Interview with K.D. Eagan, Author of A Crown of Secrets and Lies

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Crown of Secrets and Lies?

Astreilles’ story has been living rent-free in my head since my daughter was born 18 years ago. It came to me at a time when I needed to believe in a fantastical world with magic and intrigue. I knew I wanted to write a book about a halfling princess who was caught between two worlds. I knew there would be a sinister threat to her safety, a civil war, and a shadowy figure stalking her every move. I hadn’t grown up reading fantasy, though I’d come to enjoy the genre later in life. So, I wanted to be sure I did the story justice, and I gave it the time to marinate. It grew with my daughter, and as she approached adulthood, I knew it was time to finally tell it.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of A Crown of Secrets and Lies, what would they be?

Astreilles: “You Should See Me in a Crown” by Billie Eilish
Charaide: “Like Real People Do” by Hozier
Kythrall: “Three Steps Ahead” by Jared Benjamin

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

I don’t have just one favorite genre. I enjoy reading fantasy, romance, women’s fiction, mysteries/thrillers (particularly by Mary Higgins Clark), and the occasional horror. I think that’s one reason why I wanted to branch out to fantasy (most of my books are romance/women’s fiction under a different pen name).

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’m reading through the His Dark Materials trilogy after a colleague recommended the HBO show. I watched it, but I’m reading the books to better understand the world. I also have the latest in the Emily Wilde series, The Compendium of Lost Tales.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The astral plane scenes were my favorites. Really, any scene where Kythrall and Astreilles interacted or talked was the most fun. I love their chemistry, and he’s such an intriguing character.

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

My quirkiest writing habit is that I mostly draft anywhere except my desk. My brain firmly associates the desk with editing and/or my day job, so it’s hard to break that habit with creativity. The only exception to this is my weekly serial, Elder Enchanted, but I assume that’s because I’m combining compliance logic with creative chaos.

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

Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go!

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

That your light is yours, even if the world tries to bury it. Astreilles spends so much of the book believing she’s too human to be fae and too fae to be human, but her greatest strength is the part of herself she once doubted. I hope readers walk away remembering that the pieces of themselves they’ve been taught to hide are often the ones that make them powerful.

K.D. Eagan is the author of the new book A Crown of Secrets and Lies

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