BooksChatter: ℚ♫ The Illumination Query: The Speed of Darkness [1]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Sarah Baethge to talk about The Illumination Query (1 June 2018, Sarah Baethge, 118 pages), a Paranormal Fantasy, book one in the The Speed of Darkness series.

"an entertaining, irreverent science fiction novella. At first glance the plot seems simplistic, but the author has created an intricate, labyrinthine chain of events which carried me along with the exploits of the characters until the satisfying conclusion." ~ Marcia Carrington
"an interesting introduction to a world of supernatural beings existing within the United States and Baethge presents a number of surprising elements. The two primary characters in The Illumination Query are cast in shades of grey and they go through unexpected arcs in their journey of discovery." ~ kleffnotes (reviewer)

|| Synopsis || Teaser: Excerpt || The Series || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Sarah Baethge; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

Here at BooksChatter we love music; do you have a music playlist that you used in The Illumination Query , or which inspired you whilst you were writing it?

"Well, with the lightning-like way that Nigel can move in my book the first song that comes to mind is And The Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks."

What was the inspiration for The Illumination Query ?

"A few years ago I wrote a short book with the same characters [The Speed Of Darkness, download it for free] that started a bit abruptly, so I wrote The Illumination Query as its prequel."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"I didn’t think much, but I’ve had people tell me that the characters act like me."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for The Illumination Query - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"I wanted to make the cover look like a notebook because one of my characters is trying to collect the info about what is happening in a notebook."

Why should we read The Illumination Query and what sets it apart from the rest?

"This book (and series) was written for fun. In it I try to make the bad guy from my other book understandable as a normal person. "

Can you tell us something quirky about The Illumination Query , its story and characters?

"I did give a couple of the characters the last names of my old school-teachers. Dr. Rice is named for my old coach Rice who taught science. Roscoe Sandford is named for my English teacher Mr. Sandford."

Who would you recommend The Illumination Query to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I would recommend it to people who enjoy fantasy that doesn’t get too serious. I guess I will admit that a couple of people get killed."

If you could / wished to turn The Illumination Query and the The Speed of Darkness series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Give me Steven Spielberg! And after watching Dr. Horrible, I keep thinking of my mad scientist as Neil Patrick Harris."

What do you like to write about?

"I say that I write science-fiction, but my stories always end up more fantasy than anything scientifically possible."

What is your writing process?

"I try to sit down with my Chromebook and make myself write a little bit every day."

What is in store next?

"Well the two main characters are set against each other in all that I have written, but I can see them becoming allies to stand against the evil company I describe."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"Below are pictures of me with my bird (Timmy) and my dog (Kaiser)."

Hello Timmy and Kaiser! Lots of head-scratches to both of you.
Thank you for sharing, Sarah :-)

A surreal romp about a dissatisfied zookeeper’s endeavor to contemplate his toxic new allies as they create an terrible situation for his unintended enemy to grapple with.