C.S. Lakin's "The Map across Time"

We're happy to have C.S. Lakin with us today talking about her book The Map across Time. To learn more about C.S. and her book, read on!

Title: The Map across Time
Publisher: AMG/Living Ink

Cover blurb: The Map across Time is an epic time-travel adventure that tells the story of the kingdom of Sherborne, a land under an ancient curse, and the quest of the teenage twins of the king—Adin and Aletha—who must follow a magical map back in time to Sherbourne’s past in order to discover the cause of the curse and its remedy. A powerful story of loyal love, honor, and faith.

1) How did this story come to you?
I’m not exactly sure! I wanted to write something with a time paradox and as the second book in The Gates of Heaven series, to give more detail as to the sacred sites guarded by the “Keepers.” I also love the Scripture in Song of Songs that tells how love is as strong as death and nothing can quench those flames. I used that as one of the themes of the book.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I had already completed the first three fairy tales in the collection and pitched the series to AMG at a writers’ conference. A year later I was told it was submitted to editorial committee and approved. The series will have at least seven books in it. I’m beginning book five, and The Land of Darkness, book three, will be out this fall.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m not exactly sure what would surprise readers about me. I used to have a commercial pygmy goat farm and have delivered a hundred+ baby goats. They are my favorite animal although I don’t have a space for goats these days. I ran a bed and breakfast for fifteen years and got pretty good at preparing five-course gourmet breakfasts (although I rarely eat breakfast myself!). And I’d rather be backpacking and up atop a mountain away from civilization than being down here in the city.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Wow, working on a million things! I’m polishing up my two conference workshops I’ll be teaching this year, rewriting Time Sniffers to be a more romantic YA sci-fi (I have a publisher wanting this series). I plan to start writing book five in my fantasy series this summer, and I have six unpublished novels I’m trying to sell through my agents and other outlets.

5) Parting comments?
Writing is a double-edged sword. It’s a great joy for me, what makes my heart soar, but the hard work of getting published and marketing books is very difficult and intimidating. It’s not for the weak of heart, but if you love to write, persevere. That is the key word.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My main website is http://www.cslakin.com/  and my fantasy series site is http://www.gatesofheavenseries.com/