The Wanderersby Kate Ormand
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Release Date: September 1st 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
A Unique Twist on Shape-Shifters with Fast-Paced Action, Thrilling Adventure, Mystery, and a Bit of Romance
Flo lives an eccentric life—she travels with a popular circus in which the main acts star orphaned children with secret shape-shifting abilities. Once Flo turns sixteen, she must perform, but she’s not ready. While practicing jumping a flaming hurdle in a clearing beside the circus, she spots a dark figure in the trees and fears he saw her shift. The news sends the circus into a panic.
In Flo’s world, shifters are unknown to humans with the exception of a secret organization—the EOS, referred to as “hunters.” Hunters capture and kill. They send some shifters to labs for observation and testing—testing they don’t often survive—and deem others useless, a danger to society, and eliminate them. To avoid discovery, shifters travel in packs, constantly moving and keeping themselves hidden. Up until now, the circus was the perfect disguise.
Believing she has brought attention to the group, Flo feels dread and anxiety, causing her to make a mistake during her performance in front of the audience—a mistake that triggers a violent attack from the hunters.
Flo manages to flee the torched circus grounds with Jett, the bear shifter who loves her; the annoying elephant triplets; and a bratty tiger named Pru. Together they begin a new journey, alone in a world they don’t understand and don’t know how to navigate. On the run, they unravel secrets and lies that surround the circus and their lives—secrets and lies that all point to the unthinkable: Have they been betrayed by the people they trusted most?
What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I saw a circus poster on my way to university one day. It was bright yellow, all torn and weathered, and I said, “What if I wrote a circus book where all the animals were shape-shifters?” And then . . . I did!
Who is your favorite character in the book?
My main character, Flo. She’s a horse shifter and I liked exploring both sides of her and how they fed into each other. I enjoyed that unlike some of the other characters, Flo is powerful in a less obvious way.
Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel. Its working title was ‘The Shape-Shifter Circus’ which changed to ‘The Wanderers’ right before submission to publishers.
What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
Good question! Probably a part of chapter 4 where horse-shifter, Flo, transforms into her animal for the first time. It was here I wanted to give a real feel to what it’s like to shift, and it was the first time I wrote about the transformation process. I sat with it for ages until I was happy and it’s something that didn’t change in edits.
Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?
I learned a lot about world-building from this book. I think much more deeply about it when starting a new project and I think writing this taught me how to think that way more effectively.
What do you like most about the cover of the book?
If we’re talking front cover only, I’d say the silhouettes because I think they look so cool and mysterious! If I can pick from the overall jacket, I’d chose the spine because the colourful lettering is beautiful!
What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2015?
For what’s left of the year I’m most looking forward to picking up VENGEANCE ROAD by Erin Bowman, THE SECRET FIRE by CJ Daugherty and Carina Rozenfeld, THE NEXT TOGETHER by Lauren James, and HOTEL RUBY by Suzanne Young.
What was your favorite book in 2014?
This is the hardest question I’ve ever answered! I’m going to pick . . . STOLEN SONGBIRD by Danielle L Jensen. Even though I read loads of amazing books in 2014, this one really stayed with me and was always first on my mind. It still is!
What’s up next for you?
I have a picture book coming out (under the name Kate Louise) with illustrator Grace Sandford. It’s called TOUGH COOKIE, about a mischievous gingerbread man who is baked without ginger and causes all kinds of trouble in the bakery before learning the positive effects of kindness. It’s out with Sky Pony Press (same publisher as THE WANDERERS) in November this year!
Is there anything that you would like to add?
Yes please! I would like to say thank you for having me on your blog and for the wonderful questions!
Thanks,
Beth @ Curling Up With A Good Book
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KATE ORMAND is a YA writer represented by Isabel Atherton at Creative Authors Ltd. She lives in the UK with her family, her partner, and a cocker spaniel called Freddie. She recently graduated from university with a first class BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art Painting. It was during this course that Kate discovered her love of reading YA books, prompting her to try a new creative angle and experiment with writing. Kate is also a member of an online group of published writers and illustrators called Author Allsorts. And she writes children’s picture books under the name Kate Louise.
You can see more about Kate and her writing by visiting her website (www.kateormand.wordpress.com) or on Twitter (@kateormand).
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