by Ian Fallis

You like books that remind you of what’s important. Karia’s mom and dad have given her a clear sense of right and wrong, principles to live by, sayings she remembers. “It entertains and teaches lessons that youth of our time have forgotten,” one reviewer wrote. If you want to enjoy a book, and have the right kind of things reinforced in your life, The House in the Old Wood is for you.

Have you recently read any books that not only had a good story, they reminded you of lessons everyone ought to learn?

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You want a book by an established writer. This is my first novel. But I’m professionally trained as a writer, and I’ve been writing and editing professionally (that means, well enough to get paid for it) for more than 30 years. Novice writers make novice mistakes. I’m an experienced writer. I know how to really mess things up. When you read The House in the Old Wood, you’ll know it’s written by an established writer.

What would cause you to take a chance on a book by an author whose works you’ve never read before?

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You don’t want the story to end … yet. The House in the Old Wood is just the beginning of Karia’s story. There are still four more books coming. If you love the characters and enjoy the story, there’s plenty more coming. Of course, all good stories have to come to an end, and The Day Magic Died is a five-book series. You should read The House in the Old Wood if you want to read a book that is just the beginning of a story you can enjoy for some time.

Which do you prefer reading, series or standalone novels? Why?

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You dislike fantasy-genre clichés. The House in the Old Wood has no dragons. No swords. No princes, princesses, kings or queens. Magic in this world is not an “ooh, aah!” thing. It’s an “Oh, yuck!” thing. Karia does indeed embark on a quest of sorts … but she has no idea how she’s going to fulfill it. She doesn’t even know where she’s going. Oh, and there’s a faerie. But I don’t think you’ve encountered a faerie like this one before. Read The House in the Old Wood for a fresh take on fantasy.

What are some of the things you almost expect to find in every fantasy novel?

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You want a book that’s a labor of love. I had no illusions as I was writing the series, The Day Magic Died, that it was going to make a ton of money. That’s not why I wrote it. I wrote it because I had to. It was as if the story was in me and had to get out. I got to know the characters, and I enjoyed spending time with them, and I wanted to help others meet them too. Will it ever be a commercial success? I don’t know. I’d like it to be. But that was never the point for me. The point was to tell the story. I am a writer. I write. Read The House in the Old Wood and you’ll be reading a story that had to be told, a book that is a labor of love.

What do you do that expresses who you are?

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