I was lucky to get an interview with Staci Olsen, the author of Falling through Stars, one of this year’s #SPFBO8 entries.

Please, tell us a bit about yourself…
My husband and I have five kids, 4 boys and 1 girl. I work from home as an acquisitions editor and the production manager for Immortal Works Press. I also just started a freelance editing/formatting business, so hit me up if you are looking for those services or if you’re still interested in traditional publication. I live in Utah, USA, but I'm from Alaska, and my childhood was a heavy influence on this book.

Why did you decide to take part in the SPFBO?
I participated back in 2018 with my first book, Defender of Dragons. It got cut immediately. But I made so many great connections through the contest and I love following the careers of my fellow indie authors. Even though I didn’t make it anywhere in the competition, just being a participant was beneficial in so many ways. I had to come back and try again!

Why should we buy your SPFBO8 book?
Falling through Stars is mythological fantasy/historical fiction set in Alaska. The beauty and harshness of that state is unparalleled (IMO), and I tried to capture that in the story. I focused on themes of feeling displaced, family, and just how valuable human life is. It’s a really beautiful, touching story.

What got you into writing? And how long have you been doing it?
I started writing stories as soon as I could form letters, around 5 years old. Writing novels caught my interest when I was 14. Growing up in a tiny cabin in the Alaskan boonies forced me to create my own entertainment, and writing was the method I chose.

Why did you choose to write fantasy? And why pick this particular fantasy subgenre?
Fantasy has always been my favorite genre, so I naturally gravitated to it in my writing. This subgenre just happened to be the story that needed to be told next while I was waiting for query responses for my first book. I didn’t really pick it deliberately.

What’s the best thing about being a writer?
When people get to see the crazy things that go on inside my head and they don’t hate it. I also love getting positive reviews. It's like discovering little presents left for me by strangers!

What’s the hardest thing about being a writer?
I am a pantser in the worst way. I usually have no idea where a story is going, which makes it feel like I have no idea what I'm doing and I shouldn’t be writing at all. I feel very lost while I'm working on a project.

Do you have a tip, app, tool, or resource you recommend to authors?
Don’t just throw your book up on KDP as soon as you finish it. Test it with readers, revise, then test again. Hire qualified editors and cover artists. Do your due diligence to put out a professional product.

What new projects are you working on?
I'm currently working on a sequel for Defender of Dragons, and it’s so hard! I've never been successful at writing a sequel! I don’t know own how so many authors do it. I get so burned out on a story after one book!

Anything else you would like to say before we close?
Thanks for the interview opportunity and for letting me be a part of the SPFBO community! I am so grateful for the support from so many indie authors and readers!

Interesting answers! Best of luck in the competition, Staci, and with sales.
Thanks for doing the interview.