Photo Credit: Diana Whiting, Natural Eye Photography
Kristen Britain grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, where she started her first novel - an undersea fantasy featuring herself and her friends - at the age of nine. She published her first book, a cartoon collection called, Horses and Horsepeople,at the age of thirteen. In 1987 she completed a degree in film production, with a minor in writing, at Ithaca College. After graduation, travel beckoned and she began a career as a ranger with the National Park Service, enabling her to work in a variety of natural and historical settings, from 300 feet below the surface of the Earth to 13,000 feet above sea level on the Continental Divide; and from the textile mills of the American Industrial Revolution to the homes of Americans who changed the course of history. Her first published epic fantasy novel, Green Rider, the story of a runaway school girl who finds herself in deep peril when she agrees to bear a message for a dying Green Rider (king’s messenger), was released in 1998.
Currently she lives in an adobe house in the high desert of New Mexico among the hummingbirds and lizards.
When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?
At some point when I was a young kid. I remember admiring the authors of books I read (those by Beverly Cleary, for instance) and thought it would be cool to write books. I even started my own first book in third or fourth grade. I also had a yen to be a cartoonist. I was in love with Snoopy and the Peanuts and later went on to do a horse cartoon book when I was about 13, and dreamed of becoming a cartoonist. Also about that time, I was smitten with The Lord of the Rings and started to write my own fantasy novel.
Does anything distract you from writing and if so, what?
Heh, everything. I am in the middle of moving, and that is a major distraction! But often simple things, like cats, or dishes in the sink can distract.
Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?
The Lord of the Rings made me want to be a fantasy author and look at me now! As for a book that made some profound change inwardly, I cannot pick one out, but I think reading in general has played a major part of who I am and how I see the world.
Do you prefer writing short stories or writing novels?
Novels. Though I must say it was very satisfying to produce the novella, The Dream Gatherer. I finished it in a matter of months as opposed to a matter of years.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
I think it’s the feedback from readers who tell me that the books helped them through a hard time, or inspired them to pursue a certain major or career, or changed their outlook on life. That’s pretty powerful, and amazing to think that something I wrote had that effect.
Can you tell my Book Nerd community a little about THE DREAM GATHERER?
The little book, The Dream Gatherer, contains two short stories and the eponymous novella, all linked to the world of the Green Rider Series. The novella itself follows the events of my last novel, Firebrand, where we catch up with some old friends. I hope the stories will give readers another view into the world of Sacoridia.
What was the most surprising thing you learned in creating your characters?
The most surprising, and sometimes alarming, thing I have learned about creating characters is that they often have minds of their own. Amberhill, for instance, was supposed to be a no-name one-off thug, but look at what he did!
What is your most memorable travel experience?
Probably running into Sean Connery in St. Andrews, Scotland. He was buying a sweater after a round of golf.
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
Blarg. Seriously. I am not a morning person, and when I get up, it’s just blarg.
What was the first job you ever had?
Hot walking polo horses.
Where can readers find you?
www.kristenbritain.com, Facebook, and Instagram. On November 3rd, I’ll also be having a book release party at the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, Maine. You are all invited!
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the New York Timesbestselling Green Rider series, this short volume introduces readers to new sides of Sacoridia in two new short stories and a novella.
In The Dream Gatherer, Kristen Britain presents a novella and two short stories set in the universe of her best selling Green Rider series in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the publication of her first novel, Green Rider.
The Dream Gatherer
Dreams can be dangerous. A visit with the eccentric Berry sisters turns dangerous when an arcane device is discovered in their house that can summon dreamers through their dreams, and one of them is a nightmare.
Wishwind
Finding peace during the Long War. Raised in an orphan camp, Green Rider Danalong has known only war and strife, until a shipwreck leaves him stranded on a mysterious island.
Linked, on the Lake of Souls
A story of friendship within a story of friendship. In the sixth volume of the Green Rider series, Firebrand, a wounded Karigan G'ladheon asks her friend Estral to tell her a story to take her mind off her pain. This is that story.
The book includes illustrations and backstory on the creation of Green Rider by the author, and a special introduction by award-winning science fiction and fantasy author, Julie E. Czerneda.
jbnpastinterviews
In The Dream Gatherer, Kristen Britain presents a novella and two short stories set in the universe of her best selling Green Rider series in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the publication of her first novel, Green Rider.
The Dream Gatherer
Dreams can be dangerous. A visit with the eccentric Berry sisters turns dangerous when an arcane device is discovered in their house that can summon dreamers through their dreams, and one of them is a nightmare.
Wishwind
Finding peace during the Long War. Raised in an orphan camp, Green Rider Danalong has known only war and strife, until a shipwreck leaves him stranded on a mysterious island.
Linked, on the Lake of Souls
A story of friendship within a story of friendship. In the sixth volume of the Green Rider series, Firebrand, a wounded Karigan G'ladheon asks her friend Estral to tell her a story to take her mind off her pain. This is that story.
The book includes illustrations and backstory on the creation of Green Rider by the author, and a special introduction by award-winning science fiction and fantasy author, Julie E. Czerneda.
Praise for the GREEN RIDER Series
“Green Rider is a wonderfully captivating heroic fantasy adventure…. Kristen Britain’s likable heroine and fast-paced plot kept me eagerly turning pages. This is the rarest of finds: a truly enjoyable read.” —Terry Goodkind, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sword of Truth series
“Kristen Britain is one of the most astonishing fantasy writers working today. She has created a richly imagined world where magic is as real as courage, and where a young woman’s heroism can change the course of history.” ―Tess Gerritsen, author of The Apprentice
“Britain keeps the excitement high from beginning to end, balancing epic magical battles with the humor and camaraderie of Karigan and her fellow riders.” —Publishers Weekly
“Readers of epic fantasy and series followers will want this finely honed, skillfully crafted tale.” ―Library Journal
“The intermittent sense of foreboding is offset by a healthy dose of old-fashioned adventure—kidnappings, a noble thief, near drowning, divine visitations, ghosts, a visit to an upscale brothel, and some very bad knife throwing—that provides a satisfying temporary conclusion despite this being very much a middle novel with serious nastiness still looming.” —Locus
“The gifted Ms. Britain writes with ease and grace as she creates a mesmerizing fantasy ambiance and an appealing heroine quite free of normal clichés.” —RT Reviews
“This captivating fantasy is filled with adventure, action, and heroes. Karigan grows tremendously as a person and in the end finds her own place in this world. The characters, including minor ones, are well-developed and the plot is complex enough to get the reader thinking. This is a real page-turner.” —VOYA
“Kristen Britain writes so beautifully that I never want to have to put her books down.” ―Fantasy Book Review
“Green Rider is a wonderfully captivating heroic fantasy adventure…. Kristen Britain’s likable heroine and fast-paced plot kept me eagerly turning pages. This is the rarest of finds: a truly enjoyable read.” —Terry Goodkind, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sword of Truth series
“Kristen Britain is one of the most astonishing fantasy writers working today. She has created a richly imagined world where magic is as real as courage, and where a young woman’s heroism can change the course of history.” ―Tess Gerritsen, author of The Apprentice
“Britain keeps the excitement high from beginning to end, balancing epic magical battles with the humor and camaraderie of Karigan and her fellow riders.” —Publishers Weekly
“Readers of epic fantasy and series followers will want this finely honed, skillfully crafted tale.” ―Library Journal
“The intermittent sense of foreboding is offset by a healthy dose of old-fashioned adventure—kidnappings, a noble thief, near drowning, divine visitations, ghosts, a visit to an upscale brothel, and some very bad knife throwing—that provides a satisfying temporary conclusion despite this being very much a middle novel with serious nastiness still looming.” —Locus
“The gifted Ms. Britain writes with ease and grace as she creates a mesmerizing fantasy ambiance and an appealing heroine quite free of normal clichés.” —RT Reviews
“This captivating fantasy is filled with adventure, action, and heroes. Karigan grows tremendously as a person and in the end finds her own place in this world. The characters, including minor ones, are well-developed and the plot is complex enough to get the reader thinking. This is a real page-turner.” —VOYA
“Kristen Britain writes so beautifully that I never want to have to put her books down.” ―Fantasy Book Review
You can purchase The Dream Gatherer at the following Retailers:
And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you KRISTEN BRITAIN for making this giveaway possible.
1 Winner will receive a Copy of The Dream Gatherer (Green Rider Series) by Kristen Britain.
Nice interview, looking forward to the book!
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