An Interview with Tilly Hornsby
Tilly Hornsby is a fantasy writer who loves creating stories where ordinary moments transform into impossible magic. Her work is guided by a love for the extraordinary, adventure, and beautiful scenes that come to life on the page. When she isn’t writing, Tilly can be found exploring new coffee shops, playing the bass guitar, and adventuring with her pet dog, Luna—a cuddly Hungarian Vizsla who has perfected the art of getting in the way when Tilly is trying to do her work!
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Guardian of the Depths had a few different names before it became the one it is now! It started as the Sea Goddess’s Chosen to Guardian of the Pirates before I settled on Guardian of the Depths.
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
It was a seriously unreal moment to hold my own book for the first time. I couldn’t stop smiling all day, and I remember passing it around to my friends like it was my baby!
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I’ve always had a love for stories, right from when I was little and playing make-believe, the idea of creating a whole new world or concept of the one I was living in was attractive to me. My teachers gave me a lot of encouragement, too, and meeting the author of The Company of Goblins, Celia Leofsy, and having her sign one of her books when I was eight has always stuck with me. She was a huge inspiration, and I still have her book!
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I’m a digital marketing student at the minute! Even if it isn’t story writing, creativity is huge to me, and marketing just seems like the ideal career for me. At the minute, a lot of my jobs have included some sort of waitressing/bartending.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Opening my first order of books and being able to sign and give them to friends and family. It was both nerve-wracking to give them what I see as a part of myself, but also such a proud moment.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
The album Lost at Sea by fin was playing on repeat a lot of the time.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
Book two of Guardian of the Depths, as well as a Victorian-era mystery/gothic horror.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
Absolutely fantastic, the team are so lovely and supportive, and they were always quick to answer if I ever had any questions, even now after the book is out. I’d definitely recommend them to any writers wanting to publish.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.