We chat with author Sasha E. Sloan about The Ruins Beneath Us, which is first book in a romantasy duology combines a compelling love triangle, luscious worldbuilding, and spellbinding magic to deliver a debut with everything romantasy readers crave.
Hi, Sasha! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m the youngest of six kids and grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. My childhood involved a lot of skiing, hiking, camping, and horseback riding. I love to travel and scrapbook, and my greatest desire is to one day afford a shoebox in Manhattan that can humanely accommodate a dog.
If you care: Taurus sun, Leo moon, Capricorn rising.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I fell in love with storytelling through musicals like The Secret Garden and Les Misérables. I was not a very cool kid (the vibe: Hermione Granger), and reading books was my escape at school. By the time I was twelve, I carried a little laptop everywhere and told anyone who would listen that I was going to be a fantasy author. The first book I wrote was a fanfiction of Artemis Fowl from the perspective of his imaginary sister Lillian. The second was about a secret princess named Skyla with a magical gift for speaking to animals.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Goodnight Moon
- The one that made you want to become an author: Eragon
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Alchemised
Your debut novel, The Ruins Beneath Us, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Whimsical, escapist, empowering, growing up
What can readers expect?
The Ruins Beneath Us is intended to feel like a blend of familiar fairytales, with language and worldbuilding dialed toward maximum accessibility. You can expect to be transported into a cozy dreamscape, with a strong-willed protagonist facing the predictable challenges of new adulthood.
Where did the inspiration for The Ruins Beneath Us come from?
I drew a lot from my own experiences to write Lyria. For example, she struggles to manage her Talent, a magical ability that flares in response to intense emotion. Like a lot of teenagers, I struggled with managing some big feelings. Heartbreak felt devastating, and anger was all-consuming! I didn’t know how to manage my emotions, and felt ashamed by how hard it was to simply exist in my own head.
I wrote the book that I needed during those years. Lyria makes some of the same mistakes that I did, but she grows in similar ways, too. I really hope readers find her journey relatable.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Lyria makes a friend at court named Sandria, who very quickly became my favorite character. She is both action-oriented and sneaky, which makes for a fun combination. Sandria is doing the most even when she seems to be doing nothing.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I had to push through a lot of self-doubt! The unknown can be intimidating, and there were moments when I really questioned whether I could actually pull it off under the time constraints. I had to soften expectations for myself and balance perfectionism with self-care. Done is better than perfect.
Also, a secret and beloved hobby of mine is scrolling through the 1-star reviews of my favorite books. It’s good to remember that even masterpieces have haters.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
My road to publishing took a lot of unexpected turns!
I started writing young and queried several manuscripts before middle school that will (thankfully) never see the light of day. My interests drifted toward political science, which is what I studied in college. However, my free time was always filled with the arts: musical theatre, photography, graphic design, etc. I studied YouTube tutorials to teach myself how to use my camera and ran various entrepreneurial ventures, including a children’s party company, wedding photography and reselling vintage T-shirts. The projects varied in success, but I always hoped I was building toward something.
My “big break” arrived in two phases: first, during the pandemic, when my TikTok account suddenly surged to more than a million in a few weeks. I’d spent years hoping for a viral moment, and I pounced on the opportunity when it came, squeezing out several years of income selling fandom merch and doing brand deals.
The second phase of my big break kicked off when Hyperion reached out last year. After a whirlwind negotiation process, I signed a two-book contract for The Ruins Beneath Us and her sequel.
What’s next for you?
…speaking of a sequel 😉 I’ve been hard at work on the next half of Lyria’s story! The characters get to explore some new terrain in this one, and I’m really excited about some of the plot twists and unexpected team-ups. Prepare to throw your copies at the wall.
After that, I’m hoping for a nice, long vacation. I’ve got some spots in Europe I’m hoping to check off my bucket list!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
I recently started Holly Black’s books, and they have completely rewired my brain chemistry. I’ve got The Queen of Nothing up next, which I am prepared to devour.
Also, the next ACOTAR installments. Azriel forever.
