Our team had the pleasure of talking with American YA fantasy writer Courtney Lillard, author of ‘The Dark Angel’ Series, a sword and sorcery fantasy set in the kingdom of Asteom.
Hi Courtney and thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Let’s begin by discussing your series ‘The Dark Angel’: what is it about?
The life of a mage trainee at the Magical Arts Academy usually elicits excitement over learning to control dark or light energy and wielding various spells. For Coura Galdwin, being the most powerful student at the academy turns out to be rather boring. With her mentor, the admired Master Byron Rinod, disappearing for business in the capital city, she struggles to fit in without causing trouble until she is offered an opportunity to join him on his next assignment. Together, Coura and Byron explore what the lavish palace has to offer, pick up companions along the way, and confront a new enemy: angels unseen by their country for decades. These new creatures of legend prove worthy opponents… worthy enough to awaken the demon named Soirée slumbering within Coura’s body. There’s only one problem: Demons and their unnatural magic are considered taboo, leading everyone except her mentor to view her as a threat. What was once a future full of uncertainty becomes limited to the king’s perception of her as a weapon. Coura must work with the mischievous creature in order to wield its power, prover her sanity to her new friends and the kingdom, and fight against the ongoing pursuit of the angelic race.
What do you think are your books’ the USPs?
This series captures my favorite aspects of fantasy books for all ages: it’s character-driven, the world develops as the series progresses, and it introduces a magic system that is simple yet straightforward. Action scenes tie the story together between moments of building relationships, especially between Coura and Soirée.
Tell us something about yourself: where did you grow up, what did you study, what do you do when you are not writing?
I was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin as the third of five children. Growing up, I enjoyed participating in music and theatre, allowing me to develop a deeper interest in the arts. After graduating high school, I pursued my BA in Broadcasting and Public Relations Communications and my MA in Communication Studies. I began writing during the following months before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska. During that time, the first drafts of ‘The Dark Angel’ series came to fruition. Book One was officially published in January 2021. Outside of writing, I am a fan of reading fantasy stories and the classics. My other hobbies include cooking, playing video games, working outdoors in the yard and doing puzzles.
When and why did you start writing and how did you choose your genre?
I began writing in 2018 during a period of my life before I started working full time. I had always wanted to publish a book and began putting my ideas together into an outline. I got serious with wanting to become an author when I considered my purpose for dedicating time to my stories. In the end, it came down to wanting to entertain my readers and take them away from the world for a bit. That is one reason why I enjoy fantasy. Another is because I can add magic, creatures, and aspects of the world without boundaries.
What’s your target market and how would you like to expand in the future?
Currently, I am aiming to target YA readers who are over 16. It’s difficult to get books in libraries without direct connections, which is an area I would like to expand on in the future. Until I complete the series with Book Six next year, I would like to test various marketing sites before diving into them fully.
What is coming next in your writing career?
I intend to complete and publish the final book in The Dark Angel series early in 2025. I am also working on a different story that is shaping up to be a trilogy and plan on focusing on that next. Then, I will start a new back-up story so I have two projects taking place.
Are you planning to keep focusing on fantasy or would you like to try something different? And format-wise: do you prefer short or long form?
I plan to continue writing fantasy for the time being. I am enjoying working on two projects at once with one taking precedence. As far as the format goes, I prefer fleshing out a series and struggle to condense an idea into a short story. I would rather add more than limit myself to a certain length.
Do you have any formal qualification in the creative writing or did you polish your skill mostly through practice and peer review?
Aside from writing in college, I do not have formal training. I have been developing my skills as I go along and look for feedback from family members who read my books. I also write for myself, so I do not need to worry about appeasing others.
What does your “typical” writing day look like (if you have one)?
Since I work full time, I set a routine where I get up and write 1,000 words every morning before work. If that doesn’t happen in time, I focus on completing that goal before the end of the day. It takes a lot of dedication, but it’s worth it when I look back and see the word count.
What are your thoughts on today’s publishing market – both traditional and independent – and the indie author community more specifically?
Indie authors face many challenges because of how the industry currently works; however, readers are giving indie books a chance now more than ever. People have access to books at the touch of a button. We’re being shown books on our social media pages. Audiobooks allow us to listen while we drive, clean, before bed, etc. The world is constantly changing, and indie authors must be able to keep up with this in order to stay relevant. Regarding publishing, I chose self-publishing because I had no experience with the process and didn’t do my research. Part of me regrets not learning more about traditional publishing, but I wouldn’t change much else about my journey as an author. Most indie authors I see and talk to are open to helping others, which creates a welcoming community, with plenty of support or critique groups to share ideas. There will always be poor writing on both sides and at every level. There will always be authors who care too much about their ego. As an indie author responsible for only my work, I’ve learned to surround myself with positivity and be willing to grow.
Do you have a favourite author?
My favorite author is Mercedes Lackey. Her ‘Heralds of Valdemar’ Series got me into reading and fantasy as a teenager.
If you could choose only 3 books to carry with you on a desert island, what would they be and why?
I would choose my three favorite books: ‘Take a Thief’ by Mercedes Lackey because that is the first book I remember reading in my young adult life, ‘Jurassic Park’ because I enjoy the building story and themes, and ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ because the story set in the historical setting is compelling despite how it forces me to consider each sentence.
To find out more about Courney Lillard and her work, follow her on her social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and have a look at her books on her website.