Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Sabitha: If you like your fantasy and science fiction epic, you’ll have Hannah Steenbock’s rich, sprawling fantastical worlds. Hannah, can you introduce us to your writing? 

Hannah: I’ve been writing for 20+ years, mostly fantasy, some science fiction. I like telling stories about people being suppressed and fighting for their freedom. They can be mages, wolf shifters, teenagers, vampires or dragons. I also write happy, satisfying endings—feel-good stories, in other words.

Sabitha: Let’s pick one to start with. What inspired you to write South Breaks?

Hannah: South Breaks is the first book in my Winds and Pillars series. I wanted to incorporate some Aztec vibes into my story and chose the perspective of a sacrifice who escapes. All my main characters in the series escape that fate, some more actively than others. I wanted to show the brainwashing that happens in captivity and how it can be undone. I also wanted to show the strength it takes to overcome life-long conditioning and to build a new life. Fortunately, South does find friends and new love. 

If you’re intrigued, South Breaks is free in all online bookstores.

Sabitha: What book do you tell all your friends to read? I’m guessing it’s fantasy too!

Hannah: I tell my friends about How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villany by AJ Sherwood. It’s a hilarious book, a male/male romance in a fantasy setting with fun adventures, an adorable Black Sorcerer (and his weird siblings) and a not so White Knight. It also makes great fun of role-playing tropes. It’s a pick-me-up book when I’m feeling sad.

Sabitha: That sounds so much fun. Now, back to your work. Have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?

Hannah: I rarely kill characters, and I haven’t killed one that readers loved. It really breaks my heart when I have to, but sometimes, the plot demands it. There are a few side characters that die. I do my best to make every death worthwhile. I mean, these are feel-good books, even if I put my characters through hell.

Sabitha: How much research did you need to do for your book?

Hannah: Not a whole lot. I mean, I do soak up knowledge, I studied archaeology for a few semesters, I can do medieval worlds easily. And I used to be fascinated by Mid- and South-American cultures as a kid. It’s one of the reasons I rarely write historical fiction, because it does take so much research. In fantasy, you can hand-wave a lot more and do your own world-building.

Sabitha: Do you have any suggestions to help people in our community become better writers?

Hannah: Writing is a craft, it takes practice. So write what your fancy tells you. You’ll grow with every story—but do your best to finish them. Also read extensively in your favorite genre, in the one you write, and beyond. Reading imprints story-telling techniques into your Writer Brain.

On the other hand, do not write by committee. Don’t let beta readers, critique circles and such water down your voice. Learn the rules and then break them with confidence. Protect your voice and your stories.

Sabitha: What’s your next writing project?

Hannah: Right now, I’m writing a vampire tale with a twist, for funsies. Another work in progress is A Wolf’s Hacker, Book 8 in my shifter series Wolves of the South. The next book I’ll publish, however, will be Sky Falls, Book 6 in my Winds and Pillars series.

Sabitha: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

Hannah: You can get South Breaks here. I’m on Facebook, Mastodon, and Youtube, and I have a website.