Hard to believe that’s it’s almost December.  The last few months have brought a slew of conventions and other opportunities along with a few family crises.

Friday Feature Interview

In November, I was thrilled to be interviewed by Eric Klein about the world of Nardva. My last interview with Eric focused more on the Under the Mountain series, whereas this one highlighted the Akrad’s Legacy series. So, in case you want to know more about the behind the scenes of world-building, here is the interview:

For this week’s Feature Friday Futures Jeanette O’Hagan returns to tell us about her Akrad’s Legacy Series Akrad’s Children and Rasel’s Song.

Can you describe your world or setting?

The Akrad Legacy series is set in Tamra, one the Five Lands and part of a southern continental mass on an earth-like planet, Nardva. This is a fantasy world with shapeshifters and other wielders of mystical gifts and mythical creatures like the koraktil, though the vast majority of the people and animals are not magic users.

How did you build this concept, what research did you do?

The world took shape over many years, developing in complexity and scope as I imagined the exploits, relationships and challenges of different characters, starting with Agwynallen when I was eight or nine years old.

I’ve researched geographical land forms, weather and climate, how far and fast people and horses can travel, the phases of the moon (there are two in Nardva), sailing craft, fighting techniques, architecture, marriage costumes, poisons, underground caverns, and whatever else my various characters and world needs at the time.

Why did you choose this setting?

Most of the early stories I imagined were set in the northern hemisphere, but many years ago I had a lucid dream of a young girl holding a lantern near a fountain, at night. That became a book, the book became an idea for a series and I decided to set those stories in the southern hemisphere of Nardva.

What’s unique about your world?

I can think of four possibilities. Firstly, Nardva has two moons (not in itself unusual ins spec fic) but, in a reckless moment, I decided any descriptions of the different phases of the moons should be correct over time. That means, if I change the timeline in my draft, I also need to shift the moon phases to match. For that reason, I had to axe “the crescent of Argenti hanging like a silver reed boat in the western sky” because Argenti would be a half moon, not a crescent at that time. Keeping track is quite complicated and I suspect, I’m the only one who notices the difference. Read more here.

Book Events

After few face-to-face book events in 2020, 2021 has been a feast.  Meeting people who love fantasy, who are keen to buy books – some new readers to Nardva, some enthusiastic readers returning for more – is fantastic.

This Year  I have been at
*Supanova Gold Coast (with Rendered Realms) – 17-18 April 2021
*Omega Writers Book Fair – 31 July 2021
*Cooparoo PC Book Fair – 28 August 2021
*The inaugural Logan Writers Festival – 11-12 September 2021
*Supanova Brisbane – 6-7 November 2021

Unfortunately, Oz Comic Con was postponed, first to December and then to next year, but really it’s been a fabulous year for meeting new and old fans.

Looking forward to meeting more readers next year.

Congratulations to the Winner

Thanks everyone who commented on the interview with the wonderful Claire Buss.

I’m thrilled to announce the winner of a book from the Roshaven series.
(And sorry for the delay, see above reference to family crises.)

The winner is

….drum roll…

Babs Mountjoy.

Congratulations Babs. If you can let me know which book you would like to receive – The Rose Thief (book 1), The Silk Thief (book 2) or The Bone Thief (book 3). and Claire will be in touch 🙂

Black Friday /Cyber Monday Sales

Sales Bonanza – 5 books all 99c each