We chat with author Kellyn Carni about Ricochet, which retells the story of the Romanov family murders. Only this time, Anastasia Romanov and her brother, Alexi, escape their family’s execution when a magical necklace transports them to an alternate 1918 Russia on the brink of its own revolution.
Hi, Kellyn! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Absolutely. I’m a debut author, a mother of two tiny tots and a menagerie of animals, and I work full time as a physical therapist assistant. So- I’m busy! But when I’m not busy, I love watching funny shows with my husband, reading, and yoga. I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina, so there is a lot to do outside. When the kids get a little older, we’ll be getting back to canoe camping and exploring the mountains!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I started writing stories pretty much as soon as I was old enough to put words on paper. I wrote a whole series about a unicorn named Nina when I was in second or third grade. There was quite a hiatus in my writing between childhood and adulthood, though. Ricochet is my first completed novel.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss, if we’re being honest. Not much plot there, but I remember being very proud of myself.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Hmm. The Hunger Games? I think it was after reading that series that I really started creating alternate worlds in my head.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. That book was my introduction to fantasy and I never turned back!
Your debut novel, Ricochet, is out February 4th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Romanovs, rescue, revenge, romance, redemption . . . I’m apparently obsessed with “R” words—a theme that continues as I’m brainstorming titles for books 2 and 3!
What can readers expect?
I’ve been a YA fantasy reader for decades now, so Ricochet definitely has the feel of a fast-paced YA fantasy adventure—but with a premise based on real historical figures and events. It starts with the Romanov execution, so there is certainly some violence, but it is ultimately a story of hope and resilience.
Where did the inspiration for Ricochet come from?
In 2021, I stumbled across a short story contest. I hadn’t written anything in years, but the prompt was to write a YA dystopian story involving a necklace, and something about that really grabbed me. My mom is just as obsessed with YA fantasy and dystopian-type books as I am, so of course I immediately called her and told her about it. She said something like, “Wouldn’t it be cool if Anastasia Romanov was the heroine of one of these YA stories we love?” Yes, I thought. Yes it would.
I didn’t win the contest. I didn’t even obey the prompt. But I did write a YA historical fantasy starring a multiverse-traveling Anastasia Romanov. And it does involve a necklace! That short story was the original first chapter of Ricochet, and even after lots of editing, there are still some lines here and there that made it from that story to the final draft.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Anastasia and Alexei were both interesting character arcs to write. In their own ways, they each have to find a way to carry on after losing everything that defined them. They lose their family, their titles, and their whole world—and they have to discover who they really are at their cores.
I think that is such an important take away for YA readers and for everyone, really. We all experience changes or losses that make us question our identities at some point in life.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Well, I started writing Ricochet while pregnant with my first child, and was *almost* finished with the first draft when my son was born. Having a child was such a huge life change—a wonderful one, but I suddenly had zero time to write, or even read. Ricochet was shelved for several months. It took some time to adjust to motherhood and settle into a new routine, but eventually I was able to pick it back up. I think it’s hard not to fall into this trap of thinking we have to do All The Things All The Time. But, contrary to the advice I usually hear, there is no rule that writers have to write every day, every week, or every month. Or if there is, it’s definitely a rule that I’m okay with breaking!
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
I started writing this book with no intention of publishing it, back in 2021. It was a fun new creative outlet—but as I got further into it, I realized that this was a story I wanted to share. I finished writing it in 2022 and started querying agents and submitting to small presses. They don’t call that the “query trenches” for nothing—it is an exhausting road full of ups and downs and rejections galore. But I really was very lucky in that I found the right match with CamCat Books relatively quickly. I signed a publishing contract in 2023, and now here we are!
What’s next for you?
Well, I am currently working on a sequel to Ricochet. My plan is for this story to continue over three books. When I finish with Anastasia and Alexei, I have an ever-growing list of ideas for books to write. The next will most likely either be a YA fantasy who-done-it or a MG kids-on-bikes Age of Wonders video game retelling.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?
Oh, man. My to-be-read list is completely out of hand. But I really look forward to supporting my fellow debut fantasy authors this year. Tarnished by Erica Rose Eberhart, In the Name of Honor by Courtney and Clarke Collins, The After Hours by Aspen Andersen, The Divide that Binds Us by Michelle J, Of Wolves and Stags by Ria Parisi, and Her Dark Grace by Rae Valtera all come to mind! And of course . . . Onyx Storm.
