Editor’s Note: This exchange is part of a series of brief interviews with emerging writers of recent or forthcoming books. If you enjoyed it, please visit other interviews in the I’ve Got Questions feature.
- What’s the title of your book? Fiction? Nonfiction? Poetry? Who is the publisher and what’s the publication date?
Shadow Runner; Fiction; Black Rose Writing; June 1, 2023.
- In a couple of sentences, what’s the book about?
Set in an alternate Victorian England, Shadow Runner is a gaslamp, historical fantasy novel. The protagonist, Ada, born to aristocracy, is abducted and raised by a criminal society. As she comes of age, she must target the very people she once called kin or attempt a daring escape. But if she flees, she risks the lives of the two she loves most: her adopted sister and her enigmatic captor.
- What’s the book’s genre (for fiction and nonfiction) or primary style (for poetry)?
Historical Fantasy, Gaslamp, New Adult, Coming-of-Age, Women’s Issues
- What’s the nicest thing anyone has said about the book so far?
The nicest thing anyone has said about the book is some version of “I hope there’s a sequel.” I had a trilogy in mind when I wrote book one, but there is no greater motivation for an author than calls for more from readers. I’m beyond grateful and book two is on the horizon.
- What book or books is yours comparable to or a cross between? [Is your book like Moby Dick or maybe it’s more like Frankenstein meets Peter Pan?]
My tagline is “When Hunger Games meets Oliver Twist.” I’ve been influenced by many great authors, but humility prevents me from comparing my work to theirs. Recently, a fan compared my writing to Rebecca Solnit’s Cinderella Liberator and Waking Beauty, which was a tremendous honor. While I don’t entirely agree with the comparison, I understand why she made it. Like Solnit’s books, mine aims to challenge the myth of feminine salvation through rescue. My protagonist harbors a deep fear of becoming property and chooses a difficult life over comfort rather than losing her agency.
- Why this book? Why now?
Having grown up in the 60s, I refuse to stand by and watch my granddaughters be treated as anything less than equal. Activism runs in my veins, and I believe fiction is a powerful medium for driving change. Readers immerse themselves in the characters over the course of a hundred thousand words, and if one of those characters embodies the actions you wish you could take, there can be a form of quiet activism in that experience.
- Other than writing this book, what’s the best job you’ve ever had?
The best job I’ve ever had is being a grandmother. The rewards are unparalleled. Recently, one of my granddaughters set her tablet wallpaper to a photo of me. No amount of money in the world could ever compare to that.
- What do you want readers to take away from the book?
I hope to spark the imagination of young women; to encourage them to imagine themselves as heroines in their own journeys. In the words of the great poet/musician Natasha Bedingfield, “Drench yourself in words unspoken, Live your life with arms wide open, Today is where your book begins.”
- What food and/or music do you associate with the book?
Scones and clotted cream, with strawberry jam, and Earl Grey tea. Those are Ada’s favorites.
- What book(s) are you reading currently?
I just finished reading In My Boots by Amanda K Jaros, which I highly recommend. It’s an amazing story of self-discovery and perseverance. Currently, I’m reading Desulti (Spirit Song: Rebels Rising Book 2) by Ross Hightower and Deb Heim, two of my favorite authors. They create narratives of triumph in the face of adversity, showcasing strong female characters and honorable male protagonists.
Learn more about K.J. Fieler on her website.
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Buy the book from the publisher, Black Rose Writing, Amazon, or Bookshop.org
