Author Interview + Giveaway: Kelbian Noel

I am delighted to have author Kelbian Noel, author of The Witchbound Series, on the blog today!

Thank you for your interview. Can you tell readers a little about yourself?

Thanks for having me!

I’m a mom, technical writer and editor by trade. I’m a writer just for the pleasure of it. 🙂

In your own words, can you tell us a little bit about your books, the Witchbound series?

The series is about four witches with the extraordinary abilities to control the four elements. Their families’ kept them in the dark about their abilities with the intention of keeping them safe. But this plan has backfired and the story begins.

Which came first, the titles or the books?

Elemental came first. It was Baltimore’s story. After writing it I mapped out the rest of the series. A year after I released that book, I decided to revamp it, changing the name and hiring a cover designer (Rachel Rivera of Parajunkee.net who is AMAZING). I changed the name to Roots and then came up with the other three titles, Sprung, Smolder and Surface.

Can you tell us about the characters in your book? Who is your favorite character?

First we meet Baltimore who has been raised Wiccan but isn’t really interested in her parents’ religion. And she considers it just that, a religion and nothing more. Then comes Skye, who has just discovered magic, thanks to her grandmother’s slip of the tongue. Following her is Calida, who is completely oblivious to everything–including who her own family is. Later on, I’ll introduce know-it-all, Mohana, who is a breath of fresh air when it comes all things magic. She’s knowledgeable, straight forward, cocky and just tiny bit in over her head.

Right now, Mohana is my favorite. But I think that’s because I’m in the midst of writing her story. They’ve all been my favorite at one point.

Which character would you have dinner with?

That’s a tough one, but I think I’d choose the “bad girl”, Joslin. I’d love to really get to know her, to figure out why she’s gone through such lengths to get the one thing she’s not allowed to have. I explore it a little bit more in Smolder, but there’s a lot more to her story.

If you could invite any three fictional characters to a dinner party who would be extended invitations? Why did you select these three characters?

Aladdin, because he’s the star of my favorite movie. Genie, because, well, he’s a genie and that has to be an interesting life to learn about. And Verbal Kint from The Usual Suspects because that guy is just brilliant.

Where do you like to write?

I write in the living room, usually, or my bedroom (but I try to avoid that). The room always has to be dark, curtains drawn and absolute quiet.

Why did you decide to become a writer?

I’ve been writing stories since I was a kid, so it’s always just been something I’ve done. Being able to publish them for anyone to read has been an incredible adventure.

What do you do when you aren’t writing?

When I’m not writing I’m being a mom or working. The small amount of time I have off from those two things I spend engaged in a good book.

What do you want readers to take away from your book?

The most important thing I’ve tried to relay is that despite differences people can have a heck of a lot in common. And sometimes it’s the difference among members that make the best teams.

The first three books in the Witchbound series have been published. Each book corresponds to one of the Elementals. What’s in the works after finishing the final book?

The final book is actually entitled Spirit. It’s four-part novel in the form of novellas told from Ramon’s point of view. But it is a retelling of all four books–closure so to speak.

Surface is in the works, but I haven’t released a date for publication yet. This story is fun to tell. It’s a little lighter than the other three. All four girls are together throughout the entire story. And like with real sisters there will be ups and downs.

About the Author

Kelbian Noel was born on a warm June night in Moncton, New Brunswick. From a very young age, she loved to read. She found herself engulfed in novels by Janette Oke and L.M. Montgomery, but never seemed to find herself in the pages. At the age of 11 she declared she would simply have to rewrite them, and become the youngest author in history. But life was full of baseball, homework, BFFs and boys. Decades later, having studied writing in college and pursued it as a career, she rediscovered her hobby. She is excited to introduce The Witchbound Series to the world with hopes someone will love this story as much as she does. Kelbian lives in Toronto, Ontario with her two children (where, thanks to a thick layer of smog, Junes are much warmer than they used to be).