Author Biography

Cristy Zinn is the author of two fantasy novels, The Dreamer’s Tears and Of Magic and Memory and has published various short stories. She is enthralled by stories involving the fantastic – technological and magical. She works as an illustrator and graphic designer.

Cristy lives in Durban, South Africa with her husband and two teenagers who graciously endure her obsession with stories.

To find out more about Cristy and her work, visit her website: https://cristyzinn.com/

Cristy's Books

The Dreamer's Tears

SYNOPSIS
Ivy Bauble is about to become Apprentice to the Master of Transformations. Never mind that she's far too obsessed with Knightmares for her own good, or that she's not sure if she can trust Master Borinvere and his brooding ward, Declan.

But when the magical Tower fails to transform and protect the peaceful village of Newton, Ivy has her hands full with more than just the annoying Declan and her sketchbook full of Knightmare drawings. Those dark, dangerous beasts are all set to fly into Newton and destroy everything Ivy holds dear.

And of course, Ivy is the only one who can stop all of this.

Swept up into an adventure with hot air balloons, magical wells, tickering cars and dreadful, fire-breathing horses, Ivy Bauble’s life is about to change forever. And all because of Ivy’s unending curiosity.

You could win your very own eBook copy of The Dreamer's Tears!
Entering is super easy! Keep reading to find out how!

Of Magic And Memory

"When I originally wrote Of Magic And Memory, it was called ‘The Ribbon Thief’ and colour was really important."

SYNOPSIS
Of Magic & Memory is the story of Ava, a girl struggling to understand her magical abilities after her mother's sudden death.
When she discovers that her mother lead a double life, quietly caring for the winged Russet and his twin sister who live in the nearby mountains, she has to question everything she remembers about her past.

But there is someone in her town of VanVere who hates magic, someone who will go to great lengths to rid the town of it, including trying to have Ava kidnapped. With Ava spending more and more time with Russet and his sister, the added attention on her threatens to expose her new friends.

When all their lives are in danger from someone even more damaged than her, Ava will have to find the power in her own magic and memories to save them all.

Find my full review for Of Magic and Memory here: https://mrpinkink.wordpress.com/2018/09/16/book-review-016-of-magic-and-memory-by-cristy-zinn-including-author-interview/

Cristy has also been published in numerous anthologies - as shown below; more info available on GoodReads under her author page.

Looma Illustrations

Cristy also has her own illustration and design company - Looma Illustrations.

I am passionate about visual story telling, whether through book illustration, cover design, logo illustration or editorial illustration

Website : https://loomadesigns.co.za/

Author Interview

Go grab yourself a hot mug of coffee/tea, get comfortable in your favourite chair, wrap a little blanket around your knees and join me for a little conversation with Cristy...

What does being an independent author mean to you? Why did you choose to be independent?

I’m going to give you a very honest and somewhat controversial answer: sometimes I feel as though being an independent author was thrust upon me. I think I am much better suited to traditional publishing where you have an entire team of people around you to help you sell your book (I am awful at selling!) but there just isn’t an interest from publishers to buy niche fiction in South Africa. There are many valid and invalid reasons for this, which I won’t get into here, but at the end of the day a lot of us opt to tell our stories the only way we can. I’m fortunate because I belong to an awesome author co-op called Skolion (http://skolion.org/). Through the group we trade our various professional skills (editing, marketing, cover design, layout, illustration) and lend ourselves to each other’s projects. So far it’s working really well because you don’t feel like you’re just writing something and sending it into the world – there are other, less emotional, eyes on your work and together, it can be honed into something palatable for readers. I think this is a good combination of both the traditional and independent processes.

Sounds like a winning combination! If you could invite 3 people to dinner (fictional, deceased or otherwise) who would they be and why?

I think at this point in my life (and I guarantee this would change weekly!) I would choose three wise women: Molly Weasley from Harry Potter, because I would love some magical inspiration on how to raise wild, independent teenagers seeing as I have two of them in my house. Recently deceased poet, Mary Oliver, because her perception of the world is the most beautiful thing I have ever read and I’d love to hear her talk about it too. Sidra, the AI from Becky Chambers A Closed and Common Orbit, because she has transitioned from being a space ship to having a body and she has seen the world and various planets and alien cultures with such fresh eyes that I would love to pick her brain about all she’s seen and heard.

That definitely sounds like a party I'd love to attend! What are you currently reading? And what do you hope to pick up next?

I’m busy reading The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden. I absolutely adore this series because I love reading about outcasts who change the world… and I love reading books set in wintery places because I live in Durban where it is ALWAYS hot. For my next read, I’m planning to get my hands on Yolandie Horak’s (https://www.facebook.com/yhorak) new book A Study of Ash and Smoke. I was delighted to be a beta reader for her in the early stages but I can’t wait to read the finished product. She’s created a stunning world!

These books sound most intriguing - I have added them to my "To Check" list! Do you believe magic exists?

Hmmm, this one made me think hard. Of course I believe in magic in the metaphorical sense – that kindness can be magic, that love is magic and so on, but real magic? I can only say I hope so.

I certainly hope so, myself! If you could choose any animal to be your spirit animal, which would it be and why?

I think it would be an eagle owl. I prefer night to day, a few close friends or solitude over crowds (or flocks), and I prefer the cold to heat. I also love the idea of being able to fly and get a better perspective on the world that way. I think being adorable and deadly is also a fantastic combination.

Wow! The Eagle Owl definitely seems like a formidable bird and I do think it suits you! What can you tell us about your new book, Of Fear And Feathers?

It is a love story about two magical people but it is also a love story about a mountain and the magical things that happen on it. It’s a coming of age tale, a girl-finding-herself-in-the-world tale and a story of redemption. Mostly, its about opening your eyes and paying attention to the magic all around.

Totally looking forward to it - I definitely need more of Bonnie in my life! What is your favourite quote from The Dreamer's Tears?

“Declan, could you stop being negative for one minute? Something magical just happened right in front of your eyes!” Ivy says this to Declan at one point (I won’t say when because, spoilers!) and quite frankly, I think its brilliant advice for a number of grownups I know – including myself.

Awesome! Last question : What is your favourite dessert and why?

I adore lemon sorbet because it’s so tart and icy. Lemon is my favourite flavour in things.

Well, I like Lemon Meringue Pie and Lemon & Poppy Seed Muffins, so I think we may have a little something in common...

Giveaway : The Dreamer's Tears (eBook)

Here's your chance to win an ebook copy of The Dreamers' Tears by Cristy Zinn - it's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Open internationally!

Which animal would Cristy choose as her Spirit Animal?

Find the answer to this easy question in this post and then head over to my Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/p/BxnFEN6hL7J/) to enter.

(CLOSES: 31 May 2019)

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