Don’t Miss This Heartwarming Young Adult Fantasy

The Whisperer’s Wish is a new release from Expanse Books, written by Janilise Lloyd. The author is a wife, the mother of a busy toddler and a former junior high school teacher. Janilise is the coordinator for the ScrivKids writing community for student writers and is a member of the Storymakers Guild. She answered some fun questions for us today.

What is the storyline of your new book?

For sixteen years, Laurelin Moore has been keeping a secret. She is a whisperer, and she knows that to reveal her gift now is a dangerous risk. Past whisperers have been exploited for their power. But Ausland’s queen is dead and acknowledging her magic is her only chance at becoming a Rook in the Pentax—a competition that will decide the kingdom’s next ruler.

Laurelin isn’t in it for the crown, though. She’s after the wish that will be granted to the victor. A wish that would save her dying brother, Pippin. But there are dangerous undercurrents to the competition, and Laurelin finds herself at the center of it. She begins to search for answers and discovers a secret with the potential to shatter the entire kingdom.

What are you working on right now?

I am working on a new YA fantasy. It has changed so much through my drafts already that I can’t guarantee this will be the premise whenever it sees the light of day. But for now, it is about a girl who is forced into thieving magical relics to repay a debt her father got into before his disappearance. It’s been a lot of fun to write so far!

What is your next writing project?

The first book I ever wrote, The Cyrun, is going to be re-published by Scrivenings Press/Expanse Books in November, so I will soon be working on revisions and polishing of that story.

What genre would you like to consider in the future that differs from that/those you do now?

I think I may dabble in mystery/suspense someday down the line. So far, my YA fantasies have all included a mystery element, and it’s something I really enjoy crafting.

How do you relax and recharge when you step away from writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m usually with my toddler, which isn’t very relaxing or recharging. Lol. But when I am lucky enough to have some time where I don’t have to do either, I love to be outside. I like to run, kayak, hike, and camp.

What is your superpower?

Stretching time. Life is busy and hectic and I don’t do everything perfectly. But somehow, everything that has to be done gets there, and the only explanation I have is that I must have a secret power. 😉

If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing for the rest of your life, what would you like?

Aside from money? Haha. I would love to have fresh banana bread every single day. It is my absolute favorite.

What are you most thankful for?

I have an amazing husband who truly shoulders more than his fair share of the load. Without him, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am in my writing goals.

What’s your best advice for other writers?

If you really love writing, stick with it in whatever way works for you. In the year leading up to the birth of my son and the year after, I didn’t write one word. When I was contemplating getting back into writing, I thought it was pointless. Life was too busy and all the other writers I knew wrote every day, and usually a lot of words. I finally decided to stop letting the fear that I wouldn’t do things “the right way” or “good enough” stop me. I decided I’d write when I could, even if I went weeks without making progress or even if a writing session consisted of getting 200 words down. Once I finally decided to go for it, I was surprised at how often I did have time to write, and within eight months of starting that story, I had a publishing contract for it. It wasn’t perfect or easy, but I’m so glad I decided to go for it.