Interview with A.L. Hawke, Author of Book of Shadow

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Book of Shadow?

When the original Hawthorne University series was written, I focused on Cadence Hawthorne as the main character. But I’ll never forget a reader telling me they wanted to learn more about Cadence’s antagonist—her teacher and witch mentor, Alondra. Then I thought about the fun of writing about characters in the 1990s, so I embarked on creating Alondra, the first book in my prequel series.

But Alondra felt unfinished. There aren’t any cliffhangers, but I felt there was so much more to explore in her relationship with Liam that it necessitated more stories. That led me to write the Book of Shadow. In it, I “reversed” the last books of the Hawthorne series. In the final book of that series, Cadence learns to be evil to fight evil. I wanted to see what would happen if Liam became evil in the prequel series—and more particularly, what would happen if he became an evil witch like his girlfriend, Alondra. That’s what Book of Shadow and Walpurgis is about: his and Alondra’s struggle with evil.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read the same as I write. Paranormal romance.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’m reading the Red Book by Carl Jung. I’m fascinated with philosophy, religion, and the occult. That’s what drove my research into these books.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

For these books, it’s the little girl-witch possessed by demons. Her battles and her guile is wonderful to watch. She’s wicked like Alondra, but almost in a more mockingly haunting way.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I dim the light when I write at night. The dimmer the better. The “cinematic” experience for me is much like it is for the reader. I think after years of writing, I’ve learned to slow down the creative process so I literally feel as if I’m reading like the reader—particularly when the muses are really there.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

No. Always searching…

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Love. Relationships. All my books are about the characters and their struggles together. Even when characters fail, they fail together. That togetherness is so important in our lives. ‘Cause life is hard.

A.L. Hawke is the author of the new book Book of Shadow

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