If you've been following along on my social media, you've probably heard of my newest project, "A Sky of Salt and Stars." But if this is your first introduction, hold on to your seats, because this is probably my favorite story yet!
A Sky of Salt and Stars is a YA space opera retelling of The Little Mermaid, and feels like Aurora Rising and Skyward. If you're a lover of the Lunar Chronicles... Yeah. This one is going to be for you.
Here's a synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Adria lives beneath the roiling ocean waves in a submarine colony on the edge of the Deep. After the mysterious death of her parents, Adria dreams of expanding her horizon to a life above the water and beneath the stars. While exploring too close to the surface, Adria discovers a dark-eyed prince named Torian, slowly drowning in a broken sub. Could this enemy prince be the key to discovering world above, or will saving him betray the Deep that she loves?
Seventeen-year-old Torian awakens to the face of a beautiful Fathomer peering in through the window of his tomb. Slowly sinking into the Deep, Torian worries that the gods have come to claim his soul when he still has so much to live for. Slowly sinking deeper into the darkness, Torian does everything he can to survive, including piecing together the shadowy memory of how he got here in the first place. But as much as he hates to admit it, the beautiful enemy maiden beyond the glass might be his only hope.
Excited? Me too!
This story was in the back of my head for a full year before I could actually sit down to write it. And once my schedule finally cleared enough, I wrote the whole thing in one month! Three months later, I had it in the hands of my alpha readers. It's been so fun meeting with them weekly to go over the story and where they think it should go. Their feedback has been incredible in helping shape the story. It's been a whirlwind ride and I can' believe how this story is absolutely running on it's own momentum!
Now, where and when is this book going to appear? Well, it's a bit tricky. Right now, it's in the query trenches. That's right. It's already sitting in slush piles with agents. But I've set a strict deadline for myself, and if I don't start getting nibbles by September 29, it's going up on Kindlevella! So, starting then, you will be able to get two chapters a week. But remember if I get represented, it might be going into the traditional publishing track. Either way, this book will get into your hands and I think you're going to love it.
Do you have any questions about this story? Drop them in the comments!
-Rachel