Welcome, readers. My special guest today is dark fiction author Liz Butcher. We’re chatting about her new urban fantasy-mythology, Fates’ Fury.
Bio:
Liz Butcher resides in Australia, with her husband, daughter, and their two cats. She’s a self-confessed nerd with a BA in psychology and an insatiable fascination for learning. Liz has published a number of short stories in anthologies and has released her own collection, After Dark, in 2018. Her debut novel, Fates’ Fury released September 2019, soon followed with LeRoux Manor in September 2020.
Welcome, Liz. Please tell us about your new release.
Fates’ Fury is about three friends who find themselves at the center of supernatural phenomenon causing huge groups of people to either disappear or die. They discover the Fates have decided the human race no longer deserves to inhabit the Earth and they’re taking matters into their own hands. An alliance of ancient gods and goddesses return to the world to help Jonah, Tristan and Ava fight the Fates and do what they can to save what’s left of mankind.
What inspired you to write this book?
I wondered what the ancient gods would say if they could see the world today and what they would think about how we treat each other and the planet. It made me think if the Fates did want to end mankind, would we really deserve saving?
Excerpt from Fates’ Fury:
The young man’s gait was a little unsteady. As if he were sleepwalking, he was only vaguely aware of the fact that his body was no longer in his control. He had no idea where he was going or how long he’d walked, but he did know it had been many hours judging by how far the sun had traversed across the sky. The rough, rocky ground cut into the already raw soles of his feet with every step, coating them in blood and dust. Each breath grated along the sandpaper of his throat. In his fugue state, he longed for water.
Even then, he couldn’t stop whispering to himself, willing his body to stop, to let him rest. But his feet just continued, stepping one in front of the other. As he longed for unconsciousness to take a firmer hold, for the relief of the darkness, of death, his body stopped. Before he could pin down his gratitude and relief, he was forced to his knees. His yowl of pain sounded raw and primal to his own ears, but the rock cutting into his knees was the least of his concerns. His hands moved on their own, sweeping away the sand and dirt in front of him. Then his fingers dug beneath the surface of the hard terrain, clawing at the rock and the packed earth, and he was completely powerless. The sharp stones cut his hands, his fingernails snapped and ripped from their beds, and his silent screams echoed only within his own mind.
What exciting story are you working on next?
My next book, a YA horror titled LeRoux Manor released September 1st and I’m editing an adult paranormal/crime called Never, Never. I’m also working on another dark fantasy novel called Sunrise and horror serial.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think when I held my first book in my hands was the first time I felt like I could call myself a writer.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I’ve just embarked on a six month career break to focus on my writing, which I’m so excited about. My day starts early, and can run late, but I’m absolutely loving the luxury of dedicating each day to doing what I love. At least for now!
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to include names for characters and places that have a secret meaning or are connected to the story in one way or another.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It changed all the time. Everything from a writer, an actress, a dancer, to an astronaut and an FBI agent.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Check out my work, I’d love to hear what you think!
Links:
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon
Thanks for being here today, Liz.