Hello everyone, and welcome back to Pens and Parchment, my blog for Christian writers! Today I am so excited for the opportunity to interview the incredible Autumn Reid for my third author interview, author of an epic fantasy being released chapter-by-chapter on her Substack!
You can read my previous interviews here:
1. First off, tell me a bit about yourself and your writing journey. What has influenced your writing the most in your life? Was there a time in your life when you knew you wanted to become an author? What do you enjoy writing about?
I have known I wanted to be a writer for as long as I could remember. When I was first learning to write, I would make tiny books out of paper and tie them together with bits of string. In sixth grade, I was asked what skill I wanted to learn as I grew up, and I answered writing books. I never actually imagined that I would though. I only had the patience for short stories and novellas at the time. But after watching The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, I was so inspired and awe-struck by the plot and worldbuilding and characters that I knew immediately that I needed to start writing again. And this time, it would be a book. My parents are some of my biggest influences both in my writing and non-writing life, along with any sort of Christian fantasy author, as that is what I mainly write. I love allegories, and the deeper, the better.
2. How have you found that being a Christian has impacted your writing? What has being a Christian taught you most about writing?
I would say that I write entirely BECAUSE I’m a Christian. I saw that there seemed to be fewer and fewer good books for Christian readers, or I should say, fewer good new books. A lot are too cringey or too preachy. I love allegories, and have read so many, but found myself saying, “If I was writing this, I would do it like this,” or “I would not have written that like that!” And then it sort of hit me, why don’t I just write my own allegory? I’ve learned so much about my faith as I’ve been writing for the past couple of years. Specifically, that I need to not worry about offending readers and therefore skip over the hard stuff. I’ve seen so many writers who just lightly touch on subjects like the Holy Spirit or such, or don’t even write Him in at all in their allegory, just because they don’t know Him as well as God the Son or God the Father. I studied a lot on the Holy Spirit because I wanted to write Him as reverently as possible, and I definitely didn’t want to leave Him out. I think I’ve grown as a Christian, and I hope that I continue to do so! I feel a deep peace whenever I write, so I believe that I am truly doing what the Lord has called me to do.
3. Do you have any hobbies outside of writing? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love reading, of course, but I also deeply love music. My family is very musical, and we all listen to our favorite genres on a daily basis. I play tin whistle and recorder, specifically the tenor recorder. It’s my favorite instrument, and I just love its deep rich sound. I also love going for a walk or a jog outside in the fresh air. I’m afraid arts and crafts are entirely beyond my capabilities, so I don’t do any sort of painting or sketching or anything artistic like that. I think my only artistic skills are academic ones. I’ve discovered that the older I’ve gotten, the more I just want to stay home where it’s warm with a snuggly blanket and a good book. I really am a hobbit at heart.
4. If you could only have one book (or series) to read for the rest of your life, what book would you choose and why?
Oh, the Lord of the Rings, of course. They are so deep and intricate that you could read them regularly and still find something new to obsess about in them. (Right now I find myself curious about the orcs and their origins and the possibilities of redemption for them.) Tolkien is such a vivid writer that I think you could read him endlessly and never get sick of it.
5. You mentioned you were writing a Christian epic! Could you tell me a little bit more about that?
Yes! I am writing an eight book epic Christian fantasy/allegory series called Kingdom Rising. It mainly follows three characters: Alystair, Lucia, and Bane (with a few other minor POVs scattered along the way). Each of them comes from a different lot in life, but all dealing with secrets that could get them all killed. Alystair is a Christknight living in a kingdom where Christfollowing is strictly banned. Lucia, a new Christknight, is the daughter of a very important man who hates the Christfollowing more than anyone else, and she must keep it a deadly secret. Bane is a slave, a gladiator of sorts, who is desperately trying to escape to rescue his beloved wife. They all seem to have different desires and fears, and each imagines their troubles worse than anyone else’s, but they all have to come together for a common cause: stopping the king from awakening a terrible beast and unleashing a wave of darkness upon the realm like it has never seen. They will learn a lot about themselves along the way, whether spiritually or otherwise, and all must face that most important question: will I serve the Triune King, or will I serve myself?
6. Do you have any advice for aspiring Christian writers?
Pray. Study. Do not be afraid to write what is on your heart. I felt the Lord tugging me to write about how to better use our skills and gifts for Him, and that is going to be one of the biggest subjects in my series. I want to explore what a world would be like where people are unconcerned about money and give whatever they can because they can. Can large groups of people exist that are only there for the betterment of others? Is it possible? (Our current health system definitely inspired this.) I would say to them, do not be afraid of what other people are going to think about you. As a Christian, you are writing for the glory of God, and what He thinks is more important than anyone else’s opinion.
7. What is your favorite time of day and place to write? What general atmosphere do you enjoy writing in?
I write anywhere and at anytime. First thing in the morning is my favorite. When I’m well-rested and have new ideas, and usually on my bed or at my desk. But I’ve written in the car, at a coffee shop, on my phone...pretty much anywhere. I’ve always been good at blocking noise out and just focusing on the task at hand. I do like listening to music occasionally, specifically LOTR soundtracks or compilations. A Mordor soundtrack is such a villain vibe. Usually I don’t listen to anything, but if I’m really struggling to get the right feels, I always go to Lord of the Rings.
8. What books are you currently reading/rereading? What books are currently on your TBR?
Right now, I’m just finishing up the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. Highly recommend. I have so many on my TBR. SO many. I want to read as many classics as I can this year, so that’s what most of my list is. I just read To Kill a Mockingbird and loved it. I want to read No Name and The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins soon, and also all of the Jane Austen and L.M. Montgomery. The Count of Monte Cristo and Till We Have Faces are also on the list.
9. If you could recommend three books to anyone, what three books would they be and why?
I’m going to restrain myself from saying The Lord of the Rings trilogy and pick something else. I think I would say The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The Hiding Place is so sad, but so inspiring, and I don’t even know how many times I’ve read it. Definitely my favorite nonfiction book. The Screwtape Letters is a MUST for any Christian reader. Very deep and eye-opening. The Secret Garden has been one of my favorites since I was a little girl, and the perfect cozy read for a rainy day!
10. What is your favorite genre to read and write? Why?
Fantasy will always be my favorite to both read and write. Escaping into a different world is just so amazing to me, and I am always awed and inspired by other writer’s creativity, and it makes me want to make my own world better. Currently I’m creating languages inspired by Finnish and Old English, and am working on some pretty unique geographical locations. I do love a good Jane Austen or Agatha Christie, but I always come back home to fantasy.
Thank you so much to Autumn for coming on here for an interview and giving such incredible and inspiring answers! Be sure to check out and subscribe to her amazing Substack, as well as reading her epic fantasy, being released chapter by chapter on her publication, Curiouser and Curiouser.
If you are a Christian writer interested in joining me on here for an interview, please don’t hesitate to DM me or introduce yourself in the comments. I love meeting new authors and would be more than happy to interview you as well!
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God bless,
Elizabeth Jane 🌻
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I love this idea so much! Planning on binging the other interviews you've done too haha.
I'm a Christian who is a writer, but I don't write explicitly 'Christian works'. If that's not what you're looking for, no worries! But if that still counts I'd love to do an interview if you still post these and it fits with your schedule?
This is a lovely interview! You are so skilled at asking insightful questions.
I am a Christian writer, although not a terribly prolific one, so I'd be interested in doing an interview sometime, if it fits into your plans for your blog!