Raven Bower--Guest author from Hydra Publications

Today we have the pleasure of talking with Raven Bower, co-author of Primal and on the Hydra Publications roster. In our interview, she explores what it's like working with a spouse, agents, Hydra, and the process of writing role playing games. We welcome her to All Things Writing!

Mary Ann: What's it like to work as a husband and wife team? Do you ever have to go to your separate corners or take a time out?

Raven: It’s both a blessing and curse! We love working together but we do have to sometimes take a ‘time out’. As we’re both naturally stubborn people, we can sometimes get our sites on two entirely different things and working it out can take some doing.

Tell us about your latest work. I gotta say that the cover is awesome!

Our latest work is Primal, a gritty and saucy urban fantasy that mingles aspects of the supernatural world – Wrey’s talents with nature and Arvon, werewolves and other beasties – with crime fiction – including the ruthless organized crime gang the Rekin, the FBI, US Marshals and the witness protection program.

How did you get involved with Hydra Publications?

I loved their Hydra sigil! And as I browsed their site, their books and covers were intriguing. When I submitted and started talking to their editor, Frank, he was simply a great guy. Easy to work with, outgoing and into RPGs! We were very pleased when he offered a contract and have been in great hands ever since.

I have to say that I can understand where you are coming from here. I checked out the Hydra Publication site and have to say that I was impressed with the covers and with the stories being produced. I've actually had the good fortune to read several books put out by Hydra and will be reviewing them in the next few weeks. Good stuff!

So, agent or no agent? Where do you stand on agents and authors?

I think it depends entirely on the author. With the small to mid-range presses having an agent isn’t necessary and to a large degree, it’s unwanted. As in, most authors if they’re pro-active and outgoing, can make a better case for themselves and know their own work better – thus enabling them to find a better fit.

If the author is going for some of the bigger houses that are ‘Agent Only’ presses, then it’s best to gain an agent first.

A good agent is worth their weight in gold, a bad agent – eh, well, it’s better to have no agent at all than to deal with a rotten apple of that sort.

I notice that you also write RPG books, too. What kind of games do you create?

Mostly fantasy. We love to create game content – RPG scenarios, monster write-ups and the like. We’ve also done some editing to the d6 Epic program put out by Final Sword Productions and will be doing some GMing utilizing their system during the 2013 Convention season. Fun stuff!

Hydra Publications is also seriously considering opening up a RPG line, which, if they do, we’ll be hopping on board there as well to write content and scenarios.

Neither of us are into the actual mechanic development or writing though, we’re the content end.

How is the process different when it comes to writing a novel vs a RPG?

With a novel you have, almost, free rein and the main focus is providing an exciting read for your reader. You have full control of the characters and know each one like you know yourself, so the story flows and has natural congruity.

With writing RPG content, you have to pay attention to rules that might not be your own and the main focus is creating an adventure that players will find exciting to participate in. Since you’re never completely sure what sort of characters will participate – rogues, priests, warriors, mages etc. or what alignment they might be – good, evil, chaotic, neutral etc – that can take some doing!

Tell us where we can find you and buy your books!

All of them are available at Amazon.com –

http://www.amazon.com/Primal-Raven-Bower/dp/0615638821/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337259569&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Apparations-Raven-Bower/dp/1934153982/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334071636&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Wendigo-Raven-Bower/dp/1934153338/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1334071292&sr=1-2

Thanks for being with us today! I look forward to reading your book! For those of you already salivating over the cover, here is a little blurb about Raven and Lain's book, Primal.

Pursued by a ruthless crime lord after witnessing the murder of an FBI agent, Wrey must rebuild the life they stole from her. When she meets mysterious Arvon Night, her precious new life unravels as she's thrust into a web of betrayal, lust and violence.

Arvon knows he must slay Wrey to keep his secret safe from those who hunt him. Each hour his enemies stalk closer, ready to kill.

Can Wrey's powers of nature and spirit help her survive the yearning and dangerous Arvon and the tide of peril he brings with him? Or will an opportunistic hitman take advantage of them both?