Young Adult Dystopian Author – Tanya Ross

1. Tell us a little about yourself:

I am a retired teacher who taught middle and high school for over thirty years. Generations of students were taught how to write well by me and I and also presented an abundance of motivational lessons about following dreams, advice which I’m now navigating myself as a Young Adult Dystopian author.

Having two kids has been a blessing, one an excellent teacher herself of high school students, and my son, who is adorable but has special needs. He was born with a disability known as Fragile X Syndrome, which is characterized by mental challenges and mood swings.

My husband is also retired but spends time visiting people with illness and being a Notary Public. He’s my biggest cheerleader and supporter. I’m also blessed to have an adorable golden retriever! Reading, writing, walking, listening to music and swimming bring me joy as I’m very much still young at heart, probably thanks to all the kids I taught for so long.

2. Why Do you write Young Adult Dystopian?

Escaping into another world, the ones that I create astonishes me. Choosing the right words to convey a feeling and inventing characters that are fascinating because of their own pasts and human frailties puts me in deep thought. I want to inspire people to read and think, especially about human emotions and what they represent in our lives. It has given me a purpose, now that I no longer have a daily job. And, being a “creative,” I couldn’t thrive without it!

3. What genre do you write and why did you pick this genre?

As a Young Adult Dystopian author, I like to throw some romance into the story. I chose this genre because I already had an idea for a book long ago and wanted to construct a story around it. Also, because my son’s disability is characterized by mood swings, I have had to do a lot of controlling, counseling, and work with him to keep him on an even keel.

My subconscious is always working overtime both on my own emotional stability, but also on my son’s so that he can control his own emotions and not be carried away with anger, frustration, or sadness. That carries over into my work because the city I created in my series is also focused on the control of emotions so that they can remain free of dissent, crime, war, and sadness.

I am also a hopeless romantic, so I had to add a big chunk of romance into my novels. I was also very enamored with other works in this genre, such as The Giver, Wool, and The Hunger Games.

4. Tell us about your book.

My first book is entitled Rising Up. I created a teen character who has many characteristics similar to what I experienced as a teen—shyness and not knowing quite how to fit in. But this teen, Ember, is also an empath. She deeply feels the emotions of others. Since there is so much emphasis on emotion in the city of Tranquility, this causes Ember to be reclusive.

She lives with her mother and keeps her emotional power secret. When her mother dies, she is devastated. And her mother’s death is mysterious. In a disease-free domed metropolis where happiness is electronically monitored and enforced, she cannot express her grief. If she does, it could mean exile to The Outside.

Out of desperation, she finds one person willing to take the risk to help her: a smoking-hot government agent. When her dreams help her determine the source of the fatal illness, Ember is stunned to discover the perfect city in which she lives is nothing like it seems. And when her new boyfriend is torn between seeking justice and remaining loyal to his oaths, there is no one she can trust…or would her world be rocked by a criminal from The Outside? Ember’s quest for the truth could set her free – or make her a captive pawn.

I finished my second book also, which continues this series. Called Facing Off, it picks up immediately after book 1, and the characters must hide from the city leader because he is pursuing them due to their dissent. This book recently won Honorable Mention at the New York Book Festival for Indie Authors in the Young Adult category.

5. How much time do you dedicate to your author career.

Typically I will write for at least two hours a day, although sometimes marketing or blogging takes time away from that. I have learned that it is pretty much a full-time job because it’s not just about writing books. It’s about networking on social media, going to book events, entering contests, speaking to students at schools, editing and revising, writing blurbs, attending a Read and Critique group twice monthly, and ordering swag. All total, I’m sure I spend about twenty hours a week, minimum, on this career.

6. How long on average does it take you to write your books?

My first book took me three years to write because I was so unsure of myself and how the story was going to go. Because I’m not a plotter, I’d often box myself into corners in the story and have to figure out how to get out. I’m sure I revised every page at least ten times. My second took 15 months, my project during the pandemic. It got easier with book two.

7. What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

The money I spent on my book covers. I started off with a premade cover, which was quite inexpensive, and then when I didn’t get enough traction, I found a designer and completely changed the cover. I didn’t settle for just anyone.

My cover artist is Natasha MacKenzie, through Reedsy, and she is an award-winning artist. I’m so glad that I had her create the cover for Rising Up, book one because what she created for book two is consistent with the series and is so beautiful! She captured the Young Adult Dystopian vibe and as an author, that is needed. Book covers are one of the most important purchases an author can make and are worth every penny. I love my covers!

8. What is the most difficult part of being an author?

Marketing is the hardest part. I can write a sensational book, but finding readers is challenging. Tailoring ads to those who like your genre is a science in and of itself. I haven’t come close to mastering this. Also, social media and ad campaigns take so much time. It kills me when I have to use my energy and minutes in the day working on that instead of writing.

9. What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

Be persistent. It takes a lot of dedication and perseverance to stay in the game. I have found it helps to read about other authors’ experiences as they work on publishing and promoting their work. The success stories keep me motivated to stay focused, even when I feel like giving up.

10. What is your favorite book?

How can I name only one favorite book? I have a list! I love the Wool series, Pillars of the Earth, Outlander, The Giver, The Hunger Games, and of course, all the Harry Potter books. I’ve been known to read thrillers, too. I appreciate worlds that are unusual so that I can escape my typical life. I have a very diverse interest in books, and I credit my parents for bringing me up to read in my spare time.