For those of you a little bit curious about the girl behind the curtain, here are a couple of quick things about me:
-My full name, which looks like quite a handful, is a combination of my mother’s last name (Yelich) and my father’s (Koth). Pronunciation is easy if you break it down: “Yell-itch” and the word Coat with an “h” on the end. Now you try. 🙂
-I had quite a varied educational background, from Spanish Immersion primary school, to vocal music at an arts high school (where I learned classical music and opera), and finally my B.S. in Biology. I’ve always had a love for animal work and found myself most interested in marine biology and entomology–which may account for why science fiction has such a draw as animals in those areas are some of the least Earthly looking creatures out there.
-I have been writing since middle school, but didn’t consider it as a career until 2003.
-I have a horrible memory, which comes in handy when rereading books that I love, because I always find something new in them I forgot the first time around.
-I enjoy multiple genres and writers and have found that if the book interests me, then I’ll read it, regardless of hype, author, or style. I’m always looking for new books so feel free to recommend some that you enjoy.
-As for why I write? I write because I have a story that needs to come out. I write because I can’t NOT write. I write because I love creating something that pulls me out of my own world and lets me for a little while get lost inside someone or someplace else. And I write because I HAVE to know how the story ends.
–Christa Yelich-Koth
As an author: Christa Yelich-Koth is the author of the Eomix Galaxy novels, including the Award-winning book ILLUSION (2016 Novel of Excellence award in Science Fiction from Author’s Circle Awards and ranked #1 in the U.S. for Metaphysical Fantasy ebooks, #1 in Germany for Space Opera, and #2 in Japan for Science Fiction) and U.S. Amazon Bestselling science fantasy novels IDENTITY and COILED VENGEANCE.
Other genres include her Internationally bestselling novel (Canada and Australia,) and #1 ranked in the U.S. for Assassination Thrillers — detective thriller conspiracy, SPIDER’S TRUTH. This is the first book in the Detective Trann series.
She is also the author of the YA Land of Iyah series, beginning with THE JADE CASTLE, which was ranked #1 in the U.S. for Teen & Young Adult Fantasy & Supernatural Mysteries, #1 in Spain for Fantasy books in English, #1 in Canada in Children’s Science Fiction and Fantasy, and #2 in France for Epic Fantasy.
She’s the author of graphic novel HOLLOW, and comic book series HOLLOW’S PRISM.
For Author Services: Christa also loves helping other writers. She edits, formats, develops cover designs, and has been fortunate enough to work with several bestselling authors, both in the U.S. and internationally. She has been a professional editor for over 6 years, leads writing workshops in Oregon and California, including the Southern California Writers Conference, was co-editor for two seasons of audio drama show REDSHIFT, and has shared her expertise on multiple panels.
For those of you interested in contacting me about events, speaking engagements, or purchasing signed copies without the worry of posting something on my website, please email me at cyelkoth@gmail.com.
You can also find me on FaceBook HERE! or follow me on Twitter @cyelkoth
Hello!
Where do you draw your ideas from? Do you start with your plot and then build your characters or do you already have characters you want to explore before you know the plot? I really want to start writing, I just don’t know where to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated! 🙂
Hi Ashley! Thanks so much for your questions! As for my ideas, I usually get a scene in my head, like a woman who wakes up in a room with no windows and has no idea who she is or how she got there. (This is how I began my first book, ILLUSION.) From there, I write the scene, never knowing if it’s the beginning of the book, just writing it down. Then I reread it. If I find it interesting, I continue writing to find out what happens to the character. I’ve found that many authors are different. Some like to outline. Some like starting with the ending and moving backwards. Some, like me, write because we DON’T know the ending and the only way to find out is to keep writing. As for a suggestion on how to start, do you have an idea for a character? A plot? A scene? You could start by writing a bio of the character. Or jotting down notes about the plot. Or writing down the scene and seeing where it goes. Also feel free to email me at cyelkoth@gmail.com if you have other questions!! Hope this helps!
Good luck with writing and thanks for commenting on my blog! 🙂
Thanks, Spike! It was a fun blog to comment on!
Once again, Christa, I continue to be proud to know you and am extremely impressed by your recent accomplishments. joan
Thanks, Joan! It has been such a crazy busy time. I’m so thankful for your support along this journey!
Good luck with your writing career 🙂
Best of luck with your writing career. Worked with your dad for years in waukesha and had the pleasure of meeting you several times. Just had lunch with him- he sure is proud of you!
Christa … I had no idea. Pretty sure I still don’t but now I have a little bit better one. Thanks for sharing with me a little peek into your life and work. Crazy cool. Congratz you!!
Christa, great website, you have a neat background. I look forward to more blogs.
Loren and Lucinda
Wow! I am so excited about your writing. You have always been so creative and original. I am amazed at how far you have come in such a short time. I am so very proud of you. Keep up the great work. love, Kathy (Claire’s mom)
Congratulations on getting started with a website, Christa! Hope the info Sally and I shared at SCWC continues to be helpful. I look forward to following your progress and wish you the best.