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Inside the Making of The Drowned Queen

Every debut novel has a story behind it but some journeys stand out for their creativity, determination, and raw honesty. In this author interview, we explore the mind behind a compelling new fantasy release ' The Drowned Queen ' by Elspeth Gregorsdóttir diving into the writing process, world-building techniques, and the realities of self-publishing. From crafting an entire language to building a novel in short bursts between a demanding full-time career, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at what it truly takes to bring a book to life. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a fantasy reader, or simply curious about the creative process, this Q&A reveals both the challenges and the magic behind storytelling. When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career as an author? Always. Since I learned how to write in kindergarten, I was always writing stories and drawing comics. My first finished work was called Springtime with Caesar . I took...

The Drowned Queen review

The book we will be reviewing is The Drowned Queen , penned by Elspeth Gregorsdóttir. This fantasy romance delves into themes of reincarnation, star-crossed lovers, lies, betrayal, found family, duty, and friendship, crafting a story that feels both emotional and expansive. Elspeth Gregorsdóttir is a fantasy romance author whose work explores love that defies fate, the consequences such defiance brings, and the delicate balance between devotion and freedom. The Drowned Queen marks her debut and serves as the first installment in the Astral Queen series, an ambitious and immersive beginning. Goodreads The narrative unfolds through two perspectives: that of the protagonist, Lyra, alongside a third-person viewpoint, giving the story a layered and slightly unconventional structure. Lyra, a woman who once sought death after surviving a century in a hellish realm, is reborn with powers she does not yet understand. Haunted by the fragments of a life she no longer remembers, she sets out t...

The answer is no

The book we shall be reviewing today is The Answer Is No penned by Fredrik Backman . It is a humorous, fast-paced and slightly whimsical story with elements of satire and social commentary. Fredrik Backman is a Swedish author, blogger and columnist. He is known for his other books like A Man Called Ove and Anxious People . Grab your copy here The Answer Is No is a satire on society that shows how people behave when faced with small problems that slowly turn into bigger ones. It highlights how people are often more concerned about punishment rather than actually solving the crime itself. Instead of taking responsibility, authorities try to shift blame, which only creates more chaos. One small messy incident leads to another, and soon everything spirals out of control. The story also focuses on how people feel empty and simply wait for something, anything to happen in their lives. To fill that gap, they pick meaningless fights and create unnecessary drama just to feel important. I...

A Daughter, a Mother, and the Suitor Called Cancer: Interview with LindaAnn LoSchiavo

In Cancer Courts My Mother , poet LindaAnn LoSchiavo transforms the experience of caregiving, illness, and grief into a daring and deeply metaphorical poetry collection. Known for blending emotional truth with imaginative symbolism, LoSchiavo approaches cancer not through sentimentality or clinical distance, but as a persistent suitor—one that courts, seduces, and ultimately claims. In this interview, she reflects on inspiration, metaphor, craft, and the awards her work has received, offering readers insight into both the creative process and the emotional landscape behind this powerful book. In our last interview you spoke at length about how seasonal imagery fuels your creativity. How do you now find inspiration outside seasonal or genre-specific motifs? For “Cancer Courts My Mother” the inspiration was the experience of being a full-time caregiver to my terminally-ill mother. As someone deeply engaged with craft, what advice would you offer to poets who struggle with shaping perso...

Cancer courts my mother

The book we will be reviewing today is Cancer Courts My Mother by LindaAnn is a poetic narrative that reads like an intimate confession from a daughter who longs for her mother’s love but has spent a lifetime receiving something far more complicated. LindaAnn LoSchiavo is a contemporary poet and dramatist whose work often blends emotional truth with imaginative verse, transforming personal experiences into deeply moving art. Her other works include Always Haunted: Hallowe’en Poems, Vampire Ventures and Women Who Were Warned. Grab your copy here Written in the form of a poetry collection, it traces the journey of a daughter caring for her toxic mother after her cancer diagnosis. What stands out immediately is the striking metaphor at the heart of the book: cancer portrayed as a suitor , a figure who courts, seduces, and ultimately claims. This unusual perspective adds a haunting elegance to the subject, transforming illness into an unwanted lover who cannot be refused. L...

Of Broken Heroes and Haunted Worlds: Matt Spencer Talks Storytelling and Identity

If you’re a fan of dark fantasy, gritty mythology, and stories that aren’t afraid to peer into the shadowy corners of the human psyche, then Matt Spencer’s work is a must-read. In this exclusive author interview, Matt opens up about the inspirations behind his genre-blending stories, from Victorian horror to post-apocalyptic adventures, and the deeply personal threads woven throughout his fiction. Whether he’s exploring faith, fractured identities, or forbidden love, Spencer delivers narratives that are emotionally raw, spiritually charged, and unapologetically bold. Read on to discover the mind behind the mythos. Across the collection, each story feels like a distinct voice—ranging from gothic to mythic to post-apocalyptic. How do you shift your narrative tone so effectively between stories? I prefer to avoid being a one-trick pony. I love and appreciate all kinds of literature, from shamelessly pulpy, to “literary fiction”, to the bonkers experimental, to everything ...