Pump Up Your Book Chats with Ray East, author of ‘Voluspa’

Ray East and Sam D have moved to Voluspa and live in the Forest of Skotos with their 5 year old daughter and a pet Typhon. They visit Earth with the help of an Empath from time to time. Ray East did her masters in Phsychology from Univeristy of Sussex and has worked as a counselor for adolescents. Sam D used to teach at a SPJC before he moved to Voluspa.

Their latest book is Voluspa: A Magical World.

Visit their website at www.magicalworldofvoluspa.com.

Voluspa Thanks for the interview, Ray.  I’d love to know why writing Voluspa was so important to you?

We wanted to present this magical world which although is comparable to our world yet is exotically different. We tried to create this enchanted land with great details so that it would read as something magical yet very believable. Also set against this magical backdrop we wanted to tell the coming of age story of Amy and her adventure in this magical realm.

What was the experience like writing Voluspa?

It has been the most wonderful experience. Seeing your thoughts take shape and form tangible prose is very satisfying. Being able to convey what you are feeling through words and making yourself understood to others is a good feeling.

How did you come up with the title?

The name ‘Voluspa’ was derived from an old Nordic poem and both I and my co-author liked the name and decided to name the magical realm after it.

Can you tell us more about your main characters, Amy and Drake?

On the surface Amy is like any other fifteen year old girl with her usual share of teenage angsts. But once you get to know her better, you realize that she is a remarkable girl, with a core of steel. She faces whatever life throws at her with courage and spirit. She is no paragon of virtue; like every human being she has her foibles. The admirable part is, she does not let her own shortcomings, difficult circumstances or even evil adversaries defeat her without putting up a fight. In short, she is someone who is brave and loyal, vulnerable yet strong, someone who inspires epic love.

Drake, the hero of this novel and Amy’s love interest is definitely hero material in all sense. He is the ideal boyfriend any girl could wish for. He can be a fierce protector one minute, a romantic companion the other. He is the guy you want in your corner in a tight situation yet he has just the right tinge of ‘bad boy’ in him, to make him devilishly appealing.

What does Amy think of this new world called Voluspa?

At first Amy is in awe of this magical world but soon, with the help of Drake and other friends she starts to feel quite at home in this magical realm. With passage of time Amy realizes that this is where she belongs and she loves being a part of a magical clan and life in Voluspa.

What kind of people live at Voluspa?

Voluspa is home to many magical creatures but mainly it is inhabited by four clans. Each clan is unique; they have special habitats, professions and most importantly magical powers. The Empaths are the mind readers with the power to travel to magically move objects or travel from one place to the another with their mind. The Morphus clan comprises of people who can shape shift into different animal forms. The Pulchrous clan is the most aesthetically beautiful clan but don’t be fooled by their golden looks. They are fierce warriors and most of them possess superlative physical strength or some form of heightened physical power. And last but not the least the Menden clans are peace loving, often reclusive healers. They are great at potion making and casting spells.

Are there any other supporting characters we need to know about?

The character of Helen is of significant importance. She acts as Amy’s surrogate mother, guardian, relative, protector all rolled in one. She is the first mother figure in Amy’s life and helps her adjust to life in Voluspa.

Can you open to page 25 and tell us what’s happening?

This page describes a very crucial moment in Amy’s life. She meets her grandmother after nearly a decade. She gets a glimpse at the house her mother lived and grew up in. This page also features Amy’s initial reaction at meeting her only relative and as such is emotional and important for further development of the novel.

What about page 65?

This page is a perfect showcase for the magical world that this book creates. Amy is exploring an open air market with Drake. Here she comes across the currency of Voluspa – Mcash, for the first time. She also explores a curios shop full of potions and spells – almost comparable to an apothecary shop in our world. All in all this page gives the readers a funny and interesting glimpse into this magical world.

Now that Voluspa has been published, what’s your next project?

I am working on the second book in the Voluspa series. Amy and Drake’s adventure continues.

Do you have anything you’d like to tell our readers that hasn’t been discussed?

I just hope that readers like my book ‘Voluspa – A Magical World’. I put my heart and soul into this book and it’s a story that I really want to share with everybody. I hope people have as much fun reading it, as I did writing it.

To get your copy of VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD by Sam D & Ray East at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/VOLUSPA-A-Magical-World-Sam-D/dp/0985681608/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1

To get your e-copy of VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD by Sam D & Ray East for your Kindle at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Voluspa-A-Magical-World-ebook/dp/B008BCZBTE/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

Order your copy of VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD by Sam D. & Ray East at B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voluspa-a-magical-world-sam-d/1111523622?ean=2940014770675

To win a FREE KINDLE FIRE: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/06/24/pump-up-your-book-presents-voluspa-a-magical-world-virtual-book-publicity-tour-2012-kindle-fire-giveaway/

Visit Sam D & Ray East on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/voluspa

Like Sam D & Ray East on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldofvoluspa

Follow Sam D & Ray East at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15592516-voluspa


Leave a Reply