Hi! Today, I get to feature another author in the 9nth annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off! Natalie Kelda not only writes, she also draws and explores other creative activities, and her debut novel and SPFBO 9 entree (which by the way placed well in the cover contest; and no, it had nothing to do with all the drama – that’s a different book) is currently on 99cent sale til the 28th (August, 2023).
River in the Galaxy
River in the Galaxy: When Merlon’s parents disappeared, his world fell apart. When his best friend died, he lost the ability to enjoy life.
For Captain Merlon Ricosta, Lanier’s death, two years prior, feels like yesterday. But when a map from his parents is discovered, he decides to push aside his grief to get closure and follow the route they vanished along eighteen years ago.
Despite political trouble, Merlon leads his crew into the unknowns of strange galaxies in his quest to find out why his parents never returned.
In River in the Galaxy Merlon fights to keep his crew alive and suppress his prolonged grief and depression. But he must face his own struggles in order to protect the ship and the people aboard.
And with that gorgeous, intriguing cover …
Onto the Questions!
As a Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO) Entrant, you’re not just independently published, but self-published. Can you start by explaining a bit about why you chose that route and how it’s been for you?
I’ve been thinking about self-publishing for over a decade, but it never felt like the right time. After querying my historical fiction a few years ago I realised the “market” in traditional publishing is very narrow. Since my author voice is heavily influenced by the fact I’ve grown up in Denmark rather than say Great Britain or America, finding an agent proved futile – I don’t write in the “right” way.
I also knew my fantasy series was unconventional. It’s fantasy, but in space and with elements of both horror and sci-fi mixed with the more literary style of being heavy on internal dialogue and character development rather than big action scenes in the typical space opera style. In the end I decided this series was better off with me being in full creative control, I knew how I wanted the covers to look and who I wanted to make them, had an ideal publishing schedule in mind and an inkling of how I would like to market it.
Thus far it’s been a wonderful, stressful, and fantastic experience. I was scared and almost changed my mind about publishing my debut at least a hundred times in the past year but launch and the first months have seen an incredible response.
I love fantasy that’s heavier on internal dialogue and character development as opposed to the more typical big action scenes! That sounds so neat! That’s awesme you took your courage in your hands and have received a wonderful response!
On a related note, why did you enter the SPFBO contest? How do you expect to find it? Refreshing your blog’s page every five minutes, or sit back and chill?
I didn’t know much about SPFBO until the month before sign up to be honest. I had seen other books in the finalist rounds and knew some people who had authored those books but I sort of decided on a whim the week before that I should try. If not for all the encouragement I had from my first readers, I doubt I’d have even thought to try and enter.
I’ve already had a much better outcome than expected. River in the Galaxy was nominated for the now maybe defunct cover contest and I managed to have my best ever sales month with a short SPFBO related sale in May.
I don’t expect to make it far in the main competition but also haven’t even had a look at where semi-finalists might be announced. I have two modes only, either I’m a complete wreck or I forget to check for 2 years unless somebody else tells me what’s going on. I’m trying hard to stay in the laid back mode for now.
That sounds like a plan. It’s not as if refreshing the blog pages all the time and worrying about it constantly actually does anything to improve your book’s placings. 😀 That’s awesome about the placings!
Book titles. Why did you choose the title River in the Galaxy (awesome title, by the way)?
I never really know where book titles come from. River in the Galaxy (and the sequel, Outer Universe) have always had that title, even when I started a “3 page short story” based on a cool dream I had 7 years ago.
Over the course of the series, I’ve discovered there is actually a pattern/naming convention I hadn’t realised I followed. The title has to include a setting clue that relates to where in the fantasy world at least parts of the story takes place. I have 3 exceptions but until those titles are revealed I’ll have to keep stum about why those are different.
That’s all right! We’ll wait 😀 But that is pretty cool! The titles – the way it came from a way – and the pattern you have there!
I won’t ask for your favourite scene since I know some people don’t have those (like me; I never have favourites), but can you share a (non-spoiler) scene you really like and you just can’t believe how awesome it is every time you go back to re-read it? Or tell us about a character you just love!
One of my critique partners made me include the flashbacks I hadn’t initially kept in the final drafts of River in the Galaxy. With the main character, Merlon, struggling so much with the loss of his best friend, he sometimes felt too inactive and depressed to early readers. Including those three short flashbacks brings to the forefront the reality of losing your friend to cancer. Those scenes got me the most on every revision pass because of how raw and real Merlon’s grief feels. I hope the scenes hit home for other people as well and maybe make them feel less alone in the fight to regain the strength to go on even when those closest to you couldn’t.
Things like prologues and flashbacks take a lot of hate. I don’t know why. Anything can be done well – or poorly. That sounds like ‘done well’!
What are some elements or themes, or combinations thereof, that really make your book stand out to you?
Related to the answer above, the themes of grief and depression are close to me. The entire series focuses on struggling with yourself and your own mind more so than others even though there often are external antagonists, they are rarely where the real battle takes place.
I know it’s getting more popular these days, but I still don’t see enough authentic representation of mental health struggles in fiction. This is especially an issue in genres like fantasy where characters often get put through horrors untold and yet somehow don’t seem as marked by it as most real people would be.
I hope others can read my debut and see a sliver of themselves in Merlon. That they get the feeling of having to drag yourself through each day without knowing what the purpose is and feeling lost or unable to find joy in life. And I hope if they go on to read the concluding sequel to River in the Galaxy, they like Merlon will see there is hope at the end, even if it’s but a sliver of candlelight, fighting the darkness in your mind is worth it.
I find that, too! There’s all these epic fantasy – and many of those stories deserve a deeper look into the character’s internal struggles. Of course, that can slow down the plot! Or create the dreaded “You can’t tell what the main antagonist is” dilemma. Personally, I rather like that, though!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? Something book-related, but take it in your own direction!
If you have at all connected with or nodded when I talked about mental health struggles and seeing yourself in fantasy books, or if you’re curious about wooden ships in space, the first two books in my series are out now. River in the Galaxy and Outer Universe is a self-contained duology within the larger Inner Universe series all set in the same vast, alien world. If you remain uncertain, I have some free short stories in that same world available on medium (https://medium.com/@n.kelda).
Thank you for sharing all of that! — And I think that’s cool with a self-contained duology within a larger series!
Danish by birth, Natalie Kelda now lives in the green hills of Yorkshire, UK. She spends her evenings writing, drawing, and creating while only mildly hindered by her adventure cat, Barry.
You can find Natalie at her Website or on Twitter. Her SPFBO 9 entry, River in the Galaxy, can be found from various retailers – or you can check it on Goodreads or Storygraph.
River in the Galaxy is on 99cent sale from now til the 28th August (2023). The sequel is also discounted!
And there’s also the sequel …
Outer Universe is the continuation and conclusion of Merlon’s story in the Inner Universe series.
“With immense losses, Merlon and his crew have escaped the cannibals of Ivory, but now they are stuck in the wrong universe with no idea which way home lies.”
Get Outer Universe here.
Enthralled By Love 