Interview with Amy Cissell, Author of Raising a Demon (Eden Valley Book 1)

What can you tell us about your new release, Raising a Demon?

Raising a Demon is the first in a new series (Eden Valley). It’s a paranormal women’s fiction book with a helping of a snarky kid who’s definitely chaotic good(ish), amazing friends in their 40s who’ve been through thick and thin (and now hell) together, and a hot-as-sin man in town for a second chance. There’s romance, friendship, and parenting and the main character (and her bff’s) are all in their 40s. 

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember. I devoured books from the time I was a child, often clearing out the YA section of the bookmobile by the end of summer, something that was encouraged by my parents. My dad was an author, too, we did NaNoWriMo together every year until he died in 2012. After that, I set a goal to be published within 5 years.  My first book was published in 2017, and Raising a Demon is book thirteen!

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Oof. This is so hard! My number one is Good Omens. I keep copies of it on hand to give to people who’ve not yet read it. I love urban fantasy & paranormal romance, and Ilona Andrews’s Kate Daniels series is the one I always come back to. I still have the copy of The Hobbit & the Lord of the  Rings books my dad gave me when I was 11, and have read them so many times they’re falling apart. (I even have a Smaug tattoo!) Madeline L’Engle’s Wrinkle in Time series was the first thing that inspired me to write fanfic, and I still have a thing for Mrs. Whatsit to this day. And Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series is what made me want to write fantasy in addition to wanting to fall into a fantasy world a la Narnia.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I’d want to talk to N.K. Jemisin and ask her about her world-building. It’s brilliant and captivating and I’m always in awe of her talents.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love the beginning when I’m working through a new idea and everything feels so fresh and inspiring. My second favorite thing is typing “The End.” 

What is a typical day like for you?

I get up at about 6 and write (with noise-canceling headphones to drown out my darling demon child) until 8. Breakfast with the kid, day job until 5, write until 6, then done for the day. (I also do freelance editing, so sometimes I’m doing that instead of writing.)

What scene from Raising a Demon was your favorite to write?

Anything with Lily (the demon child). I modeled her after my own kid, snark & language & all, and getting to write the mother/daughter relationship and basing it so much on my relationship with my kid was so much fun. 

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

The first is: “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou & the second: “People who don’t worry at least a little about semicolons aren’t likely to be writers.” – Ursula Le Guin 

Amy Cissell is the author of the new book Raising a Demon (Eden Valley Book 1)

Connect with Amy Cissell

Author Site

Facebook

Buy The Book