‘The Rules of Ever After’ by Killian B. Brewer #LGBT #BlogTour #Giveaway

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Killian B. Brewer author of The Rules of Ever After.

Hi Killian, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

Thanks for asking me to visit the blog!

I’m Killian B. Brewer, though most people just call me “Brew.” I’m a small town boy at heart who used writing and imagination to explore the world outside that small town. I began writing seriously in college and The Rules of Ever After grew from a short story I wrote in a writing workshop I joined in college.

The Rules is a look at what happens in a fairy tale where Prince Charming breaks the fairy tale and royal life rules and falls for another Prince Charming. It follows the two men on their adventures as they attempt to find a way to have a happily ever after of their own together. It also looks at what happens for the princesses they were expected to marry when the rules change for them and they begin exploring their options too.

What book do you wish you could have written?

There are so many but I really admire the works of Southern authors like Harper Lee, Flannery O’Connor, and William Faulkner. In particular, I love To Kill a Mockingbird because of the way it uses nostalgia and memoir to tell a story with a deeper social meaning.

How important are names to you (in your books)? Do you choose names based on liking the way it sounds or meaning? How do you choose your names?

Names were an important part of Rules because of the way they tied into the mythology of the kingdoms and the world I built. In particular, I had fun coming up with the names for the seven Birthday Fairies. I knew I wanted each fairy to have a name that was tied to the day of the week she represented. I looked up the names for each day in different languages and looked for a way to twist those words into a name. For instance, Mitta, the fairy most central to the story, is named after the German word for Wednesday, Mittwoch. Other fairy names are based in French, Spanish, and even Hebrew. The main character, Prince Phillip, is named as a nod to my favorite Disney movie, Sleeping Beauty.

Were you already a great writer? Have you always enjoyed writing? How long have you been writing?

I don’t think anyone is just a naturally good writer. Like any activity, writing uses a special set of “muscles” that need to be exercised and trained. Luckily, storytelling is something I grew up with. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my mother reading to me and my father telling me some funny story from his own childhood. Together they taught me that taking joy in telling a story increases the joy for those hearing it. I really began writing in high school, but working in writing workshops in college, where this story first began to grow, is when I began to think about writing as a craft and a way to express myself.

Which character, from any of your books, do you consider your greatest work?

Since Rules is my first novel length work, I would have to pick a character from it. One of the things that surprised me the most while writing a love story between two male characters was how much I enjoyed writing the female characters. Princess Gwendolyn in particular was fun to write. Her playful, fearless and, at times, naïve nature let me explore those parts of myself.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

My absolute favorite thing to do is travel. I love exploring new lands and cultures. Also, I am a huge theater buff, so I like to try to take in any theater I can when I travel. In particular, I love musicals, so I try to get to New York as often as time and money will allow to see shows. The TKTS half-price ticket counter is a godsend!

**********

Release Date: June 9, 2015

Goodreads Link: Goodreads.com/KillianBBrewer

Publisher: Interlude Press

Cover Artist: BuckeyeGrrl Designs

The rules of royal life have governed the kingdoms of Clarameer for thousands of years, but Prince Phillip and Prince Daniel know that these rules don’t provide for the happily ever after they seek.

A fateful, sleepless night brings the two young men together and sends them on a quest out into the kingdoms. On their travels, they encounter meddlesome fairies, an ambitious stepmother, disgruntled princesses and vengeful kings as they learn about life, love, friendship and family. Most of all, the two young men must learn how to write their own rules of ever after.

Pages or Words: 256 pages

Categories: Fantasy, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance, Young Adult

Excerpt:

“Phillip, don’t believe all those stories your scribe told you. Magic is not defeated by waiting for someone to come rescue you from it. You have to fight it.” Daniel paused and took a breath before reaching out to take Phillip’s hand again. “I sat around for two years waiting for someone to come along and fix my problems. No one came, and nothing changed. Then I realized that maybe the person I was waiting for was me. So I went out to find my own answers.”

“I’m not you. I don’t even know where to begin.” Phillip sat back on the edge of the bed.

“You begin the way everyone does,” Daniel explained, “one foot in front of the other.”

“I’ve barely been out of this castle. I don’t know what’s out there.”

“Well, you’re in luck. You know someone who does.”

“What? Who?” Phillip cocked his head and stared at Daniel in confusion.

“Me!” Daniel winked and pointed to his chest. “I know what’s out there. I’ve been wandering all over the kingdoms for months now. I’ve studied the maps and the histories. I know how to fight and how to survive.” Daniel stood up. “I’ll come with you,” he continued. “I’ll help you find her, and we’ll bring her down together. We will fix this.”

Daniel could almost see the wheels turn in Phillip’s head as he considered Daniel’s offer. He looked over at his father, then back down at his feet before glancing up to Daniel with a look of tentative hope. “Why would you do that?”

Daniel pondered the question for a moment, unsure of the answer himself. The pain in Phillip’s face touched Daniel’s heart and made him want to bring back the mischievous, laughing man he had met just two nights before. This was not his problem, and he had his own concerns to deal with, but looking at Phillip’s terrified face, he knew he wanted to help. He knew he had to.

“I’m not being completely selfless. I’m still going to be looking for my own answers. But I can help you look, too.” Daniel held his hand out to Phillip. “Come with me. Let’s go get you some food and make a plan.”

“You’re just saying this to get me to eat.”

“No. As I said, I feel responsible. If I hadn’t gotten in that bed—”

“But you did.” Phillip mumbled before turning to look at Daniel with his eyes wide. “And you passed the test. I thought for sure you were the answer—”

“The test? I still don’t understand about this test.”

“Yes. You were the first to spend the night in the bed and be kept awake by the pea under the mattresses. Okay, maybe some of the others could have passed if I hadn’t—”

“Phillip? You think a pea kept me awake?” Daniel stepped back and knitted his brows; he had clearly missed some element of that awful night’s events. Though he was glad to see some sign of activity from Phillip, Daniel was thoroughly confused. “Why was there a pea under—”

“Yes. You passed the test. Maybe it is a sign!” Phillip stood and turned to Daniel; excitement spread across his face. “Maybe you are here to help me.”

Sales Links: Amazon, Duet Website,

Interlude Web store: store.interludepress.com

Killian B. Brewer grew up in a family where the best way to be heard was to tell a good story, therefore he developed an early love of storytelling, puns and wordplay. He began writing poetry and short fiction at 15 and continued in college where he earned a BA in English. He does not use this degree in his job in the banking industry.

He currently lives in Georgia with his partner of ten years and their dog. Growing up in the South gave him a funny accent and a love of grits. The Rules of Ever After is his first novel.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: Facebook.com/KillianBBewer

Twitter: @KillianBBrewer

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/KillianBBrewer

Home Page: killianbbrewer.com