Author Interview - Kate Schumacher

Kate Schumacher is a writer, mother and teacher. When she isn’t writing, she is reading her way through an ever-growing TBR pile. Kate has wanted to be an author since she was a child, when she used to write stories about her friends and ‘publish’ them with the help of a stapler. Kate completed a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism, and an Honours degree in Screenwriting, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Education. She currently works as a High School English and History teacher.

She lives in Northern NSW, Australia, with her partner, two children and three very spoiled cats. Shadow of Fire is her first published novel.

Genre: Fantasy

Q&A:

Q1: What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Shadow of Fire. I guess I was inspired by a lot of what’s going on in the world and what has always gone on - how power influences people and how those with power use it. Power can be a tool of oppression or it can lift people, and too often, we see it as an oppressive force used in the wrong ways. So I kind of wanted to explore that a little bit and through the characters, and look at how power can change people.

Q2: What’s your favourite and least favourite part of publishing?
My favourite part is probably the amount of control I had - I’m a little bit of a control freak perfectionist Virgo, so being able to find my own editor and cover designer was really important to me. Least favourite part is probably the marketing aspect. I’ve always been uncomfortable saying, hey I did a thing and it’s awesome and you all should support it. I’m a quiet achiever and this is still challenging me, but I am starting to get over myself and work towards actively promoting my book.

Q3: What authors, or books have influenced you?
This is a long list but I will give you my top five: Cecilia Dart-Thorton, Isobelle Carmody, Kate Forysth, Helen Scheuerer and Jay Kristoff.

Q4: What is your schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I have two kids and I work so I have to write in the in-between moments. I generally carry a notebook everywhere and scribble ideas or snatches of scenes when they come to me. My Notes app on my phone is full of bits of writing as well! I don’t write in order either - I tend to write scenes as they come to me, and as I write a general plot outline, I end up putting everything together like a big puzzle and filling in the blanks. I think I work best this way because I am fitting writing in around the other parts of my life.

Q5: What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just write it. The first draft is for you. It is a place to get your ideas out and play around with your plot and your story. Don’t compare yourself to others - your voice as an author is just as valid as anyone else’s. And don’t expect perfection straight away, because it won’t be perfect. That is what developmental editing is for - helping you really nail your story.

Q6: What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
I don’t really get it. That might sound strange but I don’t get a ‘block’ as such. There are times when I’m lacking motivation to put pen to paper, but the story is still churning around in my head. I know it will be there when I am ready to do the actual writing part.

Q7: What part of the book was the most fun to write?
This is hard as there are heaps of scenes and moments that I love and that I’m really proud of. Probably writing moments between particular characters, especially when the book gets to the point where most of the main characters find themselves in the same place. As there are so many narrators, and therefore so many stories happening at once, getting to the moment where I bring all the pieces of the plot together was really enjoyable to write.

Q8: How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?
Someone who loves strong female characters, a complex plot (because it is complex) and isn’t put off by multiple POVs. Must love magic and must also be able to suspend any beliefs they may have had - I have fae characters and a fae kingdom, but I actually worked really hard to make my fae world different to what is popular at the moment. Tropes wise I have some enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, power politics and a bit of a quest, I guess. I was asked the other day what my tropes were and it was really hard to identify most of them because again, I tried really hard to either avoid the common ones or use them but change them up a bit.

Q9: What are you working on now?
I have just finished the final edits on the sequel to Shadow of Fire, and I’m working on a fantasy trilogy, with witches and magic and dark creatures and lots of angst and enemies to lovers and all that fun stuff.

Q10: What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Songs of the Wicked, by C.A Farran and loving it. Next up - actually don’t ask because who knows? I have a TBR pile but rarely ever stick to it. So it could be anything really.

To find out more about Kate Schumacher, follow the social media links below. Keep reading for a sneak peek at Shadow of Fire.

Instagram

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Website

TikTok

“In the beginning there was fire.

The fire was darkness and power. It was all encompassing and slowly consuming her. It rippled from her body, and it shaped and bent her; she was the conductor and the composer of the song it sang as it burned, and blazed, and devoured. Flowing through her veins, it raced from her fingertips to find its place in the world.

With a shudder, the earth ripped beneath her. It heaved and split, the sound it made tearing the air. The fire was life, and death, and birth, and rebirth – and she was combustion and passion, unbridled and unchallenged.

With flames on her feet, she walked her newly carved landscape. She was an alchemist now, a creator, destroyer, transformer. From the deepest corners of that fiery darkness, she called forth her children. As the dawn rose golden and red with her fire, she lifted her arms and welcomed the light, the heat, the radiant power, into what remained of who she once was.”

Shadow of Fire is available as ebook, paperback and Kindle Unlimited.

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