Today's Author Spotlight is author Kelsey Sather !
Read on for the full interview.
Publication date: March 8th, 2021
Over millennia, across the seven seterras of Aligaea, twelve women—the Anima—develop powers akin to apex predators. Along with their bestial strength and speed, they inherit the Task to restore ecological Order to the world. Yet fulfilling the Task seems improbable as the Imperium spreads a plague of ecocide and despotism across the land, ushering in the apocalypse with its infectious Disorder.
Stout and smart Freda Johansson leaves behind a promising career, love, and community to seek the red-capped mushroom capable of turning her into the final Anima. Whether it's plant magic or free will guiding her from emerald forests to austere peaks, she doesn't care. She only needs to find the mushroom before the Imperial Forces can seal the catastrophic fate of the planet.
The sacred balance of Life depends on the birth of the Anima—but even then, she must choose to own her powers as both woman and wild beast.
Stout and smart Freda Johansson leaves behind a promising career, love, and community to seek the red-capped mushroom capable of turning her into the final Anima. Whether it's plant magic or free will guiding her from emerald forests to austere peaks, she doesn't care. She only needs to find the mushroom before the Imperial Forces can seal the catastrophic fate of the planet.
The sacred balance of Life depends on the birth of the Anima—but even then, she must choose to own her powers as both woman and wild beast.
Where did you get the inspiration to write this story?
The idea for the Ancient Language of the Earth trilogy began as a question. I was pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Humanities, and my course work involved a lot of depressing research about the ecological crisis we find ourselves in. I often wondered how, and why, humans became disconnected from the natural world that sustains us. One night, I wrote in my journal, what would it feel like to live fully, truly, as a human animal? The concept of the Anima grew from there.
When you developed the characters, did you already know who they were before you began writing or did they develop organically?
As many fiction authors will attest to, the process of creating characters is mysterious and organic. My characters reveal themselves to me at their leisure, and I’ll spend hours free-writing in an effort to get to know them better. It’s not unlike a relationship with a new friend: it takes time to understand a person, and even then, the person will continue to surprise us decades later. I connect most with Elle and Freda, as I’ve spent the most time with them. .
Which of your characters was your favorite to write and why?
I connect most with Elle and Freda, as I’ve spent the most time with them. Elle is like a beloved little
sister to me, while I consider Freda an inner mentor.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned (about your story, about yourself, etc.) while writing?
Such a great question! I studied nonfiction (environmental writing) in school, and while I’ve always loved reading fiction, especially fantasy, Birth of the Anima is my first project as a fiction writer. I was surprised to learn how mysterious and organic the fiction writing process proves to be. Characters become real people, and they constantly surprise me in making their own decisions, despite my efforts to “control” the story.
What is one of your favorite words? OR Is there a word you find yourself using too often?
I love nouns that lend themselves to verbs and adjectives through the qualities that noun exhibits. My favorite example of such a word is squirrel.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Woofta. So many things, but mainly: practice patience and faith. Show up consistently, hone your craft with intention, and let go of the need for external validation. Or as Deepak Chopra said, “If you focus on success, you’ll have stress. But if you pursue excellence, success will be guaranteed.”
Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you? What are your links?
My website and newsletter are the best way to stay up to date on my upcoming releases: https://kelseyksather.com/
I also love interacting with readers on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyksather/
Do you have a favorite line that you've written? What is it and why do you like it?
I don’t have a favorite, but there is a line from the first version of Birth of the Anima that survived eight years of ruthless editing. It reads, “Elle took the long way to work.” It’s a simple sentence, nothing special on a surface-level, but its meaning runs deep in Elle’s story. Elle resists her inner power, and in so doing, she prolongs engaging with her life’s true work.
Do you have a WIP? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
Yes! I'm currently writing Book Two in the Ancient Language of the Earth trilogy.
Thanks so much for participating in the Author Spotlight! Anything you'd like to add?
My hope is that readers discover, or rather rediscover, their kinship with ‘other,’ both human and non, and feel deeply compelled to help create a just and ecologically sound world. Thank you for featuring me and helping me spread that message!
KELSEY K. SATHER lives in Montana. Her stories explore the complexities of human-nature interconnections. While an author of nonfiction essays for over a decade, fantasy remains her first and true love. She received an MA in Environmental Humanities from the University of Utah. At the University of Montana, she received the Davidson Honors College Scholar Distinction in Creative Writing and Environmental Studies. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found in the mountains.
Connect with Kelsey K. Sather on her website and Instagram.
Birth of the Anima is available at independent bookstores, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
