Interview: Emily Pikkasso, Author of The Oak King's Daughter

Joining us today is author Emily Pikkasso. She lives on a farm that she shares with a multitude of creatures. Emily’s first poems and short stories were published while still in grade school. We’ll be talking about her writing today and about The Oak King’s Daughter, her recent release from MuseItUp Publishing.


Welcome to The Book Connection, Emily. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a proud Albertan and horsewoman. I live on a farm near Balzac, Alberta with three horses, one pony, twenty-four chickens, various dogs, cats and whatever else happens to wander into the yard. I enjoy writing poetry and stories, both long and short.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in southern Ontario in the suburbs of Toronto.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

I remember the first time I rode a horse; it was at the Bowmanville Zoo. The horse was a bay and we rode around in a little circle, I was about three and surprisingly I can still see the horse’s ears and smell that lovely horsey smell.

When did you begin writing?

I honestly can’t answer that. I have been writing as long as I can remember, little stories and lines of poetry were always floating into my mind when I was a kid, not much has changed. The thoughts just have a bit more structure now.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

I write anytime, anywhere. I keep a journal with me when we drive to my son’s in Saskatchewan because my Muse always seems to be active when the wheels are rolling under me. I write best late at night when it is quiet and the world around me is sleeping.

What is this book about?

The Oak King’s Daughter is based loosely on the old Welsh myth about the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak king rules the six months of summer and the Holly King the six months of winter, so twice a year on the Solstices the two fight - generally over a woman who represents the Earth and sovereignty. Predictably, the Oak king wins at Winter Solstice because now the sun begins to strengthen and the days grow slowly longer, the Holly king wins at Summer Solstice since from that time until the next solstice the sun loses a little bit of strength each day. In my tale the Oak King has a daughter named Dara and the Holly King wishes to steal her away. How he works to accomplish that feat is quite innovative if I do say so myself.

What inspired you to write it?

I wanted to see if I could. I don’t write a lot of romance and there were so many romance publishing houses represented at the Muse OnLine Conference I thought perhaps I should give it go. I’m quite pleased with the result and I hope my readers will be too.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My writing partner Lynne in Surrey, B.C. and my BFF Carol.

Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?

No, I don’t belong to a critique group, but Lynne and I exchange manuscripts for feedback all the time and another MuseItUp author and I exchange ideas with each other as well.

Who is your favorite author?

Charles de Lint, he’s Canadian and lives in Ottawa. He writes Urban Fantasy as well as Celtic Fantasy.

Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?

No

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

The road to getting the two books that are coming out this year was a bit bumpy but it all worked out for the best in the end.

If you knew then, what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?

I would have started to submit earlier and I would have told my younger self to believe in myself and the dream and not worry so much about what other people thought.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

The Oak King’s Daughter is available from the MuseItUp Bookstore, Omnilit and Bookstrand at the moment.

http://museithotpublishing.com/

Just go to the website and click on my award winning cover.


https://www.omnilit.com/product-theoakking039sdaughter-502176-143.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/the-oak-kings-daughter


Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

I have a website. http://www.emilypikkassoauthor.ca/.  I welcome feedback from my readers and can be contacted at emilypikkasso@gmail.com

Do you have a video trailer to promote your book? If yes, where can readers find it?

I do! It is on youtube and is the magical creation of D.K. Renders.

http://youtu.be/k15gfrTSXhY

What is the best investment you have made in promoting your book?

I think the trailer, I love it. Although I have gotten a lot of mileage out of some promotional things I have ordered like full color postcards and magnets.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Write, write, write and submit. Believe in yourself.

What is up next for you?

I have had a story accepted for MuseItHot’s Lacey’s Lamp series which will be debuting in 2012. A whole year of spicy stories with a similar theme. The stories all take place in a bar called Lacey’s Lamp which is run by a genie who grants you one wish. After that, hold on to your hat because it’s all up to the individual author at that point. Mine is called "Choices" and is scheduled for March 2011. I can’t wait.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thanks for allowing me to be your guest, I hope I have entertained your followers and inspired them to start or keep writing, and of course to rush to their computers and scoop up a copy of The Oak King’s Daughter.

Author Spotlight: The Oak King's Daughter by Emily Pikkasso

The Oak King's Daughter is a romance fantasy. Dara the Oak King's daughter, is in love with someone who her father deems unsuitable for her. Tinne, the court mage, is not worthy of his daughter in the Oak King's eyes. And, Tinne, well he seems to have an agenda all his own, or is he merely a pawn in a larger plan?

Dara decides to risk everything, including her father’s wrath, to run away with her lover, they succeed and Dara surrenders herself to Tinne, only to discover that the mage is more than what he seems.

Read an Excerpt!

“Soon, Oak King’s daughter, soon,” Tinne promised her.

Before Dara had time to think or change her mind, she was astride her fastest horse and racing through the forest with Tinne hot on her heels. Her father wouldn’t discover her missing until late tomorrow morning or early afternoon if she was lucky, they must be on the ship and away by then. Despite the urgency of their flight, Dara smiled as the heat in her belly rekindled and her breasts tingled at the memory of Tinne’s touch. Yes, the sooner we reach the ship the better.

Behind her Tinne grinned and pushed the horses faster. This was even better than kidnapping the Oak King’s daughter. Making her an accomplice in her own disappearance was a stroke of genius on his part and if it included pleasuring her young body, well that was a bonus too, wasn’t it? His master would be very pleased with him when he delivered the Oak King’s daughter. The only hitch in the plan was that Tinne had grown very fond of Dara for her own sake, not just a prize to be ransomed.

The dark ribbon of road cut across the rolling hills that shone palely in the fading moonlight. Dara smothered a yawn and concentrated on staying upright in the saddle of the racing horse beneath her. I think we should have made Oak Landing by now. Dara tried to force her brain to make some sense of her surroundings and then gave up. Let Tinne worry about where we are. I just want to get there and get him in bed.

Tinne allowed his stallion to come abreast of Dara’s gelding as they crested the top of the last row of hills. The lamps of Oak Landing shimmered in the hollow below them and the last light of the moon silvered the waters of the high tide. The vessel Tinne had arranged for bobbed gently at anchor on the gently rolling swells. He reached over and took Dara’s reins, drawing her horse to halt beside his. Tinne leaned toward Dara and ran his cold hand gently down her cheek and into the hollow of her throat. Dara’s breath caught in her throat and she swallowed thickly.

“Are you sure you wish to do this?” Tinne’s voice hung in the darkness between them. It was better to find out here, away from anyone who might feel obligated to help her, if Dara should decide to make a scene about getting on the ship.

“Yes, I want to go away with you, where my father can’t interfere in my life.” Dara smiled against the hand that now cupped her cheek. “I want to make love to you,” Dara rubbed her face into his hand and purred like a kitten.

“Very well, then Dara, the Oak King’s daughter. Let us go.” Tinne released the gelding’s reins but stayed close by Dara’s side as they rode into town and made their way to the docks.



Emily Pikkasso is a proud Albertan, and horsewoman. She lives on a farm near Balzac, Alberta with two horses, two ponies, various dogs, cats and whatever else happens to wander into the yard. Emily had her first poems and short stories published while still in grade school. She enjoys writing poetry and stories, both long and short. Emily welcomes feedback from her readers and can be contacted at emilypikkasso@gmail.com

Please visit her webpage at www.emilypikkassoauthor.ca

THE OAK KING'S DAUGHTER IS COMING IN JANUARY 2011 FROM MUSEITUP PUBLISHING!