Shadoward is an Indie Romantasy following Princess Lysandra who leaves her own kingdom looking for answers after having a premonition of her own death. I was one of the ARC readers for this novel and had the honor of discussing the writing process with author Alison Archer. The novel is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
1. What made you decide to work on and publish Shadoward?
I was 200k words deep into writing a different novel (also a romantasy mystery) when I was struck by the idea for Shadoward. Both novels are complex in their own way, but Shadoward blossomed and called to me. So I switched projects.
Now, this can actually be a trap as a writer. It’s easy to think that the next thing will be easier to write and will help you escape your current problems, only to encounter equal problems after you get deep into the new manuscript. But, in full awareness of that, I was sure Shadoward was ready from the jump (and I was right).
And as soon as I gave it some breathing room, I figured out what the previous book was missing and how to make it sing. I do plan to return to it later.
2. Was Shadoward always the original title? Was there other variations you can share?
Ooooo good question. It was NOT the original title. The original title was essentially a spoiler, so I actually can’t reveal what it was, but it was dark and romantic.
When I’m writing, I tend to just call a thing what it is versus thinking about a marketable title. Later, I poll the room: “what should I call this?”
3. What’s some messages you want women and romantasy readers to take away from Lysandra’s story?
If you’re stuck in a pattern and a life that feels wrong or doesn’t serve you, it’s never too late to change. Every decade of our lives is like a lifetime, a brand new opportunity to restart from scratch and recreate everything, and it’s never too late to start fresh.
Lysandra runs from a life where she feels controlled, where she’s stagnated. She’s motivated to change out of fear. Regardless of the motivation, the outcome is that she remakes herself again and again, and uncovers the inner strength to do so.
I want everyone to know they’re capable of that too.
4. Did you write this in chronological order? Or did you draft the story out of order?
I write most of it in chronological order, with sporadic scenes, clips of dialogue, or moments that come to me just as I’ve gotten comfortable in bed (and if I don’t hop up to write them down, I’ll forget). I’m a plot-first writer, so I tend to know the major plot before I start writing, but I always discover new connective tissue or beats along the way that can become my favorite moments.
The subconscious is an amazing thing, so while I know a lot, I always discover more, usually in calm moments. I don’t get massages often, but I’ve untangled some nasty plot holes while trying to relax and forget about everything. If you want more books, send spa certificates (jk).
5. What’s the experience of marketing this novel in the age of Social Media?
I’m not a social media native, personally, but I’ve been diving in headfirst and having a lot of fun. I started my Instagram fresh for this novel, and it’s been a really rewarding community-building experience. That said, there’s so much to learn all the time, and it can also feel overwhelming. I really appreciate the reader connections and have been LIVING for readers messaging me with their reactions.
I think most writers will tell you that you go through periods of loving your work and hating it, thinking it’s boring, derivative trash, and squealing at the twists and banter you came up with yourself… You’re very much in your own head for much of the writing process.
Social media has been a direct connection to readers that felt like a fresh step out of my own skull. I get to see the work, and get excited about it, through their eyes. It’s been scary, but a delight.
6. What inspired the worldbuilding? The gods, folklore, and use of elemental magic?
This will be a vague answer: I tend to start my stories with a “what if?” question and everything stems from there. In this case, I can’t say the “what if?” because it’s a spoiler…but the magic and the gods sprung up pretty naturally from there.
Magic is freeing but limiting, because you can’t accidentally introduce anything too powerful that could solve all the problems in the novel. You have to find balance between magic and conflict and logic, and make sure you don’t put a tool in the toolkit that you want to throw out later.
So…the plot?
7. Who was the first character created?
Lysandra, the princess on the run. It was her story from the beginning: a princess who wakes with a premonition of her own murder and needs to go on a journey to uncover who is after her and why.
8. How did you find your cover artist? Editor/Chapter Artist? Or did you do it yourself?
I went back and forth on doing a character on the cover, because it’s a lot easier to mess up than composite elements. Once I decided I wanted to, I spent a lot of time shopping around for artists. I ended up going with a company that manages multiple artists, Miblart, because I liked one in their portfolio, and another author I know used them before.
I find a lot of vendors through other authors I admire. I found my editor in the acknowledgments of another book I enjoyed. I find character artists in posts from authors I follow. This is my first time self-publishing, and I learn something new practically every week about the process of getting a finished product into the world.
9. Lastly, where can readers read and purchase your book?
Shadoward is available on Kindle Unlimited, ebook, and paperback. I do plan to add additional formats in the future, but for now, that’s where you can get it and start reading!
Website: www.authoralisonarcher.com
Instagram and Tiktok: @authoralisonarcher
