We chat with author Sloane Brooks about Written in Starlight, which follows a storybook chambermaid’s and an intergalactic bounty hunter’s worlds—and hearts—collide through a magical book, threatening to rewrite fate in this romantic portal fantasy with a cosmic twist.
Hi, Sloane! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m an author whose favorite hobby is collecting more hobbies! When I’m not writing or working the dreaded day job, I’m begging my two cats for affection, tending to my collection of over 100 house plants, dabbling in furniture restoration, hot rod tinkering, book binding, art, and video games.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve been writing ever since I was in middle school. I was always the kid searching closets for portals to other worlds. Unfortunately, I never could find any, so I made my own in the form of stories!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The first real chapter book I remember reading was a Magic Tree House book. I don’t remember which one, but I think dinosaurs were involved.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Three Lives to Live by Anne Lindbergh. To this day, I’m enchanted by this book.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Honestly, also Three Lives to Live by Anne Lindbergh. I still have such a soft spot for the pure fun of middle grade books!
Your latest novel, Written in Starlight, is out October 13th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Whimsical, tender, banter, adventure, family
What can readers expect?
An epic star-crossed romance spanning genres, full of action, swooniness, found family, and adventure! This is truly a love story for story lovers. Anyone who loves books about books is going to have a good time.
Where did the inspiration for Written in Starlight come from?
That lingering hope I’ve always had to find portals into other worlds and have adventures of my own! Portal fantasy has always been near and dear to my heart, but usually it involves someone from our world leaping into a fantasy realm. I thought it would be interesting to see a character from a secondary world navigating the strangeness of finding themselves in a genre outside of their own story.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Della, the heroine in Written in Starlight, was so interesting to write. She’s a softer character who struggles to find her voice, so it was special watching her arc evolve as she realizes she’s strong in her own way and worthy of adventure and epic romance.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I originally planned on Written in Starlight to have a sequel, so re-writing the ending to turn it into a standalone was definitely a challenge! I ended up having to weave a new plotline through the whole book to incorporate bits from the would-be sequel so that everything would tie up in the end. It was definitely a challenge, but it all came together after many late nights and rewrites!
What’s next for you?
I’ve had to be a little sneaky and quiet about what I’ve been working on, so I can’t say just yet … However, there will be an announcement about it coming very soon, so definitely keep an eye on my Instagram!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I recently read and enjoyed The Road of Bones by Demi Winters, The Broken Earth series by N.K Jemisin, Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe, and Solar Eclipse of the Heart by Kate Robb,
I’m looking forward to Headspace by Jill Tew, You Had Me at Halo by Taylor Epperson, and Elsie Lovelace’s Gallery of Enchantments by Kassandra Tyst.
