Dear Reader,
Thank you to the moon and back for spending time with my
book. We writers are strange creatures really—we have people and stories in our
head that we are physically compelled to put down on paper. Thanks for
following us on our crazy journeys!
One of the questions all writer’s undoubtedly receive is
“where do you get your inspiration?” Sometimes there is a great lightbulb
moment—a tragedy, a blessing, a unique childhood—that breathes life into an
idea. For Rebel Song, I attribute it to a childhood obsession with tragic love
stories, with fantasy tales of kings and queens, with gallant heroes sacrificing
all.
When I describe the plot of Rebel Song to people, but tell
them it’s contemporary, they often say, “Wait, it’s about a princess and a
rebellion and star-crossed love? Sounds a little medieval.” And it does sound
like a plot of old. But it’s also a reality of today...Let me explain a bit of
history about its inspiration.
The very first incarnation of Rebel Song came about 22 years
ago—no joke! When I was 12—possibly suffering some unrequited love of my own—I
actually wrote this short book about a princess who falls in love with a spy
from another country and she betrays her kingdom for him. In the end she jumps
off a cliff and kills herself so in retrospect it wasn’t a very uplifting story
(I was a strange 12 year old, I admit). But I never forgot that tale and I’ve
maintained this affinity for the star-crossed lovers since.
So fast forward a couple decades. I’m in Madrid,
Spain, reading about the
turmoil of Spain’s
20th century—from a monarchy to a dictator to back to a monarchy.
And I realized that, while it’s strange to the Americans, royalty is alive and
well in much of Europe. Additionally, many countries in Europe
have undergone rebellions, dictators, civil war and more in the last fifty
years alone. Sometimes there’s even a juicy love story thrown in there. I was
fascinated by the history there and I suddenly knew I had to bring Rogan and
Elyra’s story to life in a fresh new way.
And while the story is set in “modern-day,” I admit, the
specific time period for the story is purposefully a little vague because I’m
trying to avoid talking about real world events—it’s hard to talk about 20th
century Europe and not discuss post WWII Communism, for example. I want the
Rogan and Elyra’s story to just exist within itself and for the reader to not have
to think about the outside world.
Thank you, reader! I hope you’ll get as lost in the world of
Rebel Song as I am. The second installment, Rebel Rising, will be out this
September!
Lots of love,
Amanda J. Clay
About the Author
Amanda
J. Clay is a writing YA and Adult fiction from Dallas, TX. A Northern California native, she had a fantastic
time studying English and Journalism at Chico State University and then a very serious
time slaving away for a Master’s degree in Communications from California State University, Fullerton. When she’s not staring at
a computer screen, she spends most of her spare time on some new fitness
addiction and plotting world adventures.
Her
latest book is the young adult novel, Rebel
Song.
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About the Book:
Title:
REBEL SONG
Author: Amanda J. Clay
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 370
Genre: YA
Author: Amanda J. Clay
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 370
Genre: YA
Caught on
opposite sides of a budding civil war, a rebel leader and a modern day princess
fight to save their country from a corrupt Minister General in a fictional Central Europe.
The once prosperous European nation of Arelanda has been plagued with poverty and corruption since the failed rebellion tore it apart. Now, rebels stir again in the capital’s underbelly, vowing to depose the monarchy and overturn the unjust government.
Seventeen-year-old Rogan Elwood, son of a rebel leader executed for treason after the first rebellion, has borne a tainted legacy his entire life. As he is pulled deeper into conflict, Rogan must face his calling in the future of the rebel cause—waging his want for peace against his desire for vengeance. Everything changes when he falls for Elyra—modern, idealistic and determined to bring Arelanda a better future. She also just happens to be next in line to the throne—if the corrupt Minister General doesn’t beat her to it.
Caught in the midst of a budding civil war and surrounded by enemies on every side, Elyra and Rogan must fight to save themselves and their country.
The once prosperous European nation of Arelanda has been plagued with poverty and corruption since the failed rebellion tore it apart. Now, rebels stir again in the capital’s underbelly, vowing to depose the monarchy and overturn the unjust government.
Seventeen-year-old Rogan Elwood, son of a rebel leader executed for treason after the first rebellion, has borne a tainted legacy his entire life. As he is pulled deeper into conflict, Rogan must face his calling in the future of the rebel cause—waging his want for peace against his desire for vengeance. Everything changes when he falls for Elyra—modern, idealistic and determined to bring Arelanda a better future. She also just happens to be next in line to the throne—if the corrupt Minister General doesn’t beat her to it.
Caught in the midst of a budding civil war and surrounded by enemies on every side, Elyra and Rogan must fight to save themselves and their country.
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