Thunder Bay’s Fantasy writer, H. Leighton (Heather) Dickson has nailed it. Her latest novel, Ship of Spells, has been taken on by Red Tower Books was released on Nov 4. We managed to sneak in a chat over tea with Heather and learn more about her latest and greatest accomplishment and are happy to share the what, when’s, and how’s of what makes this magical author so…magical.
On your website you state, “I may be in my own little world, but that’s okay. They know me there.” What does this mean to you?
When I was a kid, I was a daydreamer, staring out of windows but imagining other worlds, other people, other landscapes. I’d often retreat to ‘my own little world’ and have adventures that I couldn’t in real life. It was a safe, fun place to explore and I think it’s what makes my writing so vivid and real, even if I’m describing something that doesn’t exist.
What genres have you written? How is Ship of Spells different from your previous books?
I’m a fantasy writer, and in that genre, there are many sub-genres. My books tend to explore and blend some of those sub-genres. The Upper Kingdom series is Epic Fantasy meets Science Fantasy. The Empire of Steam trilogy is Gothic meets Steampunk. The Dragon books are pure fantasy. With Ship of Spells, it’s a new genre called Romantasy, where the romance element is as strong a plotline as the fantasy element. Romance is the largest selling genre in the market nowadays, and it has a vastly different structure and beat than fantasy. I needed to learn those before the story could succeed.
Can you describe your writing career, from your first book to present?
My first book was Hammy the Hamster Goes to Space! I wrote it when I was in Grade 1, and my principal read it over the PA system during lunch breaks over the course of a week. I realized then that my writing could entertain people and I never looked back. I wrote a second novel in Grade 8 and entered it into a Kids Can Press contest. They reached out with an offer of publication, but I was so young that my parents declined. After that, I was always writing something and when I was working for DC Comics, I had this idea for a graphic novel that kept swirling around in my brain. I began to write out the story, and that’s what eventually became To Journey in the Year of the Tiger, the first in the Upper Kingdom series. Amazon was just starting to publish indie books, so I took a chance, put it out there, and to my surprise, it sold. Not only did it sell,
I started getting ‘fan mail,’ so I kept at it and now have ten indie books on the market, along with Ship of Spells with Red Tower.
What was your reaction when you were repped by D. Ellis Wilson of Looking Glass Literary and Media?
I was an indie author for so long that I wasn’t sure I wanted to get ‘back in the trenches’ with a literary agent, but Ellis won me over. They were the perfect fit for my rather unusual ‘powerful but geeky’ style! Ellis is also an editing agent, and the collaborative process with them as we worked on polishing Ship of Spells was a fantastic experience. I’m very grateful we’re on this journey together.
Can you give our readers a glimpse into what your new book, Ship of Spells, is about?
When Ensign Bluemage Honor Renn is rescued from the wreckage of her first naval post, she expects death or disgrace. Instead, she wakes aboard the Touchstone, a mythic vessel whispered of in dockside ballads and royal war rooms alike. With a crew of misfits and a mysterious, elven captain, their mission is tied to the Dreadwall, the crumbling barrier that has kept Oversea and Nethersea from open war for a hundred years.
But the tragedy that sank her last ship didn’t just take lives―it left something behind. Now Renn carries a secret everyone wants. A magik that’s chimeric, arcane...and slowly killing her. But the captain’s mission may be her only chance to survive, even if he still doesn’t trust her. Caught between privateers, princes, and spies, Renn knows each choice could sink her future – or set the sea on fire.
You have always self-published, and done very well with that, but now that you are being repped the experience has changed. Can you tell us a bit about the experience of working with an agent?
It’s not just working with my agent that has changed things – working with Red Tower Books has been a huge learning experience. As an indie, you do everything yourself from cover design to marketing, and if you don’t have the skills, you find someone who does. It’s all on you and fortunately, I’m a quick learner. But with the publishing process, it’s collaborative. There is an Art Department and a Marketing team.
I worked with three different editors and an author experience team. All have valid ideas and opinions, and I worked with almost a dozen people to help bring Ship of Spells to market. At first, it was hard because, as an indie, I’m used to doing everything myself, but when I began to see results, and how my work changed for the better, I grew more comfortable. It’s really true when people say ‘writing is an art, but publishing is a business,’ and I have to admit that this team knows the business way better than I do!
What’s happening next in your career as a writer?
Ship of Spells is the first of two books, so I’m working on book two now. I also have one more Dragon book in the works, and I’m plotting the wrap up of my Upper Kingdom series. So, still lots of writing in my future! But these next few months will be about promoting Ship of Spells, so I get to play the role of ‘successful author’ with podcasts, interviews and book tours!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
To be honest, writing for Bayview was a huge opportunity for me. Not only did I learn how to craft articles about varying experiences, I was also able to hone my craft. I learned about word count and hooks, about capturing the heart or the essence of a story while incorporating relevant details. It also showed I could be paid for my content, and that was huge in qualifying for grants. I got an Ontario Arts Council grant for Ship of Spells, and I’m grateful to the Bayview community for encouraging me along the way!
To learn more about Heather and her novels you can visit her website at www.hleightondickson.com.
