In 2019, we made it our goal is to work with as many debut authors as possible and to spread the word about their debut novels. It was such a success last year that we decided to continue the fun for years to come! Follow us this year as we pick the minds of the 2021 debuts and chat with them about their writing process and what it's like to be a new author. Also stay tuned for news of giveaways, Twitter chats, and more!
At the end of 2020, we Tweeted about wanting to discover more debut authors and their books. We ended up finding Laura Rueckert and her novel A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN, and we have been interested in it ever since! We are so excited to have Laura on the blog today to answer some of our questions!
Laura Rueckert is a card-carrying bookworm who manages projects by day. At night, fueled by European chocolate, she transforms into a writer of young adult science fiction and fantasy novels. Laura grew up in Michigan, USA, but a whirlwind romance after college brought her to Europe. Today, she lives in Germany with her husband, two kids, and one fluffy dog.
The Book Bratz: First of all, congratulations! How does it feel to be a debut author?
Laura: Thank you! It's such a mixture of feelings! I'm thrilled that people are staring to read this book that I've loved for so long. But I'm also kind of terrified about people reading it. For example, is my dad going to read the love scenes? *hides*
The Book Bratz: In your opinion, what's the best part of the writing process? What's the hardest?
Laura: I really enjoy revising, but for me, the very best aspect is when some small detail I thoughtlessly inserted in my story early on unexpectedly fits perfectly with another part I'd believed was unrelated later. That serendipity astounds me every time. The hardest part of writing is getting started: finding and fleshing out the right idea, and writing the first draft.
The Book Bratz: Where did you get the idea for A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN?
Laura: The original inspiration came years ago, when I was touring a castle somewhere in the German countryside (I forget which one!), and the tour guide told us that the original lady of the house had been a highly educated French woman who spoke multiple languages, but not German, and was not happy to be stuck where she was. So it made me wonder what it would be like to marry and move to a rural area where no one speaks the same language as you. The second spark came because I live in Germany, and when my kids were diagnosed with dyslexia, a lot of well-meaning people (not experts) suggested I stop speaking my native language English to them, to avoid confusing them. But the research I did said plenty of dyslexic people are multilingual. So I wanted to depict that.
The Book Bratz: Who was your favorite character to write? Who was the most difficult?
Laura: I liked writing all of them! Whether they're funny or arrogant or devious or kind, I love them all. I think Scilla was the hardest. She's a ghost going through an intensely traumatic experience and she doesn't have much possibility to communicate, but I still wanted her character to come through.
The Book Bratz: Are there any other books or authors who give you inspiration for your own writing?
Laura: Leigh Bardugo is definitely an inspiration in terms of defining different countries with their own cultures that feel real. But there are so many more! Also check out books by Alechia Dow, Rebecca Coffindaffer, Tracy Deonn, Elizabeth Lim, Joan He, Sarah Glenn Marsh, Rosaria Munda and Claudia Gray.
The Book Bratz: What do you hope that readers will take away from A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN?
Laura: First off, I just hope readers are swept away to another world. We all desperately need a little escape! Beyond that, Jiara has undiagnosed dyslexia, and she's heard comments that made her doubt herself her whole life, even from her otherwise loving family. Whatever the reason, I think most of us know what it's like to struggle with self-confidence, so I'd like readers to embrace the message that they are capable of more than they think.
The Book Bratz: Do you plan on returning to the world of A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN in the future, or do you have any other projects in mind? Can you tell us anything about them?
Laura: At the moment, I don't have further books planned in the Dragonbird world (but never say never, right?). I'm currently working on a speculative alternate history set in 1980s West Germany, and I'm brainstorming one or two YA fantasies.
Title: A Dragonbird in the Fern
Author: Laura Rueckert
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: August 3rd, 2021 (Out now!)
Summary: When an assassin kills Princess Jiara’s older sister Scilla, her vengeful ghost is doomed to walk their city of glittering canals, tormenting loved ones until the murderer is brought to justice. While the entire kingdom mourns, Scilla’s betrothed arrives and requests that seventeen-year-old Jiara take her sister’s place as his bride to confirm the alliance between their countries. Marrying the young king intended for her sister and traveling to his distant home is distressing enough, but with dyslexia and years of scholarly struggles, Jiara abandoned any hope of learning other languages long ago. She’s terrified of life in a foreign land where she’ll be unable to communicate. Then Jiara discovers evidence that her sister’s assassin comes from the king’s own country. If she marries the king, Jiara can hunt the murderer and release her family from Scilla’s ghost, whose thirst for blood mounts every day. To save her family, Jiara must find her sister’s killer . . . before he murders her too.
Thank you so much to Laura for stopping by and answering our questions! We are super excited about A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN, and it's out in the world now for everyone to enjoy!
No comments
Please note that if your comment doesn’t appear right away, it’s because we have to approve it. Make sure to click the Notify Me box so you can check back once your comment has been approved! ❤️