Today, it is my great pleasure to welcome Kate M Colby who is co-hosting this indie blog tour with me. Since I first ‘met’ Kate on Facebook (was it? Or Twitter) last year, I have enjoyed her company, her good sense, her encouragement, and good advice on my own indie publishing journey. She is an author of science-fiction/fantasy novels and informative nonfiction. Her first series, Desertera, consists of steampunk dystopian novels with themes of socio-economic disparity, self-empowerment, romance, and revenge. She lives in the United States with her husband and furry children.

The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1) In a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland, one king rules with absolute power and unquenchable lust, until the cogsmith’s daughter risks everything for vengeance.
Two-hundred years ago, the steam-powered world experienced an apocalyptic flood. When the waters dried up, the survivors settled around their steamship in a wasteland they named Desertera. Believing the flood and drought were caused by a scorned goddess, the monarchs demanded execution for anyone who commits the unforgivable sin — adultery.
Today, King Archon entraps his wives in the crime of adultery, executing each boring bride to pursue his next infatuation. Most nobles overlook King Archon’s behavior, but when Lord Varick’s daughter falls victim to the king’s schemes, he vows revenge.
When Aya Cogsmith was a young girl, King Archon had her father executed for treason. Orphaned and forced to turn to prostitution for survival, Aya dreams of avenging her father’s death. When Lord Varick approaches Aya with plans for vengeance, she agrees to play the king’s seductress — even though it puts her at risk for execution. Packed with high-society intrigue, dappled with seduction, and driven by revenge, The Cogsmith’s Daughter is a new adult steampunk dystopian novel with the perfect mixture of conspiracy and romance.

Currently Untitled (Desertera #2) coming out later this year!

What was the inspiration behind your book?
My initial inspiration was The Arabian Nights, a tale in which the king believes women cannot be faithful. Therefore, he weds young virgins, then has them executed after the marriage is consummated. After proofreading a few reviews of the story for one of my professors, a thought struck me: What if adultery were illegal in this kingdom altogether? And that is how Desertera and Aya’s quest for revenge was born.

Who is your favorite character?
Hands down, Queen Zedara. At first, I didn’t intend for her to feature in the story except for in the few social settings in which Aya has to greet the royal couple. However, her sass and spunk won me over, and in the end, I couldn’t resist giving her a little more “page” time. She reminds me a lot of my best friend.

What is one thing you want readers to know or “get” about your book?
It doesn’t fit neatly into one box. I know all authors feel like their books are special, genre-crossing snowflakes, but I promise mine is. You’re not going to get the classic Victorian-era, London steampunk here. Likewise, you’re not getting an entirely bleak, post-apocalyptic wasteland. You’re getting something in the middle, and if you let go and allow me to take you on the journey, you may just be pleasantly surprised! Also – because of the title, some readers assume it’s a young adult novel. Just so we’re clear: words like “adultery,” “prostitution,” and “seductress” means 18 and up.

Who is your ideal reader? Or, who will enjoy your book?
My ideal reader is someone who likes to read books for entertainment, but who doesn’t mind the occasional social message wiggled in. Originally, my intended audience was females, ages 20 through 40, but I’ve quickly learned that men also enjoy my work! If you like strong female protagonists, socially-conscious themes, twists that make you feel smart as well as ones that catch you off-guard, chapter endings that force you to keep reading, cogs and gears, and a dash of steamy (but tasteful) romance, I bet you’ll adore my writing.

What three writing tips do you have for aspiring authors?

1. Write for love first and money second. You should want to read your own book (trust me, you’ll do it dozens of times), but make sure it’s still marketable if you want to turn a profit. If not, go crazy!
2. Realize that no one cares about you (yet!). Right now, you are a krill in an ocean. Once you make peace with that, you can focus on growing yourself into a whale, one day at a time.
3. Straddle the line between “plotting” and “pantsing.” It doesn’t have to be one or the other. My advice is to have a beginning, middle, and ending, then let your characters run loose in the gaps.

Where can readers buy your book?

Amazon (all countries) – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0996782508?keywords=the%20cogsmith%27s%20daughter&qid=1454458705&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cogsmiths-daughter-kate-m-colby/1122713259?ean=2940152250190

Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-cogsmith-s-daughter-desertera-1

iBooks – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cogsmiths-daughter-desertera/id1043808485?mt=11

Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/580266

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26499463-the-cogsmith-s-daughter

Where can readers learn more about you?

Website – http://katemcolby.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKateMColby

Twitter – https://twitter.com/KateMColby

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/KateMColby

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/KateMColby/

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/katemcolby

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemcolby

Google+ – https://plus.google.com/+KateMColby

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/katemcolby