❤Author Interview: Literary Fiction Author R.C. Dickens: Crown of Blooms #authorinterview

 

R.C. Dickens is the pen name of Juniper Ray, a black, queer writer, choreographer, teacher’s assistant and disaster living in Appalachia with big dreams of escaping out to the West Coast. Along with their debut novel, Crown of Blooms, they have worked as a ghostwriter for several years and have published several short stories. In 2023, Juniper won the Webby Award for Best Single Episode of a Podcast for their appearance on Snap Judgement. When they aren’t writing (which is rarely) Juniper enjoys dancing, singing, anime, cosplay and generally being a menace to the general public. 

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ https://rcdickens.wixsite.com/website 

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRCDickens  

Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/rcdickens_author 

I am so excited about your book, Crown of Blooms. Why did you choose this particular story to write?

I hardly feel like I get a choice in the stories I write. I sort of just vomit stories out of the depths of my brain and try to make what comes out meaningful. I knew I wanted to write something that would resonate with people like me, no matter how much or how little we actually have in common. I knew I wanted to write something raw and honest, but not entirely without hope.  This book in particular is the product of my own upbringing growing up black and queer in the buckle of the bible belt, as well as the

result of some of my biggest influences like Ellen Hopkins and Ayad Akhtar. 

Can you give us a blurb so others will know what it’s about?

Crown of Blooms is the story of a 15-year-old pastor’s son named Kayden. Kayden has always struggled to live up to his father’s expectations and the example set by his twin sister Delilah, and that only gets harder when he starts to fall for Alex, the freckle-faced new boy in youth group. What transpires is a story of queer awakening, young love and betrayal which kicks off a three book coming-of-age series. 

Can you tell us a little about the main characters in your book?

Kayden is a reflection of my inner child, unsure, a people pleaser who can’t live up to expectations, sweet, and soft, and unable to reconcile that with his burgeoning masculinity, struggling to balance his faith-filled upbringing with his own nascent belief system. I crafted Kayden to be a reflection of the vulnerability that black boys are so often denied. Kayden’s foil is his twin sister, Delilah. Delilah is self-assured, at least on the outside, practical, cutthroat, the ideal daughter for a pastor. Her softness comes from her loyalty and love for her brother. Kayden is also contrasted with Alex. Whereas Kayden is sheltered and naive, Alex is worldly and curious. Where Kayden is reserved and uncertain, Alex is creative and confident. I wanted it to be very clear why someone like Kayden would be attracted to someone like Alex, and I think I succeeded in that. 

They say all books of fiction have at least one pivotal point where the reader just can’t put the book down. What is one of the pivotal points in your book?

I don’t want to spoil it, but Delilah does something shocking that really changes the trajectory of Kayden’s life and his relationships. I think it will really challenge the reader to reflect on what they would have done at that age and how far faith can push a person. 

Does your book carry a message?

I try to let the reader discover the message for themselves, but if there were an overall message for Crown of Blooms, it would be that the process of becoming yourself is a scary but necessary one, and that faith can often be the enemy of love. 

Where can we pick up copies of Crown of Blooms?

Crown of Blooms is available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and everywhere e-books are sold. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crown-of-blooms-rc-dickens/1146136760;jsessionid=A8A90709874C02BE5600E54B503E05B9.prodny_store01-atgap01

Is there anything you’d like to tell your readers and fans?

This book has been such a labor of love. I’m still in the phase of my career where every individual purchase, like, comment, and review means the world to me, so please, don’t think your support goes unnoticed.