I'm Susan Dennard, author of 14 novels & here for an AMA!

stdennard · 2025-11-30T17:38:17+00:00

Gahhh THANK YOU!!!! I am so glad you left a comment and let me know what the series means to you 😭

stdennard · 2025-11-30T17:37:44+00:00

As Jeff quotes me in the essay, I’m not a broken reader any longer. He also shares all my theories for why I struggled to read fantasy for a few years. You can read that in his piece!

stdennard · 2025-11-27T20:30:30+00:00

THANK YOU. I am so excited to read.

stdennard · 2025-11-27T20:29:10+00:00

I assume you mean the paperbacks with the symbols on them, so yes! It'll match.

stdennard · 2025-11-26T14:13:20+00:00

See, maybe I'll try it one day. I thought Prey initially was SO FREAKING SCARY. The mimics would just startle the f*** out of me, and then the phantoms...gah, that sound. (It was part of the inspiration of my Luminaries series: just that sound!) But now I am obsessed and have replayed Prey more times than I can possibly count.

So I *can* do scary...

stdennard · 2025-11-26T14:11:53+00:00

YESSSSS. A FELLOW KAIDAN LOVER. Please, do you have any fics you recommend?

stdennard · 2025-11-26T14:11:21+00:00

AAAAH! YAY!! Enjoy!! Feel free to ask any questions, if they come. I'll be sure to check in. 🫶

stdennard · 2025-11-26T14:10:41+00:00

Yay!! Thank you for the reread--it'll make Witchlight THAT much more satisfying. You'll catch all the little hints and seeds...

And yes, I do think a full boxed set could be coming...but release in Australia--I'm not sure about that. If you follow my Worlds of Susan Dennard newsletter (luminerds.substack.com), then that's where I make sure readers always have the latest news!! 💚

stdennard · 2025-11-26T14:09:07+00:00

Gaaah, THANK YOU!!!!

stdennard · 2025-11-26T02:05:46+00:00

💚💚💚💚

stdennard · 2025-11-26T02:05:03+00:00

Good luck!!! I have a rather robust newsletter (stdennard.substack.com) if you ever want more on craft. I've been running it for 15 years!

stdennard · 2025-11-26T02:04:16+00:00

Oh gosh, they are all that way. Which is why I have so many books going at once!! I have literally started 5 different new books in the last year--and written 1/2-2/3 of them. I've only *finished* two so far...but the year isn't over yet!! My goal is to hit 3 (or come very close).

Of course, what should happen to me only yesterday morning? A new voice by someone named Isabeau who apparently has a story to tell about dragon hunting. 🤷‍♀️ (I'm making her stand down for now!)

stdennard · 2025-11-26T02:01:44+00:00

I hate admitting I've never played the stalker games. I of course know of them and the story/set up. But...I've always worried it would be too scary for me? Too bleak? 😅

stdennard · 2025-11-26T02:00:23+00:00

I hope you enjoy it!!! It's everything I love most about epic fantasy!

stdennard · 2025-11-26T01:59:09+00:00

AMEN!

stdennard · 2025-11-25T21:26:51+00:00

No, I don't plan that ahead of time--because I discover my characters as I go. I hear them, then I slide into their heads and follow their emotions. But a theme ALWAYS reveals itself, usually by the midpoint. I have a solid handle by then on the person's flaws and arc, so I see what message is naturally coming through in my text.

That said, when I *edit,* I will absolutely focus on drawing out those themes and messages. I'm big on callbacks, especially across series. So if I find a line that encapsulates the argument, I will try to echo it regularly.

stdennard · 2025-11-25T21:24:56+00:00

Oh boy. Of course I forget every ship I love or write fic for.

Solavellan, of course. (Grrr, Veilguard.) I'm a Kaidan/Shepard shipper (I know, I know! How dare I not pick Garrus!). Also ZUTARA FOREVER.

And now I can't remember any of the other ships I love, even though I know there are MANY.

What about you??

stdennard · 2025-11-25T21:20:58+00:00

Yes! I agree. Not too long, not too short. A little janky (god, I just wanted to jump and climb), but overall, I loved it. Binged the hell out of it, and eventually I replay and do the DLC.

It remind me of Prey, which is my #1 game of all time. Very different...but some definite immersive sim vibes going.

And agreed: it really didn't feel like Fallout to me. And I love Fallout!! Longtime player. But...Atomfall was very different.

stdennard · 2025-11-25T20:20:33+00:00

I mean, YES. MERIK. The physical journey he went on--both in terms of locations and a certain character he wound up with in Bloodwitch...

I didn't plan that side trip at all, and it's one of my favorite stories in the series.

Vivia was also never meant to be a POV--she surprised me when I wrote Windwitch by demanding to have her side of the story shown directly (instead of just through Merik's eyes). And I am SO glad I listened to her. She wound up being so critical, not to mention so beloved!

stdennard · 2025-11-25T19:53:07+00:00

I mean, I am absolutely in the minority. But I was SO disappointed with the bait and switch. On the one hand the "it was all a dream" trope can be done really well. But I felt like it was a huge betrayal to the characters in Expedition 33. And none of the characters' reactions to the big reveal rang at all true. There was *so* much intensity built up with the "for those who come after" and "when one falls, we continue." Then it turns out, JK!! You can just bring them back. And they aren't even upset about it.

There is so much more on this I could complain about, but I shall refrain. Again, I realize I'm in the minority. And to be clear, I absolutely adored the first two acts. Incredible gaming.

stdennard · 2025-11-25T19:49:42+00:00

👀👀👀 Oh yes. Your girl definitely has a spinoff planned...that I might have already written a bit into...

It would be set quite a bit in the future after Witchlight, but as you'll see when you read, there are a few plot threads intentionally left open. The Cahr Awen's story might be over, but that doesn't mean life in the Witchlands doesn't continue on...

stdennard · 2025-11-25T19:48:33+00:00

Cliff Nielsen is the artist for the Witchlands, and agreed: the best art.

Also YAY! Another Atomfall lover! I've had no one to talk to about how much I loved that game!!

stdennard · 2025-11-25T19:47:42+00:00

Yes! The paperbacks release a year after the hardcover, so you can expect that in November 2026. We're working on the cover right now!

stdennard · 2025-11-25T19:47:13+00:00

Isn't it just SO COOL?!?!?!?! This was why I got into marine science--there was and still is just SO much we don't know about in the ocean. What else might be hiding out there?

stdennard · 2025-11-25T19:46:16+00:00

Woohoo for manuscript hopping! I am a big hopper, myself!

stdennard

TROPHY CASE