Fantasy readers are so diverse and I’m not targeting a particular subsection. There’s a lot of genre crossover in my writing. For example, this series is dark fantasy but has horror elements and a bit of science as well. 

Alethea Lyons – 8 November 2024

The Back Flap

Arcane archivist Harper has always been plagued by dreams of grotesque creatures and bloody deaths. When she bumps into a ghostwalker in the Shambles and has a visceral experience of his execution, she knows it’s a foretelling. Yet fear of the Queen’s Guard stops her speaking out. When her vision indeed comes true, the unusual markings on the ghostwalker’s corpse, combined with his neatly excised vocal cords, send a ripple of terror through York.

The witch hunt is on. As the body count rises, Harper knows her magic is the only way to find the killer – if she can avoid being hanged as a witch. To protect both human and supernatural, Harper walks the thin line between their worlds. She and her demonhunter foster sister form a multi-faith team with a forensic scientist, a spirit Harper accidentally summoned, and a techno-witch, to catch the killer before more people die.

About the book

What is the book about?

An illegal witch and her demonhunter foster sister tracking down an arcane killer. Underneath that, it’s about found family, how diversity makes us stronger, and how things we perceive as ‘dangerous’ might just be misunderstood.

When did you start writing the book?

The first draft was done in November 2019, I think.

How long did it take you to write it?

It’s difficult to say exactly. After word vomiting the first draft in a month, I didn’t touch it for ages. I was concentrating on writing and querying another book. I returned to this one a couple of years later. I’d say I was probably working on it, on and off, for about a year.

Where did you get the idea from?

It sounds corny, but the initial impressions of the characters were from a dream. It was a silly dream of this group of people hanging out at home, playing a video game (with a deception demon) when some emergency happened. Unusually, it stayed with me and from there it became what is now book 2, The Somnia. Sadly, the original scene I dreamt hasn’t yet made it into a book.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Other than all of it? Not specifically. It was more a learning curve over a couple of years/books on developing my writing style, taking on beta feedback, and becoming a better writer.

What came easily?

York. It is such a beautifully mysterious city that I could write an entire book that was just descriptions of it. Actually, working out what to keep and what to cut was tricky.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

As whole characters, they’re fictitious, although they certainly chatter enough in my brain to be real people. They do have some elements that are from real world people. Sometimes my husband recognises a little bit of himself, especially in the male leads of my other series.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’ll try and stick specifically to the Seer of York books because my science-fantasy romance series has different influences. Aside from the fact that generally lots of reading influences my style and inspiration, here’s a few that spring to mind. Genevieve Cogman for the urban, fae-in-everyday-life with a mystery vibes. Mervyn Peake’s atmospheric setting-as-place. Taylor Grothe’s atmospheric witchiness in general made my writing a lot darker (they’re one of my critique partners and an amazing person so check out their 2025 debut).

Do you have a target reader?

Always a tough question. Fantasy readers are so diverse and I’m not targeting a particular subsection. There’s a lot of genre crossover in my writing. For example, this series is dark fantasy but has horror elements and a bit of science as well. From that perspective, I’d love to draw people in who are core readers in those areas and might enjoy the familiar elements in something different. Readers around my age might recognize the Buffy and Charmed influence, and role players might see the World of Darkness vibes.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I tend to do very messy zero drafts, then I know what I need to research. I also cover my wall in post it notes about characters and for plotting purposes. Sometimes I like to handwrite bits, but mostly it’s just sit down and type. First draft is then to get everything down in basically the right order and second draft is to tidy it up. Then I can get alpha and beta readers involved. When I get that feedback, I do paragraph level editing first then the big developmental stuff. Same when I get it back from my editor once my publisher gets involved.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Yes and no. For my zero draft, I have a rough idea of what will happen, or at least the beginning and the end, but my characters like to make their own (often annoying) choices, so I don’t plot in too much detail. Once that zero draft is done, usually around 50-70k words, I start doing much tighter outlining and plotting. I end up with a wall of notes and then try to summarise in one or two sides of typed A4, but things move around as I do into drafting for real. That’s why I like post its.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

A bit of both. I can get stuck into a paragraph for an hour trying to get the wording perfect because my brain won’t move on. I also try and make sure things are consistent, so if I stray from my outline later, I go back and fix the continuity so it makes sense. Other than that, I try to wait until I’m done.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I’ve had opening pages looked at by a professional editor, but I wouldn’t recommend it so early in the process. It was all part of a learning curve about how publishing works. One of the things that I used as a factor in deciding which small press to go with was the level of editing on offer. As far as I’m concerned, the more editor notes I get, the better. I am considering self-publishing my other series and I’d definitely hire an editor if I did that. Although it does mean it’s one of the things holding me back, because money.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I don’t normally because my writing time is while my toddler is asleep, however I prefer to have music on. After a little while, I stop hearing it, but it blocks out little noises that would otherwise distract me. I like to control my environment as much as possible. I listen to all sorts of stuff depending on my mood and what I’m writing. I’ve been listening to a lot of Lindsey Stirling and instrumental gaming music for the book I’m currently writing (Seer of York book 2, The Somnia) because violins feature in the story.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes. I submitted The Hiding to lots of agents but sadly no bites. I wish I’d been more specific in how I nudged after I got the small press offers and asked for more than the minimum 2 weeks. That being said, I’m really happy with my book and my publishing journey so far.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

A gradual process of querying over many months. It was a tough decision on whether to go indie or keep querying, but in the end I decided this was the best opportunity for me to see my book in print.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Professionally done although I had input into the design.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Winging it! Unless you count ‘take every opportunity offered’ as a plan. I like making graphics, so I try and make shiny things for social media. I watch out for people who review or interview books in the same genre and make a list so I can see if they’re interested in mine. As someone with anxiety and who’s extremely introverted, it’s been tough, but I love this book and my characters deserve me giving it my all, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Get involved in the community. Whatever aspect of it you’re struggling with, there’s someone who’s already done it and is happy to offer advice. I mostly interact with other writers through Twitter and there’s a thriving indie community there. So supportive. It’s a real help for mental health as well.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born in the States, but moved to the UK at 11 months. We moved around a bit, but I mostly grew up in Grimsby. That’s at the top of Lincolnshire and just beneath Yorkshire, so a lot of our holidays were spent in Yorkshire, hence writing a book series based there.

Where do you live now?

I live in Manchester. Apologies to Yorkshire, but I married a Lancastrian.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’m happy to interact with people online or if you live in my area. I’d love to connect with my readers. As well as reading and writing, I enjoy tea, music (I play violin and mandolin), gaming (especially RPGs), folklore, and museums, so I’ll happily chat on any of those subjects.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently editing book 2 of the Seer of York, The Somnia, and querying a science-fantasy, Legend of the Bard.

End of Interview:

For more from Alethea Lyons visit her website and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Get your copy of The Hiding from Amazon US or Amazon UK.