Keira Gillett Author

Fierce Middle Grade Fantasy Reads

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8 Facts about Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword

April 27, 2016 By Keira Gillett

Last time around I did a fun little post that discussed some cool facts about the first book in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy. Today I thought I’d share some facts about the second book. Let’s dive in! Here’s 8 things you might not have known about Zaria Fierce’s second adventures through Norway:

  1. The first draft of Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword was completed in six months on 6/9/2015 for a total of 3 days 2 hours 48 minutes writing time and 41,333 words. It took more four months to complete book two compared with the first book, because multiple rounds of edits were being done on book one to get it ready for publication.
  2. The second draft was completed a month later on 7/11/2015 for a total of 3 days 21 hours 52 minutes writing time and 42,936 words. Polishing, revising, and clarifying.
  3. The final book clocks in at 44,260 words and 4 days 18 hours 26 minutes total writing time. This makes book two 8,060 more words than book one.
  4. It took 1 day 16 hours and 22 minutes to complete the additional drafts and edits.
  5. Narrated, the second book is 5 hours 14 minutes long which is 1 hr and 12 minutes longer than book one.
  6. 16 illustrations – the under drawings are orange, which you’d never guess looking at the final work (the previous book the under drawings were blue). There was a 17th drawing that wasn’t used, featuring a giant.
  7. There were three other possible titles for book two, involving the words Enchantment, Acquisition, and Drakelord.
  8. 2 versions of the prologue exist. The original, which was less focused and only just touched on Zaria’s emotional state, and the current version.

Filed Under: Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: blog tour

Blog Tour Stop: Interview with Eoghan Kerrigan, Part 4

April 20, 2016 By Keira Gillett

Keira Gillett (Author): Greetings everyone! The second book in the trilogy, Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword  features some amazing artwork from Eoghan Kerrigan. Be sure to check out the other parts of this interview series to see more of his artwork. We’ve been having a lot of fun talking about the book and the artwork. So Eoghan, what is the hardest part of illustrating a story?

zaria2chapter1

Eoghan Kerrigan (Illustrator): The hardest part is challenging yourself to draw things out of your comfort zone if the story demands it of you. These drawings take a bit longer because you need to gather reference material to make the drawing more convincing.

Keira: I laughed when I saw your Twitter status on drawing ships. I knew you were referencing Zaria’s adventures in book two. So what is the easiest? The most fun?

Eoghan: The easiest and most fun are the same thing – drawing fun and visually interesting characters and creatures.

@EoghanKerrigan This is your doing @keiragillett

— Eoghan Kerrigan (@EoghanKerrigan) August 31, 2015

Keira: I really love your characters and creatures. They have such life to them. It’s been a lot of fun to see what you’ll come up with for each chapter. Do you ever experience a creative block similar to what authors call writer’s block?

Eoghan: All the time! I don’t think there is a single creative person who doesn’t experience this at some point.

Keira: How do you get past it and what do you do to stay motivated and fresh?

Eoghan: Various things can knock me out of it. Some fresh air, listening to music, seeing a piece of art I really admire. But the most effective way I think is just to take a break. Forcing yourself to do something doesn’t always help, but the desire will always return eventually.

Olaf the troll from @keiragillett ‘s Zaria Fierce trilogy which I’m almost done illustrating! pic.twitter.com/f3URontTDr

— Eoghan Kerrigan (@EoghanKerrigan) April 6, 2016

Keira: I did something similar when I was stuck on a scene in the first book. I’d stop writing for the day and focus on other things so I could start fresh the next day. For book two when I was stuck, I sat down and plotted pieces of the story that I wanted to see. Not all of it stuck, but it did help to unstick me. What type of drawing tools do you use to create your illustrations?

Eoghan: Pencils! That’s really it. A blue or orange pencil for the rough under drawing and a 2B graphite pencil for the finished lines. I’m very comfortable with traditional media.

zaria2epilogue

Keira: I can tell! You could knock me over with a feather if readers aren’t as thrilled as I am about the work you’ve done. Thanks for joining us today! Eoghan and I look forward to seeing readers’ reactions to the new illustrations.

Filed Under: Zaria Fierce Tagged With: blog tour, Eoghan Kerrigan, illustrator, illustrator interview

Blog Tour Stop: Interview with Eoghan Kerrigan, Part 3

March 11, 2016 By Keira Gillett

Join me at Brooke’s Blog for another interview segment with Eoghan Kerrigan, the illustrator behind the Zaria Fierce Books. We’ll be talking about the artwork from the second book. There’s also a great giveaway opportunity!

Filed Under: Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: blog tour, Eoghan Kerrigan, illustrator, illustrator interview

Blog Tour Stop: Michele Carpenter Interview for Book Two, Part 2

March 11, 2016 By Keira Gillett

Michele Carpenter and I are over at Renee’s Mother Daughter and Son Book Reviews talking about the differences between starting the narration work on a new series and the challenges of continuing a book series. I hope you’ll join us!

Filed Under: Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: blog tour, Michele Carpenter, narrator, Narrator interview

Blog Tour Stop: The Giants of Zaria Fierce

March 11, 2016 By Keira Gillett

Good morning everybody! I’m over at Natalie’s blog, Book Lover’s Life, talking about the giants we meet in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy. I even share how to dress up like one if you’re so inclined. See you there!

I’m so very excited to share with you, Natalie’s review of Zaria’s first adventures via audio book. Here’s a sneak peek:

Plot wise, it was really fast paced and interesting. I loved the lore behind the world and the author really brought the land to life through her vivid descriptions. I had no problem visualising the place and creatures. I also loved the sheer variety of fantastical creatures that are featured. We have a bit of everything!

Filed Under: Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: blog tour, costume idea, giants, Oskar the Elevated

Blog Tour: Folklore and World Building of the Zaria Fierce Trilogy

February 15, 2016 By Keira Gillett

Raise your hand if you would like to learn more about the ellefolken race in the Zaria Fierce books. (Raises both hands!) I’m over at Brenda’s fabulous Log Cabin Library blog discussing world building and Norwegian mythology. Join me to learn more about Hector, his father, and his son, plus check out some artwork from the series and other artwork that inspired scenes in the books.

Brenda has also reviewed the first book in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy, and she had this to say:

Very quickly I was able to relate to Zaria, having been an Army brat  and moving just about every four years growing up.  I’m sure most people would’ve thought I was shy back then too.  Like Zaria, I  spent lots of time reading and dreaming up adventures.    I especially enjoy that Zaria  doesn’t stay this shy and quiet girl, and begins to develop confidence in herself, offering her opinion, fighting off wolf attacks and  develops stronger friendships with Geirr, Filip and Aleks.

Update – Brenda now has her review for book two live!

I like how the action begins quickly and Gillett brings the reader up to speed on the plot, no time is wasted in getting these friends off on another adventure through the Norwegian countryside. Oh and that setting, it’s one of the most enjoyable things in reading Gillett’s stories. All the lovely rich details of each of the magical kingdoms, each place is unique and highlights the depth of her imagination.

Filed Under: Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: blog tour, ellefolken, folklore, Hector, Norwegian folklore

Blog Tour Stop: Author Interview at Mom Read It

January 25, 2016 By Keira Gillett

Hi everyone! I’m over at Mom Read It with Rosemary doing a fun author interview. We talk about fantasy books, Norwegian mythology, and folklore. Please join us!

Rosemary also had a chance to review the first two Zaria Fierce books. Here’s a sneak peek of what she said:

The stories are written and illustrated in a manner that recalls fantasy and adventure stories I read as a kid. The black and white fantasy sketches are beautiful and creepy – I love the white stag and the deliciously creepy Olaf – and brings a lot of imagination to the page.

Filed Under: Author, Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: author interview, blog tour

Blog Tour Stop: Author Q&A at The Booklandia

January 1, 2016 By Keira Gillett

Join me at Danissa’s blog, The Booklandia, for an author Q&A with yours truly. We talk about reading, writing, and Zaria Fierce – three of my favorite subjects! 🙂

Filed Under: Author, Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: author interview, blog tour

Blog Tour Stop: Author Interview for Zaria Fierce Book Two Part 3

December 3, 2015 By Keira Gillett

Hi guys! I’m back at Liberty Falls Down book blog where she interviews me. We talk about what drew me to Norwegian folklore, a funny thing someone said to me about the first book in Zaria Fierce, beta readers, writing, and moving past discouragement. Join us!

Filed Under: Author, Enchanted Drakeland Sword Tagged With: author interview, blog tour

Blog Tour Stop: How to Prepare for an Author/Book Event

November 26, 2015 By Keira Gillett

In case you missed it – I’m over at Anjie’s blog Love Thy Shelf talking about author readings and book signing events. I share what I learned from holding one. What do you like best about going to one?

Filed Under: Author, Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: author reading, blog tour, book event, book reading, book signing

Blog Tour Stop: My Favorite Norwegian Magical Kingdom

November 14, 2015 By Keira Gillett

I’m over at Emily Reads Everything today sharing my favorite Norewegian magical kingdom. Will you guess right? Is it the mountain-trolls? Elves? Fairies? Giants? Dwarves? Join us and find out!

Filed Under: Author, Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: blog tour, magical kingdoms

Blog Tour Stop: Happy Birthday Zaria Fierce!

November 11, 2015 By Keira Gillett

happy birthday

Today’s a super special day! It’s Zaria Fierce’s birthday and we’re going to celebrate it with a bang! Join me at Danissa’s blog to learn how you can throw your very own Zaria Fierce Birthday Bash. There’s ideas for food, costumes, and games!

•Currently Reading• ? || Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword by @keiragillett || eating some yummy cassava cake too! Happy Birthday Zaria! ?? #currentlyreading #booknerd #zariafierceandtheenchanteddrakelandsword #zariafierce #ebook #koboreader #cassavacake #booksandfood #bookstagram #bookdragon #bibliophile #vscobooks #bookporn #foodporn #thebooklandia

A photo posted by Danissa Macaraig ? (@thebooklandia) on Nov 10, 2015 at 9:33pm PST

Danissa also got a chance to review the second Zaria Fierce book. Here’s some of the awesome things she said about it:

This is one of the most amazing second book in a trilogy that I’ve read. I love how fast-paced the book is and how it has no flat lines/ boring parts. I like how empowering the book is, especially on facing your own demons. Just like Zaria.

Filed Under: Enchanted Drakeland Sword, Secret of Gloomwood Forest, Zaria Fierce Tagged With: birthday, blog tour, Zaria Fierce

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Christoffer Johansen and the Gyllenhammar FlameDecember 3, 2021
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