Kit’s Awakening follows a young noble heir through a childhood shaped by fear and control and into a world where magic is a discipline that demands pain, focus, and comes with a price. Where did the idea behind this novel come from? 

The core of Kit’s Awakening came from a deeply personal place. I wanted a way to explore and share the very real experiences of trauma, control, and hardship, but deliver them in a way that was compelling, visceral, and engaging for a fantasy reader. By translating the emotional and psychological weight of those real-world struggles into a magical discipline, where power demands an actual, tangible price, I could ground Kit’s journey in genuine human resilience. It’s a fantasy novel, but the emotional survival at its heart is very real.

Did any books, games, myths, or historical influences help shape the world of the novel? 

I’ve been inspired by many books and games over the years, but a few key influences heavily shaped the world of Kit’s Awakening. Emotionally and psychologically, I drew a lot of inspiration from the character depth of FitzChivalry Farseer from Robin Hobb’s work, as well as Azoth’s grueling journey in Brent Weeks’ Night Angel trilogy. Both characters brilliantly showcase what it means to survive an unforgiving, high-stakes environment. For the magic itself, I wanted something rigorous and analytical, which led me to draw from the clever progression found in Mother of Learning, combined with the tactical structure and variety of Dungeons & Dragons.

Found family becomes increasingly important as the novel progresses. Why was that theme significant to you? 

Because for me, found family is the only truly real thing in the world. As I mentioned, the inspiration behind this book hits very close to home. When your early life is shaped by fear, control, or hardship, the family you are born into isn’t always a safe harbor. Found family is about choice, trust, and unconditional protection. Writing that theme into Kit’s Awakening was essential because Kit needed to learn what I have learned: that the bonds we forge ourselves, out of love rather than obligation or transaction, are the ones that actually save us.

If you could spend one day with any character from Kit’s Awakening, who would it be and why?

It’s a toss-up between two characters, for very different reasons. On one hand, I’d want to spend the day with Kit himself, if only to look him in the eye and tell him that eventually, it will get better, that the pain has a purpose and he will make it through. On the other hand, I’d love to spend a day with Sarah, the young servant girl he spends time with. She is just a genuinely kind, warm, and lovable person. In a world as harsh and dark as Kit’s, getting to sit down with someone who represents pure, uncomplicated goodness would be a wonderful breath of fresh air.

Author Links: GoodReads | Website