Beyond Romance: The world expanded... a chat with author A.L. Butcher @LibraryofErana #FantasyAuthor #DarkFantasy #MeetTheAuthor

I am delighted to welcome fantasy author A.L. Butcher to Beyond Romance today. She has kindly agreed to answer some questions, as well as to share a bit from her fabulous series The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles.

Hello, Alex. Where did your idea for this series come from?

I’m a gamer (yes, I’m a nerd but I write fantasy – what did you expect?) – and I’ve written adventures for games for some years. I was playing an online RPG (Roleplaying Game) with some friends, and we’d had quite a long story arc set up when unfortunately the game group broke up.

The Light Beyond the Storm grew out of this – I adapted the stories I’d written into a world of my own creation (which I’d been working on for something else) and so the story was born.

Originally it was just the first book, but the world expanded, and the characters told me they needed more adventures.

That’s the thing about being a storyteller – the stories don’t end. There’s always something that pops up – some inspiration which triggers a scene, then perhaps a short story, then a novel, then a series.

Writing helps me escape – if you write you create worlds, people, situations. Anything is possible, everything is possible.

What have you learned on your writing and self-publishing adventures?

Writing and self-publishing are steep learning curves. It’s not simply a case of putting words to paper (or screen) – writing is a craft and crafts take time and energy to learn.

I’ve studied creative writing, social media marketing, mythology, copyright law, how to format, learned (and still learning) Photoshop, copyediting and proofreading, and a whole host of skills I didn’t have a decade ago. And that’s important – at least to me. If I can do most of it myself I’m in control and it’s cheaper too.

I see lots of authors on the KDP forums and facebook with no clue about how to be self-publisher, or even how to go about finding these things out and lots who are simply not willing to try.

Self-publishing is a business – you are the publisher – it’s up to you to market the book, to ensure it’s properly edited, has a decent cover, doesn’t breach someone else’s IP or copyright, abides by the rules of the publishing platform such as KDP or Draft2digital etc.

If you cannot or will not be able to do these things for yourself – hire someone if you can afford it, if you can’t then at least learn the rules of the publishing platform and get advice from experienced authors and publishers. I’ve found the community helpful and supportive – but it’s give and take. I’ve helped out with formatting or editing for free – but then I’ve had covers made for books for nothing, or swapped critique. There are people willing to help and advise if you ask around– and if you do hire someone – ask for their credentials, what they have done before.

There are ways to promote your work for free or low cost – but marketing is hard work – it takes time to build an audience and you need to do it often and vary what you do.

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors and why?

Not in any order:

I, the Sun – Janet Morris – not only is this an amazing biography of a remarkable man but through this book I was lucky enough to meet Janet and Chris Morris, and become friends with these lovely, talented people, and write for Perseid Press.

Watership Down – Richard Adams – it’s a beautiful, enchanting story that’s both simple and complex. It’s not just a story about rabbits – there’s adventure, the theme of the destruction of the natural world by humans, loyalty, courage and beating the odds. I have read it many times and I always cry.

The Count of Monte Cristo – A Dumas – possibly the greatest revenge story in the world. It’s exciting and the antihero is awesome.

Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte – same reason as Monte Cristo. I’m team Heathcliff.

Phantom of the Opera - Gaston Leroux– I love this story – it’s tragic, exciting, mysterious and has spawned one of the things I love most. The original novel is also a mystery (Leroux was also a mystery writer) as well as a horror. I still cry.

The Odyssey – I love mythology – especially Greek and Roman myths. It’s great adventure, filled with mischief, monsters, morals and more.

Lord of the Rings – I love the mythic storytelling – the grand adventure and that in the end it’s the simple folk who save the day – Samwise and Frodo. It’s a tale of friendship, courage, magic and a rich lore that permeates British culture.

Thud – Terry Pratchett – I love all of the Commander Vimes stories. He’s a complex character – a good man who knows it’s a fine line between being a good man and a bad one and that he could easily go down the dark path and become what he seeks to fight. He hates rules and bends them whenever possible.

Schindler’s List – because everyone should read this book.

I read fantasy, gothic horror, crime fiction such as Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie, true crime, historical fiction, history, science fiction, classics and biographies.

Pen or type writer or computer?

Definitely computer. I have awful handwriting – so much so I used to get detention at school for handwriting practice. I think I may be dyspraxic – I’m super clumsy, I fall over, walk into things, I struggle to tell my left from my right, I have poor spatial awareness.

I hold a pen between my first and second fingers with my fingers wrapped around it. That is a comfortable writing position for me. Because I rarely write anything freehand now my handwriting is barely readable anyway. Writing freehand also makes my hands hurt – I have a neurological condition called fibromyalgia and I get pain and pins and needles in my hands. Typing on a keyboard doesn’t hurt as much.

I also have a spellchecker, delete, and a whole host of info near to hand if I use the PC or laptop. I haven’t used a typewriter for…maybe 30 years. We had a Victorian one at my parents’ house years ago – it was an awesome, antique piece of kit but it ate fingers. If you used it for more than about 20 minutes your fingers would be shredded.

Do you have any advice to offer for new authors?

Write what you want to write, and what you want to read. Don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. Write for yourself, for the joy of it, for the worlds and people you create.

If you want to self-publish – then go for it. There are pros and cons to it, of course. But that’s true of traditional publishing as well. Do what is right for you. Keep in mind self-publishing is hard work – you don’t have the backing of a publishing house – so the marketing, editing, getting cover art etc. is your responsibility. That said, you can publish the quirky stuff, the non-mainstream stuff and have some success with it.

Excerpt

From The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I

Archos followed with only a fraction of his attention on where they were going. He was tired and knew he needed his magic for a while longer. As he walked, he trailed the storm behind him. Out in the darkness, he let it go and suddenly the full fury of the storm was allowed to rage.

“Run,” he breathed. “Run now!” Although by now his muscles ached and were not too obliged to respond without protestation.

They ran as the clouds raged in the sky and released rain in huge drops that froze. Whipping water determined to soak everything it could find, it was a rain that obscured the vision and chilled the bone. Wind roared in from the south, battering the banners and slamming the casements of the upper windows, raining glass in shards. The storm twisted in a tempest in the courtyard, sucking up stones and wood and slamming them into walls, ground and people, without prejudice. Angry clouds spat forked lightning, cleaving the sky like the vengeance of the gods and grounded within the walls of the fort and on the roof, splitting tiles and bringing fire even in the driving rain.

As they reached the coach, the horses skittered in fear and Olek pulled the door open and jumped up, almost dragging Archos and the girl inside. He hastily pulled one of the soft rugs onto the floor, then leapt out and up to the seat as the thunder rolled and lightning sliced the air just behind them. Archos would trust no one else to drive in such a situation, and besides Simon had business elsewhere. The horses began to run in fear and it took all Olek’s skill to bring them under control enough to steer. Looking behind him, he saw mayhem. The roof burned, and he could hear the sounds of panicked men and terrified horses, even at this distance. Three mounted riders rode out of the fort towards them. As the carriage picked up speed, he steered it to the forest trail.

Archos heard the storm rage and the frail breathing of the girl beside him. He flipped up the window and grinned when he saw the chaos of the storm unleashed. He felt a little hollow for having held the storm for so long and he saw the horses panic as thunder rolled close. The hoof beats behind them grew closer and he knew Olek was struggling to control the carriage as it rocked and bucked around him. As they approached the forest path, he looked down at Dii and gently he touched her, feeling her Power even now and it gave him strength.

“I bloody well hope you have a plan, my lord, those riders are gaining on us, our horses are terrified, and your storm seems bent on killing everything!” Olek screamed back to him.

Closing his eyes, Archos tried to calm himself and summon the Power he needed. “Just drive for the gap in the trees, off the road,” he yelled back.

Olek looked around in the darkness and the mayhem of the storm. “Gap? What gap? Oh gods, if it was any man but you, I would think you mad. I hope you have Power enough left for this.”

“So do I, my friend,” muttered the Archmage.

As the trees rapidly approached, Archos drew his Power and slammed his staff into the floor. “Wood to my will, let us pass where there is no gateway. Wood to my will, hide us from sight!” he cried into the darkness and the rapidly approaching trees.

As the spell ended, a gap appeared as branches turned and trees bent aside. The carriage plunged into the dark wood as the greenery slammed back behind them.

The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I

In a dark world where magic is illegal, and elves are enslaved a young elven sorceress runs for her life from the house of her evil Keeper. Pursued by his men and the corrupt Order of Witch-Hunters she must find sanctuary. As the slavers roll across the lands stealing elves from what remains of their ancestral home the Witch-Hunters turn a blind eye to the tragedy and a story of power, love and a terrible revenge unfolds.

*18 rated for adult scenes and violence.

Available as ebook, paperback, hardcover, large print and audiobook.

Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/Lightbeyondstorm1

The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm - Book II

Who rules in this game of intrigue where magic is forbidden, and elves enslaved? Journey where beliefs shatter like glass, truth is unwelcome, and monsters from ancient times abound: share the romance and revenge, magic and passion, and the wages of greed in a world of darkest fantasy.

*18 rated for adult scenes and violence.

Available as ebook, paperback, hardcover, large print and audiobook.

https://www.books2read.com/ShiningCitadel

The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book III

What stalks the land cannot be but is.

Where magic is outlawed a troll Shaman calls from her deathbed to her heiress, Mirandra Var, daughter of the storm. Mirandra vows to find her missing kin, sort friend from foe, and claim the dangerous secrets guarded by unthinkable creatures. If she succeeds, she will become the leader of her tribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.

*18 rated for adult scenes and violence.

Available as ebook, paperback, hardcover, large print and audiobook.

Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/StolenTower

About the Author

British-born A. L. Butcher is an avid reader and creator of worlds, a poet, and a dreamer, a lover of science, natural history, history, and monkeys. Her prose has been described as ‘dark and gritty’ and her poetry as ‘evocative’. She writes with a sure and sometimes erotic sensibility of things that might have been, never were, but could be.

Alex is the author of the Light Beyond the Storm Chroniclesand the Tales of Erana lyrical fantasy series. She also has several short stories in the fantasy, fantasy romance genres with occasional forays into gothic style horror, including the Legacy of the Mask series. With a background in politics, classical studies, ancient history and myth, her affinities bring an eclectic and unique flavour in her work, mixing reality and dream in alchemical proportions that bring her characters and worlds to life.

Alex is also proud to be a writer for Perseid Press where her work features in Heroika: Dragon Eaters, Heroika Skirmishers – where she was editor and cover designer as well as writer – as well as Lovers in Hell and Mystics in Hell – part of the acclaimed Heroes in Hell series. http://www.theperseidpress.com/