We chat with debut author Kate Dramis about The Curse of Saints, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Kate! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Kate! I’m the author of The Curse of Saints, and I live in Atlanta with my three dogs and cat (it’s a circus over here!). Hmm, what’s there to know about me? This is my debut book, but I’ve been writing snippets of fiction since I was 11. I love tacos but hate cilantro. I love to travel but equally love coming home. I can’t sit still during movies but can binge an entire season of a TV show with no problem. Annnnd I’m an aunt to two beautiful boys who are my absolute favourite humans ever.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I think it was around age 11! I was always getting lost in a book – I used to get in trouble for staying up too late and reading. I was also a really anxious kid, so creating an escape world through writing was always a coping skill of mine.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
First book I remember reading: Amelia Bedelia
One that made me want to become an author: OMG! So many! But the Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard was a big push for me to jump into SFF.
One I can’t stop thinking about: Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. That book lives in my head rent-free and every time I think of it I cry tears of pure joy. History, huh?
Your debut novel, The Curse of Saints, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
I can do it in three 😉 “knife-to-throat”
What can readers expect?
They can expect a cast of morally gray characters who are fierce but also deeply flawed and human. The backbone of TCOS is Aya’s journey, but equally important is the story of her and Will and the tension between them. At its core, The Curse of Saints is a story about love, duty, and faith, and how sometimes it takes letting others in to let our true selves out.
Where did the inspiration for The Curse of Saints come from?
I had a dream about a girl calling down lightning to save a friend and I could NOT get it out of my head! I ended up writing that scene months and months later, and a conversation that came from it (which ended up being an argument between Aya and Will), and I just kept asking myself… what is this? Who are these people? What do they want?
And the rest is history!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Oh gosh so many. I loved loved writing the Athatis scene that happens in Act 1. It’s such an important moment for Aya (and for Will). I also loved writing the bonus scene from his perspective, so we can see just where he is emotionally in that moment. I also adored writing Aidon’s chapters. I love his wit and his sense of duty, and getting to explore his journey was so great.
This is your debut novel! What was the publishing journey like for you?
Honestly, it’s been such a “pinch me I must be dreaming” journey. The Curse of Saints trilogy was pre-empted, and it all happened 24 hours after we’d gone on submission. It was just so surreal. It’s also been a really big learning journey for me. There is SO much to learn about publishing, and I was learning it on the fly. I am so grateful to have an agent and publishers who take their time and explain each and every step, because I’m constantly asking for details and information. I love to know what to expect!
What’s next for you?
I just wrapped up the first draft of The Curse of Sins and sent that to my editor for edits. After I go through edits on that, I’ll be working on the third book in the trilogy! In the meantime, I’m dabbling in a piece that I can’t talk about yet but am already in love with J
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Oh my gosh so many!
I recently read The Gay Best Friend by Nicolas DiDomizio and absolutely loved it. It was so cute and funny and poignant all at once. I devoured it in two days while on deadline – that’s how good it was.
If you’re a fantasy fan, I always recommend Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. It’s one of my all time favourites and is part of the inspiration for the magic system in The Curse of Saints. I also just love the found family aspect of the duology.
Also in the fantasy realm, I’m a huge fan of An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. That entire quartet destroyed me in the absolute best way.
And obvi everyone needs to read Red, White and Royal Blue. I was late to this party and I am unashamedly loud about how this is one of the best books ever written and I regret every single moment of my life that I lived without it. The greatest love story of all time. 10/10 recommend.
