We’re delighted to be chatting to JP McLean about her urban fantasy novel, Secret Sky, the first story in The Gift Legacy series.
Find out her inspiration, the scene she enjoyed writing the most, tips for new writers and more.
- Publisher : WindStorm Press (4 Nov. 2018)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 322 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1988125278
- ISBN-13 : 978-1988125275
Everybody wishes they could fly—until it happens.
When Emelynn Taylor wakes up in the emergency room, her injuries present Dr. Avery Coulter with more questions than answers. Who is this guarded young woman? Why was she found in the middle of Sunset Park? How can she have injuries consistent with falling from above the tree line? Seemingly from nowhere? And, more importantly: Why is she lying about it?
The truth is stranger than anyone could have imagined – least of all Emelynn herself.
Nine years earlier, during the same summer she’d lost her father, 12-year-old Emelynn accepted a ‘gift’ from a mysterious woman called Jolene. Now, as she recovers in Dr. Coulter’s emergency room, she’s left wondering if that blessing was really more of a curse. Jolene’s gift planted the seeds of incredible power within Emelynn – but what’s the point of such abilities if you can’t control them? Her emerging gift of flight, for example, nearly killed Emelynn when it sent her plummeting to the sidewalk in Sunset Park. Next time, she might not be so lucky.
But Emelynn is determined to master her abilities, and returns to the seaside cottage where Jolene had once granted her this ‘gift.’ There, Dr. Coulter guides Emelynn in uncovering a secret society of others just like her, who inhabit a mysterious world-within-a-world that challenges everything Emelynn thought she’d known. But the more she uncovers, the murkier the truth becomes. Soon, Emelynn is left questioning the motives of those she’d trusted the most – and is forced to rely on her barely mastered powers in a desperate fight for survival.
Secret Sky is the first book in the thrilling, otherworldly The Gift Legacy series by JP McLean. Seamlessly blending paranormal mystery, fantasy, and romance, this beautifully written and deeply resonant adventure will swoop you into a vivid, new reality and leave your imagination soaring.
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Author Interview
Hi Jo-Anne, welcome!
What was the idea/inspiration for your novel?
I’ve had recurring flying dreams since I was a child. They are my favourite dreams, and I know I’m not the only one who dreams of flying. So, writing a story about a secret society of people who can fly, fuelled my imagination.
I especially loved finding the words to describe the sense of freedom and wonder that I feel in my dreams.
What scene did you enjoy writing the most?
I loved writing the scene where the heroine, Emelynn Taylor, experiences her first solo flight.
She charges across the deck of a yacht, breaks free of gravity, then shoots into the sky.
It was exhilarating, and I felt myself cheering her on as I wrote it.
Did you do any research for your book Jo-Anne? What resources did you use?
I’ve done a lot of research for the book, which was a big surprise. I thought because the subject was a fantasy, I’d be fabricating the story as I went. But I’ve learned that there are always details that need to be researched.
For example, at what temperature does hypothermia set in? How long does it take to fly from Vancouver to Seattle? When does the sun set in Vancouver in September? How do you transport a one-hundred-and-ten-foot yacht in a hurry? All these details and countless others made their way into my books.
I used Google Maps extensively; peppered my nursing, engineering, social worker, and pilot friends; travelled down the coast to scope out a location for a pivotal scene; and visited a morgue, all in the name of research.
Can you share with us what you’re working on now?
I’ve just finished Blood Mark, a new book in a new series. It’s about a young woman who survives the mean streets of Vancouver, marked by a chain of blood-red birthmarks that circle her body. During her tortured nights, she is gripped by agonizing nightmares when she sees into the past. But what connects her birthmarks to her strange dreams? It isn’t until, one by one, the marks begin to disappear that she learns the deadly truth.
Are there any tips you could share with new writers?
I never imagined I would have an idea big enough to write a book. But I’ve come to learn that you don’t need that BIG idea. Sometimes starting with a smaller idea and building out from there is a fine place to begin.
I started my first book writing just one scene. The process of writing that scene prompted me to think about how I could grow that initial scene into a larger story idea. That scene turned into seven books.
Writing by its very nature is a solitary endeavour, which can leave you feeling adrift when you have problems with your writing. But you’re not alone.
Whether you’re having trouble with craft or confidence, the writing community can usually help, and they’ve proven themselves generous. At least that’s been my experience.
Local libraries will often know of writing groups you can join, or you can find an online community.
Join a few Facebook or Goodreads groups. You may find your answers in the posted threads, but if not, reach out and ask for help.
I hope you are pleasantly surprised with the support you find.
Have you joined any writing groups?
I belong to three writing groups.
The largest is the one I coordinate on Denman Island with 25 members who write fiction and non-fiction in every genre. We’ve been meeting monthly since 2014 and use the meetings to hone our readings and get feedback on everything from presentation to content.
The two other writing groups I belong to have three writers each, and those groups work more in depth, critiquing every aspect of the writing, and sharing marketing and promotion tips and opportunities.
Do you make use of local resources for promoting your book?How does that work?
My local bookstore, Abraxas Books here on Denman Island, has been stalwart in their support of my books since the first in the series was published.
They’ve sold more books than any other indie retailer. In addition, they’ve hosted and promoted in-store book signings, and each year at the Denman Readers’ and Writers’ festival, they proudly display and sell local authors’ books.
As for libraries, I’ve done readings at all the local libraries. Libraries respond to their patrons and will order books their patrons want to read. I’m very lucky to have my books in many libraries across Canada.
Finally, what has been the best part of your writing journey so far?
The best part has been hearing from readers. It has been a pleasant surprise to hear first-hand what characters they love, which scenes resonated with them, and which actors they see in the various roles.
It’s been especially fun to hear their suggestions for future story ideas.
Thank you for being our guest. Wishing you success with all your projects Jo-Anne.
JP (Jo-Anne) McLean is an urban fantasy and supernatural thriller author best known for The Gift Legacy series. The first book of the series received Honourable Mention at the Whistler Independent Book Awards. Her short story, Boone Park, won honourable mention from the Victoria Writers’ Society. Reviewers call her writing addictive, smart and fun. Her books include endorsements from Ethel Wilson award-winning author Jennifer Manuel and bestselling author, Elinor Florence. The series has been described as fantasy light and is a good introduction to the genre for the uninitiated.
JP’s body of work was included in the centennial anthology of the Comox Valley Writers Society, Writers & Books: Comox Valley 1865–2015. She is a member of the Federation of BC Writers and the Alliance of Independent Authors. Her articles have appeared in WordWorks Magazine, Wellness and Writing hosted by Colleen M Story, Mystery Mondays blog hosted by Kristina Stanley, and others.
Jo-Anne holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, is a certified scuba diver, an avid gardener, and a voracious reader. She had a successful career in Human Resources before turning her attention to writing.
JP lives on Denman Island, nestled between the coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Raised in Toronto, Ontario, JP has lived in various parts of North America from Mexico and Arizona to Alberta and Ontario before settling on Canada’s west coast.
You can reach her through her website at jpmcleanauthor.com.
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