Today we’re shining the speculative spotlight on E.G. Radcliff, author of The Hidden King, a high fantasy coming of age novel entered into this year’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off.
Welcome to the Fantasy Inn, E.G.! How are you and how have you been?
I’m doing pretty well! Glad to be here!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what types of stories you write?
I’m a Young Adult fantasy author from Chicago, Illinois. My stories are oriented towards a YA audience, of course, but they do tend to include several darker themes which may not be suitable for younger readers. I love character-driven narratives, and I really enjoy blending that with adapted folklore and historic mythology.
Pick three books: One that is the most memorable to you as a reader, one that had the greatest influence on your writing career, and one that you just love.
I’d say the most memorable book for me is probably The Once and Future King by T.H. White–it was so different from the books I’d read up to that point, and that intensely character-based story structure really stuck with me.
The one with the greatest influence on my writing… hmm, this is tricky! Probably A Court of Wings and Ruin, the third installment of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I remember reading it while writing The Hidden King and being so inspired by the flawless blend of folklore and originality, the writing style, and the brilliant characters. Though obviously telling a very different story, it came to be sort of a beacon for me, a level of artistry toward which to strive.
As for the book I love, I’m going to pick This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab. I’m not sure whether it was the deeply engaging characters or the effortlessly immersive worldbuilding, but this book stuck in my head for ages after I read it.
How did you first fall in love with the fantasy genre?
I’ve read fantasy since I was tiny, but my true awakening to the genre came when Brandon Mull’s Beyonders and Fablehaven series occupied my brain pretty much every waking moment. I was completely obsessed. After reading every book cover to cover a few times, I started exploring the other books in that section of the library. The more I read, the more I wanted to read, and it’s a loop from which I’ve not yet escaped.
What made you want to become a writer?
Even as a child, I recall narrating the events around me. It actually used to bother me quite a lot, because I didn’t feel grounded in the world; everything was a story, and I couldn’t seem to stop seeing it as one.
When I started writing, it was like I’d found the release valve to an overheating system–freeing my thoughts onto paper was like freeing myself. I could write for pleasure, or escapism, or to document emotions in a place I could truly explore what they meant. It made the world infinitely less overwhelming.
Do you have any fun hobbies you’d like to share?
I play water polo, draw digital art, and do really shoddy glass lampwork with a propane torch in my garage.
How about a fun fact?
I once sung ‘Let It Go’ in a 2000 year old Roman amphitheater in Orange, France. In front of tourists. While I was sober.
Are you writing under a pen name?
I sure am 🙂
What does your writing space look like?
I write wherever I can carry my laptop, which is just about anywhere. I don’t really use a desk.
Tell us about the book you entered into SPFBO this year!
The Hidden King is loosely inspired by Celtic mythology. In it, a young man named Áed is forced to discover that there’s more to him–and to his past–than meets the eye. The physical reminders of a forgotten trauma may mean more than he thought. And he himself might be something he’d never even imagined.
Why this particular story, of all the stories you could have written?
This story, of all the others I could have written, came with a massive benefit: the characters and setting came in a dream. It’s quite nice to write off of such an established foundation, so I took a lot of pleasure in doing so… and I think that made the book better.
What key takeaways do you hope readers walk away from your book with?
I think the takeaway for this book, and the series overall, is about resilience and growth. It’s a statement that you needn’t be a flawless, unblemished person to have a positive impact on the environments and people around you, and you needn’t be defined by your injured past. Strength means doing the best you can.
How did you acquire the cover art for your book?
Micaela Alcaino is my most epic cover designer. She’s a dream to work with and I think she does beautiful work. https://www.instagram.com/micaelaalcainodesign/
Why did you enter SPFBO? What are you hoping to get out of the competition?
This was my first time submitting to SPFBO, and I feel like I’ve hopped into the best party on the block. I’m happy to be “meeting” and learning about other fantasy authors, and about the fantasy book blogging community. This on its own has already been so much fun. Icing on the cake would be to increase the exposure for The Hidden King– and The Coming of Áed series to which it belongs–in the reading and writing communities.
Which do you enjoy most: outlining, drafting, or editing?
For me, I think editing is the most fun. I love drafting too, but the difference in enjoyment is that while drafting, I get that truly lovely stress of thinking that my writing is terrible and everyone will hate it. Editing, however, is purely an act of improving. I find myself less anxious, because I know I’m building on my work–even if the first draft was junk, every round of editing will just make it better and better until it’s ready.
What’s your editing process look like?
My editing process involves several sheets of notebook paper in no particular order, covered with scribbled writing in no particular orientation, scattered over my workspace in no particular arrangement. From these jotted ideas, usually scratched at three or four in the morning while drinking black tea, I formulate a list of things that I, working with a developmental editor, have decided I’d like to modify.
I then tape about six pieces of computer paper together end to end and write every plot point and scene change from the first draft in order. After that, I take my list of things to change, and on the computer-paper outline, I write the specific changes I plan to make. Then I implement! The line, copy, and proof stages are much easier, as they’re more localized and require less overall vision.
Advice you wish you could give to your earlier self when you were first starting to write?
Bro. Those ridiculous dialogue tags. Stop itttttt.
What has been the best business decision you’ve made for your writing career?
I’m not sure yet! But I will say it’s a journey that is difficult to conquer all on one’s own. So I have asked for help when I need it from people who know more than I do. And I listen.
What does a typical writing day look like for you?
I prefer to write in the evening, but I never keep a schedule; I just make sure I hit at least 1,000 words every day. The flexibility works well for me. Whenever I decide to write, I begin by acquiring caffeine. My preferred forms are Diet Dr. Pepper, peach tea, or hazelnut coffee with a metric ton of cream and sugar. Then I settle somewhere comfy and ideally rather dark, and I write away.
Just because I don’t wake up and write until bedtime doesn’t mean I don’t get ideas around the clock, though; I write these ideas in the margins of books, notebooks, on the surface of my nightstand, anywhere. To differentiate author-y notes from all my other notes when I go back to look for them, I write them in a different alphabet. Considering that idea generation is the most important part of writing anything at all, I make sure my days include exercise and plenty of socializing–I have to keep my brain healthy somehow, and I’m sure not doing that by sleeping.
What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m wrapping up the edits on The Last Prince, prequel to The Hidden King! We are launching on August 6th. It is currently in pre-order at getbook.at/thelastprince .
What other projects can we expect from you in the future?
After The Last Prince, there will be a third and final installment of The Coming of Áed series. I’ve been planning it since the beginning, and I’m really looking forward to properly knuckling down.
Beyond that, I have a new series in the very early stages of planning. I’m quite excited about it. It’s of a much larger scale than I’m used to, so it’s going to take some work, but I’m deeply enjoying my worldbuilding at the moment.
Thank you for stopping by the Inn, E.G.!
About E.G. Radcliff
E.G. RADCLIFF IS AN INCURABLE WRITER and lifelong imaginer of worlds. An insatiable reader and researcher with a penchant for all things Celtic and a love of the mysterious and magical, she brings a knowing touch to her Young Adult fiction. She enjoys adventure, reading on the train, and dreams about flying. She is a Chicago native and is based in Illinois.
Website: www.egradcliff.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/egradcliff
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egradcliff/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/egradcliff
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