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WORK TITLE: MEET CUTE DIARY
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WEBSITE: http://www.destinysoria.com/
CITY: Birmingham
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COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
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PERIODICALS
School Library Journal vol. 62 no. 12 Dec., 2016. Emma Carbone, “Soria, Destiny. Iron Cast.”.
Voice of Youth Advocates vol. 39 no. 5 Dec., 2016. Hansen, Jamie. , “Soria, Destiny. Iron Cast.”. p. 80.
Booklist vol. 117 no. 19-20 June 1, 2021, Smith, Julia. , “Fire with Fire.”. p. 74.
School Library Journal vol. 67 no. 5 May, 2021. Davaloor, Moksha. , “SORIA, Destiny. Fire with Fire.”. p. 89.
Kirkus Reviews Aug. 1, 2018, , “Soria, Destiny: BENEATH THE CITADEL.”.
The Horn Book Magazine vol. 94 no. 5 Sept.-Oct., 2018. Burkam, Anita L. , “Beneath the Citadel.”. p. 96.
Destiny (D.L.) Soria is an author who writes novels featuring magic, mystery, and an excess of witty banter. She lives in Birmingham, AL, where she spends her time trying to come up with bios that make her sound kind of cool. She has yet to succeed.
How do you pronounce your last name?
SOR-ee-uh. I’m Latinx, so hearken back to your high school Spanish days for this one. Bonus points if you can roll the “r” correctly.
Is there going to be an Iron Cast or Beneath the Citadel sequel?
Unfortunately no. But if you write some fanfiction, I’ll give you a cookie.
Where can I find you on social media?
Find me on Twitter or Instagram.
Who should I contact regarding publicity, appearances, or other publishing opportunities?
For Fire with Fire publicity, contact John Sellers at john.sellers@harpercollins.com.
For other queries, my agent is Taylor Haggerty (taylor@rootliterary.com) at Root Literary.
I have more questions!
And I’d love to answer them. Contact me here or at destinysoriawrites@gmail.com.
Author Interview: Destiny Soria on Iron Cast
Posted on October 18, 2016by missprint
Destiny Soria author photoWhen I heard about Pique Week I knew I wanted to be involved. Amulet has a great season including some of most-anticipated Fall 2016 releases. Iron Cast is a historical fantasy set in 1919 Boston where certain people have a blood condition–known has hemopathy–where they can create illusions with art. This fast-paced mystery is a completely evocative and thrilling read and one of my favorite reads this month. I’m thrilled to have Destiny answering some of my questions for Pique Week!
Miss Print (MP): Can you tell me a bit about your path as a writer? How did you get to this point?
Destiny Soria (DS): I’ve been writing ever since I was seven or eight years old. In middle school and high school, I started writing Ella Enchanted fan fiction. Gradually, I worked up the courage to write original stories. I finished a few novels over the years (all of them terrible), but finally the year after I graduated college, I finished a draft of a novel that I was truly proud of. I queried the old fashioned way and after a few months signed with my lovely agent, Taylor. That first manuscript was on submission for a long time, and finally I had to reconcile myself with the fact that it probably wasn’t going to sell. While trying to distract myself from that disappointment, I participated in National Novel Writing Month and hit the 50k goal. That was the first draft of Iron Cast.
MP: What was the inspiration for Iron Cast?
DS: My inspiration came from a variety of different sources. I loved the idea of a magic system based in creativity, and I was obsessed with vintage mugshots of grifters and mobsters from the 1920s. And more than anything, I wanted to write a book about two best friends who meant everything to each other.
MP: In Iron Cast Ada can use her violin (or her voice) as songsmith to make people feel whatever emotions she projects and Corinne can create wordsmith illusions by reciting from poetry or other texts. They are just two types of hemopaths. If you lived in the world of Iron Cast would you want to be a hemopath? If so, what kind?
DS: They have their share of troubles, but who could say no to the mystery and glamor of being a hemopath? I already have an overabundance of poems rattling around in my brain, so I think I’d make a pretty good wordsmith. I’d probably just use my talent to convince people I had a pet dinosaur or something though.
MP: Were any locations in Iron Cast inspired by actual places? What kind of research went into bringing your version of 1919 Boston to life in your novel?
DS: Actually, yes! The Mythic Theatre plays a semi-important role in the novel, and it’s based on an old theatre in my hometown of Birmingham, AL called the Lyric. The theatre was sitting vacant for a long time, and I was always strangely enchanted by its derelict presence. They actually just refurbished and reopened it, which is amazing. As for other research, to be honest, I spent a lot of time just stalking through google maps, trying to make sure I had the location of big landmarks right (I had never been to Boston when I wrote it). I also found a detailed map of Boston from 1917 that was invaluable to me.
MP: Can you tell me anything about your next project? (Any chance of a full Mirror House novel down the line?)
DS: I’m working on a YA fantasy right now. I can’t offer any details at the moment, but hopefully soon!
MP: Do you have any advice to offer aspiring authors?
DS: Trust your critique partners implicitly. But trust yourself more.
Author Interview: Destiny Soria on Beneath the Citadel
October 11, 2018
Destiny Soria’s debut fantasy novel, Iron Cast, is a favorite of mine, and it convinced me to follow Destiny Soria to whatever she writes next. Well, her second book is here! It’s called Beneath the Citadel, and I can’t wait to read it.
Cover Final.jpgCan you describe your new book, Beneath the Citadel?
Beneath the Citadel is set in a city ruled by ancient prophecies where your future can be divined in a handful of coins and your past can be stolen with your memories. Four teens who are the remnants of a failed rebellion must stand against a corrupt government that holds the past, present, and future in its hands.
Can you tell a bit about the queer representation in the novel?
I believe that queer people deserve to see themselves in magical stories and epic adventures where the plot doesn’t just revolve around their sexuality. So among the main characters, Newt is gay, Evander is bisexual, and Alys is asexual, but even though that’s part of who they are, it doesn’t define their stories.
Your previous novel, Iron Cast, was a fantasy set in an alternate version of the prohibition era. Does the world of Beneath the Citadel have any ties to our own? And do you think it was harder to write than the world of Iron Cast?
Beneath the Citadel is a high fantasy, so it doesn’t really have anything in common with our world, though I think readers will see a lot of our current political and socioeconomic climate reflected in the book. Overall, I think it was easier to invent my own world. I liked creating my own history and religion.
What’s the most interesting thing you learned while writing Beneath the Citadel?
To avoid spoilers I won’t give any specifics, but I remember one night I spent hours researching different ways to flip an overturned boat while treading water. So if anyone wants to go canoeing, I’ve got the skills to keep us upright!
What do you think are the risks and rewards of including prophecy in fantasy novels?
For me at least, the trickiest part of a world with prophecies was figuring out how it would have affected the fabric of the society and the way the citizens saw the world. It’s also difficult to surprise the readers when they know what’s coming…or think they do.
What books would you recommend to readers who enjoy your work?
If you’re looking for books in a similar vein, here are some of the novels that inspire me: SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo, UPROOTED by Naomi Novik, THE TOMBS OF ATUAN by Ursula K. Le Guin, THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON by Katherine Locke, AIRMAN by Eoin Colfer, AKATA WITCH by Nnedi Okorafor, THESE VICIOUS MASKS by Kelly Zekas and Tarun Shanker, LABYRINTH LOST by Zoraida Córdova, HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE by Dianna Wynne Jones, and anything and everything by Guy Gavriel Kay.
What are you working on now? Are there any other releases we should keep an eye out for?
I’m always working on something new. I hope to have good news to share soon! #vague
About the Author
Headshot_smallDestiny Soria grew up in a tiny town in Alabama that you’ve never heard of, where she spent her summers playing with sticks in the woods and exploring such distinguished careers as Forest Bandit, Wayward Orphan, and Woodland Fairy Princess. After college, she ran away to New Zealand for seven months and only pretended to be a character from Lord of the Rings on special occasions. Nowadays she lives and works in the shadow of the mighty Vulcan in Birmingham, AL. She is the author of IRON CAST, a YA historical fantasy set in 1920s Boston, and BENEATH THE CITADEL, a YA high fantasy about rebellion, seers, and stolen memories.
BOOK BLURB:
In a city ruled by seers whose fifty infallible prophecies brought first acclaim and then ruin to their people, four teens are the remnants of a failed rebellion. Caught between a scheming chancellor and an enigmatic executioner, they must uncover a secret final prophecy in order to save their home and themselves.
Publisher: Abrams/Amulet
Publication: Fall 2018
Email: destinysoriawrites@gmail.com
Website: destinysoria.com
Twitter & Instagram: @thedestinysoria
Facebook: facebook.com/dlsoria
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36430924-beneath-the-citadel
POSTED ONSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016 BY JENNI L. WALSH
Interview with Destiny Soria, Author of IRON CAST
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iron-castBefore we get started… just look at that cover. I love it.
Here’s a quick blurb, so you can fully swoon before we interview Destiny Soria, author of this amazing debut, IRON CAST from Amulet.
It’s Boston, 1919, and the Cast Iron club is packed. On stage, hemopaths – whose “afflicted” blood gives them the ability to create illusions through art – captivate their audience. Corinne and Ada have been best friends ever since infamous gangster Johnny Dervish recruited them into his circle. By night they perform for Johnny’s crowds, and by day they con Boston’s elite. When a job goes wrong and Ada is imprisoned, they realize how precarious their position is. After she escapes, two of the Cast Iron’s hires are shot, and Johnny disappears. With the law closing in, Corinne and Ada are forced to hunt for answers, even as betrayal faces them at every turn.
Sounds amazing right? So let’s keep learning more about Destiny Soria below!
When you were a teenager, what did you think you’d be when you grew up?
For a while, I really wanted to be a marine biologist, but that was only because I thought marine biologists just played with dolphins all day. (I was that girl with the matching dolphin bedspread, sheets, and wall decals.) Once I figured out you had to like science to be a biologist, I decided on my next career path, which was archeology. And yes, that was only because I thought archeologists were all like Indiana Jones and Lara Croft. True confessions: there’s still a tiny part of me that wants to be Indiana Jones someday.
What time of day do you love best?
Early morning on a Saturday, when you wake up and realize that you don’t have work that day, so you get to drift back to sleep…
Share one quirk you have that most people don’t know about.
You know those little bubbles on the drink lids at restaurants? I can’t take a drink until I’ve popped them all down. It’s become so much of a habit that I don’t even notice I’m doing it anymore. On cheaper lids it’s almost impossible to press them all down at once, and I have been known to struggle with a lid for fifteen minutes before finally succeeding.
What’s the strangest job you’ve ever had?
I backpacked through New Zealand for seven months after college, and for six weeks I was a tour guide at a haunted prison in Napier. My fellow backpackers and I slept in actual prison cells and used the same facilities the prisoners once used. I never saw a ghost, but some of my fellow guides had spooky encounters—including a bloody handprint that appeared on the underside of one woman’s pillowcase in the middle of the night…
Talk about one thing that’s making you happy right now.
Just now, my cat Sophie was rolling around on my bed, trying to look cute so I would pet her. Then she rolled right off. I try to take pleasure in the small things.
Thanks so much for joining us, Destiny!! Both you and your book are fabulous 🙂
destiny-soria-2Destiny Soria grew up in a tiny town in Alabama that you’ve never heard of, where she spent her summers playing with sticks in the woods and exploring such distinguished careers as Forest Bandit, Wayward Orphan, and Woodland Fairy Princess. After college, she ran away to New Zealand for seven months and only pretended to be a character from Lord of the Rings on special occasions. Nowadays she lives and works in the shadow of the mighty Vulcan in Birmingham, AL.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Author Interview with Destiny Soria
Posted by LIHOBASALUMITOonAUGUST 21, 2016
14757755Iron Cast is the first novel by Destiny Soria. It’s going to be released this year on October 11th. It’s one of my favorite reads of 2016–a little fantasy, a little historical fiction, and a whole lot of talent. I highly recommend it if those things tickle your fancy. My review can be found here. I received a copy from NetGalley and really enjoyed it, so I wanted to do an interview with the author. I’m very excited to introduce Destiny Soria here on [a cup of tea and an armful of books]!
*･゜So, Iron Cast. Your first book, congratulations! I imagine you’re very excited! It has a lot of really good reviews on goodreads (mine included). What’s it like having your book out there? And could you tell us briefly what it’s all about?
DS: Thank you! It feels pretty surreal actually. I keep expecting it to finally “hit” me, but it hasn’t yet. Maybe when I see the hardcover on the shelf and subsequently faint? And in a nutshell, this book is about magic, mobsters, and two best friends kicking ass in 1919 Boston.
*･゜What inspired you to write Iron Cast?28818313
DS: You know, I still haven’t come up with a good answer for that one? Honestly, this novel grew organically from a lot of different ideas about the magic system and the characters. I really just set out to write a story I would have wanted to read when I was a teen—which is to say a story about magic, mobsters, and two best friends kicking ass.
*･゜Why did you go with 1919 as the setting for your book?
DS: The year 1919 marked a big shift in American history. It was the year that Prohibition was ratified (although it wouldn’t go into effect for another year). This year is also considered the beginning of the first Red Scare, which was a time of intense fear in the wake of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. Both of these movements play a role in Iron Cast. (Fun fact: 1919 was also the year of the Great Molasses Flood and the Boston Police Strike. These both took place after Iron Cast ends, but they are fascinating to learn about nonetheless.)
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*･゜I found the hemopathy aspect of your novel really interesting. Where did that idea come from?
DS: Here is the (rambling) thought process I went through one afternoon, just as I was settling in for a nap: Science is pretty cool. Think about all the cool stuff Science can do. In fact, some of the stuff Science can do is so unbelievable that before Science was a thing, people thought it was magic. Fields like chemistry are still kind of like modern magic, if you think about it. So if chemistry is the magic of Science, then why isn’t there a magic of art or literature or music? What if there was? What if musicians, poets, painters, thespians, and other types of artists had their own kind of magic, made possible by their natural talents and an element in their blood that was yet to be explained by Science?
The more I explored the idea, the more it made sense. A talented musician can evoke emotions with their instrument, and a talented writer can create imagery so vivid that you can practically see it. If there was something extra special about a person’s genetic makeup, then maybe the effects of their talent could be more literal. Maybe a musician could make you feel any emotion they wanted you to feel, and maybe a poet could create an illusion so potent that you’d believe it was real.
*･゜Did you find out any interesting new facts while you were researching for your novel?
DS: Tons! I’ve probably forgotten more than I remember, to be honest. I used to fall down a lot of rabbit holes while researching. I think my favorite was probably watching YouTube videos of people driving their restored Model T cars. Did you know that people used to break their thumbs a lot trying to crank the engine? Thank goodness for keys.
*･゜Going off of that, what’s your writing process like?
DS: I’m a pretty hardcore pantser. (If you’re not familiar with that term, it means writing by the seat of your pants, as opposed to a plotter who, well, plots.) So in general my process involves a lot of word sprints with my critique group and writing utter nonsense in the dead of night until a story starts to take shape. To quote James Michener, “I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.”
836030e40350993d2db819edc1f0e10d*･゜What were your favorite moments to write? Do you have a favorite character?
DS: I love Ada and Corinne, the two heroines, fiercely and equally. I think my favorite secondary character is probably Saint, an artist who also lives at the Cast Iron club. He’s a quieter character, but he surprised me in a lot of ways while I was writing him. As for favorite moments, I loved writing about the girls practicing their hemopathic talents together. The imagery and emotions I put into those scenes were really rewarding for me. A runner-up favorite—and I don’t want to give away too much—is a scene where Corinne punches somebody who deserves it right in the face. That part is still very satisfying to me in an evil puppetmaster kind of way…
*･゜Have you always been a writer? If so, what’s the first thing you remember writing? Or was Iron Cast your first project?
DS: I wrote my very first novel when I was seven or eight. It was entitled Horses of All Kinds and included illustrations and a staple binding. After that, there was no going back. I’ve been writing ever since.
*･゜Was there any part of writing Iron Cast that you really struggled with? How did you get past it?
DS: This is a little embarrassing, but I’m not so great at writing romance. There isn’t a LOT in Iron Cast, but there’s enough that I was nervous about getting it right. My very helpful (and awesome and amazing) agent sent me a novel with plenty of romance to inspire me while writing the “swooniness” (her most excellent term). Then my critique group picked through a couple of scenes with their expert eyes and gave me lots of swoony advice.
*･゜Do you have a little writing nook you like to write in?
DS: I have a full time job, and I wrote the first draft of Iron Cast during National Novel Writing Month, so I spent that November writing anywhere and everywhere I could: in bed, on the floor, at the library, in coffee shops, on the kitchen counter, in my car, on my lunch break. Nowadays I tend to write in my bedroom or on my couch, always with my cat randomly sneak attacking my keyboard.
*･゜What did you do when you needed to take a break from writing?
DS: Well, the aforementioned cat is always up for snuggling. I also enjoy hula hooping (badly) in my living room, watching too much Netflix, and of course reading reading reading.
*･゜As impossible as it may be, what’s your favorite book? Is it a world you’d want to live in, or would that be a different choice?
DS: My favorite book changes with the tides, but I’d have to say my current favorite is Uprooted by Naomi Novik. It’s an impossibly lovely novel, rooted (see what I did there?) in Polish fairy tales and folklore. I read it twice in the course of a few months, and I’d probably read it again if my To Read shelf wasn’t growing so fantastically out of control. I do think I’d like to live in the world, but only if I could be a witch like Agnieszka.
*･゜Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?aaec06fe4d0988c370c7df4f26ecb775
DS: Make friends with people who don’t mind you texting them creepy research-related questions in the middle of the night, because you are going to do that, and sometimes you are going to sound like a serial killer. Like the time I asked my pharmacist friend if there was an artery in the calves you could cut to make someone bleed out slowly. In retrospect, I probably should have phrased the question better, but she handled it like a champ. A champ who did not call the cops.
*･゜Lastly, do you have any plans for the future? Any new projects?
DS: I am writing away on my next project, but I can’t really talk about it yet! Hopefully I’ll have news to share in the not-so-distant future.
*･゜Thank you so much for taking the time to do an interview with me on [a cup of tea and an armful of books]! If readers are interested in contacting you, where can they do so?
DS: Thank you so much for having me! I love being contacted, especially if you want to talk about cats, dinosaurs, hula hooping, or red pandas. Or books too, I guess. My various social media handles and links to Iron Cast are below:
Email: destinysoriawrites@gmail.com
Website: destinysoria.com
Twitter & Instagram: @thedestinysoria
Facebook: facebook.com/dlsoria
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28169297-iron-cast
Preorder here
*･゜A huge thanks again to Destiny Soria for taking some time out of her busy schedule to do an interview here! I had a wonderful time and am really looking forward to what’s next for this author. I hope everyone has a chance to check out her book!
Author Interview: Destiny Soria
October 8, 2018
Hello, readers! Welcome back to CandidCeillie, where we are interviewing Destiny Soria, author of Iron Cast and Beneath the Citadel.
Destiny Soria
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Destiny Soria grew up in a tiny town in Alabama that you’ve never heard of, where she spent her summers playing with sticks in the woods and exploring such distinguished careers as Forest Bandit, Wayward Orphan, and Woodland Fairy Princess. After college, she ran away to New Zealand for seven months and only pretended to be a character from Lord of the Rings on special occasions. Nowadays she lives and works in the shadow of the mighty Vulcan in Birmingham, AL.
I read and loved Iron Cast as an eARC, and I am so looking forward to reading Beneath the Citadel, which is available on October 9th.
Hello, Destiny, and welcome to CandidCeillie! Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Thank you for having me! By day I’m a commercial insurance agent, which is not as boring as it sounds and comes in handy more often than you’d think. By night I’m a writer of YA fiction that is replete with magic, mayhem, witty banter, and clever heroines.
What do you always keep on you?
My lip gloss and my taser. In the words of my favorite true crime ladies, “Stay sexy and don’t get murdered.”
What was your last five star read? What made it a five star read?
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, by Mackenzi Lee. Felicity is clever, stubborn, and brave–my favorite traits in a leading lady. And her friendships in the book are so beautifully nuanced.
What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given?
“Just go write it already” – one of my CPs. Always relevant.
What’s your favorite emoji?
Unicorn!
If you had a burger named after you, what kind of burger would it be, and what would you want to be on it?
It would just be the cheeseburger from Love Songs with Mr. Lunt. The greatest love story ever told, and a lifelong inspiration of mine. (For those of you who didn’t grow up with Veggie Tales, you’re welcome: https://youtu.be/CmIKR458M0A)
What’s the first book you remember falling in love with?
Ella Enchanted. It was the first book that ever made me cry, and the first book I ever started back over as soon as I finished it.
What do you like to do when you aren’t reading, writing or editing?
I wish I could say something classy and erudite, but actually I just spend a lot of time watching TV and cuddling my fluffy cat Sophie.
Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
I spent seven months backpacking in New Zealand after college, and I’ve been wanting to go back ever since. For morning views, you just can’t beat Middle Earth.
What talent would you most like to have?
Music! I’ve always wished I had a good musical ear, but other than a brief, painful stint with a clarinet in high school, I’ve never been able to pick up any instruments. Possibly this is more the fault of my terrible attention span than anything else, but let’s blame the universe instead.
What would be the perfect gift for you? Why?
I love to travel and I’m a big true crime/paranormal fan, so buy me a ticket and let’s go somewhere haunted and/or gruesome. I promise I won’t be (too) weird about it.
Disclaimer: All links to Indiebound and Amazon are affiliate links. If you buy through those links, I will make a small amount of money off of the sale.
DESTINY SORIA Q&A
4/4/2019COMMENTS
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Destiny Soria is joining me for today's A-spec April interview! Her newest book, Beneath the Citadel, is a fantastic stand-alone fantasy with a cast that I absolutely fell for. I read this book months ago and there are still scenes I think about so often. The entire story is fantastical but still so socially relevant. I'm so happy Destiny agreed to join me today to talk about her wonderful book!
Beneath the Citadel
In a city ruled by seers whose fifty infallible prophecies brought first acclaim and then ruin to their people, four teens are the remnants of a failed rebellion. Caught between a scheming chancellor and an enigmatic executioner, they must uncover a secret final prophecy in order to save their home and themselves.
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Destiny Soria grew up in a tiny town in Alabama that you’ve never heard of, where she spent her summers playing with sticks in the woods and exploring such distinguished careers as Forest Bandit, Wayward Orphan, and Woodland Fairy Princess. After college, she ran away to New Zealand for seven months and only pretended to be a character from Lord of the Rings on special occasions. Nowadays she lives and works in the shadow of the mighty Vulcan in Birmingham, AL. She is the author of IRON CAST, a YA historical fantasy set in 1920s Boston, and BENEATH THE CITADEL, a YA high fantasy about rebellion, seers, and stolen memories.
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1. Thank you so much for joining me for A-spec April! Can you tell us a little bit about the asexual representation in your book, Beneath the Citadel?
Thanks for having me! Beneath the Citadel has four main characters, one of whom is Alys, an apothecary-in-training and the level-headed one of the crew. She identifies as asexual.
2. At what point in the planning and writing of Beneath the Citadel did you realize you were going to write an asexual character? What influenced this decision?
In my mind, Alys was asexual from the moment I conceived her character, but her orientation doesn’t really play a role in the plot. It wasn’t until a later draft that I gave it some thought (and had a great chat with a sensitivity reader) and decided that even if the book wasn’t about Alys’s asexuality, it was still important for her identity to be on the page. Queer kids are allowed to have adventures that don’t revolve around their sexuality.
3. What did you find most challenging and most rewarding about writing an asexual character?
I think the biggest challenge was coming to terms with the fact that as far as asexual representation goes, Alys can’t be everything to everybody. Not every ace reader is going to see themselves in Alys, which can be disappointing to some people. I hope someday there will be enough ace rep out there that every reader will be able to find themselves, but until then all I can do is write characters as honestly as I can. Personally, Alys was a character that I would have really loved and identified with as a teenager. For me that was the biggest reward in writing her.
4. How did you identify the orientation of your character on the page? Did you use the term “asexual” in the text and how did you come to that decision?
“Asexual” is indeed on the page. One of my sensitivity readers urged me to consider using the actual term (as well as “bisexual” for Evander, another main character) because it’s not super common to see those terms on the page in high fantasy novels and they can be really encouraging for young readers especially. I gave it a lot of thought and decided I definitely agree.
5. In writing an asexual character, did you do research and consult sensitivity readers or did you rely on your own knowledge or experience?
All of the above! It’s always really important to me to put the work into writing honest, relatable characters, no matter their sexuality, gender, or orientation.
6. What was your first experience with seeing asexual or aromantic characters in fiction and media?
On the page, I’m pretty sure it would be Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee, who’s a dear friend of mine (Hi, Puffin!). It’s a wonderful book that I really wish I could have read as a teenager. She’s actually the one who inspired me to write an asexual character.
7. What is your favorite book (or books) with asexual or aromantic characters?
See above! I also really liked Every Heart a Doorway and Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy.
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8. Do you know what you are going to be working on next and do you think we see more a-spec characters in your future stories?
I’m pretty tight-lipped about current projects, but there will definitely be more a-spec characters to come!
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A huge thank you to Destiny for joining me and answering my questions! I highly recommend you pick up Beneath the Citadel if you are looking for an exciting stand-alone fantasy with a diverse cast, found family, social relevance, and wonderful relationships.
Purchase links included in this post are affiliate links and purchases help support the Jellyfable blog.
Author Interview: Destiny Soria, author of The Iron Cast
by C.J. on 11:30 PM in Category: Young Adult, Character: Black, Feature: Interview, Genre: Fantasy, Genre: Historical
author interview destiny soria
I'm so pleased to have Destiny Soria today at Sarcasm & Lemons! She was kind enough to answer a few questions about her debut novel, The Iron Cast. Check out my review here!
The idea for the Iron Cast hemopaths to draw power from their "afflicted" blood is unique. What inspired you to create this form of magic?
I loved the idea of a magic that was channeled through the creative arts, but I also wanted it to be grounded somewhat in science. (“Somewhat” being the key word here.) So that’s when I decided on the idea of an unidentified element in hemopaths’ blood that activated their special talents.
What was the most difficult part of writing Iron Cast?
Probably the revisions between my first draft (which I wrote during NaNoWriMo) and the draft I sent to my agent. It was such a horrible, meandering mess and trying to edit it into something readable was truly daunting.
Which scene or character was the most difficult to write? Which was the most fun?
I’m terrible at writing romance, even when it’s very, very light. I blush furiously the whole time and have to take frequent breaks to writhe awkwardly. There’s not a lot of romance in Iron Cast, but a lot of awkward writhing went into it. I probably had the most fun writing the banter between Corinne and Ada. My friends and I exchange more quips than a sitcom, so it was very natural for me to write.
How did you go about making the 1919 Boston setting feel authentic?
Research, research, research. I also watched a lot of movies and read a lot of books set in the 1920s.
Race and privilege is an important theme in the book. What do you hope readers take away?
The problems of racism, sexism, and classism from a century ago feel so familiar because they are still very much problems today. Everyone is responsible for checking their own privilege, educating themselves, and pushing for better communities and a better world. As Mad-Eye Moody would say: “Constant vigilance!”
What was the process like for Iron Cast from conception to publication?
In order: exciting, exhausting, overwhelming, exciting again, petrifying, depressing, exciting again, overwhelming, exhausting, more exhausting, exciting, exciting, exciting, petrifying, exciting, sleep.
If you can say, what's your next project like? Do you think you'll do more historical fiction or go in a different direction?
I’m working on a YA fantasy right now. Can’t really give any details at the moment, but hopefully soon!
What books have you enjoyed recently?
I can’t stop fangirling about The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee, which is out 2017. It’s a historical queer European road trip and you need it in your life. I also really enjoyed Crooked Kingdom, like basically everyone else who reads YA.
Thanks so much for sharing with us! Final question: what do you hope to see more of in young adult books?
Thanks for having me! And strong, complicated, healthy, uplifting, kickass female friendships ftw.
Destiny Soria writes Young Adult fiction. Her debut novel, IRON CAST, will be published by Abrams/Amulet in Fall 2016.
Destiny lives in Birmingham, AL, where she spends her time trying to come up with bios that make her sound kind of cool. She has yet to succeed.
IRON CAST BY DESTINY SORIA | AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 18, 2016 1 Comment
In anticipation of Iron Cast being released October 11th 2016 ! Here is my interview with Destiny Soria!
Iron Cast by Destiny Soria | Author Interview
IRON CAST BY DESTINY SORIA
Synopsis:
It’s Boston, 1919, and the Cast Iron club is packed. On stage, hemopaths—whose “afflicted” blood gives them the ability to create illusions through art—captivate their audience. Corinne and Ada have been best friends ever since infamous gangster Johnny Dervish recruited them into his circle. By night they perform for Johnny’s crowds, and by day they con Boston’s elite. When a job goes wrong and Ada is imprisoned, they realize how precarious their position is. After she escapes, two of the Cast Iron’s hires are shot, and Johnny disappears. With the law closing in, Corinne and Ada are forced to hunt for answers, even as betrayal faces them at every turn.
INTERVIEW WITH DESTINY
Top 5 Things readers need to know about the book
It’s set in Boston, just before the ratification of Prohibition in 1919.
Corinne and Ada, the main characters, are BFFs whose hobbies include poetry, music, kicking ass, and taking names.
The girls are up against a creepy asylum, a corrupt councilman, and a sinister government agency.
The book is chock full of magic, mobsters, betrayal, and intrigue.
Also socialists.
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Who/What was your inspiration for becoming a writer? How long have you been writing?
Stories have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad used to tell me bedtime stories every night when I was a kid. When I was seven or eight, I decided to try my hand at it and wrote a book called “Horses of All Kinds” (complete with illustrations and staple binding). I’ve been writing ever since.
Which of your characters would you say you are most like?
I guess I probably have the most in common with Corinne, in that I also love poetry, am quite short, and am a perpetual smartass.
If your book was to be turned into a movie who would you cast as your leads?
I think Jasmin Savoy Brown would make a lovely Ada. And Zoey Deutch has the perfect amount of sass to be Corinne.
Did you have to research anything for your book?
So. Much. Research. I am also not the best at keeping myself focused, so a lot of the research time was spent falling into rabbit holes of Youtube videos of old Model T’s and looking at pretty flapper dresses.
In 5 words how would you describe Iron Cast?
An excess of witty banter.
If your characters were in the hunger games who’d win? Which Hogwarts house would your main character be in?
Is it cheating to say that Corinne and Ada would probably pull a Katniss/Peeta at the very end with the berries? Also Corinne is a Slytherin and Ada is a Gryffindor. Hurray for unlikely friendships!
What’s on your playlist? Does the music go with your book?
There’s a pretty bizarre mix of 1920s tunes, Metric, Bastille, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, and even some TSwift. When it comes to creating a writing playlist, I usually pick songs that remind me of characters or capture the “feel” of the story. One of these days I’ll probably make it public, so stay tuned! (See what I did there?)
MEET THE AUTHOR:
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Email: destinysoriawrites@gmail.com
Website: destinysoria.com
Twitter & Instagram: @thedestinysoria
Facebook: facebook.com/dlsoria
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28169297-iron-cast
Preorder: https://amzn.com/1419721925
SORIA, Destiny. Iron Cast. 384p. Abrams/Amulet. Oct. 2016. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781419721922.
Gr 9 Up--Owing to a blood condition, hemopaths have the ability to perform a variety of illusions through poetry, painting, or music. In an alternate Boston, as Prohibition is on the verge of making alcohol illegal in 1919, hemopathy shows are also officially against the law. Corinne Wells and Ada Navarra have called Johnny Dervish's club, the Cast Iron, home for years, blending their respective magical talents as a wordsmith and a songsmith both on stage and in cons meant to rustle up enough money to keep the club open. After a routine job goes wrong, Ada is sent to a hemopath prison, and her attempt at escape sets off a series of events that leave two Cast Iron workers dead and Dervish in the wind. With only each other and their talents as hemopaths and con women to rely on, Ada and Corinne will have to confront uncomfortable truths about Johnny, the Cast Iron, and themselves if they want to keep their freedom. Woven with layered themes, including racial prejudice (Corinne is white, and Ada is mixed race), Soria's debut novel is an atmospheric alternate history fantasy. Readers will be easily swept up by the vivid descriptions of everything from historic Boston locations to complex hemopath illusions. Stories of the diverse cast of flawed and complicated characters striving to do better complement the solid female friendship at the core of this absorbing novel. VERDICT Mystery and fantasy blend well in this witty title filled with twists and fast-paced action. A first purchase for all fiction collections.--Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Carbone, Emma. "Soria, Destiny. Iron Cast." School Library Journal, vol. 62, no. 12, Dec. 2016, pp. 124+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A472370696/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=45af5010. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021.
Soria, Destiny. Iron Cast. Amulet/Abrams, 2016. 384p. $17.95. 978-1-4197-2192-2.
In an alternate 1919 Boston, Ava Navarro and Corinne Wells are unlikely best friends. The teenagers are hemopaths whose blood carries a factor giving them the power to create visions and illusions through art. With the gift comes an excruciating aversion to cold iron. At the Cast Iron nightclub, protected by its gangster owner Johnny Dervish, Ava plays her beloved violin as Corinne recites poetry for wealthy patrons who pay well for the privilege of being mesmerized. The pair also uses their gifts to pull elaborate con games, separating unsuspecting "regs" from their money. Unfortunately, hemopathy is illegal and the sinister Hemopath Protection Agency (HPA) seizes its practitioners, sending them to facilities like the grim Haversham Asylum for Afflictions of the Blood. Sought by the HPA, Ava and Corinne face betrayal, torture, and the threat of death.
Sorias complex and occasionally confusing supernatural/historical/fantasy debut novel requires commitment from readers. The story does not adequately explain the relationship between blood, hemopathic gifts, and the torment of iron. While the beginning of the book moves ponderously, the final third becomes a series of dramatic captures and rescues. Although the author devotes many pages to establishing setting and characters, neither the world of 1919 nor the individuals ever come to life. Sensible Ava and impulsive Corinne are likeable protagonists, but their friends and enemies never emerge from the shadows. Choose this title for collections where this genre mash-up will be popular. --Jamie Hansen.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
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Hansen, Jamie. "Soria, Destiny. Iron Cast." Voice of Youth Advocates, vol. 39, no. 5, Dec. 2016, p. 80. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A474768015/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7d4861f4. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021.
Fire with Fire. By Destiny Soria. June 2021. 432p. HMH, $17.99 (9780358329732). Gr. 8-12.
Dani just wants to be a normal teenager but, unfortunately, she's a Rivera, which comes with the expectation of upholding the family legacy: dragon slaying. In a world where most people believe dragons to be fantasy creatures, Dani keeps this part of her life a secret--and compartmentalizing has its drawbacks. Her older sister, Eden, on the other hand, is completely dedicated to their slayer training, though she's increasingly jealous of Danis natural talent. This tension comes to a head when each sister undergoes a transformative experience that draws them into a much larger conflict. For Dani, an encounter with a dragon reveals a rare but powerful connection between them, turning Dani from dragon slayer to ally. Meanwhile, Eden becomes entangled with sorcerers whose offer of magic comes at a dear cost. Sorias fantasy ably balances entertainment and substance as she traces both girls' journeys, giving dragons a voice and taking a hard look at empathy along the way. The girls' Mexican American heritage and Dani's bisexual identity also add meaningful dimension to this fiery read. --Julia Smith
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
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Smith, Julia. "Fire with Fire." Booklist, vol. 117, no. 19-20, 1 June 2021, p. 74. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A666230282/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=38ec66c8. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021.
SORIA, Destiny. Fire with Fire. 432p. HMH. Jun. 2021. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780358329732.
Gr 9 Up--Sisters Eden and Dani grew up living a double life--swordplay and school, friends and fire. Being a part of a dragon slayer family entails grueling practice, but also lying to anyone who isn't born into the clan. Eden, who practices diligently, avoided her schoolmates, graduating high school with the basic credits. Dani, who'd rather watch a dragon movie with her friends than actually spend time with a dragon, tries to avoid her pedigree, going to parties and doing anything to live the average teenage life. Dani's lifestyle of not caring but somehow managing to usurp Eden is infuriating, and Eden's constant nagging and disdain does little to make Dani stop. But how far will the sisters go to get what they want? In alternating perspectives, this novel explores what self-doubt, manipulation, and bad influences can do. A gripping tale filled with incredible metaphors, fitting pop culture references, and hilarious punchlines, the plot is predictable but the characters are heroic and relatable, making it an enticing read to the end. Eden and Dani's father is white and their mother is Mexican. VERDICT The plot will resonate with young teens though the language, violence, and characters skew older.--Moksha Davaloor, Carroll H.S. Lib., Southlake, TX
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Davaloor, Moksha. "SORIA, Destiny. Fire with Fire." School Library Journal, vol. 67, no. 5, May 2021, p. 89. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A661255319/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b4401ffd. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021.
Soria, Destiny BENEATH THE CITADEL Amulet/Abrams (Young Adult Fiction) $17.99 10, 9 ISBN: 978-1-4197-3146-4
Some authors take in medias res very seriously.
When this fantasy novel begins, the main characters have already been arrested for capital crimes, some of them have already dated and broken up, and key members of their rebel group have already betrayed each other or died. It makes for a dramatic opening (the first sentence is "Four people were supposed to die at sunrise"), but Soria (Iron Cast, 2016) has to spend the rest of the book filling in the background. Some facts are repeated several times, and one chapter is nothing but plot exposition, which makes it so dense it's nearly unreadable. The story begins to feel like it ought to be the second book in a series, the sequel to a novel that was never written, but it's the rare sequel that's genuinely satisfying. The action is fast-paced, when it isn't being interrupted with flashbacks and exposition. Many of the surprise plot twists are actually surprising. The premise, based around "infallible prophecies," raises interesting questions about free will. (Aging Taylor Dayne fans may find themselves humming "You Can't Fight Fate" after they start reading.) The characters are complex. (They are, however, mostly white, though a few have skin that's ambiguously described as "bronze" or "light tawny brown," and some are bisexual or asexual.)
This is a thrilling adventure story. It would be twice as thrilling if it were split in two. (Fantasy. 13-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Soria, Destiny: BENEATH THE CITADEL." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Aug. 2018. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A548137773/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=73675d04. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021.
Beneath the Citadel
by Destiny Soria
High School Amulet/Abrams 475 pp. g 10/18 978-1-4197-3146-4 $17.99
In a city ruled by despotic elders who can see the future, four teens are condemned to death for breaking into the citadel: snarky Cassa, sixteen, whose firebrand parents were killed fighting in a rebellion; Newt, fifteen, whose abusive father taught him contortionism; charming Evander, sixteen, who has a magical blood-bond to silver; and practical Alys, seventeen, Evander's sister, whose apothecary parents were branded for helping a wounded rebel fighter. Their talents aid them in a bravura escape, but their route takes them into the catacombs where they meet their would-be executioner--who wants their help. Author Soria plays around with prophecies of the future, memory manipulation, and unstable trust, keeping her audience off-balance with revelations of betrayal that include a tricky subplot involving a friend of Cassas who appears to be playing both sides. The four protagonists are drawn in strong lines, their personalities bold and distinct with some swoony romance between the two boys and welcome diversity regarding body shape and sexuality (e.g., Alys is described as fat and asexual). Although the climax is a little convoluted, readers will be able to follow the twists and turns through to the satisfying conclusion.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 The Horn Book, Inc.. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.hbook.com/magazine/default.asp
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Burkam, Anita L. "Beneath the Citadel." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 94, no. 5, Sept.-Oct. 2018, p. 96. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A552263170/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=0203b312. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021.