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Deborah Jay | Discover Books & Novels on CraveBooks

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Deborah Jay
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Member Since: 12/2022

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deborah Jay writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy featuring complex, quirky characters and multi-layered plots – just what she likes to read.

Fortunate to live near Loch Ness in the majestic, mystery-filled Scottish Highlands with her partner and a pack of rescue dogs, she can often be found lurking in secluded glens and forests, researching locations for her books.

 A lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy, she started writing her first novel aged eight, and has never stopped. Her first published novel is epic fantasy, THE PRINCE’S MAN, winner of a UK Arts Council award and a best seller in the US, Australia and Canada. #2 in The Five Kingdoms series, THE PRINCE’S SON, #3, THE PRINCE’S PROTÉGÉ, and #4, THE PRINCE’S HEIR, the concluding book in the quartet, are all available.

Her first urban fantasy, DESPRITE MEASURES

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

Hi, I'm a professional horse rider by trade, former international competitor (dressage) and author of equestrian books as well as fantasy novels. I am fortunate to live in the glorious Scottish Highlands (known here as 'God's own country) with my partner and a pack of rescue dogs, all with special needs that mean they can't be adopted into regular homes. Between all of this, I'm kept pretty busy!

When and why did you start writing books?

I began writing my first book when I was eight years old. I didn't finish one until I was in my 20s, but I wrote a lot of words in that time. I was an avid reader of SF and fantasy novels, and somehow it never occurred to me that I wouldn't also write them.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

I entered a couple of competitions, and won one of them, which sent me on a residential writing course. I had plenty of encouragement from a couple of big name authors, and gained an agent at my first attempt. My writing got plenty of praise from publishers, but no sale for that book, so I approached a non-fiction publisher and sold my first equestrian book, again, at first attempt. I have had two more commissioned since then, but decided to self-publish my fiction, to enable me to keep more control of my own career.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

'THE PRINCE'S MAN' is my favourite - I love my viewpoint character, Rustam Chalice, who developed out of my frustration with the James Bond movies, and the lack of character development for 007.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

'THE PRINCE'S SON', which is the follow-up to 'Prince's Man' was the hardest. There were so many story threads to take forward, and it ended up having two parallel time lines, which was a challenge to keep straight. Also, after the success of 'Prince's Man', I felt slightly paralysed by reader expectations. I've learned since that I have to write to my own vision, and not what other people may suggest in their lovely reviews.

Who is your favourite author and book?

A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula Le Guin

What book are you reading right now?

Tale of the Seasons' Weaver by D. Wallace Peach

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Straight out of my head! I have always had a vivid imagination, and writing provides an outlet.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Spare time? What's that?

Do you have any new books in the works?

Yes, I am currently over half way through writing 'FRAGILE', which is a standalone origin story of one of the main characters in my FIVE KINGDOMS series.