Sarah Beth James is an author who mastered the art of writing despite struggling with dyslexia. She writes LGBTQ+ mythology and fairytale retellings.
LQ: Tell me about yourself:
SJ: I’m 37, a bisexual author from England. I have dyslexia so being taken seriously in my field has been a struggle over the years, but I am very lucky to have now both found a supportive publisher and an external editor for any self-published books I create. They understand my talents, helping me become the best I can be. I work in events, which means I get to see some amazing bands play live. As well as giving me a wealth of ideas for future books. I write mostly LGBTQ* fictions as well as fantasy. Which also dips into twisted tales and mythology.
LQ: What does your writing process look like?
SJ: To anyone else, I am pretty sure it looks like a total mess as well as a waste of time. I always handwrite all my books before I type them. I just can’t focus on a computer screen to create new words. I also have this annoying (even to me sometimes) tendency to write things totally out of order. Whatever key scenes I see first, and then have to kind of fill in the blanks. Which often can be pretty difficult as you are patchworking scenes from five different notebooks into one word document. However, it does work for me.
LQ: What is your favourite book to write so far?
SJ: Difficult question as I never put out any work I am not 100% happy with. However both my last book published (Love and Loki) and my current WIP (Love and the Liffey) are my best work to date. Both have very strong, sassy characters which are totally fun to write.
Love and Loki, started as a 10k word short story in a collection run by a friend. I had been talking about writing a gay Loki for some time. The limiting part was the collection had been rated as ‘pants on’. Although I do not always write a lot of graphic scenes, this book started to demand them. It swiftly got retitled off record as Loki and the 50k Cockblocks as I kept trying to find new ways to pull them apart. After the term finished, at the insistence of my readers. I pulled the whole story apart, added a few extra chapters to the end and turned it into a full adults-only version which somehow has ended up with around 9k words of pure smut. I blame Loki!
Love and the Liffey is plotting out to be my first full-length novel, it should have also been a short story. Although at last count I was up to 21k words and around in half waypoint. It is about Lily, who loved a man who she helped become an artist. Things went sour after he became famous, leaving her behind. After betraying her in various ways, she finds herself on the banks of the Liffey with nothing left. Choosing to take her own life. She is prevented from it when Adrian Sparks finds her, the lead singer of a well known Irish band who takes her under his wing, to help show her a better life. The problem is Adrian is hiding a big secret from Lily while falling in love with her. A secret that could pull them apart permanently.
LQ: Who is your favourite character to write about?
SJ: Loki is probably in my top five. He is such a diverse LGBTQ character. He snuck his way into my book about Greek Gods (When Angels Mourn) and now he has Love and Loki out. He is also demanding a sequel to that novella. As well as a modern-day version of Arthur and Merlin, where Loki is Merlin which may or may not happen over the next few years.
LQ: Who are your favourite authors and have they influenced you?
SJ: 100% they have, you can not be a great writer without being a serious reader. I grew up in the years of Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Princess Bride, Legend, Willow and so on. So, I always had a fascination with fairy tales, true love and fantasy.
Then I fell in love with The Lord of the Rings over a summer when I was 13 or 14. Neil Gaiman was the first huge author that made me want to write, when I read his book Neverwhere and the dark angsty scenes on Blackfriars terrified the young me. I swore to myself I would be published one day and I would twist people’s emotions like he had mine. In later years Darren Shan has been a huge part of my writing as well, after he encouraged me at a book signing. Offering me a lot of advice.
LQ: How are you doing during the pandemic?
SJ: About as well as anyone else, I guess. I am a keyworker who has been brought in to support a local hospital which is both draining and emotionally difficult each day. I am trying to fit in as much writing as I can, to distract myself. The muse has been somewhat lacking even when I do have free time. Something I am trying to work with to get Liffey back on track for the launch in September. At this time mental health is far more important than writing, working, or art. I strongly suggest people put their own mental needs before anything else during this time and try not to feel guilty about doing that.
LQ: Anything else to share?
SJ:
“A master of words, yet I could take you apart with my silver tongue if I truly tried,” Loki commented.
“I bet you say that to all the boys.” The prince retorted rolling his eyes.
Loki is tired of his existence, looking for a way to hold on after Odin took everything from him or at the very least, a permanent escape from his pain.
Stuart is a Prince, looking for a marriage to unite his kingdom and crown him King. Sent on a mission to destroy the evil mage in the mountains to earn the hand of the fair princess.
Nothing is as it seems when Stuart discovers that Loki is neither evil nor does the kingdom want him to successfully marry the princess. As they are thrown together trying to break a curse, can they find love in each other’s arms?
Extended Adult reissue. #gay #mm #lgbtq #lgbtqquarantine #loki #norsemythology #gods #lokilaufeyson #godofliesandmischief #godoflies #adultsonlyplease #erotica #gayeroticstories #KU #kindleunlimited