Welcome to the first edition of Authortalk! I’ll be posting quarterly on small press and indie authors to showcase some of these fantastic lesser known writers.
Today, we’re focusing on author Sheri Yutzy! Her fascinating debut novel, The Seller of Secrets, releases on April 26. Here’s a little about the book.
Inspired by historical Florence, Italy, and based on legends of the Renaissance-era Medici family, The Seller of Secrets is a YA romantasy novel with a sensory and elemental–based magic system.
On the mystical island of Bardia, Bell Asbury’s sister is dying. A girl with an extraordinary but volatile gift for fusing magical elixirs, Bell was eleven when she accidentally struck her sister, Roza, with a magic that left her with an incurable illness. Six years later, she overhears her sister’s fiancé buying illicit ingredients for a brainwashing elixir. Alarmed and infuriated, Bell tries to end the engagement, but Roza’s fiancé is from a noble house, the sisters’ father is in debt, and their mother is eager to have a connection to a powerful family.
Desperate to find a cure for Roza’s disease and an antidote to the brainwashing elixir, Bell uncovers a tangled web of secrets that leads to a man called the Seller of Secrets and his plot to use the brainwashing elixir to force the entire island to obey him. Bell alone can create an antidote, but her experiments risk the sanity of those she loves.
Rian, an infuriatingly handsome spy, offers to help her defeat the Seller of Secrets. Although she knows Rian is a master of deception, Bell can’t stop herself from falling for him. But with so many things changing in her life, Bell doesn’t know who she can trust and who is working to control her gift.
Does that sound amazing? Sheri recently sat down with me to share more about the book, her writing, and what she loved best about the fascinating characters.
Hi Sheri! Thanks for spending some time with me. The Seller of Secrets was such a good book! I loved that it wasn’t a typical medieval setting and instead relied on a lush, coastal location/setting. So I have to ask, where did you get the idea for this book?
The setting of The Seller of Secrets was sparked by a trip I took to Florence, Italy, with my sister and now sister-in-law. The city was so magical and warm, I knew I had to write a story set there. It’s a YA Romantasy, and it’s woven with themes of power and responsibility, trust, and the nature of art, and Renaissance, Italy was the perfect backdrop for those elements. All the themes are things I’ve worked through in my own life. Exploring them through story helps me to process my own growth.
I’ve found that to be true as well. Was there anything you edited out of this book?
In early drafts, Rian was much more sinister and Bell less confident. Mary Weber did a developmental edit for me prior to finding my agent, and she showed me how strong Bell really was. My agent, Rebecca Lawrence, then helped me revise Rian until he was a better match for Bell!
Thank you so much for revising Rian—lol. (I’m not a fan of the dark “bad boy.”) Even though he was less sinister, he and the other characters kept me guessing whether or not they were good guys! You mentioned how Mary Weber helped you find Bell’s strength. Can you give us more insight into her?
Bell is fiercely honest, which may be my favorite thing about her. She’s one of the more innocent characters in the story, which was hard to write well and not overdo it, but I think her innocence works with her honesty. She’s not jaded. She’s hopeful. She believes the best about people. She’s one of my favorite characters but was actually hard to write.
Interesting. I usually find villains hard to write. How did you get in touch with your “inner villain” to write the antagonist in this book?
This antagonist deceived himself to justify controlling everyone around him. I can find that same temptation in myself when things don’t go my way and I think, It would be so much simpler if everyone did it the way I want. My MC also faces this, so in a way, she shows a positive version of the antagonist.
I’m still laughing over your “inside thought.” Did you ever consider any other titles for this manuscript?
It was originally The Secret Seller, but we switched it to The Seller of Secrets for clarity.
I can see why that might be confusing. This book is your debut novel. How long did you write before you became published?
I started writing my first novel when I was fourteen, so eighteen years ago! I’ve had short stories published over the last ten years, but this is my very first novel.
We’re glad you kept at it—writing can be a long but fun ride. Do you have a playlist/composer or use any visual aids while you’re writing (i.e., maps, Pinterest, magazine pictures, etc.)?
I listen to certain artists for a long time, different ones for each book. I’m working on a woodsy YA fantasy right now, and my soundtrack is Gregory Alan Isakov. I use Pinterest boards when working out the plot, and then later when fine tuning descriptions.
Pinterest is such a time-suck for me, but it really helps with visualization. As I mentioned, writing is a fun but hard profession. Aside from “keep writing,” what’s your best advice for aspiring writers?
Remember why you love doing this! The joy of creating a story you love truly is the best part.
I totally agree! What are your go-to writing resources that could help aspiring authors?
I highly recommend The Writer’s Sanctuary, run by Mary Weber and CJ Redwine. Also, any writing courses by Maggie Stiefvater–I’ve learned so much from her, and her courses are affordable and you can rewatch them.
Writing courses are an excellent way to learn more, especially if you can’t afford a writing conference. How do you begin your stories? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A recovering Pantser. In early years, I pantsed because it was easy, not because the plotting stifled my creativity. Now that I’m writing under deadline, I have no time to mess around. 🙂
Speaking of time, how long does it take you to write a book—from preliminary plotting to final proofread?
Tough question, it changes with every book! I would estimate a year if I worked on the same book the whole time. I usually brainstorm and plot while working on a previous book, then focus on drafting the new one, then take a break and edit another story while the first one sits.
Wow, you’re a multitasker! I can’t divide my attention like that, so kudos to you! Do you do any other creative activities other than writing?
I love to knit, bake, and garden.
You’ll be able to get into your garden soon, now that the weather is warming up. Before we go, one silly question: shoes or barefoot?
Barefoot!
Thanks so much, Sheri, for giving us more insight into your writing and your novel The Seller of Secrets. And congratulations on its release–it’s a great story!
Check out The Seller of Secrets here: https://www.amazon.com/Seller-Secrets-Sheri-Yutzy/dp/B0F8GK5392/
Pre-order The Seller of Secrets from Sheri’s favorite indie bookstore, The Bibliophile, and get a Mira Byler art print of Bell’s garden for free! https://shop.ohbibliophile.com/products/author/Sheri%20Yutzy
Sheri Yutzy is the author of atmospheric Young Adult fantasy books. She was born and raised as a Mennonite in Ohio, surrounded by beautiful Amish country. She read and wrote voraciously throughout her childhood and never doubted for a moment she would be an author. Sheri lives in a small Ohio city in an old Italianate home with her musician husband and four beautiful children. When she’s not writing, she’s tending her garden, baking something, or pulling her youngest children in their wagon.
Find Sheri online at Instagram @sheriyutzyauthor.
Website: https://sheriyutzy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheriyutzyauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233894456-the-seller-of-secret
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sherilynyutzy
Substack https://substack.com/@sheriyutzyauthor?utm_source=menu