An Interview with Elise Marchant

Elise lives in the UK with her husband and children, surrounded by antiques, teacups, and far too many books. She loves stories steeped in history, magic, slow-burn romance, and a hint of darkness.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. It’s always been my outlet, the way I make sense of things and escape into worlds that feel a little more magical. Over the past few years, life has changed a lot. I’m getting closer to forty, and after some big shifts at home, I had one of those ‘life’s too short’ realisations.

That’s when I decided to finally do what I’ve always wanted: write and publish the kind of story I love to read. Getting lost in this fantasy world has been incredibly therapeutic. It’s helped me process, dream, and feel inspired again. I’ve always been a huge romantasy fan, and the saying really is true – write what you love. That’s exactly what I did.

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

For a long time, the book was actually called The Midnight Veil. I loved the mysterious, magical feel that title had, but as the story grew, I realised it didn’t quite capture what the book had become. The academy setting plays such a big role, and I wanted readers to know right away that this was a story rooted in that kind of world.

That’s when The Academy of Dusk and Dawn came to me. It just fit perfectly. It still has that sense of mystery and fantasy I loved from the original title, but it also hints at the setting and the balance between light and dark that runs through the story. Once I said it out loud, I knew that was the one.

Describe your dream book cover.

My dream cover would feel like pure magic at first glance, something that instantly pulls you into the world before you’ve even read the first page. It would feature rich, moody tones that blend from dusk to dawn, with a touch of starlight or shadow woven through. I love covers with metallic embellishments such as gold foiling, silver details, or a bit of shimmer that catches the light just right. There’s something so enchanting about a book that feels as beautiful as the story inside.

I’d also love to include subtle symbols from the story, little things readers might not notice until after they’ve finished the book and realize their meaning. Overall, it would be atmospheric and a little mysterious, the kind of cover that feels romantic, magical, and completely impossible to walk past on a bookshelf!

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

I’m a big believer that music sets the mood for writing, and this story definitely has its own soundtrack in my head. I imagine songs that feel a little haunting, emotional, and cinematic. Some songs that would absolutely make the playlist are Control by Halsey, King and Lionheart by Of Monsters and Men, Celestial by Ed Sheeran, and The Night we Met by Lord Huron.

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

The last book I read was The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen, and I absolutely loved it. I just started The Wolf King last night and I’m only on chapter one, but honestly, the cover alone convinced me to buy it. I’m such a sucker for a beautiful cover!

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, I’m also reading Thursday Shop: An Antique Dealer’s Diary by Anne Summers. Non-fiction, it’s set in a tiny village in England around sixty years ago, and I picked it up second-hand on eBay. It’s such a cosy and motivating read, especially for my other job.

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

By day, I’m an antique dealer, and I’m lucky enough to work alongside my lovely husband, who is also my childhood sweetheart. We’ve been together since high school, and we have three wonderful children of various ages, which keeps life busy and full of laughter.

Something my readers might not know about me is that I can’t function without coffee and chocolate and get through an insane amount every day. I also love to bake and have almost all of Mary Berry’s cookbooks, which I often turn to for inspiration or just a little treat. Writing, antiques, coffee, chocolate, baking, and family are what keep me going.

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

Writing has always been a part of me, something I’ve done for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been fascinated by art, history, and other worlds, whether real or imagined, and those passions naturally feed into the stories I create.

I’m also a lifelong reader of romantasy and romance, and certain authors have showed me how magical and emotional these stories could be.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I love writing snuggled up in my living room with the fire roaring and the rain pattering against the windows. It’s the perfect mix of warmth and calm, and it makes it easy to get completely lost in my story.

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

I’d tell myself not to be so hard on myself and to stop overthinking everything. It’s easy to get lost in rereading and editing so many times that the story becomes hard to process. Writing is meant to be a journey, and sometimes it’s okay to let yourself just write, make mistakes, and enjoy the process without pressure.

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

I hope readers come away feeling a little enchanted and a little inspired. I want them to remember the characters and the world, but also the emotions, the love, the courage, and the choices that shape who we are. Damian and Selene were such interesting characters to create, with so many layers, and exploring their personalities and growth throughout the story was one of the most rewarding parts of writing this book.

For anyone who wants to spend even more time with them, there are also two prequel novels from each of their points of view. I just hope readers finish the story feeling like they’ve experienced something magical, and maybe a little reluctant to leave the world behind.

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