An Interview with David A. Royster

I am a storyteller who has always felt the world most clearly through imagination—not as an escape, but as a way to witness and repair what is broken. Growing up, I was drawn to the kinds of stories where wonder walked alongside grief: Treasure Planet, Atlantis, Hercules—tales where flawed heroes stumble toward growth, where loss leaves scars, but where light is still worth carrying forward. Those stories taught me that hope is not naive; it’s hard-won. That same lesson shapes everything I write.

Over the past decade, I’ve poured that vision into building worlds, both on the page and around the table. I am the creator of an expansive Dungeons & Dragons setting with a custom ‘Beastkin’ class and a team of collaborators preparing to stream a long-form campaign. My love of tabletop storytelling has honed my sense of ensemble dynamics, pacing, and cinematic scene work—all of which find their way into my novels.

The Grove Beneath the Ash, my debut fantasy novel, is the most personal work I’ve written. At its heart, it reflects my own journey: carrying the weight of legacy, learning to trust in chosen family, and discovering that survival is not enough if it isn’t paired with belonging. Derwin, my protagonist, is a druid who believes he is broken by his past, but who learns that the very scars he carries can become the tools to protect and heal others. In many ways, his path mirrors my own desire to take pain, loss, and silence and turn them into something that breathes new life into the world.

I live in Southern California with my wife, my first and fiercest supporter. We grew up together, and her steady presence has been the anchor that allowed me to pursue writing as more than a dream. When I’m not writing or running games, I am exploring music, worldbuilding projects, and other creative pursuits that keep me close to that original spark—the belief that stories can change the way we see ourselves, and give us the courage to keep going.

---

---

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

Growing up, I found role models in fiction—heroes who stood against incredible odds for those they loved. These stories shaped who I am today. I believe that fiction provides glimpses into real hearts and souls. Without stories, I would not be a world-builder, a storyteller, or someone who strives to be a hero. This is my debut novel, and it was inspired by one of my very first Dungeons & Dragons characters, Derwin, whom I created when I was fourteen. While the story has evolved to reflect my upbringing and current life, Derwin remains the same at his core. The inspiration came from a period of self-reflection where I realized I lacked a creative font for my energy. Starting this project filled that void with ambition and purpose.

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

I have made my way through most entry-level positions. Starting in a fast-food kitchen for four years, working up to a kitchen lead. Followed by shoe salesman for three years, where I earned the title of sales floor manager after about a year of nothing due to Covid. Leading up to where I work now, inside sales for a single-family rental home company. Despite all this experience and having moved up within a year at every one, none of this fed my soul—rather, the opposite. I still hold my job, but I no longer think of it as my career. I am an author and if I have to keep working these types of roles to keep writing, then it will have all been worth it.

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

The title of my book was a surprising one-and-done moment. I hadn’t begun to think about it at all yet when my wife asked if I had started considering anything. Well, one of the main characters’ names is Ashling, a former protégé of Derwin’s. In trying to find her, he goes through the events of the book. So, I said “I don’t know, maybe something that rings like The Grove Beneath the Ash.” The stare we gave each other said everything. That is the name of my book.

What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?

I think the part that made this experience of publishing my first book feel real was my editor’s first set of notes. It was proof right in front of me that not only had another writer read my work, but truly resonated with it and thought highly of it. It really sunk in the feeling of ‘I am an author, not just a nine-to-five worker with a fun hobby, but truly an author.’

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

I cannot think of any songs specifically that would really sing throughout the whole book. Yet I find myself feeling as if the God of War soundtrack or really any action fantasy game soundtrack would greatly fit my story. I have been told I write action and dialogue in a very cinematic way, making sure everything has a clear visual.

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

What I want readers of this book to be left with is simple: You can choose who you want to be. Despite how you were raised or what you were taught, you reach a point where you can say, “I want to learn and be different from what I came from.” No one says it is easy; it is a path I have had to walk personally, and I feel many don’t fully realize it is an option. Yet we choose every day who is around us, the actions we take with what we have.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

I never truly thought my writing was worthy of praise of others’ eyes. After pouring my heart into this novel, I just feel so validated in who I am, and that is something that can’t be taken away. Despite the performance metrics once released, I wrote a book that was ‘good literature,’ as my editor said. That alone is something to be very proud of.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

Currently, I am working on the sequel to The Grove Beneath the Ash as well as a D&D 2024 edition expansion world, with an original class created by me. I am very excited about both of these projects and hope to be able to share more soon.

---

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.