Odriel’s Heirs was the winner in the YOUNG ADULT category of the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Hayley Reese Chow.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Odriel’s Heirs was published in 2020
What’s the book’s first line?
Kaia Dashul wove a ball of fire between her fingertips, the rage simmering beneath a tangle of excited nerves as she watched the festival from the shadowed wood.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
When an ancient demon necromancer resurfaces, a bullied fire-wielder must learn to harness her rage to protect the people who exiled her before the undead overrun their world. And worse, she’s going to need the help of her childhood rival—the shadow assassin.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I was an athlete in college, and I really wanted to take all of that pressure, that fear of failure, and that almost overwhelming difficulty and bring it into a fantasy world. Although her stakes are much higher, I think Kaia, the main character, really embodies those struggles I faced as a young adult coming into my own, finding out what I was and wasn’t capable of, and really discovering the world around me.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Kaia, the main character in Odriel’s Heirs, is interesting because she struggles with both insecurity about her fire-wielding ability as well as an uncontrollable, explosive rage that seizes her in her most desperate moments. I actually didn’t realize it while writing her, but now that my kids are huge Dragonball Z fans (which was my favorite show as a kid), I can absolutely see the parallels between her and Goku’s son, Gohan, who also struggles with his fear of fighting as well as his latent power in his early years.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
This book is for readers looking for a fast-paced adventure both dangerous and magical—dark but hopeful—with theme of reaching your true potential and believing in yourself… with a little side of sweet, slowburn romance.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
They may be getting a little old for the roles now, but Sadie Sink and Gavin Casalegno would make an amazing Kaia and Klaus.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I wrote my first book in 2012, but I didn’t have the courage to publish it until 2020. Even then, I don’t think I realized writing would be a long-term passion until I had three published books out in the world in 2021, and honestly it was the encouragement from reviewers that convinced me to stick with it.
Is this the first you’ve written?
Odriel’s Heirs if the first book I’ve written! Since then, I’ve finished the Odriel’s Heirs series (two novels and two novellas), self-published an upper MG fantasy, and had two YA sci-fi books (part of a planned trilogy) published by Whimsical Publishing. Then I have three other books (a YA gamer romance, a YA horror, and a YA paranormal mystery) on submission through my amazing agent Kristen Terrette. And lastly, I have another three works in progress in some stage of revision, bringing me a to a total of fourteen now. So I’ve come a long way since writing this first one!
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m an engineer working mostly as a program manager, so I usually refer to myself as a professional emailer.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I try to get in at least two hours of writing time in the evening after my kids get to bed. I also squeeze in extra writing time while they’re at their extracurriculars, when I’m on the treadmill, and on the weekends.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part of being an indie is having everything in my control. If I want to cover rebrand, I can. If I want to reformat, I can. If I find want to enter a contest, I can. That said, the hardest part is being completely on my own with no one else to advise me or help send the book out in the world. From a confidence standpoint, it was super tough when I was first starting out.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
So, since writing Odriel’s Heirs, I have signed five books with a small traditional publisher, and I have three other books on sub with my agent. While self-publishing was an awesome and self-fulfilling experience for me, I have loved having a team to support me, and with them shouldering the publishing load, it’s opened up my schedule so I can have more time to write. My goal is to get my books out to as many readers as possible, and though I know lots of successful indie authors, for me, I think traditional publishers are my best bet to expand my readership.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Connection with readers—be it in reviews, reactions, a direct message, a tag on a post… there’s nothing more motivating than knowing the story resonated with a reader on an emotional level. I’m also especially moved when readers are inspired to create their own aesthetics, art, cosplay, or fan-made trailers. Those moments have been truly surreal and absolutely keep me writing, so I’m incredibly grateful for them!