Zea Vale

Interview With Author Zea Vale

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a storyteller at heart, drawn to eerie mysteries, magical settings, and emotional journeys. I love crafting short books that blend fantasy with suspense and introspection. The Secret of Emberveil is my second eBook. My debut, Whispers from the Tower, was a haunted journal mystery for young readers, and I’m passionate about blending visual creativity with compelling characters. Besides writing, I also design my own book covers and enjoy creating fantasy-themed content. I also like games and all that digital stuff.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Secret of Emberveil. It was inspired by my fascination with forgotten villages, ancient festivals, and the idea that a place can hold both beauty and a buried truth. I imagined a lonely healer hiding from her past in a misty village, only to uncover her connection to an old curse and a deeper mystery linked to her mother. That idea of emotional connection with a mystery slowly turned into a tale of healing, romance, and rediscovery.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to dream scenes before writing them — almost like storyboarding in my sleep. I also like to visualize a book’s cover first, then let the vibe of the design influence the tone of the writing. I use soft background sounds like wind, lantern flickers, or ambient forest audio while writing, especially for fantasy stories. I love listening to music while writing. This helps me to imagine the scene as a visual.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors like Neil Gaiman and Laini Taylor deeply influenced my sense of atmosphere and character depth. I’m also drawn to works like The Graveyard Book, The Night Circus, and older folklore-inspired tales, which blend the mystical with the emotionally real.

What are you working on now?
I’m outlining my third short fantasy — a standalone mystery adventure based on an underground library, hidden doors, and lost memories. It’s still developing, but I’m excited to push into a slightly darker and more magical tone.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now, I’m using a mix of visual design on Instagram and Facebook groups, plus sites like Awesome Gang and Reddit. I design promotional images myself, which has helped a lot in catching attention quickly — especially for limited-time free promotions.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t wait for perfection — start publishing short, tight stories. Focus on your strengths, be consistent, and always stay in love with the idea that first inspired you. And definitely build a reader list or social media presence early on — even 10 followers can turn into your first supporters.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Write the book only you can write.” That sentence helped me stop comparing my stories to others and embrace my unique voice and worldbuilding style.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading The Ten Thousand Doors of January and revisiting Howl’s Moving Castle. I tend to balance one lyrical novel with one light fantasy for mood contrast.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Expanding my fantasy world into a series of loosely connected standalone stories. Each will be short, visually inspired, and rich in mystery. I also plan to release a fantasy-themed colouring book for readers who enjoy immersive, magical art.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Howl’s Moving Castle
A blank notebook — to keep writing my own

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