Tomorrow is the release of Echoes of the EtherStone by Lucy McLaren, a gothic horror fantasy inspired by Jack the Ripper that’s a perfect read for the spooky season. Read our review to find out more, but to celebrate, we’ve got an interview with the author to talk more Echoes of the EtherStone and gothic fantasy:
Please tell us a little about yourself and your books:
Hello! I’m Lucy A. McLaren, a UK-based dark fantasy author. My passion has always been fantasy stories, though I find myself leaning more and more towards dark, gothic tales these days (both in terms of what I write and what I read). When not writing or reading, I’m a counsellor and mum, and I fit in video games, TV and film (largely fantasy or horror based) where I can. I also run Introverted Indies (YouTube channel) with my friend and fellow indie author, Lydia Baker, where we interview fellow authors about their books and writing journeys, as well as host author panels for indie writers to chat about various topics of interest.
My debut book – Awakening (The Commune’s Curse: Book 1) – published in May 2022, with the second book in that series – The Mad Man’s Hope – releasing in October 2024. After publishing those more traditionally fantasy books, I diverted towards something slightly different in Echoes of the EtherStone, which is a standalone gothic fantasy book with horror/thriller vibes, inspired by Jack the Ripper. Though different types of fantasy stories, all of my books explore themes of patriarchal oppression. I think writing them is my way of trying to process what’s happening in the world right now.
What inspired you to write a gothic fantasy?
Well, like I said, I’ve felt really drawn to dark and gothic stories lately. What initially spurred me to write Echoes of the EtherStone was reading The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, a book about the five women murdered by Jack the Ripper. From this, I wanted to write a book inspired by the infamous killer’s spree, but considering what it would look like if two young women had set out to unmask the murderer and stop his terrible actions. That naturally led me to want to create a Victorian London inspired fantasy setting, and a lot of gothic stories are set within the Victorian era so it almost naturally became a gothic tale. Alongside this, there are some classic gothic themes explored in the book including elements of “madness” and oppression of women.
You chose to publish Echoes of the EtherStone through a small press. What made you decide on this path, and what was the process like for you?
I didn’t set out with the intention of publishing via a small press, but I did go down the querying route with the aim of traditionally publishing in some sense (though always with the knowledge that self-publishing would be an option if it didn’t pan out). My original aim was to try and obtain an agent and I did receive some full manuscript requests for the book—which was very exciting, even if it didn’t go any further!
When I saw Owl Talyn Press put out an open call for manuscripts, I was at the point of drawing a line beneath the querying journey and considering the self-publication route. It felt like good timing, and I thought I may as well try and see what they said. And, obviously, they said yes! This isn’t my first time working with a small press and I’ve had some difficult experiences previously, but it’s been great with Owl Talyn Press. I’m excited to work with them.
You’ve created sibling pairings in Echoes of the EtherStone and The Commune’s Curse series. What is about siblings you enjoy writing?
Yes, I do love writing sibling relationships. Thinking about that, I do believe it’s because of my own siblings. I know how important and special sibling relationships can be.
In The Commune’s Curse, Raif is looking after his younger sister, which proves challenging when he discovers she wields incredible and deadly powers with the ability to take life at a whim. In Echoes of the EtherStone, El has taken responsibility for her younger brother against their abusive father for a long time, and at the start of the story they discover their father’s body so she becomes his sole carer.
Of course, I’ve never been in any such situations with my siblings, none of them have magical powers that I’m aware of, and our parents are still alive—but I do know what it is to feel incredibly protective of a sibling and to want to do what I can to help or shield them from difficult experiences. So there are elements of that within my stories because I’m drawing on my own experiences and feelings.
What do you enjoy about dark fantasy?
Oof, good question. I started reading more epic fantasies when I was younger. As I’ve gotten older and the world has gotten more f*cked up, I’ve found that writing (and reading) dark fantasy stories is helping me to process what’s going on. I’m channelling my rage into my books because I don’t really know what else to do with it. I hope it helps any readers to process their own feelings in some way, too.
In your author bio, you mention exploring characters through the real-world lens of mental health. How is this represented in your writing?
Yes, absolutely. A big reason is because of my experience and knowledge as a counsellor. I like to bring my knowledge of mental health theory as well as my own experiences with mental health struggles into what I write. For example, in The Commune’s Curse series, there are elements of trauma within all four of the main characters, some historic and some seen through the course of the story, as well as grief, anxiety, and addiction. Echoes of the EtherStone is similar, actually, with elements of trauma (especially for main character El) and grief, as well as addiction.
Alongside this, I utilise my knowledge of certain mental health theory when writing my characters. For example, attachment theory can be really helpful in allowing for a deeper understanding of the characters I write. I think about what their childhood experiences might have been like and how that influences who they are at the time the reader meets them within the story. This works for protagonist and antagonist alike and is really quite interesting to think about! Or I’m a mental health theory nerd haha.
What is your favourite thing about being an indie author?
You know what, I’d say it’s the community. I’ve met so many wonderful people within the indie author community. I generally loathe social media, but that has been one big positive of it—it facilitated those relationships which I now genuinely cherish.
Can you recommend a few of your favourite SFF books from indie/self-published authors?
Oooh yes, yes I can:
- AVA by Lydia L. Baker
- A Midflight Vampire’s Tale by Linda Ling
- The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies
- The Gates of Hope by J.E. Hannaford
- With Friends Like These by V.S. Lawrence
What are you working on next? Can you tease us?
I’m working on another gothic fantasy book at the moment (told you I had the taste for it). This one really is still taking shape in my head. The more I write it, the more unhinged it is becoming and the more I am channelling that aforementioned fury about the world into it. I can say it’s about feminine rage and repression, about two women—separated in time by 50 years but linked by blood—learning to fight that repression in order to claim and unleash the powers that are their birthright, and to take back the society that has been stolen from them.
Once that’s done, the plan is to head back to the world of The Commune’s Curse and complete the trilogy.
And a few quick questions. What’s your favourite…
…book, in recent times?
Carrion Crow by Heather Parry
…game, in recent times?
God of War: Ragnarok
…writing advice?
Write first, edit later. Get the first draft out, embrace the fact that it will be a pile of crap. You can fix crap—you can’t fix nothing!
…advice for someone who wants to publish their own book?
Connect with other indie authors in the community. There will be people who can help you navigate the various elements of self-publishing—and it’s nice to have people alongside you in what can be a lonely and sometimes frustrating journey.
…source of inspiration?
Other writers. I’m always learning and taking something from the books I enjoy (and books I don’t enjoy, too).
…way to clear your mind when everything gets a bit much?
Put down the phone and laptop and get outside. Going for a walk to the park with my son always blows the cobwebs away.
Do you have any last words?
Thank you for having me! It’s been lovely to chat about my journey with this book. I’m really excited for it to be out in the world. If you fancy something gothic, dark, and stabby for the spooky season, do check out Echoes of the EtherStone! 😊
About the Author
Lucy A. McLaren is a fantasy author and professional counsellor, passionate about writing stories that include a realistic representation and exploration of mental health issues. She is a lifelong fan of fantasy stories, and enjoys reading, writing, watching and playing them. When not writing, she can be found spending time with her husband and attempting to wrangle her son.
- Website: LucyAMcLarenAuthor.co.uk
- Facebook: lucyamclarenauthor
- Instagram: @lucy_a_mclaren
- Threads: @lucy_a_mclaren
