Interview with Chawna Schroeder

Illuminary was one of the first books I reviewed, and Chawna Schroeder was the first author to reply to my note, saying that I reviewed her book. What's more, she posted about it on Facebook! (my website visits skyrocketed that day) I was so excited!

What are your published works?

Beast, The Vault Between Spaces, and The Sceptre & the Stylus Trilogy (Illuminary, Perplexity, and Sovereignty [releasing April 2027])

Have you won any awards? Which ones?

Beast won the Genesis Award from the American Christian Fiction Writer prior to publication.

Illuminary has the Tome Award and has just become a Christy Award finalist (stay tune for whether it wins in November!)

When did you start seriously writing?

February 2000, when I was 16. (Yep, I just gave away my age, at least for those who can do math, unlike me.)

How long have you been an author?

Depending on what you mean by “author.” To me, the day I started writing with the intent of making this part of my career, I’ve been an author. If you mean how long have I been published, my first novel, Beast, released 10 years ago in October 2026.

What is your favorite genre to write?

Fantasy at the moment. Because like my favorite Disney princess, I enjoy “far off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, a prince in disguise…”

In Illuminary, Yosi sees writing fonts in her head when people talk. What was your inspiration for that?

I love the beauty of illuminated manuscripts. Since Yosi loves illumination, it made sense that she would translate words into that medium.

What is your favorite part of writing?

All of it? Seriously, I have come to appreciate each stage of process, because there is joy at each stage of watching a story develop into its full potential. But if I have to pick one, probably initial brainstorming or the first draft, because I love discovering the story and finding things I never expected.

What is the hardest part of writing?

 Also, all of it. Every stage comes with things that scare me or are difficult or leave me frustrated. For me the hardest part of writing actually isn’t the writing itself, but what comes after: Marketing. It is the one area, no matter how many classes I take or books I read, I can’t seem to grasp.

What advice do you have for other writers?

My advice is specifically for Christian writers. John Lennox once told songwriter Keith Getty, “Be the best musician you can be, but always make sure your faith is growing faster and deeper than your music.” That equally applies to writing: Be the best writer you can be, but always make sure your faith is growing faster and deeper than your writing.

What do you like to do besides writing?

Reading, of course, and many other art-based activities. I play piano every day. I enjoy working with the various fiber arts—crochet, weaving, spinning, sewing, cross-stitch. I also love Bible study and translation.

What is your favorite book? (Besides the Bible)

I have to pick? That really is unfair. I have a whole bookstore packed with my favorite books (literally—It’s called Imagination Investigation). So I’ll limit it here to three: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett (which inspired my current trilogy) is my favorite classic novel; Firebird by Kathy Tyers is my favorite from the Christian fiction genre; and A Life of Trust by George Muller has been one of the most inspiring nonfiction books I’ve read.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Again, so difficult! Isaiah 40 (yes, the whole chapter) is probably one of my favorites, though, for many reasons.

Do you have a website, blog, or social media that we could check out?

Website: www.chawnaschroeder.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/chawnaschroederauthor

And if you’re interested in my bookstore: https://yvbmmp-18.myshopify.com/ 

Thank you for coming! Readers, come back soon for another interview!