How did you become an author?

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I ran out of books at my local library when I was about 11, and started writing my own. I finished my first full-length novel at 12/13, and queried at 15. Though I had some interest from agents and received requests, it never went anywhere. I didn't start writing again until my early twenties. At 25, I decided to give becoming an author another try, and in the next three years I wrote 5 novels. I pitched a few of them, but Hall of Smoke was the one that landed me my wonderful agent, Naomi Davis, and it quickly sold to Titan Books. 

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Do you have any hobbies?

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My husband and I travel frequently. We enjoy hiking (occasionally up mountains), wandering museums, canoeing, and camping. I also enjoy gaming (mainly Skyrim, LoL, and Valheim), and laying in hammocks staring at trees. I have also been known to tame small animals and put hats on them.

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How many books have you written?

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I've written 17 novels and a handful of short stories.

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Who are your favourite authors?

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I consistently love anything by Garth Nix, Pierce Brown, Katherine Arden, John Gwynne, Madeline Miller, and Adrienne Young. As a child, I devoured anything by Tamora Pierce, David Eddings, Gary Paulsen, Terry Brooks and again, Garth Nix. 

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What are your favourite books?

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Sabriel, Garth Nix

The Bear and the Nightengale, Katherine Arden

The Blacktongue Thief, Christopher Buehlman

Kings of the Wyld, Nicolas Eames (Top read of 2020)

Shadow of the Gods, John Gwynne (Top read of 2021)

Murderbot Diaries, Martha Wells

Fable, Adrienne Young

Hatchet, Gary Paulsen

Priory of the Orange Tree, Samantha Shannon

The Golem and the Jinni, Helene Wecker

A Natural History of Dragons, Marie Brennan

The Justice of Kings, Richard Swan

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What is the relationship between the Hall of Smoke World books?

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All books in the Hall of Smoke world stand alone. You do not have to read the series in order, or read the next book to find out what happens - each story is contained and wrapped up within themselves. However, the events of Hall of Smoke impact the world in which subsequent books take place, so some readers may prefer to read the books in publication order. There will also be some spoilers for Hall of Smoke if you read the other books first. 

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There is also a stronger connection between Hall of Smoke and Temple of No God than any of the other installments. Hall of Smoke and Temple of No God both follow Hessa, and can be considered a duology within the broader world. Barrow of Winter follows a new main character and is set, again, over a decade after the previous installment (but there will be cameos from many of your favourite characters!)

The same will apply to Pillar of Ash, which is coming early 2024.

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Who do you recommend the Hall of Smoke series to?

 

Hall of Smoke is an epic fantasy series with a Viking flavour, packed with action, meddling gods, and an atmospheric world of pines and mountains and creatures that want to eat you.

Readers, if you’re a fan of Brian Staveley, Robin Hobb, Tasha Suri, and RJ Barker, you will love Hall of Smoke.

Gamers? If you’re into Skyrim, God of War, or Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Hall of Smoke is for you.

Binge-watchers? If Vikings, The Last Kingdom and Netflix’s Barbarians are your thing, Hall of Smoke will be too.

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Does Hall of Smoke have romance? Does the Hall of Smoke series have romance? Does Dark Water Daughter have romance?

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Hall of Smoke itself has no romance, and the series overall focuses on other avenues of character relationships - siblings, friends, parent-child, and found family.

Temple of No God and Barrow of Winter both have relationships between the main character and a partner, but I would not title them as romantic. Temple of No God contains an allies-with-benefits political marriage, while Barrow of Winter has a pragmatic betrothal to frame the main character's internal journey. Both of these relationships exist to serve the plot and character arcs.

Pillar of Ash has a more direct and emotionally involved romance, though it is still not prominent.

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Overall, I do not recommend readers come to the Hall of Smoke world looking for romantic relationships and spice. Readers looking for books with no/minimal romance will find much to love!
 

Dark Water Daughter has a light thread of very slow-burn romance, which will be built upon in the rest of the Winter Sea Quartet. 

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Are the Hall of Smoke books adult or YA? Are the Winter Sea books adult or YA?
 

All my books are written for adult audiences, but a mature YA reader would enjoy them as well. 

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Can you list some content warnings for your books?

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All Hall of Smoke series books contain violence and gore, including self-harm in the form of blood sacrifice. 

All Winter Sea series books contain violence and gore, profanity and sexual references (no spice), and references to slavery. 

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Where can I access advanced reader copies of your books?

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Prior to release, my books will usually be made available on Edelweiss+ and Netgalley. Please follow my socials for the latest updates on this front. 

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Can you sign my copy of your book? Are there signed copies available? 

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There are limited signed copies occasionally available in the Greater Toronto Area. Follow me on my socials for bookplate giveaways.