PAXINOS - While some authors draw inspiration from things around them, imagination is the muse for KristaLyn Vetovich, creating the fantasy world she writes about in her novels.
"The ideas just come to me and then I put them down on paper, and hope people enjoy reading my stories," Vetovich said.
Her latest book, "Pure Fyre," is set to be released June 11. It is the fifth novel written by Vetovich, but the first that will be published under the Tate Publishing company, a leading Christian-book publisher, and not self-published.
"This is a big accomplishment for me," the Paxinos resident said. "When I went to Tate's headquarters after signing the contract, all I could say when everyone asks me how I am doing, was 'I'm just happy to be here.'"
Vetovich wrote the story not as religious, but bringing her fantasy realm to life and giving readers to chance to draw their own interpretations from it.
"I've asked Tate not to put the book into the Christian section where their books are normally stocked," the author said. "I want to market it to the young adult."
Vetovich, who recently turned 23, has already co-authored the fantasy-adventure trilogy of the sprite, Enya Polaris, in "Enya's Light," "Enya's Shadow" and "Enya's Judgement," along with the fantasy thriller "The Resistance," which was published in 2011.
Vetovich calls "Pure Fyre" her best work to date and hopes the readers will think so, too.
"I started writing this book last March and it was a lot of work keeping everything organized, but it really came out well," the young author said.
Pure Fyre tells the story of a young man named Spyre and his quest to stop the warriors of his home kingdom, Gaernod, from attacking the Gelyfed Realm, which is the home to a mystical power called "the Fyre," which is slowly being extinguished.
A synopsis of the book, giving readers an outline of the characters, can be found on her website, www.kristalyn.biz.
"I was always a fan of C.S. Lewis, who created the Chronicles of Narnia, and I think my tale would make him proud of the tribute," Vetovich said.
After sending several drafts of the book to publishers, Vetovich thought "Pure Fyre" would be another self-published book, until Tate Publishing contacted her.
"I just about jumped out of my skin when they called me at church camp, where I was working at as a counselor," she said. "The kids looked at me like I had lost it."
"KristaLyn A. Vetovich's sweeping novel depicts the power of a dream," writes the publishing company in its promotional materials.
While the book will not be available in stores or digitally on Kindles, Nooks and iPads, a first for the author, until June 11, Vetovich will have some advance copies for sale at several area book signings, including the Oak Street Festival in Mount Carmel today. Vetovich will also be signing books at the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts on May 25, and at a special event at the Arts Center on June 7.
With Hollywood loving fantasy movies like "Narnia," Harry Potter, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, could a film adaptation be somewhere down the line? Vetovich doesn't know but would entertain the option.
"It's not about the fame for me, but if I can do this to support my mission trips to other countries, I'm happy, The rest is just gravy," she said. "I'm just happy to be here."