A Series Launches – Celebrating BREAK THE BEAST and A Classic Retold

It’s finally here… A Classic Retold officially launches TODAY! Book one of our 9-week rapid release is now available from all book retailers. So in honor of both the series launch and the book release of one of the best books I’ve read in 2023, I’ve put together a special interview with none other than the amazing Allison Tebo, author of Break the Beast and the mastermind behind A Classic Retold.

Meet Allsion!

Allison Tebo is a writer committed to creating magical stories full of larger-than-life characters, a dash of grit, and plenty of laughs. She is the author of the Tales of Ambia, a series of romantic comedy retellings of popular fairy tales and her flash fiction and short stories have been published in Splickety, Spark, Inklings Press, Dragon Soul Publishing, Rogue Blades Entertainment, Pole to Pole Publishing, and Editing Mee.

Allison also writes under the pseudonym Al Thibeaux and co-runs the speculative fiction e-zine Worlds of Adventure. Allison graduated with merit from London Art College after studying cartooning and children’s illustration and, when not creating new worlds with words or paint, she enjoys reading, baking, and making lists.

Allison, can you share a little bit about your writing journey and your writing process?

I started writing as a ten-year-old, but I was twenty-five before I published my first novella, The Reluctant Godfather. Since then, I have published six books and many short stories. I also started an e-zine under a pseudonym. It’s been quite the journey!

I like to do about 10,000 words of “free writing” when I first have an idea: capturing whatever bits of description or dialogue that have first sprung into my mind with the initial idea. I’ll write up a loose outline then create chapter titles and organize those bits into their respective slots. I then start filling in the chapters, in order, if I can, but frequently out of order. I’ll write a first draft then turn it into my developmental editor. Based on their feedback, I’ll rewrite it again then turn the second draft over to beta readers. Small changes will be made at this point to refine the finer details of the story. I then hire a copyeditor to polish the book until it shines!

Out of all the classic literature out there, what made you pick Beowulf for your retelling?

I’ve loved the story of Beowulf for quite a while. Its mythic qualities, its dauntless heroes, and monstrous beasts greatly appeal to my warrior’s heart. I yearn for the days of “old-fashioned” storytelling when truth triumphed over evil, goodness was celebrated, and role models were applauded, instead of torn down as “unrelatable.” Beowulf preserves those ideals in such an exciting way, and I’m excited not only to remind my contemporaries of this wonderful legend, but also of the truths that are found at its core.

What similarities does your book have to the original story? Any major differences?

It is similar to the source material in that Beowulf is still a noble hero, the culture is medieval, and there are monsters. I changed so much: from narrating from the perspective of Grendel to condensing the events to a span of a few months instead of decades. You name it, I changed it!

Tell us a little about your story’s setting.

My book is set in a fantasy world inspired by Anglo-Saxon Britain. Here is a list of aesthetics that I wrote out for my book! Cold, desolate lochs and tarns. Wild tossing grasses on windswept moors. Pale stately birch trees, glistening white in the moonlight. Smoke-filled wooden halls with rush floors whispering underfoot. Dark waves crashing against white chalk cliffs and sandy, silver shores. Underwater caves, where an oily pool causes warped reflections to dance across rock ceilings. Rocky crevices and stark ravines hidden amongst the moors. Black, ashy plains leading to burning pits of dragon fire. This is some of what you’ll find in my novel!

What is your favorite thing about your book?

The fact that is a salute to Rosemary Sutcliff. I adore Rosemary Sutcliff and I’ve always yearned to write a book that tries to capture some of her style. I’ve been told by a few readers that my book has the same vibes as a Sutcliff novel, so that makes me very happy!

Who are some of the major characters? What would be your dream cast for a movie adaptation of your book?

The two principal characters of Break the Beast are Grendel and Beowulf. Grendel is a young woman who has been cursed to take on the form of a monster and Beowulf is a noble prince from a faraway land who has traveled across the sea to defeat her.

Movie cast is a tough one. I think Chris Hemsworth would play a great Beowulf and Daisy Ridley could play a terrific Grendel. I also Colin Firth as King Hrothgar would be interesting, as well.

Describe the ideal reader for Break the Beast

My ideal reader is someone who is looking for something a little different in the fantasy genre. They’re tired of the standard fantasy heroines and romances. They love unique writing styles and the vulnerable immediacy of present tense. They like stories that deal with hard topics, but focus on the answers to those topics, not the topics themselves. They have a sword in their soul and they are looking for the inspiration and the courage to keep wielding it. They are looking for hope in a dark world. These are some of the themes that can be found in Break the Beast, and I hope it inspires every one of its readers.

What do you hope readers will come away with after reading your book?

I want readers to know that curses are meant to be broken, that true strength is found in sacrifice, and that there is no dragon that cannot be defeated.

Doesn’t that just sound amazing? I am so thrilled for Allison’s book to be out in the world. If you still need some convincing, you can check out my Goodreads review, visit our series website, or join our series read-along Discord server for more interactive A Classic Retold fun!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some serious Break the Beast fangirling to go do on my Instagram page.

Happy reading, everyone!

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Published on September 15, 2023 07:28
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