An Interview with Alina Kramer

Alina Kramer is an author and cryptid heralding from a marshy corner of New England. When she’s not writing, you can find her working her second job as a professional circus acrobat.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

Threads of inspiration for The Godslayer came from so many different places. I was tired of seeing rivals to lovers marketed as enemies to lovers and was craving a really satisfying version of the trope, and that fueled the iconic duel scene. I also love the deep lore of games like Elden Ring and Bloodborne, and those drove me toward a more item-based structure for the story.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The Godslayer as a title came pretty naturally for the first book in the trilogy. The first book is centered around Lyanndra, who earns the title of the Godslayer after she fells the demigod king in battle, so it felt very fitting.

Describe your dream book cover.

I would love some dark, gritty character art as the book cover!

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

There’s actually a whole playlist in the works, but I definitely listened to Revolution by Bishop Briggs and Labour by Paris Paloma on repeat while outlining The Godslayer.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I prefer reading outside of the genre I’m writing while working on a project. Some of my stand-out reads while writing were Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes and the Sworn Soldier series by T. Kingfisher.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I live a double life as a professional circus acrobat!

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve always been drawn to writing, but there have been some pivotal moments throughout my life that really drove me toward a professional career. In second grade, my teacher noticed that I was always reading and writing, and she gifted me a little blue notebook to encourage me. She urged me to read outside of my chosen genres and was always happy to talk to me about books. Alternatively, one of my high school English teachers told me my writing was terrible and I’d never get published, so I continued out of sheer spite. I’m definitely influenced by so many writers and media, it’s hard to choose just one!

Where is your favorite place to write?

There’s nothing better than writing at my favorite cafe with a little snack and a hot coffee to keep me company.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Keep writing! Your journey will take out through so many genres and pen names, but one day, you’ll see your own books on the shelf in the bookstores and the local libraries, and that will be totally normal for you.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope that they just take a little bit of joy from it! Whether it’s a character that speaks to them or a quote that hits hard, I hope that readers take a piece of The Godslayer forward with them.

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