What is the title of your latest release?
CHILDREN OF ASH, Book One of the Children of Ash Series
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
The legends of the Trojan War meet Norse mythos in this story of war, secrets, and heartbreak. Best friends Petyr Mallorysson and Axel Ashersson are the greatest heroes in their kingdom, yet their past haunts them even as they fight for the peaceful future they long for.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I really wanted to write a Viking inspired book. When I realized what story I wanted to base this book off of, I instantly realized it would be so easy to transfer the story from a Greek setting to a Norse one.
Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
That’s a really good question. Both Axel and Pet would be interesting to hang out with, but I don’t know if I would survive the encounter. Especially if either of them gets into a fight.
What are three words that describe your protagonist?
For Pet: broody, haunted, vicious. Axel would be described as charming, honorable, and loyal to a fault.
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned that it’s alright not to stick to what you think you do best. This book is my first adult fantasy book after writing six YA fantasy books. It was a huge challenge to figure out how to write this story for a new audience while also keeping it my style of writing. It changed me and opened a lot of new doors for the future of my writing.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I am a waiter for the most part. Unless there’s a huge change that will change the course of the story moving forward in my draft, I will take copious amounts of notes as I write and go back to fix them once I’m done drafting.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Oh man, I eat way too many peanut M&M’s and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos as I draft. Those get me through a draft.
Describe your writing space/office!
I have a tiny house, so my desk is in the corner of my dining room. I have a Raven ZZ Plant named Persephone in on one side and a phone tripod for my writing group Zoom calls on the other. There are maps of whatever world I’m living in taped to my desk for easy access and a stack of sticky notes with my chicken scratch etched into the top square. There’s also a blanket under my desk for when the A/C vent above my head gets going.
Who is an author you admire?
There are so many, but one that definitely helped influence this book is KayLynn Flanders, the author of “Shielded”. She sat across from me at 10 o’clock at night after she’d finished a book signing and told me that I could write this book as adult instead of YA. She helped me see the changes I needed to make, and I don’t think this book would be half as good as it is now without her advice.
Is there a book that changed your life?
I think there have been many, but one from my childhood was The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Ironwood Tree. I have very vivid memories of seeing that book at my school library, picking it up, and devouring it. It was one of the first book series I read as a child that showed me how magical life could be when you have books.
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
What’s really crazy is this book was actually signed the same week as my first series. I had already written The Cartographer’s War books and so when I asked my publisher if they wanted this series, they sent over a contract, and I signed for Children of Ash as well! It was really crazy to sign for two series in one week.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
Fantasy. Hands down. I will read about fairies, dragons, and magic until the day I die.
What’s your favorite movie?
That’s like asking who the most beautiful goddess is. No answer is the right answer and it’ll start a war! (But if you must know, ONE of my favorites is Troy. Yes, the Brad Pitt one.)
What is your favorite season?
Fall! I want to wear overalls and hoodies while sipping hot chocolate every day.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I am a very simple girl. I like celebrating with my family and eating good food.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I will probably never stop talking about K-Pop Demon Hunters. Like, never.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
The edible kind? I seriously just love food.
What do you do when you have free time?
Read. I can’t get enough of books apparently.
What can readers expect from you next?
I’ve just finished drafting Children of Ash Book 2, which is slotted to release Spring of 2026. I’m really excited about that one and all of you should know that I’m not at all sorry for it.
CHILDREN OF ASH by Allison Anderson
Axel Ashersson is the greatest hero in Åldran song. As the only son ever born to a Häxa, women gifted by the gods with magic, he is unmatched in strength and impervious to mortal injury. But with his power also comes a curse. Prophesied when he was but a babe, if Axel ever trades his heart to another, he will lose his gifts and Åldras will fall in the war against the Sidan invaders. Luckily, only one woman has ever had any claim to his heart and he’s under no illusions that she’ll ever give her heart to him.
As a soldier in Åldras’s army, Petyr Mallorysson is an esteemed warrior, a silent assassin—and also a she. For eight war-torn years, she’s hidden that fact from all of Åldras. Pet knows if anyone besides Axel were to discover her gender, she would be separated from the only family she has left, and the secrets she’s smothered for years will alight.
When the High King of Åldras demands Axel and Pet’s aid, they must venture into dangerous waters, survive the mythical creatures guarding the way to the illusive Häxa, and evade the Sidans pursuing them. While the journey may be perilous, the lies under the foundation of this war may be more than Pet, Axel, or the warring kingdoms will ever be able to defeat.
Romance Romantic | Fantasy Historical [Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: October 7, 2025, e-Book, / ]
Buy CHILDREN OF ASH: Kindle | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Allison Anderson
Allison Anderson lives her best life as a wife, a mom, a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and a fantasy writer. As a life long fantasy nerd, she finds it natural to create stories of her own and you can often find her jotting down new story ideas or talking about dragons. She’s spent most of her life across the southwestern United States.
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