Chawna Schroeder loves exploring the wonder of God through the intersection of imagination and faith. When she isn’t reading or writing, she may be found practicing piano, reading biblical Greek or Hebrew, preparing for the Bible study she teaches, or working on one of her handwork projects while enjoying a movie.
In this interview, Chawna talks with us about her latest book, Illuminary, the first book in her new series, The Sceptre & the Stylus.
FF: What inspired the story in your book?
One of my favorite novels of all time is A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and one of my favorite biblical stories is that of Joseph in the Old Testament. When I realized these two stories shared a common story arc (riches to rags and back to riches), I started playing with how I might join these into one story, and The Sceptre & the Stylus trilogy was the result.
FF: What can you tell us about the main characters in your book?
The heroine, Yosi, is a wealthy student who dreams of becoming an illuminator of manuscripts, but pursuing her dream means leaving behind the familiar and the beloved.
The hero, Xander, is a crowned prince who never wanted to be king. Because of ongoing assassination attempts, he goes into hiding as an inventor in a neighboring country.
FF: Which character surprised you the most?
The heroine’s younger cousin, Jamarde. Much like the character who inspired her from A Little Princess, Jamarde appears timid and unimpressive, but she surprised me continuously with unexpected insights and strengths.
FF: It is both personal and experiential. Story, especially novels, allow us to step into another’s mind and walk that proverbial mile in another’s shoes in a way that no other medium currently allows. We see what they see, hear their thoughts, feel their feelings.
At the same time, each reader brings personal experiences, feelings, and circumstances to the table. As a result, readers don’t merely see what that character sees or feels what that character feels. They synthesize the character’s experiences with their own experiences, interpreting the story through their personal lens, which transforms the character’s story into part of the reader’s story.
This allows us to experience truth vicariously in the “safe” environment of story, and having experienced it there, it is easier to implement in our real lives.
FF: What can readers expect from the rest of this series?
Illuminary is only the first third of the story, in typical fantasy style. As a result, readers can expect to see the story of Yosi and Xander continued through books two and three as villains become bolder and problems get worse, with additional quirky characters to meet, new locations to visit, and more puzzles to solve.
FF: What kind of research did you do for this book?
Because of the influence of A Little Princess, the country of Indel is meant to be inspired in part by India. So, I was constantly searching for information on the real food, clothing, plants, and animals of India to provide that flavor.
FF: What do you want readers to take away after reading your book?
Renewed hope and strength to face the world, realizing God is in control and more than able to handle the results of their obedience to Him.
FF: What are the biggest challenges for you as an author writing in your specific genre?
From the YA side, it’s maintaining a connection with the young adult world in a way that helps keep my stories relatable to them without getting bogged down by that world.
As a fantasy novelist, it’s walking the balance of including spiritual and supernatural elements (what the genre often terms magic) in a way that is fresh and unique within the new world, while staying within the boundaries God has set within Scripture. After all, if God is omnipresent and unchanging, then He is present somehow in my imaginary world, and His principles would apply there too.
FF: What authors or books have inspired you as an author?
Too many to name! However, some of the names that come to mind today include Kathy Tyers (especially her Firebird Series), Sharon Hinck, R.J. Anderson, Michael Phillips, Jonathan Edwards, Dr. Suess, Robert McCloskey, Tomie dePaola, and more recently, the poetry of Annie Johnson Flint.
FF: How has your faith or world view impacted the way you tell stories?
How has it not? Faith is meant to be active part of life, impacting everything I say and do, including my writing. Therefore, it infiltrates every aspect of my writing process, from brainstorming to marketing, while prayer provides a framework for every step in the process.
As for the stories themselves, they often become a way for me to process different faith questions I’m wrestling with or aspects of God that I’m exploring. This causes the spiritual elements to be intertwined with the story to the point (I hope) that you cannot separate the spiritual thread from the plot, or otherwise the story would have a different ending. Because if faith should affect how I live and the choices I make, it should have the same impact on my characters.
Illuminary
The Sceptre & the Stylus Series #1
Chawna Schroeder
Enclave Escape
Genres: Sci-Fi, YA/Teen, Fantasy Suspense
Release Date: April 8, 2025
ASIN: B0DGS7D2BL
ISBN-13: 979-8886051902
Book Summary:
Glimpse the past, illuminate the future.
Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator in a country that values art above all else. A lofty goal that finally seems within reach when she earns a position at the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. Although Yosarai loathes to leave behind her quiet country life, she travels to the capital, determined to live up to her mother’s fame as one of Indel’s greatest artists.
Prince Xander never planned to become king. Indeed, he never wanted to become king. But when his father dies suddenly, he is thrust into the middle of coronation preparations—and assassination attempts. With everyone around him in increasing danger, Xander decides to hide in neighboring Indel until the time for him to be crowned king arrives.
Posing as an inventor struggling with aesthetics, Xander enlists Yosarai’s aid as part of his cover, but soon he suspects she knows more than she should. But when danger threatens and secrets are exposed, entering a competition reputed as cutthroat may be the only way for them to protect everything they hold dear.
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