Hello writing and reading communities! It’s time for the next installment of Indie Recommends Indie and today I have Allison Alexander with me today. Allison has featured on the blog multiple times in relation to her book Super Sick : Making Peace with Chronic Illness as well as our last conversation about representation of disability in fiction as part of my Creator’s Roulette series.
Allison, thank you for joining me for this series, it is wonderful to host you again! I know you but some of my readers might not if they are visiting Armed with A Book for the first time. Tell us a bit about yourself. 🙂
Hello! So excited to be here. My day job is Editorial Director at Mythos & Ink publishing, and I’m a host of the Wayfarer’s Guide to Worldbuilding podcast. I’m also the author of Super Sick: Making Peace with Chronic Illness (part memoir, part research, part pop culture analysis about living with a disability) and the upcoming Making Myths and Magic: A Field Guide to Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy, which I’m co-writing with fantasy author Shelly Campbell. On my blog, I review SFF books and discuss how to represent disabled and chronically ill characters in fiction. Most of my work falls under the categories of sci-fi, fantasy, worldbuilding, and diversity.
Do you primarily read indie books or big publishers books as well?
As an editor at a small press, I read a lot of new sci-fi and fantasy to keep up with what is out there. I’d estimate 80% of what I read is produced by big publishers, and I was particularly excited you invited me to do this series, as it inspired me to read some of the indie books that have been on my TBR for too long!
Allison’s Indie Recommendations
Of Honey and Wildfires by Sarah Chorn
Fantasy Western
Published 2020
Series: Songs of Sefate
Book Number: 1
From the moment the first settler dug a well and struck a lode of shine, the world changed. Now, everything revolves around that magical oil.
What began as a simple scouting expedition becomes a life-changing ordeal for Arlen Esco. The son of a powerful mogul, Arlen is kidnapped and forced to confront uncomfortable truths his father has kept hidden. In his hands lies a decision that will determine the fate of everyone he loves—and impact the lives of every person in Shine Territory.
The daughter of an infamous saboteur and outlaw, Cassandra has her own dangerous secrets to protect. When the lives of those she loves are threatened, she realizes that she is uniquely placed to change the balance of power in Shine Territory once and for all.
Secrets breed more secrets. Somehow, Arlen and Cassandra must find their own truths in the middle of a garden of lies.
Why this book is loved:
This book is the slowly burning, mesmerizing embers of a campfire. You can’t look away because it’s gorgeous, and it gives off a comforting warmth (that is, until it leaps into a raging inferno of grief and EMOTIONS). What I love most is the writing style; Sarah Chorn doesn’t just tell a story, but she offers an unforgettable experience through beautiful prose.
The magic and backdrop is intriguing but, at its heart, this is a character story. It’s about family, and growing up, and falling in love, and how power corrupts. Characters are broken and remade. Families are torn apart and found anew. Chronically ill and LGBTQ+ characters are not othered, which is so refreshing. This is not a typical fantasy adventure, but an emotional journey that’s hard to forget, even days after you’ve turned the last page.
📖 Previously recommended by Trudie Skies. See what she said about this book here. 📖
Under the Lesser Moon by Shelly Campbell
Fantasy/Grimdark
Published November 2020
Book #1 in The Marked Son duology
“Dragons once led our people across the wastelands, away from storms, and toward hunting grounds.”
That’s what the elders say, but Akrist has squinted at empty skies his whole life. The dragons have abandoned them, and it’s Akrist’s fault. He’s cursed. Like every other firstborn son, he has inherited the sins of his ancestors. In his camp, he’s the only eldest boy left. Something happened to the others. Something terrible.
When Akrist befriends Tanar, an eldest boy from another tribe, he discovers the awful truth: they’re being raised as sacrifices to appease the Goddess and win back her dragons. The ritual happens when the dual moons eclipse. Escape is the only option, but Akrist was never taught to hunt or survive the wastelands alone. Time is running out, and he has to do something before the moons touch.
Why Allison recommends this book:
I might be biased because I edited this book, but I would love to explain why I picked it out of the slush pile and how it stood out among hundreds of other stories. The first thing I was drawn to was the character voice. Akrist is a firstborn son, and his entire tribe shuns him for it. The story begins when he’s a child, and his voice is innocent and confused as he comes to terms with his role in the camp and how his mother hates him. As the story progresses, his voice reflects the emotional and physical abuse he receives. His world is dark and brutal, and his story is one of survival. It’s hard to look away.
I also adore the book’s worldbuilding. Most of this world’s inhabitants believe in a creation myth involving the goddess Nasheira and her two sons—this myth is directly related to why people sacrifice their firstborn sons and why they believe the dragons, who used to live among them, have abandoned them. Of course, all is not as it seems, and secrets are revealed as the novel progresses, but I won’t spoil them here.
The Wolf Queen by Cerece Rennie Murphy
Fantasy
Published October, 2018
Book #1 in The Hope of Aferi
To fight for her future, she must first discover the magic of her past.
Once great and powerful sorcerers, the Amasiti were hunted to the brink of extinction by the Hir and his followers. For four hundred years, their legacy faded from memory waiting for the hope of Aferi to be renewed…
In the Land of Yet
At the edge of the Forbidden Forest
A young woman lives alone.
Forced to fend for herself after the brutal murder of her family, Ameenah Yemini has made a life for herself as a master tanner and farmer, only venturing into the world to earn her living then return to the safety and seclusion of her home.
Until a chance encounter brings her work to the attention of the powerful Hir.
And her careful life begins to unravel.
Drawn to the hidden magic that lingers in everything she touches, the new Hir insists on having her for himself, using the people around her to force Ameenah into his grasp.
When she realizes that her greatest enemy may hold the key to a secret she thought lost to her forever, Ameenah is determined to reclaim her stolen past. But, at what cost? As an ancient power waits to be unleashed, Ameenah’s choices will make the difference between awakening a new magic or delivering it into the hands of evil.
Why Allison recommends this book:
This book has everything I adore—a strong, female character, lovely worldbuilding diversity, and, of course, wolves. (Side note: I don’t usually like prologues, but this one was fantastic.) This is a character-driven story, and even though the pacing was slow, I enjoyed every page because Ameenah is such a refreshing protagonist. She just wants to be left alone to her little farm beside the forbidden forest, but her friends, her enemies, and even the forest spirits won’t leave her be.
The quality of the writing is so good! Murphy has a command of prose and knows how to tell a riveting story. The ending was glorious, though it doesn’t feel complete. Thankfully, there’s a book 2.
Thrud by Zach Schuster
Fantasy/Norse Mythology/Graphic Novel
Published May, 2021
Volume 1 of a series
A delightful spin on Norse mythology.
In this vibrantly-illustrated graphic novel, a mute warrior named Thrud and her companion, Kvasir (a sentient puddle of god-spit she carries around in a flask), explore a post-Ragnarok Norse world. The stories, told through a series of short vignettes, are delightful twists on familiar tales from Norse mythology. Encountering gods, sea giants, viking hordes, magical artifacts, and more, Thrud never backs down from a brawl!
Why Allison recommends this book:
This graphic novel had my attention at “talking puddle of god-spit.” The art is vibrant and playful. The stories are told in clever vignettes (not always in order). I appreciate how Zach explores more obscure characters and tales from Norse mythology instead of just sticking to the familiar. Sure, Thor and Odin get their mentions, but we also read about the giant Aud, the sea giant Kolga, Thor’s son Modi, the squirrel Ratatoskr, the flying boar Gullinbursti, and more.
And have I mentioned that Thrud is mute? Disability representation for the win! Zach originally based Thrud and Kvasir off of Link and Navi from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time; as a huge Zelda fan, I am here for it! I appreciate how Thrud and Kvasir rely on each other—Kvasir needs Thrud to get around, and Thrud needs Kvasir to communicate (though she eventually learns some sign language when she starts to encounter more people in her adventures).
Overall, this graphic novel is fun and playful, serious when it needs to be, and a reading adventure I’ll be returning to again and again. It’s a complete story on its own and needs no sequel, but I still can’t wait for Volume Two!
Dragon Nanny by Justin Currie and GMB Chomichuk
Fantasy/Sci-fi/Graphic Novel
Published 2021
Standalone, part of the Silent Guardian universe
It’s The Land Before Time meets Wall-E.
Dragon Nanny is a graphic novel set on an alien world once bustling with life and populated by dragons. But something has happened: the eggs have stopped hatching, and with no new generation of baby dragons to replace the old, the cycle of life on the planet has screeched to a halt.
Now it’s up to a lone determined little robot to find and hatch as many eggs as possible, and kickstart life back onto the sleeping planet.
Why Allison recommends this book:
I have always loved Justin Currie’s illustrations; he draws in a vector format (as opposed to the majority of digital artists, who use pixel-based software). This gives his drawings a unique look, and I was excited to learn he was delving into the world of graphic novels. Currie is a master of visual storytelling; GMB Chomichuk’s narrative text is lovely, but if you have a young child who wants to devour this book by themselves, they will be able to follow the plot even if they can’t read the words.
This story is just too adorable for words. Plus, it’s got a robot and dragons (what more could you want?). The “dragon nanny” wanders fantastical landscapes searching for dragon eggs, hatches them, and finds a new friend along the way. My heart grew three sizes after reading this book.
And now the bonus recommendations! 🙂
Tamberlane by Caytlin Vilbrandt
Fantasy/Graphic Novel
Published May 2017
Ongoing webcomic
The animal citizens of Treehollow have discovered a small, strange creature wandering alone in the forest: a human child! And they have no idea what it is. Clearly much too young to be on her own, it’s anyone’s guess how this mysterious being, named Tamberlane, ended up in their town of Treehollow.
Fostered by Belfry, the accident-prone bat, and guided by a colorful cast of animal characters, Tamberlane’s mysteries continue to unfold. But questions burn in everyone’s minds: who, and what, is she? And could she have something to do with the far-off and unspeakable taboo, Abroad?
Why this book is loved:
This is an ongoing webcomic, with chapters available as hardcover comics from the author’s store, that drew me in from page one. About a village full of animals and one tiny human that gets adopted by a clumsy bat, it’s a colourful, wonderfully illustrated story with a diverse cast of characters. And it’s absolutely heartwarming, like a warm cup of cocoa, or sitting in a sunbeam, or eating your favourite comfort food. You’ll just keep turning pages because it gives you warm fuzzies.
Invisible: Personal Essays on Representation in SF/F by Various Contributors (Edited by Jim C. Hines)
Nonfiction
Published April, 2014
Volume 1 of a series
13 essays on the importance of representation in science fiction and fantasy, with an introduction by author Alex Dally MacFarlane. Proceeds from the sale of this collection go to support the Carl Brandon Society.
Why Allison recommends this book:
This is a wonderful collection of essays on the importance of diversity in sci-fi and fantasy. I loved the variety of voices and getting to read a small slice of how fiction has impacted each of the contributors. This isn’t a how-to guide, but an important work in understanding and embracing differences. I think everyone who reads and/or writes SFF should read this book to understand the impact diverse stories can have.
After all these fabulous recommendations, here is Allison’s book that she wanted to highlight. All SFF writers, take a closer look! 😀
Allison’s Book Spotlight
Making Myths and Magic: A Field Guide to Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy
by Allison Alexander and Shelly Campbell
Nonfiction/Writing Guide
Coming 2021
So you want to write speculative fiction?
It’s time to get that fantastic world that’s been stuck inside your head for years, complete with dragons and androids, onto paper! Whether you’ve written several novels already and need a resource to refresh your storytelling or you’ve got a single idea that’s ready to be transformed, Making Myths and Magic was written for you.
Fantasy author Shelly Campbell and executive editor Allison Alexander have teamed up to provide a comprehensive resource for speculative fiction writers, distilling the information they’ve learned from years in the publishing industry. To keep you inspired and engaged as you grow in your craft, they take a deep dive through your favourite media, including The Lord of the Rings, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars, The Legend of Zelda, The Hunger Games, and more.
In this concise, friendly guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Brainstorm and outline.
- Structure your novel.
- Hook readers from the first sentence,
- Add tension and conflict.
- Play with familiar tropes from sci-fi and fantasy in new ways.
- Write within your sub-genre and for your target audience.
- Create three-dimensional, diverse characters.
- Write myths, songs, riddles, and prophecies.
- Craft unique societies.
- Design creatures and monsters.
- Design worlds and planets.
- Create magic systems and imagine futuristic science.
- Describe clothing, weapons, and armour.
Take your imagination beyond the expected and use this book to bring readers into the wondrous worlds you create.
Goodreads
Indie Story Geek – Coming soon to the Non-Fiction section.
Want to access an advanced reader copy and review this book? Sign up for Mythos & Ink’s newsletter here to be informed when it’s available.
Thank you so much for hanging out with Allison and me today as part of the eighth Indie Recommends Indie Series. I hope you are enjoying the series so far and are looking forward to future posts. It’s so nice to books being repeated and finding more indie books to read. I am very happy about my resolve to read more indie in the near future. If you are an indie or small press author who is an avid reader and wants to be featured, sign up using the form on the Indie Recommends Indie home page. Looking forward to connecting with you.
Banner Photo of library by Alfons Morales on Unsplash
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