SciFiChick.com had an exclusive interview with author Chad Corrie to discuss his new YA series – Sojourners’ Saga!
1. Can you tell us a bit about Sojourners’ Saga (and the first installment) in your own words?
Sure. Sojourners’ Saga is a new YA series based in more of a dystopian/apocalyptic setting, making it something different from what I’ve usually written up to this point.
Ultimately, the series shares the story of two ill-met companions who seek a way to survive in a dying world. Each has their own vision of hope for a better future—a way to bring about or find a way to that brighter day—which take them in two radically different directions yet will, in the end, bind them together on a new journey toward the greatest truth and hope each could ever envision.
2. How many books will be in the series? Will there be a lot of cliffhangers?
Sojourners’ Saga is as trilogy, starting with As the Sparrow Flies, with the next volume publishing every year thereafter. And all the books have been written, making it much easier for all involved to keep them moving right along to their intended release dates.
As to the cliffhangers, I don’t think I want to give too much away but can say the first volume in the saga could very well end having you eager to know what happens next.
3. What is causing Annulis to die?
Again, without giving too much away, the planet is dealing with the after effects of massive meteor impacts that have changed the world into a shadow of its former self. Those that seek to survive do so knowing that the final end is very much approaching. They might not know when exactly but everyone knows things can’t go on like they have been for much longer, forcing everyone to make some hard choices until that final end arrives.
4. How is Annulis different from Earth?
In many ways its very similar. We have the same ideas of a sun, moon, a world, etc. And humanity looks the same for the most part too.
The differences come in their level of technology as no one really has advanced above probably what we’d consider a high middle ages sort of society. Though they were a little higher than that even before the devastation that rocked their world.
And, obviously, the aftermath of that natural disaster haunts the world too, making it stand further apart from what we know and understand as normal on our world.
5. Will the series mostly follow Sarah and Elliott?
Yes, it will. They are the two main protagonists in the saga. We’ll get a couple different POVs in future books but Sarah and Elliott will always be our main focus. And, in that, we get to really explore the world (and story) through two very different mindsets, allowing readers to experience the contrasts and developments of their own journeys as the story unfolds.
Having the two main protagonists be younger than most of the rest of the characters also allows for some interesting observations and interactions that might not have been possible with older characters. And as a writer that was rather interesting to explore at times—really trying to see and understand what they saw and understood at the time, etc.
6. Who are these characters and what motivates them?
Sarah is a Sojourner. She and the rest of her congregation are a mobile community that travels the world of Annulis seeking after a place they call the Veiled City, which they believe will be a refuge for the coming dark days and calamity that many know will soon finally claim their dying world. And though none have yet to find the city that doesn’t stop her and her people from continuing their journey, no matter where it might take them.
Elliott is part of another group who holds to a more zealous belief that the world can actually be restored—cleansed in a way—by the removal of all that has been corrupted. That is to say the removal of people who don’t hold the same philosophy as they do. Naturally, this isn’t well received by most they encounter, which further sours interactions when they aggressively enforce their edicts and ideals.
7. What are some books/comics/authors you enjoy?
Recently I returned to the world of Dragonlance with the new series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Before that I explored the latest Conan novel, Blood of the Serpent, by S.M Stirling. And not that long ago I perused some of the more recent collections of the Mouse Guard stories. But most of the time I tend to find myself reading more non-fiction and or just studying topics in general for my own self betterment or research for a new project, etc. This isn’t to say such study can’t be entertaining, as Garret Ryan’s book: Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants, makes clear, just that I’ve become focused on a few other things of late that don’t look to let up for the immediate future.
8. What has your publishing journey been like?
Short answer: eclectic.
Long answer: very eclectic.
I would not recommend the path I’ve taken to most people as it is certainly the path least traveled (and probably for good reason). In a nutshell I tried to get a start self publishing. When that didn’t work a small press was kind enough to take me on only to fold just when the book was supposed to be released. Another small press took me on after that but it too would fold just a couple years later. It was then that foreign publishers seemed to be a possible route out of this wilderness season. Surprisingly, I was able to enjoy some publishers taking on and translating some titles—with one publisher even flying me out to their country to promote it—only to have each fall through on their deals for various reasons. And this is to say nothing of the scores of agents—both foreign and domestic—I reached out to during this time to no avail.
Finally, Dark Horse decided to sign me, with the idea of launching a new prose line of titles. But just as the first book was set to release we had this thing called a global pandemic that shut down bookstores and drastically derailed and upset many parts of life, including the supply chain and book printing. Thankfully, though, Dark Horse didn’t fold and we made it out the other side and now those books and this new series is able to reach stores and readers.
So, it’s been a bit of an interesting journey up to this point. Again, not something I’d really recommend to anyone seeking to break into the industry.
9. Do you have any other works in progress that you want to talk about? Will there be more Sons of Ashgard?
Oh, I have plenty of works in progress, but I guess the most timely ones I could mention would be Rainier’s Legacy, a short story collection publishing this September from Dark Horse that takes us back to the world of Tralodren, in which the Wizard King Trilogy and The Shadow Regent are based.
I’m also writing a new YA series—this in an entirely new world setting that’s been published thus far. It will probably be a few years before it sees the light of day as I like to get a couple titles under my belt before moving to publication—even if the stories are stand alone, as this series will be.
I’m also working on a new Sons of Ashgard tale with Matt Wendt, the artist. The script has been written and the pages pretty much roughed out, leaving Matt to fine tune and draw the pages themselves. But drawing and producing graphic novels can take some time…so it might be a little while there too until its able to be released into the wild.
And then, last but not least, I’m working on a new comic series, finishing up a Tralodren graphic novel to come out in 2025, and writing the first of what I think will be five stand alone stories about some new characters and stories based in the same universe.
10. What do you do for fun or in your down time to relax?
It’s rather important if you spend a lot of your day in front of a screen to get out and way from it when you can. So, I tend to take plenty of walks, ride the bike when the weather allows, and endeavor to keep a steady workout routine.
Just taking time to mentally rest and think on other things can be relaxing (and even enlightening) along with exploring other creative outlets (when possible). I do, though try and take at least one day a week off in which I don’t do anything work related and eschew all things tech for as long as possible. That’s a big refresher and brain cleanse as well.
11. Thanks for your time! Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity! All I’ll add is that if anyone is curious about older tiles, or wants to get more information on As the Sparrow Flies—or even myself—they can visit: chadcorrie.com for excerpts, reviews, audio clips, podcasts, and other tidbits.