A Noblewoman. A Pirate. And a Tyrant. Who Will Survive?

1) Hi! I’m excited about talking with you today. But first, let’s begin with the introductions. What is your author name? You can use your pen name if you have one.

Jillian Eagan

2) What is your genre(s)?

YA High Fantasy

3) What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?

Lex Croucher, K. Ancrum, Gabe Cole Novoa, Adalyn Grace, A. B. Poranek, Aiden Thomas, Timothy Snyder, Rebecca Ross, Stephanie Garber, Adrienne Young

4) How long have you been writing?

Ever since I learned how to form sentences on a page. I would handwrite little stories. Then my mom taught me how to type and use Word (2003 version!) I remember writing my first trilogy about three owl siblings. I printed out the pages, stapled them together, and showed them off to anyone who would listen. I never really stopped writing, it’s always been something that helps me make sense of the world.

5) Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

The main characters usually come to me immediately. Either I’ll get an idea and come up with the characters that fit that idea, or I’ll come up with the characters first. As I outline, side characters will come along to fill out the plot.

6) What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

I tend to write with a certain historical period in mind, so I’ll research clothing, modes of transportation, architecture, inventions, etc. But as I write, I’ll often look up things on the fly like perfume scents, fabrics, plants, or anything else that needs to fit the scene.

7) What do you think about the current publishing market?

I think writing has always been a tough market to break into. I tried the traditional route for a year and a half with two different manuscripts. After close to 200 rejections, I lost my drive to write and thought about giving up. But the good thing about the writing landscape now is that you can do a lot of it yourself. Self-publishing is more accessible but that doesn’t mean it’s easier. The market is pretty saturated and a lot of it relies on social media marketing. So, it’s something to learn as I was never savvy with social media.

8) Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?

I read a lot. My favorite genre is Fantasy, but lately I’ve been trying to branch out and read different genres. I’ve been reading a lot of nonfiction, some sci-fi, some horror, and select historical romance. I always go out of my way to read LGBTQ+ stories no matter the genre.

9) Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?

I need noise to write. Either I’ll blast music, or I’ll go to a café to write.

10) Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

I try to focus on one at a time. However, right now I’ve been juggling a couple of projects at the same time to meet some deadlines.

11) Pen or typewriter or computer?

I start drafting on a big whiteboard where I have my outline structure set up. In between, I’ll jot down ideas in notebooks. Then I’ll type up the outline and begin the draft.

12) Please tell us about a favorite character from a book.

I absolutely adored The Emily Wilde series by Heather Fawcett. I loved Emily because she’s intelligent, hard-working, and ferociously independent. I loved the romantic plot of the books but I would read a series with just Emily as a character.

13) What is a day in the life of the author?

A lot of emailing, a lot of staring at a computer screen, a lot of typing. I do like the flexibility I have during the day.

14) Advice you would give new authors?

The best thing you can do is just write. I like to keep my first draft as something personal. I don’t usually tell people about it and I’m the only one who reads it. That way I can develop it without any reservations. Your first draft will always be your worst so don’t worry if things don’t make sense.

15) What makes a good story?

A good story comes from the heart and it comes from experience. Even if you’re writing speculative fiction, you should add parts of yourself or your life into your book.

16) What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?

I outline first. I used to just wing it, but over time I’ve become more of a planner. It has helped me reduce the number of drafts I’ll need.

17) What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Getting caught up in tropes. You can’t build a story from trendy tropes, it has to be a story that matters. Tropes are good for marketing your book, but you can’t rely on them to create a compelling plot. If you do, you’ll box yourself in. First drafts need a lot of space to be free and messy. Then, over time, you can tailor the story to get it ready for readers.

18) How long on average does it take you to write a book?

I usually write the first draft in a month. I picked up this habit from National Writing Month in November. Then I set the draft aside for at least two weeks before I begin the first edit. Depending on the story, I’ll do 5-10 drafts before I send it to critique partners or editors.

19) Do you believe in writer’s block?

I believe things in life will impede creativity. I’m also notorious for stressing myself out so much that I can’t seem to write a single word for a week. It’s really tough, but I always suggest to set your manuscript aside and focus on something else for at least a week, if not longer. Having fresh eyes on a piece is better.

20) In just a few sentences, can you pitch your book?

A sheltered noblewoman is thrust into danger and unexpectedly rescued by a ruthless pirate captain. Together, they must survive betrayal, uncover long-buried secrets, and face a tyrant whose power could destroy everything Rosalie loves.

21) That was great! Now can you tell me more about your book?

The Silence of Deceit

The Deceit Trilogy Book 1

The nation of Seity.Four ruling families.

One merciless tyrant.

When Eldon Durane executes a noble family and extinguishes all magic, he ignites a war that spans generations.

Two decades later, Lady Rosalie Yorke and her best friend, Silence, are uprooted from their comfortable lives to escape the spreading war. But Rosalie's world shatters when ruthless raiders kidnap her—only for her fate to collide with Crowe, the notorious pirate captain of the Deceit.Crowe wants nothing to do with Seity’s political turmoil, but the thirst for revenge leads him to Rosalie. Hoping to change his luck, he decides to extort Rosalie’s father for a ransom.Rosalie refuses to be anyone’s pawn, and Crowe has no patience for nobility. As the two bicker and dodge danger, Seity’s long-buried secrets begin to emerge from the shadows.

With Eldon's deadly plan looming, Rosalie and Crowe must set aside their differences. Should they fail, Rosalie may lose everything.Perfect for fans of Adrienne Young's Fable and Amie Kaufman's The Isles of the Gods, The Silence of Deceit is a seafaring tale of betrayal, friendship, and survival. A must-read for fans of pirate fantasy, enemies-to-lovers tension, and sweeping adventures filled with magic and rebellion.

22) Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

Jillian Eagan is an indie author from Massachusetts. She received her BA in Creative Writing from Emmanuel College. Currently, she lives in Cape Cod, where she reads and writes on the beach. Her new book, The Silence of Deceit, is the first of her Young Adult fantasy series.

23) Do you have a website? If so, what is it?

https://jillianeaganauthor.com/

24) Where else can we find and follow you?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillisbookshelf

TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@jilliansbookshelf

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jillian-Eagan/author/B0FTMQY6C1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/59774542.Jillian_Eagan

Giveaway

Ends. Nov. 24th 2025

A Signed Copy (US only),

$20 Amazon or Paypal (WW)

-1 winner each!

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