only Maggie knows what it means: when the last stone falls, destruction will reign. And when the world ends, there’s only one option left—survive.

Horrifying and raw, Dare to Dream is equal parts tragedy and hope, detailing the aftermath of apocalyptic catastrophe, the quest for survival, and the importance of belief.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23337621-dare-to-dream