Q&A: Kristin Cast, Author of 'Fortune'

We chat with author Kristin Cast about Fortune, which is set in the seductive and spellbinding world of Towerfall, a tarot-inspired light romantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Kristin Cast.

Hi, Kristin! Welcome back! How have you been since we spoke last year for the release of The Empress?

I’ve been wonderful! Super busy with life and work and learning and growing, but I have no complaints.

Fortune is the third installment in your Towerfall series and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Eep! This is difficult. (And I hope those didn’t count as four of my words.)
spicy, portal, empowering, sexting, powerful

What can readers expect?

Sexting a hot CEO, falling through a portal into an enchanted fire kingdom, and coming out the other side a little more empowered…and a lot more satisfied.

Was there any particular inspiration behind the story of Fortune?

I enjoy exploring the ways in which we disguise our true selves with versions we believe are more palatable not only to others but also to ourselves. As most of my books are, Fortune is inspired by a past version of myself or an aspect of who I am that I’d like to examine more closely. This book is for anyone who’s pretended to have their life together while internally screaming. I needed to let that part of myself breathe and see that she’s not damaged or alone. I hope others feel the same comfort when they read Fortune.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

Fennel might not have any speaking parts, (since he’s a donkey and this is not that kind of fantasy novel), but I am sort of obsessed with him. My writing coach, Emily Suvada, is the one who had the brilliant idea to add animal companions to this book, and I will be forever grateful to her for her absolute genius. Fennel was such a joy to include in this story and brought a sense of fun to the writing process that I had unconsciously drifted away from during the writing process.

What a stunning cover and we were honoured to reveal it last year! Did you have any involvement in concepts for the artwork or how it came to be?

I have been a total creep and have followed Mary (@thesleepingfoxy), the cover artist, for more than a year and daydreamed about working together. I even added her to the spreadsheet I have of artists I desperately want to create my covers. So, I suppose—and Amanda would agree—that I manifested the whole collab.

In all seriousness, I am extremely fortunate to work with a publishing team at Bloom that only wants the best for this series and will put in extra work to ensure that the outside of the book truly represents what’s inside. They are very communicative and include me every step of the way. But I know what my strengths are and cover design isn’t one of them. They took my character descriptions, their amazing Bloom Books magick, and gave the info to Mary, who is a frickin bad ass artist. Most of my involvement comes in the form of all caps email replies screeching about how beautiful everything is.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing Fortune? How did you overcome them?

I had a whole speechified moment that I considered including here about the state of the world and my country, but as I started typing it my heartrate increased and I got all hot and bothered, (not in a good ol’ sexy way), and my chest got really tight. I’ve been in occupational therapy long enough to know that those are indicators of a stress response.

And that can fuck right off.

Instead, I’d like to channel Philisophical Kristin who usually only makes an appearance after “Normal” Kristin smokes half a joint.

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Of course I faced challenges. The writing process would be devoid of life without them for there can be no joy or growth or sense of accomplishment in the absence of challenge. How did I overcome them? I haven’t. I won’t. To overcome them implies that I’ve mastered or slayed the beast that is _________. Each of us could fill in the blank with any number of things. I’m not here to gain control over a problem. I am here to live, to make what falls within my locus of control absolutely shine, to support and enhance my community, to let women know that they are not alone, to teach my small human to be and do better. I will focus on what I can enhance and leave my challenges to teach me how to improve rather than divert my energy to forcing them into submission.

What’s the best and worst writing advice you’ve received?

The best writing advice I’ve received is to read books across genres written by all sorts of different people. I’ve carried this advice around in my head for decades but only really put it into practice within the past five or so years. It really opened my eyes to amazing stories and facts I had missed out on and completely refilled my creative well.

I don’t remember the worst writing advice I’ve ever received. Whatever it was, I either deemed it as worthless and promptly forgot it or tried to implement it, realized it wasn’t for me, and then promptly forgot it. Hopefully this question never stands between me and preventing the destruction of the planet. If so, we’re fucked.

What’s next for you?

Death! I mean, we’re all going to die at some point, but the next book in the Towerfall series releases October 13 as is titled Death after the tarot card. This one is a best friend’s older brother spicy portal romance that explores an enchanted kingdom where the truth is often deadly.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?

I shall make a list! (My autism wriggles around in my head like an excited puppy each time I get to make a list. Thanks for that!)