Q&A with C. I. Jerez

From my Q&A with C.I. Jerez, author of At the Island's Edge: A Novel:

How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?

The title of the book makes it clear that an island will be central to the story’s premise. The cover art further supports the island we are referring to. However, what I loved about the title was the implication of being at the island’s edge. This can be taken literally, but when I first heard the proposed title by an editor at the publishing house, I immediately thought of the figurative illustration and how the protagonist in the story is at the edge of her emotional limits following her return from the war. It also implies that it’s the island she returns to while reaching her own personal limit. That’s accurate. It’s when I knew we had the right title.

Up until then I was using the working title, Isla Magic. I still really love that title, but I agreed with the editors that it could be misleading, lending itself to magical realism or even fantasy. I didn’t want any potential reader to be confused by the “magic” elements of the story. This is a story about a raw and powerful young woman battling the impact of her life experiences by returning home. The title...[read on]

Visit C.I. Jerez's website.

My Book, The Movie: At the Island's Edge.

The Page 69 Test: At the Island's Edge.

Q&A with C. I. Jerez.

--Marshal Zeringue