…connect to good groups and organizations that build you up, encourage you to stretch beyond your current comfort zones, and push your skills to the next level.
Always a writer, with tubs of notebooks full of ideas, Fern Brady started as a foreign correspondent for a Mexico City daily bulletin that published in English. She became a full-time middle grade teacher in language arts and social studies. After hooking up with the Houston Writers Guild, she went into full-time writing. An eclectic writer, she also co-hosts podcasts.
Lyndi: How did the mythologies and culture you taught in the classroom inspire your story United Vidden?
Fern: They were the basis for the world of Thyrein’s Galactic Wall. As we studied world cultures in my 6th grade social studies, we used those themes and ideas to develop book clubs that helped us learn about the world’s literature. That led us to writing inspired by these works. We created an imaginary planet each year and populated it with cultures, governments, and stories. Over my years as a teacher, the rich world that is now alive in my books came into focus.
Lyndi: What is the theme of United Vidden and why is it an important one to share with readers?
Fern: United Vidden explores the story of Verena. Born to be queen, she throws away her birthright and runs from the unpleasant duty of marrying Prince Amiel. She has good reason to believe her father always intended her to wed and never believed in her rule as queen. Yet, she realizes that running has only caused chaos for her people and lost her the destiny she had believed was hers. When she returns, she finds that she must earn the respect of her people. That which she had been given, now must be earned. And so, the theme is redemption after making the worst mistake of your life. No matter how we fail, there is always a path to return and redeem ourselves. But it is not easy, and Verena’s journey explores this idea.
Lyndi: What makes your books space operas and how vital is the romance to the stories?
Fern: My novels are considered space operas because the setting of the book is an intergalactic alliance of 51 planets. There are geopolitical and international issues that are addressed in the novel. National sovereignty is balanced with international needs at a galactic level. The issues of governance and independence and the fight for freedom from factions that seek to oppress are built in on a scale that encompasses multiple planets. The romance in the stories is the focal point from which we experience the larger scale conflicts. It is the vehicle to understanding how these political and ideological battles affect the real lives of people.
Lyndi: Modelling your publishing company after traditional publishers, your company also helps writers build dynamic writing careers. How does your company accomplish this?
Fern: Inklings Publishing works with our authors to produce high quality books. We have developmental editors that work one-on-one with our authors to help them polish the narratives so that they are strong and clear as well as engaging. We make sure each book has a compelling story with multifaceted characters facing decisions that resonate with readers. Then, after the story itself is strong, then we work on ensuring the quality of the grammar and conventions is there with our copy editing team, format the book to look and feel good in readers hands, and create compelling cover designs to help sell it. By focusing on a strong team of professionals that work to create excellent books for readers, we help our authors’ careers take off. With a high-quality product, they can build a strong following of fans.
Lyndi: What is a graphic novel/novella hybrid project?
Fern: Inklings Publishing is experimenting with a hybrid project in our Mr. Landen’s Library series. We have the first volume out and are working on the second. The front part of the book is in graphic novel form. The illustrator has brought to life the words of the author and created a graphic version of the story. After that section, comes the novella portion. The novella is the actual source text from which the illustrator worked to create the graphics. It expands the story by giving readers a chance to delve deeper through the novella text into the characters of the graphics. We are excited to see how this project turns out and if readers like having the two options of reading as a graphic and as a novella in the single book together.
Lyndi: How has being a part of communities of writers supported you in your writing?
Fern: Having a strong writing community is a huge part of success as a writer. We tend to think that writing is isolated and alone, but you need the community of other authors to help you grow in your skills and to support you once the book is out. Critique groups and partnerships where you exchange pages and get feedback on what areas need improvement can help you delve deeper into your story and polish it up. Writers groups like Houston Writers Guild host many such critique sessions and these can help you prepare so that when you go to a developmental editor the story is strong and they can look at the bigger picture items of the overall arch and pacing rather than get bogged down in scenes which may be confusing. Writers organizations also host conferences where you get to listen to what the newest trends are in the industry and network with professionals that can help you bring your book to life. I have found that being connected to a writing community has also been a huge benefit during difficult times like the pandemic years. They can help keep you focused on the future and on the beauty of the work and not let you sink into sadness or feel hopeless. I strongly urge all writers to connect to good groups and organizations that build you up, encourage you to stretch beyond your current comfort zones, and push your skills to the next level.
Lyndi: What marketing methods have you found effective for selling your books?
Fern: One of the most effective tools for selling your books are in person venues. During the pandemic these fell away so it is important to engage in online marketing and building a strong social media platform and following. While there is a trend to criticize social media, it is free and effective in reaching wide audiences with your book. Author’s should have an author platform where they share fun memes and content that aligns to the topics and genre of their books so that those who like that type of content follow. These will lead to sales, though not quickly, so you must have staying power and consistency for the organic long haul. Having a newsletter to send out a monthly email to connect to followers is also a valuable tool. But more than anything else, being on site at comic cons, market days, and other in person venues is a powerful way to get books to new readers and build fans. Look for events that also host panels that you can be on to share your knowledge and expertise with others.
Fern Brady is the founder and CEO of Inklings Publishing. She holds multiple Masters degrees and several certifications. She began her professional life as a foreign correspondent, and taught for 15 years in Alief ISD. She has published numerous short stories, two children's picture books, and a couple of poems. Her debut novel, United Vidden, which is book one in her Thyrein’s Galactic Wall Series, was given a glowing review by Dr. Who Online, the official site of the fandom. Also available for purchase is volume one of her graphic novel/novella hybrid project, New Beginning. She has returned to the leadership of the Houston Writers Guild, with whom she served as CEO for four years previously. She co-hosts two podcasts – Author Talk and The Hot Mess Express. Besides being Municipal Liaison for Nanowrimo Houston, she is also a member of Blood Over Texas, Romance Writers of America, and American Booksellers Association. Fern lives in Houston TX with her parents and her talkative husky, Arya. Follow Fern's writing at: www.fernbrady.com
Denipia Leron, a beautiful young painter and visionary from the country of Usmerim, has just won the coveted Innovation Awards in the Arts. During her trip to the award ceremony, she learns that President Nichamir Linput of the enemy nation of Sorusvia is a primary patron and has expressed special interest in her. Fearful of what this could mean for her burgeoning company and artistic career, she vows to be polite, but keep the would-be dictator as far from her as she can.
Nichamir is used to getting what he wants, both personally and politically. Having saved his nation from a Calvernsin invasion, he believes himself justified in how he rules Sorusvia. In spite of the propaganda against him, Nichamir works hard to bring prosperity to his people. Yet the powerful ruler finds himself unprepared for his first meeting with the strong-willed and wary Denipia.
But Nichamir is not what he seems. He is dragonborn, a secret he has carefully hidden his whole life. He knows Denipia is his fated mate from the first moment he catches her scent. For Denipia, the strength of the attraction she feels for a man she should deeply despise is disconcerting, yet undeniable. She wants Nichamir as she has never wanted any other man.
Can Denipia risk giving her heart to this powerful man? Will Nichamir be able to win her trust? Can Love’s Call help them overcome the many obstacles in their path and forge the bond they seem destined to fulfill?
