Interview: Tatiana Vila, author of The Ylem + A Giveaway!

Title: The Ylem (The Ylem Trilogy, Book 1)

Author: Tatiana Villa

Publisher: Smashwords, (November 23rd 2010)

Synopsis: An ancient book, a love-struck teenage girl and an exotic boy from a supernatural world hold the key to freedom for a long-oppressed race, but that freedom could come at the cost of the human world.

Seventeen-year-old Kalista is suffering from a broken heart, so when her playwright father proposes they move their lives from New York to New Mexico because he is in need of inspiration Kalista is 100% on-board with him. New Mexico proves to be the perfect balm for her wounds and she is just starting to feel some of her old spunk when Tristan Winfield comes into her life and pulls all of her barriers down. Kalista is captivated by Tristan's unusual silver eyes and feels an inexplicable connection to him, which begins to manifest itself in her dreams with bizarre images of a waterfall and an orb.

While searching for an explanation for her troubling dreams, Kalista discovers an ancient book which holds the secrets of a supernatural race of creatures. But when Killings hit town, she realizes her finding has come at a high price. She's in the middle of a power struggle now, a struggle that seems to be linked to the secret wrapped within the pages of that book. A secret she and Tristan part of...

For those out there who haven’t heard about The Ylem, could you tell a little bit about it and how you came up with the story?

It all began with a book Conference I attended two years ago. Masaru Emoto, the author of Messages from Water, was coming to town and I had to go see his latest discoveries. For those of you who aren't familiar with Mr. Emoto, he's known for his claim that water's structure can be affected by human thoughts and emotions. Amazing, huh? So, as I was listening to some experiments he'd done with Magnetic Resonance, an idea started forming in my mind, and that's when the two magic words popped into my head. What if. In those few minutes, I created a character, Tristan. An hour later, I already had a story. A few hours later, I already had a Trilogy. And that same night, I started writing, with a big smile on my face.

The Trilogy follows the conflict between shifters and Insurgents, a fraction of shifters who won't stop at nothing to free themselves from a Covenant with humans that stops them from killing, and Kalista's bumpy journey through this dangerous quest as she falls in love with both, good guy and bad guy from each side. The Ylem, the first book in this Trilogy, is a rollercoaster of emotions. You'll laugh, smile, curse (yes, you heard right), sigh, and fall in love all in one sitting. It's YA Paranormal romance at its finest. I've compiled everything I love to see in a book–romance, fantasy, mystery, comedy, deception–and put it all together in The Ylem.

How long did it take you to write The Ylem, from conception to release?

Mmm. It took me a long time, actually. Since it was my first writing experience, and since English is not my native language, it took me about eight months to end the first draft. Then other three months to polish it. And then other four months to add new chapters and rewrite several scenes (I was working with Bob Plunket, a stellar editor, back then). And then more and more countless nights after I realized my book was still too long (more than 117 000 words) and had to start working on trimming it down a bit. So, overall, it took about 2 years to really finish The Ylem and release it.

By now, I know that publishing is a long process where patience and perseverance come hand by hand.

Can you describe each of the main characters in one word?

Wow. This is hard. Okay, here it goes:

Kalista - Distrustful
Tristan - Stunning
Caleb - Loyal
Gavran - Immoral
Chloe - Envious

Can you talk to us a little bit about being a self published author?

Writing is a wonderful thing. You can go to places in your mind you would never expect to go. But if you want to share it with the world and make a living out of it, there's definitely a high price. Being an indie writer is though work. You don't have a design or marketing team, everything falls down on your shoulders. Thanks to wonderful blogs like A Life Bound by Books, our books can be promoted. But it's always time consuming.

Not everything is shady and dark, however. Being a self published author gives you more freedom, something I value tremendously when it comes to editorial and cover art decisions.

What are a few things you’d tell someone who’s looking into being a self published author?

As I said before, patience and perseverance are your best buddies to become a self-published author. Learn to accept criticism, because you'll have loads of it in your path, and savor it as the most delicious chocolate. Everyone says a writer needs to be though-skinned, but self-published writers need a Spartan armor. There's still a big stigma attached to indie books, so if you want to make your way in the vast publishing sea, you have to face that stigma and try to change it. Yes, big changes always mean hard work, but God, don't they feel good once you've brought them to fruition? I am still hoping I can join that Change.

Any books you’ve recently read and loved you’d like to talk about? How about books that will be released this year, is there anything you can’t wait to read?

I just read Desires of The Dead by Kimberly Derting and loved it! Violet and Jay's relationship is one of the cutest things I've come across in a book. And all that mystery going on…it's definitely worth your time.

As for a book I can't wait to put my hands on, I would have to say it's Hard Bitten. Chloe Neill does magic with her characters. I love every single one of them.

Can you tell us five random things about yourself?

I love to sing in the shower, buy baggy shirts, eat Wonka candies (though Jolly Ranchers too), ride rollercoasters (I am a big adrenaline junkie), and practice Poi (fire dancing, but I just started and can't actually dance with fire. I have to admit I am kind of afraid of searing my skin).

You have another series coming out – The Away series, can you tell us a little bit about it and when it’ll be released?

I love my new series *sigh*. There's more sexual tension in this one and more wit, which I absolutely adore. I can't tell you much about it, only that its lead character, Dafne, is the epitome of female power and that Ian, her twin's boyfriend is absolutely dazzling and everything a woman wishes for in a man *another sigh*. You'll just have to wait for Break Away to come out this Fall and see it for yourselves. I promise a good dose of mystery and fantasy, too!

Lastly, anything you’d like to say to future readers?

The Ylem is based on a true story! I am kidding. But wouldn't it be cool if it was? I would love to have a Caleb for myself.

Thanks so much for being here with us today Tatiana! It was a pleasure to have you and we hope you’ll drop in again soon!



Find Tatiana Online:

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Order The Ylem Online:

Barnes and Noble | Various other links to purchase

GIVEAWAY! Enter to win ONE of TWO

eBook Copies of The Ylem!

Rules and how to enter:

You MUST be at last 13 years old to enter.
You MUST complete the form below.
Giveaway open: INTERNATIONAL!
Giveaway ends: May 24th, 2011

Thanks to Titana for offering these two copies for the giveaway!

Good Luck to everyone who enteres. As always, unless otherwise stated, all winners are chosen using Random.org. If you have any questions, please check my policy page or feel free to email.

*I am not compensated at all for any of the links within this page.