Welcome to BookEnds, Linsey Miller!

  • By: admin | Date: Jul 03 2017

I’m thrilled to welcome Linsey Miller to the BookEnds team!

Linsey’s debut YA Mask of Shadows publishes with Sourcebooks Fire August 29th. I can’t wait for you to meet our genderfluid protagonist Sal, and some other secondary character favorites of mine, in this dark fantasy. I remember originally reading this manuscript while sick in bed, but I couldn’t stop myself and knew I had to offer representation.

While Linsey and I have been working together for a while now, I wanted to open the floor to clients who might not be on your radar, since we are both new to BookEnds. Hope you enjoy learning more about Linsey!

Tell us a bit about your writing process. Where do you write, and how often?

I write a lot and all the time but not necessarily in order. There’s a notebook in my bag, a list of book-related notes on my phone, and dozens of sticky notes in my life with outlines, character ideas, lines, and scenes. During the school year, I don’t write every day, but there’s still a nice layer of sticky notes on my desk for things to type up later.

Do you have any writing rituals? (e.g. burning a candle if you’re having trouble getting started at the computer or writing longhand first if you’re feeling uninspired.)

I write nearly everything longhand first. This makes it easier for me to remember the details of what I wrote and allows me to do minor edits when typing it up later. Typically, I write chapters out longhand and then type them up that night, and once the first draft is done, I enjoy listening to scripted shows at so that I get into the cadence of conversation. Those are the only constants. Everything else is up in the air.

What do you love about writing young adult fantasy?

It allows you to design worlds where anything is possible which isn’t always a reality for readers. While I love creating magic systems and characters’ stories, tackling real-world issues and giving readers a chance to see themselves as the hero in a story not normally theirs are my favorite aspects of fantasy. I got to save the world as a kid, and I want to give that back to new readers.

If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing?

Frantically grading in my office with a horror movie on in the background. Or playing Overwatch.

Probably Overwatch.

Where can readers find you on the web and social media?

Website
Twitter
Tumblr
Instagram
Pinterest
Facebook

What’s the last book you read?

Forest of A Thousand Lanterns by Julie Dao and it is amazing!

If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location?

A forest cabin nestled high up in a foggy mountain range.

What’s your favorite piece of writing advice you’ve received?

Writing, like anything else, requires study and practice. Read and write as much as possible in whatever forms you enjoy most.

What advice would you give to other authors in the query trenches?

Keep writing. Keep learning. Keep going.