S.O. Callahan is an author of historical cosy fantasy. Her first published book was Fella Enchanted, followed up by Fella Ever After – a cosy fantasy, fairy-tail type story. Hee most recent novel is a joint written novel with Sarah Wallace (I am so excited to interview them too next month!) titled, Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms. If you haven’t read that one yet, and cosy fantasy mixed with historical fiction is your thing, then that one is for you!

Read on to find our interview!

The Interview

Anna: First up, what was it that got you into writing in the first place?

S.O.: I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Before I even knew how to put words together, I was using stickers and drawings to tell cute little stories about animals. It’s always been something I enjoyed.

As for writing novels, in 2021 I had been reading a lot, and I got an idea for a story stuck in my head. After inspiration struck while out on a hike, I decided to just go for it! That’s when I wrote my first book, Fella Enchanted.

Anna: That is so sweet!

I love the concept behind Fella Enchanted, a story with fairy tale vibes but with a certain self-awareness. Was there much planning behind the novel or did the inspiration on the hike give the whole story?

S.O.: Nature is something that inspires all of my stories in some way, big or small. But for Fella Enchanted specifically, it was a combination of many things I love: Ireland, horses, baked goods, history, and whimsical magic just to name a few. With those things in mind, along with my (very) rough idea, I started crafting the story.

Anna: I love that as a process, especially with featuring so much you love in the story.

I’d love to hear a little about the characters for this novel, do you have a favourite that you created for it?

S.O.: The story is told through the eyes of Peter, a young man who is learning to navigate life after loss and grief. He’s got a fantastic best friend, close family, and a successful career in horse polo, but something is missing.

Enter Breck, the new miller in Peter’s rural village. He’s quirky, handsome, and just what Peter needs. But Peter quickly learns that Breck is more than what he seems, especially after he introduces Peter to his extraordinary friends.

Breck was the first character I had an idea for when I started writing this story. I actually had a dream about a boy with bright blue eyes and countless freckles, and I knew I had to write him. I put a lot of myself into Peter, but Breck is just so big-hearted and sincere. He’s probably my favorite.

Anna: I love them both! And it’s so interesting how Breck came to be!

I wanted to ask as well about Breeze Spells & Bridegrooms. That was an absolute delight to read! How did the collaboration with Sarah Wallace come about? I’m excited to be interviewing them next month!

S.O.: I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

Sarah and I became friends on Instagram after I shared a review for their debut novel, Letters to Half Moon Street. A few months later, Sarah shared an IG story with a really fun idea for a book. I responded and said we should totally write it together. That was on a Friday afternoon; by Sunday we had an outline, and six weeks later we had the first draft of Breeze Spells written! It was such a fun experience — so much so that we promptly wrote three more books to complete the series.

Anna: Three more!? Amazing! That is so cool – and your writing works so well together.

What was your favourite part about writing in that sort of more subtle/gentle fantasy genre for Breeze Spells?

S.O.: Cozy fantasy is so fun to write. I love when magic is low-stakes enough to fit into everyday life. It’s a character-driven story with teatime and biscuits, a soft, slow romance, and an HEA — basically a long hug we get to share with our readers.

Anna: That’s why I love to write and read it too! It is such a charming genre.

Do you find with your writing style that you tend to plan more, or do you let what happens, happen as you write?

S.O.: When I wrote my first two books, it was very much a “let’s just write and see what happens” situation. Co-authoring requires more planning because we have to be on the same page as far as where the story is headed. But overall, once we have the story outlined, we usually still end up pleasantly surprised by how each chapter turns out. That’s the fun part about writing with someone else — it’s like improv acting but in story form!

Anna: I can imagine. That sounds like so much fun!

What was it that drew you to self publishing as opposed to taking the traditional route?

S.O.: It’s really special knowing that I’ve had a direct say in every part of the process, from cover art, to editing, to pub date. When you put so much heart, time, and money into something, you want to be proud of it, and self publishing makes me very proud!

Anna: I love that answer! That is what I love about it too!

Is there something you find challenging about it?

S.O.: I would say the most challenging part has been building up a readership from zero. When I published Fella, nobody knew who I was. It’s been a little over two years of working to get my books seen by the type of readers who want stories like mine, and it’s not easy when it’s 100% on you. But there are absolutely ways to make it happen, you just have to keep going and trying new things until you find what works.

Anna: Exactly, marketing and gaining that readership is one of the more challenging part, but also so rewarding once you have found the right audience.

Do you have any ideas or genres you want to try writing in the future?

S.O.: As is true with anyone who loves writing stories, the list of ideas is always growing!

Sarah and I are working on a project right now that is pretty different from anything either of us has written before. It’s been so fun switching it up and trying something new while still holding true to writing in genres we’re known for. I think our readers are going to be just as excited as we are when we can share more about it.

Anna: Nice! I’m excited already!

Just a few questions now. For any of your novels – if given the opportunity to adapt them to any form of media, would you? If yes, what would it be?

S.O.: Oh, that would be such a dream! I could definitely see Breeze Spells (and the other books to follow) making a great multi-season show. We tease that it’s “Bridgerton but queer and magical” and our readers seem to agree, so I think there’s definitely potential for success.

Anna: My goodness that would be wonderful! I’d watch it for sure!

Last one! Is there any advice you would give to fellow indie authors?

Thank you so much for doing this interview with me! I have thoroughly enjoyed it!

S.O.: My advice is always to write the story that you want to read. The level of passion and joy you put into a project will come across clearly to readers, so be your own biggest fan and give it everything you’ve got. That way, no matter what happens after it’s out in the world, you’ll be proud of what you created because you did it for yourself first and foremost.

Thank you, too! This has been so much fun. I appreciate your thoughtful questions!

Anna: That is wonderful advice!

I’m so glad to hear it!

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I will be continuing this series with a host of wonderful indie authors. I can’t wait to share these interviews with you all!