We chat with author Ashley Andersen about Malachite, which is the start of a dark academia romantasy series that gives you enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn, elemental powers, forced proximity, found family and the perfect amount of spice…
Hi, Ashley! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m a newly published author; I’ve been writing since I was twelve but a few years ago got brave enough to tell the world on my BookTok/bookstagram. I love everything fantasy and romance where I can let the world slip away for a while
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I have always loved writing since a young age, I first started writing stories when I was a child, then moved onto poems in high school and eventually started writing on Wattpad when I was about twenty. That was a lot of fun and helped me understand the process a bit better.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: It was probably a Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen chapter book when I was about seven or eight.
- The one that made you want to become an author: I read the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning and fell in love with it. I recall finishing the 5th book and thinking, “I would love to write something like this one day”
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: There’s SO many! I’ll have to go with my most current read which was Crown Me Yours by Liv Zander because that one made me cry my eyes out.
Your debut novel, Malachite, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Your next bingeable steamy read!
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a book that you could binge in one day. A book that has crystal and elemental magic and a determined FMC with no magic and won’t go down without a fight. Even if it means facing her brother’s best friend in a fighting ring. They can also expect a found family that gives you that comfort feeling.
Where did the inspiration for Malachite come from?
I love academic settings in books. But it first stemmed from a crystal I found in my book room and that spiralled into an idea of “what if crystals gave us powers”
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really enjoyed writing Aria’s growth where she initially enters the academy for her brother and family but as time moves on, she learns that she’s allowed to want things for herself. Such as friendships, small moments of joy, desire and eventually Sebastian.
Helping her discover that putting herself first doesn’t mean she’s selfish, but human, and humans desire and want things. She’s allowed to fill her cup as well as be there for her brother.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
There were definitely moments of writer’s block. But I found taking a walk outside was the best medicine for it. Much like my main character, being in nature seems to reset my brain, so I can come back and keep writing.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
It was probably different to the “usual” route. I first started sharing about my writing process on my Instagram /book accounts, that’s where the Moa Press team saw my video and reached out to me.
I was in shock for a few hours, cried a lot too. It’s been a whirlwind of a journey but so much fun and one that I thought I’d only ever dream about.
What’s next for you?
Well we have book 2 in the works, and this duology is now being moved into a trilogy.
I also have been dabbling in another fantasy book and one day I’d love to jump into the romance genre too. I have a few ideas up my sleeve.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
There’s been a bunch that I’ve loved when I find time to read. Crown me Dead and Crown Me Yours are my most recent reads. They were incredible. I have a few fantasy books on my radar that I’d love to jump into. Shield of Sparrows is one of them. So many books, so little time, right?
