I’ve talked before about the power of a good cover. While “don’t judge a book by its cover” may apply in general life, this phrase, oddly enough, does not quite apply to actual books. We almost can’t help but judge books by their covers… that’s literally where the story’s essence is translated and communicated before you even read any of the words within. And while the wrong cover can hurt you as an author, the right cover can just be chef’s kiss. Let me tell you — author S.K. Horton did it right with her novel, The Concealed. The bright colors, the stunning and bold graphics, the dainty elements that balance out its boldness. Oh my, this one is a beauty. And as the cover implies in this case, the author’s story is every bit as rich and fascinating as the worlds she creates.
Nikki: Thank you so much for joining me today! I can’t wait to dig into your story, S.K. Did you always know you wanted to be an author?
S.K.: I always wanted to be a physician, and never planned to do anything else. Books were a huge part of my childhood but were abandoned for medical tomes later in life. Once I finished residency, I happily reentered my novel-reading era. At some point, I needed a creative outlet. If anyone has seen my art, they would know that is not where my talent lies — think lopsided stick figures! So, I started to write for fun, which gradually turned into a bit of an obsession.
Ha, I know that obsession all too well. I always love hearing how indie authors have forged their own unique journey, because there are so many different paths we can take to publication. What was your journey like? Are you traditionally or self-published?
I am traditionally published in that I have a publisher, Aethon Books, but they still consider themselves indie because most of their sales are through Amazon. They don’t typically have big print runs to sell their books in brick-and-mortar stores. They love a series, so they offered me a contract for all three of my books in Heir of Earth and Sky after only seeing the first.
They’ve allowed me to be hands-on in choosing the cover and my audio narrator, which has been amazing. I chose traditional because I really wanted the backing of a publisher who believes in my work. Plus, they help with marketing, editing, and all that goes into launching a debut.
That’s amazing! And I know I said this earlier, but you really nailed it with the first book’s cover. It’s stunning! Who is your audience for this story?
I’m passionate about fostering a love of reading for teens and hope to provide a book that will turn them into a lifelong bookworm. I love to write escapist reads with plenty of adventure for young adults, although many adults seem to love them, too!
I really love that. Whenever I sit down to write, I always try to get in the headspace of the authors who were writing the books I loved as a teen. There’s just nothing that compares to the magic of a story that inspires that kind of love. I’d love to hear more about the series you’re working on!
I mentioned earlier I have a three-book series coming, The Heir of Earth and Sky. The first is my debut, The Concealed, which just came out on June 11, 2024. I’m editing the second book now, and the third is just a twinkle in my eye. I loosely know what happens, but I have to admit, I am not an outliner. I like the thrill of not quite knowing what my characters will do next!
Congratulations on your debut, that’s so exciting! Do you have any other stories in the works? I know many authors have several manuscripts kickin’ around at any given time.
Just a few! I’m preparing to send book two in my series to a few beta readers. While I waited for The Concealed to be picked up, I wrote a YA murder mystery that is pretty much complete, with only a few touch-ups left. It’s waiting patiently until I’m ready to query it. I also started another YA fantasy before I received my offer from Aethon. It should be a fun one, and I really hope I took enough notes to remember where to go with it when I’m finally able to return. For now, it’s all about getting out my trilogy!
I totally get that. Let me ask one political question here… how do you feel about the Oxford comma?
This question makes me laugh. I’m no social media maven, but my only viral tweet came when I complained about a small press that wanted all the Oxford commas removed before manuscript submission. Needless to say, I didn’t submit. The writers of X (formerly Twitter) have my back on this one!
(laughs) I absolutely have your back. I’m always team clarity, and the serial comma helps so much with that. Now, there’s one other thing I need clarified. You’re a physician by day and reading-obsessed by night… how on earth do you find the time to write? Do you have a writing schedule?
As a mom, wife, and full-time physician who often works evenings and weekends, a routine is not in the cards. I write when I can, often in the car waiting for my kids at swim practice, sometimes early mornings before others are awake, or whenever I can snatch some time. Flexibility is key.
That is so impressive, wow. And what do you do for fun when you’re not reading?
I love to travel. My daughters are now teens and my husband and I made a commitment to make as many memories as we can, traveling with them before they fly from the nest to college. Last fall we enjoyed a European cruise and we have an upcoming Disney World vacation (per their request)!
That’s so lovely. I just have one more question before I’ll let you get back to planning for your vacation! What’s the best thing a reader has told you?
A high schooler who is interested in becoming an author and knew a bit about my publication journey, told me I was an inspiration. She was a part of my ARC team and loved The Concealed, which was really special.
S.K. Horton, a physician by day, reader by night, and writer on the fly is one author you’ll want to keep on your radar. This powerhouse of an author can be found in Arizona experimenting with new recipes or spending way too much on fancy coffee and tea, but you can also connect with her on Goodreads to keep an eye on her trilogy as each new story comes out.
Want to learn more about other indie authors you need to know? Keep an eye on my Indie Author Spotlight Series for spotlights that span various different genres.