Helen is due to release her new book Blood and Steel in February. I caught up with her to ask about her new novel, and what life is like being an independent author.
Helen Scheuerer is a Best Selling Australian Independent author. So far, she has two complete Young Adult Fantasy series under belt – The Oremere Chronicles and Curse of the Cyren Queen, both of which I have read and loved. So, when I heard about Blood and Steel, I asked if I could interview her. Something which she kindly agreed to, despite her hectic schedule. So, read on, for a quick insight into Bleed and Steel, Helen’s writing process and all manner of wonderful things.
Q: What is your process when writing? Do you plot everything out, or do you wing it?
HS: I’ve really worked on streamlining my writing process over the last few years. Generally it looks a little something like this
– Outlining: 2 weeks
– Drafting: 4 weeks
– Structural edits: 2 weeks
By then I usually have something resembling a solid draft to send to beta readers for feedback and then I do more revisions. That end of the process could be 2-4 weeks again.I try to plot as much as possible as it helps me keep up the momentum throughout the drafting process. I’m one of those writers who likes knowing where they’re going!
Q: How long does it generally take from the inception of a new book to publishing?
HS: Wow, that’s a tough one. The thing is, with where I’m at career-wise now, I’m usually working on multiple things at once while other projects are with editors and the like.
But as an example, I started planning Blood & Steel in May of 2022 and it’s releasing on February 16th 2023, so that’s something like nine months? But it’s not quite linear like that, for instance I wasn’t always working on Blood & Steel during that time, in fact, I’ve written two more novels somewhere in there.
So yeah, it’s hard to tell at this stage! But let’s go with 9 months from outline to finished, published product!
Q: What challenges do you find as an independent author?
HS: Being an indie author is the same as being a business owner and entrepreneur, so there are many challenges that come with those jobs. Publishing is a notoriously unpredictable industry, so it’s always hard to know how a book is going to be received, no matter what level of success you’ve had in the past.
There’s also the huge challenge of juggling numerous projects and departments: production, marketing, budgeting, advertising… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg really.
However, I wouldn’t want to do anything else.
Q: You’re known for writing strong female character leads. Who would you say was your inspiration for writing such strong women?
HS: Growing up I was always drawn to stories with strong female leads, probably because even from a young age it was really clear to me that women were treated very differently to men and I found it infuriating.
While I don’t think I can pinpoint one instance or person who inspired my drive to write strong female characters, I really enjoyed any story that had a kick-ass female lead who went against the grain, who rebelled, who thrived in a man’s world.
For the most part, that’s what my FMCs do.
I was also lucky enough to be surrounded by strong women throughout my life – my mum was the breadwinner, my female English teachers were particularly impressive with their knowledge and passion for literature, and my girlfriends from childhood to now have always been fiercely independent and inspiring in all that they do.
I wanted to write heroines for us.
Q: What inspired you to change genre from YA fantasy to this more adult themed romantic fantasy/fantasy romance? Did you find it challenging?
HS: My reading habits changed over the course of the last few years and I’ve always thought you should write what you love reading.
There’s this stigma around romance books that I found hard to shake for a while, but as soon as I leaned into it, I found myself drawn more to writing in that sub-genre.
There have been a number of mental hurdles, but ultimately, I have loved the change and have revelled in the fun I’m having writing these stories.
Q: Can we expect to see any cameos from your previous work in Blood and Steel, as it’s set in the same universe as Oremere and Curse of the Cyren Queen?
HS: Haha, well I can’t give that away just yet. But I can tell you that there are references to both series, be it in the form of places, groups of people, magical creatures and types of magic…
If you’ve read my previous work, you’ll note the breadcrumbs throughout! (Note from interviewer… Yes. Yes, I have. And they are amazing.)
Q: Who has been your favourite character to write? Are they in Blood and Steel?
HS: You know what, I think they are. Two of them in fact!
I have ADORED writing from a male POV again (I did this in Oremere, but my Curse of the Cyren Queen series was just one FMC’s POV).
So in Blood & Steel, I have loveeedddd writing Wilder’s broody interludes, and when things get a bit dark and despairing, I’ve loved Kipp’s scenes.
Q: Do you have any favourite scenes?
HS: From Blood & Steel there’s a scene in a tavern called The Laughing Fox where our FMC Thea is hanging out with her friends Cal and Kipp. That scene was just pure joy to write.
Another one is a particularly steamy scene that happens in the Bloodwoods, but I’ll say no more about that 😉
Q: When can we expect new material from you, other than Blood and Steel?
HS: 2023 is my biggest, most ambitious year yet! I’m releasing a related standalone fantasy romance in July, then Book two in The Legends of Thezmarr in August/September, plus another nonfiction book towards the end of the year
So, my thanks go out to Helen, for sparing me some time out of her day to answer these questions! And, don’t forget, you can read my reviews of Helen’s previous work The Oremere Chronicles, and Curse of the Cyren Queen as well as a preview review of Blood and Steel which is released on February 16th on Amazon. All of her books are also available to read free of charge on Kindle Unlimited if you’re a subscriber.
In the meantime, sign up to Helen’s newsletter, where you can receive some lovely little bonus content, including prequel novellas from her previous series as well as An Alchemsists Vow which is the prequel to Blood and Steel.