An Interview With FM Isaacs
Thank you so much for sharing your book with me and agreeing to do a Q&A for my readers.
Thanks for having me! Happy to be here!
Give us a quick summary of Family of the Fox!
Sure! Family of the Fox focuses on the experiences of a senior in high school, eighteen-year-old Corinne Greene. Her brother, Daniel, transports a legendary“wizard” from 1300s Hungary to the present. Known as Aldous “the Fox” for his rumored shapeshifting abilities, the “wizard” befriends Corinne, introducing her into an extraordinary world that her relatives have kept hidden from her.
When her family learns what Daniel has done, however, they insist that he return Aldous to the 1300s. Family lore states that the shapeshifter is actually their ancestor, and that his abilities have been passed down to many of his descendants. Corinne doesn't have much time to discover what she might be capable of, however. Daniel has suddenly gone missing, and Corinne is certain Aldous is to blame. She needs to find her brother and to bring “The Fox” back to where he belongs. If she fails, her "Family of the Fox" may be erased from existence.
This book was actually inspired by another series that you wrote. Can you share how this series came to be?
My first series, the Taunting Fate trilogy, follows Patricia and Julian Greene, Corinne's parents. (It is not yet published as of this interview) As I fine-tuned these novels, I discussed them with my husband and family. My sons loved the characters and constantly asked to read their stories, but I couldn't let them. The books were intended for adult readers. Back then, my children weren't even teenagers yet. So, after much pleading on their part, I began work on my first young adult book, Family of the Fox.
Obviously, this series revolves around family. Have any of your family or friends inspired characters in the book?
Yes! Corinne's two brothers, Daniel and Matthew, are loosely based on my sons. Also, Corinne's mother, Patricia, is similar to me – although I'm still waiting for my special abilities to manifest...
This was your first published novel. Did you have any major hurdles in getting this book out into the world?
I think the biggest hurdle was choosing to self-publish. I was afraid to move away from traditional publishing, but I can say that I'm quite happy that I did!
How long did it take you to finish your book, from first draft to publication?
Almost three years.
Did you always envision this story to be a series or did it happen unexpectedly?
When I first wrote Family of the Fox, I wasn't sure about a sequel, but I did leave the story open if I chose to continue later on. The incredibly positive response to my book plus many requests for a continuation led me to write Trail of the Fox, which came out in February 2020.
Describe your writing style. How has it changed/developed over the years?
My first novel was written like a traditional book. I followed all the rules I'd learned in creative writing courses, classes, and workshops. The book had its usual share of flowery descriptions, long paragraphs about the exact weather conditions, and all of the details anyone could ask for. In an effort to connect with readers, I spoke to others about their individual reading habits. I was surprised to find that most people skimmed or completely skipped much of this “superfluous” information. One person told me that, “I just want to get to the action. I don't care what color the girl's shirt is and what paint color is on the wall.” His comment led me to completely rethink my style. I now write in a more minimalist fashion, leaving many of the minute details to the reader's imagination. Since Family of the Fox is written as if Corinne herself was the author, she probably wouldn't write a page-long description of a sunset or paint colors anyway.
Your book is self-published. Can you share with us why you chose this route and what about it has worked well for you?
This was a very hard decision for me. Everyone I spoke to, even published authors, pretty much suggested I forego traditional publishing. They said it's not what it was, plus it's nearly impossible to get an agent. I was told that, unless you're a very well-known author, traditional publishers won't do much for you. Despite this, I did submit to some agents, and I did get a few manuscript requests. But I knew there were a million YA Fantasy writers out there in the same boat as me, and if I didn't self-publish, I could be waiting years (if ever) until an agent or publisher took me on. I really did not have unlimited time to devote to what seemed an endless process, and I also didn't have any connections in the traditional publishing world to help me. So I'm glad I took the initiative – my books are out there, I have control of everything, and I can do things on my own schedule. I'm really grateful that self-publishing is an option today.
Your book features “The Fox”, a fairy tale villain. Was he inspired by real fairy tales?
Aldous “The Fox” is actually a “changer”, which is a shapeshifter who can transform anything at all, not just himself. He was not based on or even inspired by any particular character, although it was pointed out by one reviewer that his adventures with Corinne are somewhat reminiscent of Merlin and the young King Arthur.
Your website says you like to include a bit of romance in each of your stories. Why do you feel like that is an essential part of your novels?
I don't know if I'd call it “essential”, but I do tend to put a bit of everything into my books. I like a little laugh here and there, a bit of mystery, and a touch of romance to add another layer to the characters as well as the plot.
Family of the Fox and its sequel, Trail of the Fox, are available now. What are you working on next?
The third and last book, Legacy of the Fox, should be coming out early next year. In the meantime, I'm working on several projects at once. I am re-writing the Taunting Fate series as a YA project. I am also putting the finishing touches on a novel about Brian, Corinne's grumpy shapeshifter grandfather. He is one of my most popular characters, and many people are curious about his backstory. I'm having a ball with it- Grandpa Brian's one of my favorite characters, too.
