Defiance Press & Publishing is proud to highlight rising talent Rachael Waechter, whose debut novel “Playing with Fire” has been captivating readers with its unique blend of action and supernatural elements. In a recent interview, Waechter shared insights into her publishing journey and creative process.
Like many first-time authors, Waechter came into publishing with practical knowledge about the craft but discovered unexpected challenges and rewards along the way. “The most surprising aspect was realizing my story was no longer just in my head,” she reveals. “Having readers invest in my characters and plot has been both thrilling and humbling.”
The path to publication required significant dedication, with Waechter emphasizing the importance of commitment for aspiring authors. “I’ve read my debut novel dozens of times, annotated it repeatedly, and gone through multiple rounds of edits,” she explains. Her partnership with Defiance Press & Publishing proved instrumental in bringing her vision to life, with Waechter praising the team’s responsiveness and support throughout the production process.
Marketing has presented both challenges and opportunities for growth. Waechter has embraced social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook to connect with readers, and she’s planning to expand to TikTok. She’s also taken an innovative approach to building readership by encouraging library acquisitions of her book.
Fans of Playing with Fire will be pleased to know that Waechter is currently working on a sequel. The title remains under wraps, but the author promises to continue the story that has already drawn in so many readers.
The novel introduces readers to an intriguing world where supernatural abilities and danger collide, as evidenced by the gripping scene released in the book excerpt. The story features high-stakes confrontations and mysterious characters that keep readers turning pages.
Readers can connect with Rachael Waechter on various social media platforms under @authorrachaelwaechter or reach out via email at [email protected].
Excerpt from Playing with Fire
Chapter 1
he only thing I knew for sure: I wasn’t dead. Somewhere in my subconscious, I realized this and suddenly jerked to life, gasping for air. My head screamed out in pain, temples thumping in tandem with my heart. I could barely open my eyes; the light stung them and caused my head to ache even more. I felt the hard asphalt under me, crumbled and broken, and the thick, dusty air was impossible to breathe.
Sitting up a little and leaning back on my hands, I glanced around. I was in the middle of the road. On both sides of me, cars had flipped over, some were on fire. The road had been destroyed.
What the heck happened? Where am I? How did I get here? My body was numb, my senses weakened. All I could feel was the throbbing pain of the worst headache imaginable, the crumbled road under my hands, and a rhythmical pulsing in my left ankle.
I looked around and saw people running in the distance. They were panicked and running in different directions. Women were sprinting and sobbing with their children scooped up in their arms. Pathetic, scared people wore torn, dirty clothing. While I knew they were screaming, I couldn’t hear their cries. In fact, I couldn’t hear anything but dull ringing. Focusing on it made my head hurt more.
What caused this? Was there an earthquake?
And if there was an earthquake, why was I lying in the middle of the road? Why was I in so much pain? And above all, why was no one helping me?
I tried to push myself up, but my ankle couldn’t bear the weight. I wasn’t strong enough to hoist myself off the ground. On hands and knees, I panted into the hot asphalt.
Then it hit me: I might die here. How? How do I deserve this?
I had no memory of any events; my mind was blank, so truthfully, I didn’t know whether or not I deserved to die in the middle of that road. The only thing I could remember was my name.
I tried pushing up again, but this time, my arms gave out, and I collapsed onto my stomach. The air grew hotter. The fire was getting closer. I was going to die.
Fighting to stay conscious, but to no avail, I started slipping away: I was going. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I heard a voice. I had no idea where it was coming from, but beyond it, I could finally hear screaming in the distance. The voice spoke again; this time it was shouting.
“Keep breathing! Focus on breathing! We’ve got you!”
Without warning, someone rolled me over and scooped me into a cradled position. My eyes were barely open, but I saw a second person staring at me—a young man. I could make out brown eyes and a calm face. “Miss Bianca Williams? We’re here to help you. You’re safe now.” And then everything went black again.
