Julie Eshbaugh answers a few questions in today’s post about her writing and her newly released YA Fantasy novel, Crown of Oblivion. I absolutely love this book cover. This YA Fantasy beauty is now out in the world and is published by Harper Teen. This Q&A is also part of her Blog Tour hosted by FFBC Tour.
Learn more about the book, read an excerpt of the book and enter this US giveaway for a chance to win your finished copy below. Now, let me introduce you to Julie Eshbaugh.
Julie Eshbaugh, Author of Crown of Oblivion – Q&A
Q1. How would you describe your path to publishing?
My path to publication was not short! I wrote my first novel years ago, but when it failed to find me an agent, I trunked it and turned to filmmaking and videography. Then I had an idea for a young adult novel, so I wrote it. When I sent that book out, I found an agent, but didn’t get a book deal. Every publisher passed.
Then I wrote another book, and that book found me a new agent. (My first agent broke up our relationship after the first book didn’t sell.) My new agent wasn’t able to find a publisher for my second book, either.
Then I wrote Ivory and Bone, and that book received an offer from HarperTeen! So it was a long path, but I don’t think that is all that unusual.
Q2. What inspired you to write this book?
This book came out of my love of survival stories and my fascination with memory. I was thinking a lot about how our memories form us and wondering how I would be different if I couldn’t remember my own past.
At the same time, both my stepmother and my mother-in-law were struggling with dementia. I witnessed how they fought to maintain their identities when they could no longer remember their histories. So all of those things came together to inspire this book.
Q3. What were some of the challenges you faced when writing this book?
The biggest challenge came from the fact that the first draft was not very good! I turned it into my editor and she wrote me a long edit letter, with some questions for me about what I was trying to do with this story.
With the help of that letter, I tore that first draft apart, cutting about 50% of the original writing and taking the second half in a very different direction. I think my editor was shocked by how much I changed, but her suggestions were spot on. The book needed that overhaul to become the best book it could be.
Q4. Is there something about this book you can share with us that isn’t in the blurb?
One of my favorite things about Crown of Oblivion is that it has its fair share of surprises. Readers can expect some twists and turns!
Q5. What is your favorite place to write?
My writing desk is right in front of a big picture window that overlooks my front yard. The view includes both sun and shade, and at night, I can even see the moon. It’s my favorite place to write.
Thank you so much, Julie Eshbaugh, for taking the time to answer these questions and Happy Belated Publication Day! You are an inspiration for writers and a delight for readers. I wish you the best.
Crown Of Oblivion – Synopsis
Astrid is the surrogate for Princess Renya, which means she bears the physical punishment if Renya steps out of line.
Astrid has no choice—she and her family are Outsiders, the lower class of people without magic and without citizenship.
But there is a way out of this life—competing in the deadly Race of Oblivion.
To enter the race, an Outsider is administered the drug Oblivion, which wipes their memory clear of their past as they enter a new world with nothing to help them but a slip of paper bearing their name and the first clue. It’s not as simple as solving a puzzle, however—for a majority of the contestants, the race ends in death. But winning would mean not only freedom for Astrid, but citizenship and health care for her entire family. With a dying father to think of, Astrid is desperate to prevail.
From the beginning, the race is filled with twists and turns. One of them is Darius, a fellow racer Astrid meets but isn’t sure she can trust. Though they team up in the race, as Astrid’s memories begin to resurface, she remembers just who he was to her—a scorned foe who may want revenge. Astrid also starts to notice she has powers no Outsider should—which could help her win the race, but also make her a target if anyone finds out. With stakes that couldn’t be higher, Astrid must decide what is more important: risking her life to remember the mysteries of the past, or playing a cutthroat game in order to win her—and her family’s—freedom.
BOOK DETAILS
- Author: Julie Eshbaugh
- Publisher: HarperTeen
- Release Date: November 12, 2019
- Book Length: 480 pages
- Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy
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About the Author – Julie Eshbaugh
Julie Eshbaugh is a YA writer and former filmmaker. She made two short films and then spent several years producing an online video series for teens which received several honors from the Webby Awards.
Her new YA fantasy standalone, CROWN OF OBLIVION, is coming from HarperTeen November 2019. IVORY AND BONE (HarperTeen 2016) and OBSIDIAN AND STARS (HarperTeen 2017), her prehistoric fantasy duology, are out now. You can learn more about Julie’s writing escapades by visiting www.julieeshbaugh.com.
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READ AN EXCERPT OF THE BOOK – CLICK HERE
Crown of Oblivion – US Giveaway
Prize: Win a finished copy of CROWN OF OBLIVION by Julie Eshbaugh (US Only)
Starts: November 12, 2019 – Finishes: November 28, 2019
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