Blog Tour: The Night of Elisa (Interview + Giveaway)
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I'm happy to present a gothic novella by Isis Sousa, and hope you enjoy the blurb, review, and interview. Make sure to read all the way to the end of the post as there will be links to the author's blog and a giveaway for autographed copies of this book. :)
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The Night of Elisa by Isis Sousa
Publication Date: May 30, 2014
Publisher: Tragic Books
Pages: 186
Source: Author
Format: eBook
Genres: Gothic, Paranormal, Dark Fantasy
Promotional Price: $1.49 (Original Price $3.99)
Coupon Code: TH22W
Expires: June 13, 2014
Redeem it on Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/434431
Sometimes, life and love can follow the most obscure paths, just as they did for Elisa.
Her life becomes a dark, cold, lonely cage the day the Devil takes her as his wife. He robs her of almost everything she holds dear: her health, her wealth and what is left of her family.
Trapped between the nuances of life and beyond-life, Elisa finds herself struggling for a better tomorrow. With her health deteriorating, how will she summon the courage and strength to stand her ground? And how far will she go in the pursuit of a dream?
Embark with Elisa on this puzzling Gothic adventure set in the late Victorian era, between the world of the Living and the picturesque, melancholic Duskland.
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In your bio, you said that writing wasn't a passion for you and that you see it as a necessary evil, so...what made you start writing?
Well, *it's complicated* (grins)! What made me take the decision on writing was the fact that I had many stories in my mind, which I could, of course, express as illustrations. But somehow it would always miss the job of the words. So writing and illustrating seemed to be the best way to share those ideas with the world. Words complete images and images complete words.
How did you get the idea for The Night of Elisa?
It all started with a bizarre dream I had 11 years ago.... I was in this place with the dead and it was beautiful but so melancholic....This dream marked me, as it was an omen for a real event in life. That's where the idea for the world of Duskland started, though only two years ago I had the idea for the plot. So I drafted the first chapter, which was basically world building and a mystery. The other chapters are more character and plot and smaller pieces of the puzzle.
As for the characters, all of them are "outsiders," apart from the antagonist and and their personalities, traits and flaws are inspired by real life figures and who live or lived and my view of the world.
I like weird (grins)! I do listen to music prior to or during writing (heavy metal, gothic metal, hard rock). I do also extensive research. For “The Night of Elisa” I collected tons of Victorian photos of people and places to stay on track. I also have some books about costumes of that time, and the physical characteristics of the characters and their costumes are solidly based on the research + a personal touch. I also get inspiration on films, such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Francis Ford Coppola, which happens to be one of my top favs. Thought I look in the films for cues on how they solved the storytelling and the visual consistency. I never like to copy or base my work on the work of someone else, I like to present something fresh and most original possible.
Many thanks for the compliments! ^.^ Yes, I did paint the illustration, the half portrait of Elisa, and added the typography afterwards as well as full layout/design for the back cover and spine. The portrait of Elisa is painted from scratch, using a graphic tablet Wacom Intuos Pro and Painter X3.
Loneliness, water and hot beverages, a sketch book and a computer or laptop.
Hmmmmm, that’s a hard question! I love cheap food/street food, really! Also, love pasta and lasagna… Hm, and my mom’s food and my aunts’ food… And my mother-in-law’s food… Sorry, it is very difficult to pick up one! :P
3. What about inspiration? Did you
listen to certain music or pin pictures on Pinterest to get your creative juices
flowing (that analogy is slightly weird)?
I like weird (grins)! I do listen to music prior to or during writing (heavy metal, gothic metal, hard rock). I do also extensive research. For “The Night of Elisa” I collected tons of Victorian photos of people and places to stay on track. I also have some books about costumes of that time, and the physical characteristics of the characters and their costumes are solidly based on the research + a personal touch. I also get inspiration on films, such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Francis Ford Coppola, which happens to be one of my top favs. Thought I look in the films for cues on how they solved the storytelling and the visual consistency. I never like to copy or base my work on the work of someone else, I like to present something fresh and most original possible.
4. Your artwork is amazing! I'm
jealous ;) Did you design and make the cover of The Night of Elisa?
Many thanks for the compliments! ^.^ Yes, I did paint the illustration, the half portrait of Elisa, and added the typography afterwards as well as full layout/design for the back cover and spine. The portrait of Elisa is painted from scratch, using a graphic tablet Wacom Intuos Pro and Painter X3.
5. You own an indie publishing
brand called Tragic Books, right? (I do my research :P) How did you pull that
together? You don't have to explain in detail, I'm just curious :)
Tragic books happened out of a rebel act. I was researching the whole industry for a literary agent, and after looking through the whole industry, I found out there was no agent or publishing house which could take my work because: it didn’t have the right number of words, it was illustrated, it was not within the genre they were open for, and it didn’t go by the book. The two publishing houses which would be a perfect fit for my work and accept unsolicited manuscripts were not accepting material at the time.
Tragic books happened out of a rebel act. I was researching the whole industry for a literary agent, and after looking through the whole industry, I found out there was no agent or publishing house which could take my work because: it didn’t have the right number of words, it was illustrated, it was not within the genre they were open for, and it didn’t go by the book. The two publishing houses which would be a perfect fit for my work and accept unsolicited manuscripts were not accepting material at the time.
So, Tragic Books came as an answer
to the industry: I don’t need to make my work fit in your square rules – as
indie publisher I can do anything I want artistically. You will see it through
the next titles, as each new book will have a unique writing style and unique
graphic presentation, all in the name of artistic
freedom.
6. What are the top three things
you need to get in the writing zone?
Loneliness, water and hot beverages, a sketch book and a computer or laptop.
7. Are you a pantser or a
plotter?
I am totally a pantser, really, I
imagine a lot before writing and during wrting and try to see all possibilities
and I let it flow. However, once the words are there, I always look for
consistency, and that’s how plot is born! :)
8. Now, this is the most important question.
What's your favorite food?
Hmmmmm, that’s a hard question! I love cheap food/street food, really! Also, love pasta and lasagna… Hm, and my mom’s food and my aunts’ food… And my mother-in-law’s food… Sorry, it is very difficult to pick up one! :P
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Giveaway(s): Enter to win one of three print and autographed copies of The Night of Elisa!
Isis will also be giving away one e-book copy at each tour stop. To enter, simply leave a blog comment with your email address. Follow the tour and enter at each stop to increase your chances of winning!
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Stop 2: Book Freebies, Contests, Sweepstakes, and Giveaways
6/2 | Stop 1: Musings of a Book Maven
Stop 2: Peace, Love and Writing
6/3 | Fantasy Books List (Interview)
6/4 | Stop 1: Urban Fantasy Recommendations (Playlist)
Stop 2: Bestselling Thrillers
6/5 | Hardcore Books, Video Games, and Readers
6/6 | Bestseller Books
6/9 | Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
6/10 | Stop 1: The Cat's Pajamas Book Haven
Stop 2: Cheap and Free Kindle Books
6/11 | Life of a Random (Interview + Review)
6/12 | Bella Harte
6/13 | Stop 1: Memories in a Box (Character Interview)
Stop 2: Cryptic Reads (Review)
Dear Skylar, this is one of the coolest stops on the book tour ^.^ The post looks amazing, and I am very grateful for the support and the coolness of being featured here! Cheers :D Ow, and by the end of the tour, I will add a link to this spotlight on TNOE's blog too :D
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad you like it :D Aw, thank you I really appreciate that. I'm in the process of reading your book and the illustrations are just wow. You deserve all the support for all your hard work :))
DeleteAwesome! I can't wait to see the link.
Hey Skylar, I am very glad you like the illustrations overall ^.^ Perhaps they're the best part of the book? hehe :P Anyway, hope you have a cozy read ^.^ Thanks for evrtything, really! ^.^ I am sending you an email with the link :) Cheers and Happy Friday, The 13th!
DeleteMe too ^.^ I wouldn't say they're the best part (yet..I'm still reading the book) but they are definitely something that sets The Night of Elisa apart from other books which is why I talk so much about it :D
DeleteNo problem! It was great being a part of this blog tour and getting to know you. I got the email and the post looks great!