Questions we asked Allison:
Let’s talk about your writing process. Prior to getting The Edge of Everywhen into B and H Kids, what was your writing routine like?
How did you go from story to published with B and H? Did you query agents? Were you successful from the get go or did you have multiple rejections?
Ok, so the book in in the hands of the editors at B and H and they send you the first round of revisions. What was your reaction?
Let’s shift our focus to the story and its overlap in your life. What elements / characters provide a glimpse of the world of A. S. Mackey? In other words, which aspects of the story were pulled from your actual world and into this mystical middle fantasy setting?
One of my favorite aspects of this book is the first-person narrator, Novus Fabula. He reminds me of Death in The Book Thief in that his omnipresence and charm radiate just as much in his telling of the story to his actual role in the story. How did this character pop into your mind?
Why did you chose to make Phoenix autistic?
I saw recently that you received some fan mail. Particularly a note that read “Dear Ms. Mackey, I can’t wait to read your boos! And I am not a book worm and when I am it’s usually with Dragons, Fairys, and Harry Potter. But this seems to be… awesome!!!! So ya thanks. You’re awesome!"
What other feedback are you receiving from readers?
Another aspect of this book that I greatly appreciate is its depth. When writing fantasy it’s difficult to get the deep message across because there are so many other things to fit in: world building, magic, politics, currency, etc. But this fantasy novel teaches middle graders a very deep truth about faith and religion without the slightest ounce of being preachy.
I’d put in middle to low fantasy genre (not like Harry Potter and Dragon stories which are typically high fantasy). What advantages does writing low fantasy have that high fantasy does not?
Shortly after the book launched in May, you told your fans that you’d one day finally be able to achieve your dream of visit Ireland with your husband. Has this book helped that dream come true?