I met Terrie Leigh Relf through her blog, where she’s done a long-running series of Day in the Life interviews with authors. I’ve had the honor of stopping by twice. I thought it would be fun to turn the tables on her.

Officially, Terrie Leigh Relf is a Lifetime Member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association and an Active member of the Horror Writers Association. In addition to being the editor and judge for Alban Lake Publishing’s somewhat quarterly drabble contest, she serves on the special projects committee. Tales from the Moonlit Path re-launched in time for Halloween and she returned as the poetry editor. In addition to being a published author, Relf is also a freelance writer, editor, content provider, and writing coach. You can learn more about her at https://tlrelf.wordpress.com and purchase her work at Alban Lake Publishing’s Infinite Realms Bookstore: https://www.infiniterealmsbookstore.com/search-results-page/Relf.

Her new book is called Sisterhood of the Blood Moon. For thousands of Earth years, the Transgalactic Consortium has had a quiet interest in this planet and its inhabitants, the Haurans. While the Sisterhood of the Blood Moon works together with the Consortium and Haurans to maintain balance in the universe, the Blood Moon is fast approaching. The power of this moon reveals untold secrets . . . including a sacred covenant with the Mora Spiders. There is an ancient pact that needs to be honored—but at what cost and for whose purpose? The world may come to an end. But will there be a chance for a new beginning?

Did something in the real world inspire Sisterhood of the Blood Moon?

It really does depend on individual viewpoints and experiences… While there was no singular event that inspired this book, it does resonate with events, practices, and other “real-life” occurrences. This includes, but isn’t limited to, UFO sightings, abductions, clandestine organizations, medical experiments (sanctioned and otherwise), virulent diseases, political intrigue, religious/spiritual orders and the roles they play, and the list goes on.

What is your favorite scene in the book?

I have several favorite scenes in the book, each for a different reason. No spoilers, though. One of my favorite scenes is early in the book where there is a Consortium meeting aboard the starship Blood Moon. I like this scene, because it reveals some of the various aliens involved along with details about The Pact and the centuries-long transgalactic trade agreement with Haura, or Earth. This scene also reveals that the mediator, Nareli, who is also a Reverend Mother in the Sisterhood of the Blood Moon, begins to suspect Hauran diplomat, Ms. Baxter, of harboring a secret or being otherwise engaged in an unauthorized project.

What was your writing process like as you wrote the book?

I must admit that this novel went through so many revisions that it was almost revised out of existence! Since Sisterhood of the Blood Moon is a stand-alone novel, but connected to my Boortean universe, one of my challenges was to make sure that I didn’t tread on Beacon Lights of Ranat, which is the actual sequel to The Waters of Nyr.

What was the best thing that happened during your promotion of Sisterhood of the Blood Moon?

Realizing that I need to engage in more self-promotion! That said, Alban Lake Publishing has been doing a stellar job of promoting it. Hearing congratulations from friends and colleagues was, and continues to be, so encouraging.

What do you have planned next?

I have several projects in process. Currently, I’m working on Beacon Lights of Ranat, which is the sequel to Waters of Nyr. You may be familiar with my poetry “handbook,” Poet’s Workshop—and Beyond! I’ve been meaning to finish Fiction Writers Workshop—and Beyond! for the past few years. It will have some reprinted articles as well as new ones. In addition to these projects, I’m nearing completion on Postcards from Space, a collection of poetry, most of which are haibun. I have other projects that I plan to return to after all of the above are “done!”