Kristin Ward, author of After the Green Withered and Burden of Truth, lives in a small town in Connecticut with her husband, three sons, and many furry and feathered friends. Fueled by dark chocolate and coffee, she has been writing poems, prose, and academia for over twenty years.  

Questions and answers to get to know the author:

What inspired you to write a dystopian novel?

I was inspired to write this book while writing a graduate course in environmental education. As I read numerous topics regarding the history of the earth to the present, I couldn’t help but be struck by the incredible responsibility that humans have to the future of our planet.

How long have you been writing?

My writing aspirations began in 7th grade when my English teacher likened my writing to Saki, the author of The Interlopers. From that point on, I have written numerous poems, not all good, and have begun many stories that I hope to continue to develop and eventually publish.

What tips do you have for writers?

The publishing industry has changed over the years and writers are now in a position to self-publish their work instead of going through a traditional publishing house. This has perks and drawbacks. It is a very competitive industry and self-published authors are responsible for doing all of their own marketing. This is challenging for new authors, like myself, who are trying to break into the business and develop a readership. The upside is that I have complete creative control of my work. While I have an editor, his suggestions (they are amazing by the way) are there to guide me and not change my vision. I also determine the royalties and where and how my book will be published. If not for the self-publishing platform, I would not have attained my dream. My advice to aspiring authors is to reach for your publishing goals! If you dream of being an author, then make it happen. There are so many wonderful writers who collaborate and help each other develop their craft and connect with readers. You can do this!

What are you currently working on?

I have numerous story ideas that I'm exploring. At the moment, I am writing a fantasy story with an environmental twist. However, my husband brought up the idea of writing another installment of my dystopian fiction work and I find that idea intriguing. I would love to hear from readers to get an idea of what they would like to read!

You can read more about her daily life and humorous anecdotes on living in a house full of boys by visiting her website: writingandmythreesons.com or connecting on Twitter @YA_Author