Hello hello readers, and welcome to another author interview!

After last month’s interview, my fellow author Vanessa Kramer highly recommended I reach out to Autumn Green, young adult and fantasy author. I’m so glad she did!

Today we’re picking Autumn’s noggin about her creative process, published works, and some fun things in between. Welcome to my little corner of the internet, Autumn!

Let’s show her lots of love and support as we learn more about her. On with the interview!

Autumn Green

Bio:

Autumn Green was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She fell in love with storytelling in fourth grade when she wrote her first children’s novel. Whether she was lost in a book or scribbling down ideas, writing has always been her passion. She published her first novel in 2023, which fueled her drive to keep creating captivating young adult stories. Autumn is known for crafting characters with an irresistible spark and weaving immersive escapes for her readers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, traveling, gaming, staying active, and spending time with family. Some of her favorite games include Final Fantasy VII and XV, Skyrim, The Last of Us, and Hogwarts Legacy. She is the author of The Keepers of Aris and Elemental Convergence.

Social Media Links

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Amazon

GoodReads

The Interview

Hi Autumn, thanks so much for stopping by. To keep things interesting, I like to ask my interviewees a random question to get the blood flowing. Here’s yours!

It’s the apocalypse, and you only get to choose two items to take along into the devastation. What would you bring?

Autumn: If The Last of Us has taught me anything, I’m bringing a bow and arrows… and Bill. I know you said two items, but I’m substituting an item for a person if that’s allowed. With Bill around, the town would be locked down, booby-trapped, and safe from whatever chaos is happening. I’d get to live out my days in peace.

Jonny: Oh my gosh, I love The Last of Us! Haven’t played the game yet, but I adore the TV show. I think you’re in very capable hands with Bill. Man, that episode made me cry! And bow and arrows are a nice weapon that you can depend on for sure.

Hmm, if I’m stuck in the apocalypse too I’d use some sort of multitool like a Swiss army knife and an axe. You never know when you’ll need to gain access somewhere for safety, and it doubles up as a nice weapon if there are monsters or thieves in said apocalypse. I’d happily back you up!

Autumn and the Writing Process

What kind of setting do you write in most times?

Autumn: Honestly? In my bed, wrapped in blankets, as cozy as possible. A while ago, I made a TikTok of me writing outside with a coffee, enjoying nature, and looking all aesthetic. It was a total lie. My friends immediately called me out—one of them being my old college roommate. So, yeah, the truth is I write in bed, comfy and chaotic!

Jonny: Yes, that’s how you do it! Gotta be comfortable when you’re writing. Haha! Yeah, as nice as the outdoors are, weather fluctuates way too much in Missouri to have the perfect conditions, so I typically write in my little office at home. I’ve never had an office until I moved in with my partner almost 2 years ago, so before I always had my desktop computer somewhere in my bedroom and always wrote there. My office is my little oasis away from the world.

How long have you been writing?

Autumn: Since I was in elementary school. I wrote my first “novel” in fourth grade—it was nearly 200 pages long, and it will never see the light of day. It’s that embarrassing.

Jonny: Me too! That’s amazing that you had such inspiration to write at a young age. I believe I was also in fourth grade at the time I started writing. I would write random stories about fictional adventures my friends and I would have. My most notable was one where we had a sleepover at school and discovered there were people inside of the walls. I guess I was always writing about something creepy!

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Autumn: I’ve written three books, but Elemental Convergence is my favorite, and not just because it’s the one I’m promoting! Writing this book was such a fun and emotional journey. I cried at certain parts, which was oddly satisfying, and I really got to see how much I’ve grown as a writer. I love the story, the characters, and the magic. There are so many moving pieces, and I hope readers love it as much as I do.

Jonny: Congrats! I have no doubt you’ll write many more. Writing a book sure can be emotional, especially when you realize how much you’ve grown over time. When reading certain passages of a WIP I’ll get the chills and I just know I’m doing something right. I can’t wait to start your series and sort out the moving pieces. Figuring out the mystery of a book is such a thrill!

Fun Facts About Autumn

Pancakes or waffles?

Autumn: Ooh, tough one. It depends on my mood. Lately, I’ve been craving thick, buttery homestyle pancakes topped with jam or syrup. But waffles? They’re a bias wrecker. The crunch is unmatched, and they’re way easier to stuff than pancakes. Can I pick both?

Jonny: Yep, both it is! I’m more of a savory breakfast kinda guy, so whatever I choose will probably be along those lines. Although recently I had some chicken and waffles that leaned towards the sweet side that I really loved, so maybe it’s time to explore the sweeter side of things.

Are pineapples on pizza blasphemy or no?

Autumn: Absolutely not blasphemy! I love pineapples on pizza. That salty-sweet combo is elite, and it sends my taste buds into overdrive.

Jonny: I can get a little picky with my food when mixing sweet and savory, but I would love to revisit pineapples or strawberries on pizza and see how I feel about it. Oh, or kiwis!

What are your favorite tv shows and movies?

Autumn: Right now, I’m obsessed with Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK). The story, the character development, the nonstop action—it’s just chef’s kiss. Plus, the one-liners are amazing. My favorite quote so far is: “The one thing granted equally to all is unfair reality.” I’m patiently waiting for season 3. Movie-wise, it’s a toss-up between Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. Both hit that perfect nostalgia sweet spot that reminds me of my childhood.

Jonny: Okay, so I used to watch a TON of anime in high school, but admittedly have been less acquainted over the years so I had to know about Jujutsu Kaisen. I watched bits of the first episode and it looks like so much fun! Cursed objects and magical battles? I may have to delve into this one. Aww, great movie suggestions. I loved Moana (that you’re welcome song always gets stuck in my head!) and recently watched Smile 2 and loved it. The soundtrack is amazing too. Nostalgia always wins out with me.

What are you reading now?

Autumn: Onyx Storm! (Cue fangirl screaming.) I love The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. If you love dragons, steamy romance, adventure, betrayal, and sarcasm, this book is for you.

Jonny: Haha, nice! I’ve seen that book mentioned a lot lately, so there must be something to the hype. I hope you love it! Right now I’m reading Kindred by Octavia Butler, but after that I’ve got Devil’s Wake by Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due to start, and then Bloodsucker County and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls to get into. There’s always way too many books on my TBR.

Autumn and Her Works

Tell us about your new book.

Autumn: Elemental Convergence is the second novel in the Aris Magica series, picking up right where The Keepers of Aris left off. Cryis and Dylan are on separate journeys to save their friend Jay. Cryis, an Immortal haunted by his past, is imprisoned and bound to a promise made to Emilia, the first Ancient. Meanwhile, Dylan, struggling with guilt and loss, gets caught in the growing conflict between Aris Magicians and humans. With war looming and personal stakes higher than ever, both must face their pasts and fight for their futures.

Jonny: Wow, you really sold me on this series. Immortals? Conflicts between magics and humans? It sounds awesome! Once I get this month’s reads over and done with I’m going to do my best to prioritize your series. I’m so intrigued!

How did you come up with the title for this book?

Autumn: I wanted it to match the theme of the first book’s cover—something that feels like an invitation into a whole new world. The final design is inspired by a pivotal scene in the book that captures a major turning point in the story.

Jonny: I’ve just gotta say, I absolutely love your covers! I know a lot of people say not to judge books that way, but on some level we all do. They just scream of magic and mystery, and that really draws you in.

What inspired you to write this book in particular? Is it part of a series?

Autumn: Elemental Convergence is part of the Aris Magica series, and book one is The Keepers of Aris. The idea for the series came from a dream I had in ninth grade. It was so vivid that I remembered it all day and knew I had to write it down. I like to think of book characters as people who never got to live in our reality, and authors as their scribes—so how could I not tell their story?

Jonny: That’s amazing that it came to you in a dream. The bookish gods were definitely compelling you to write about that experience! I can totally relate on your point on book characters. In our minds they are extremely real and their epic stories worth telling, especially when it inspires our readers.

Do you have a favorite character in your new book? Why are they your favorite?

Autumn: Yes—Cryis. He was briefly introduced at the end of The Keepers of Aris, and I originally had no plans to make him such a central character. But while outlining Elemental Convergence, he stole the spotlight. I love his tenacity, his willingness to put others before himself, and his fearlessness. But what makes him my favorite is his vulnerability—he’s haunted by past failures, but he learns from them and grows.

Jonny: Don’t you just love it when a character surprises you like that? Sometimes we just have to listen to our characters even if we had other plans in mind, and I think you made a good choice with Cryis. He sounds like a great flawed paragon that has some serious obstacles to overcome. It’s those character flaws that make the reading journey so much more exciting.

What did you find was the hardest part about writing this book?

Autumn: Starting was easy since it picks up right where book one left off. Ending it, though? That was hard. Second books are tricky because you have to set up the next one without overshadowing it. Balancing multiple perspectives and making sure each character had their moment to shine was another challenge. With The Keepers of Aris, I wished I had spent more time letting readers get to know the characters before the chaos started. In Elemental Convergence, I worked hard to fix that and let the world and characters breathe.

Jonny: Right! So far I’ve only written a duology, but it really is hard when you plan to go beyond that because you want to foreshadow what’s to come without giving away too much. I had a similar issue with my book The Ruins. The readers overall wanted to get to know my MC Tyler better, and the sequel will definitely address that. For me, writing a beginning is always easy, but it’s that dreaded middle section that gets me. Connecting the dots and working it out in an exciting way that keeps the reader engaged takes the most effort, but it’s so worth it.

What other projects do you have in store for the world to see in the future? Anything you can share with us?

Autumn: The Aris Magica series finale! I’m excited to wrap up this story and give the characters the ending they deserve. I also have a few secret projects in the works. I can’t say much yet, but expect more fantasy, plot twists, and adventure.

Jonny: Yay! I bet your final book in the series is going to be a home run. It’s nice to give our characters a much needed rest after all they’ve been through. Oh, I can’t wait to see what other ideas you come up with!

Well, it looks like our interview is coming to a close. Before we go, do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events, and special offers?

Autumn: I do! My website has all my book releases, events, and special projects: www.autumn-green.com

Jonny: Perfect! Thanks so much again for doing this with me, and I wish you all the sales with your upcoming release and future works!

That’s a Wrap!

Alrighty bookworms, that wraps up my interview with Autumn. I had a great time chatting it up with her, and I hope you enjoyed the experience too!

If you’d like to learn more about Autumn and her work, she can be reached at the social media links provided at the beginning of this post.

Thank you for stopping by, and have a great day!

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