Nimue: Freeing Merlin received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Ayn Cates Sullivan.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Nimue: Freeing Merlin was published on January 7, 2021 by Infinite Light Publishing & Media, LLC
What’s the book’s first line?
“I looked back over my left shoulder at the car that was following me.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
The novel Nimue begins in 21st-century New York City, 17-year-old Nina and her mother, Diana, are finally finding their footing while recovering from the death of Nina’s father, Felix. Diana wants to return to Great Britain to reconnect with her roots. Daughter and mother embark on the trip to London together, and Nina discovers over time that their roots are deeper and more mystical than they realized. Nina eventually is captured by by Morgan, Goddess of the Sea and sister of King Arthur. Morgan’s role is to literally push Nina into her journey to 5th century Ynys Witrin, so the young woman can discover who she really is. Guess who? The Avalonian Priestess of the Moon, Nimue—the title character.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I completed my doctorate in Anglo-Irish literature at Kings College London in 1993. I have continued to fall more deeply in love with myth and legends. I have taken several trips to Glastonbury, England and developed a fascination with Arthurian legends and the Ladies of the Lake. I actually decided to study with John Matthews (Britain’s expert on Arthurian legend) and Caitlin Matthews (an expert on Welsh mythology) and have now studied with them for several years. Doing the research for this book has been a real pleasure. I also visited all of the sacred sites listed in the book, including Saint Nectan’s Glenn and Tintagel in Cornwall.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
The known stories of King Arthur are major Hero’s Journeys, where the hero goes out and raids to find the powerful Holy Grail. With Nimue, I wrote a Heroine’s Journey, which is more internal. It’s about becoming receptive and open to your inner gifts. You may discover something of your own inner magic in the story.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Originally, I wrote the book as a non-fiction memoir of my travels, so there is something of my own story there that I decided to fictionalize as I fell in love with Nimue, one of the Ladies of the Lake. What is most distinctive about Nina is her curiosity and bravery. What I love about Nimue is that she is a priestess with magical powers.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
I think Caitriona Balfe who plays Clarie in the Outlander series would make a great Nina/Nimue.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I told my father when I was eight years old that I was on earth to be a mystic poet. He asked me how I would make money and I told him it had been divinely handled.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
I have written fifteen books, although most are children’s fairy tales. This is the third book, and first complete novel in the Legends of the Grail series. I wrote the series to honor the women of the Celtic tradition.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I am the host of Wisdom of the Ages on the SuperPower Network. My show had 2.6 million listeners in 2020. I am also the president of Infinite Light Publishing & Media. The rest of the time I like to roam the Blue Ridge Mountains.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I write every day and it varies between two and thirteen hours depending on whether or not the muse has me.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
I like being in control of writing, editing, designing, printing and marketing my books, and have had three Amazon best sellers. I have fairly good distributors, but it is hard to get into bookstores as an indie author, although that seems to matter less now. Many authors are starting to join Infinite Light Publishing now and so we are becoming an established Small Press. I enjoy the fact I can enter book awards and I can steer my own ship.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Write because you love it. Don’t let a bad review keep you from writing. People have opinion and styles, so what. Write what is in your heart and always try to be a contribution to the world.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I would consider a traditional publisher, although it would only make sense with certain books. If there was a good advance and I would be assured that the book would be made available to bookstores, then it might be to my advantage and my help my other titles sell. It may also help my reputation as an established author.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
I am motivated by the dreams that live in my heart and soul.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I admire J R R Tolkein. I went to an exhibit at Oxford of his work. I was amazed to see not only his research and wall of rejection slips, but also all the details and maps. He really created his own inner world.
Which book do you wish you could have written?