Fantasy author A.K. Stuntz says she would love to live in the Rise of Witches world, in the time before the new king came into power. She loves the different animals, and of course there is magic! Let’s learn more about the author and this world she has created in her novels.
Janelle always knew she was different. With the power to wield not only fire and lightning, but all the elements, she is a witch with incredible potential and power. But Janelle’s abilities also make her a target, and she quickly learns there are those who will stop at nothing to harness her power for their own gain.
Q: How do you nurture your creativity when life gets busy or overwhelming?
A: It can be so hard to focus on writing when life gets busy. It seems to be the one thing I always think I can skip for the day but thinking that way, I learned, leads to more than one missed day of writing. So, I started changing the way I think. I started looking at my writing like showing up for a job, and that helped me to stop pushing it to the side when things got busy. I also make small obtainable goals that help me stay on track and keep me focused.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice another writer has given you about storytelling?
A: When I first started writing I had a hard time keeping to a character’s POV within a scene. I liked to head-hop, and it was a very frustrating habit. Then I had a writer tell me I needed to actually be the character in the scene and stop trying to be all the characters at once. For me that was the best advice because it helped me realize I needed to see through the characters’ eyes in order to show what the other characters were feeling instead of trying to change the point of view to show it.
Q: When do you feel most “in the zone” with your writing—early mornings, late nights, or somewhere in between?
A: I’m a late-night writer. When everyone else goes to bed and the house is quiet, that’s when I find I’m most productive. I can’t work when there is a lot of background noise.
Q: Do you find inspiration in other art forms (music, film, visual art)? If so, how does it shape your work?
A: Visual art plays a big part in my inspiration. I love looking at pictures and drawings and often I will get the artwork for my books done before I’m even finished writing them. It helps me to better visualize my characters when I can actually see them, and that helps me write emotional or tension filled scenes better.
Q: Do you have your own circle of writer friends? If so, what other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
A: I do! I was lucky enough to find an amazing group of writers who are also moms and understand the chaos that life can be. Marissa Lupe, Liahona West, and Kari Robins. They have helped me so much just by reading and commenting on my books in the early stages. I also know that if I’m having a moment of self-doubt they will be there to encourage and support.
Q: Do you ever feel pressure to include (or avoid) certain topics in your writing? Why or why not?
A: I can’t say that I’ve ever felt pressure to include or avoid topics, but I do think there are certain topics I avoid just because I don’t feel comfortable writing them or don’t feel knowledgeable enough.
Q: What’s your go-to snack or drink while writing?
A: I can’t say that I have one go-to snack, but usually anything chocolate works. For a drink, I try for water, but because I write late at night, most times I end up with coffee or soda to give me a boost of caffeine.
Q: Do you have any rituals or routines to help you transition into “writer mode”?
A: I usually get my snack and drink and look over my notes from the last writing session. Sometimes I don’t have a lot of time to write, so I don’t want to spend a lot of time preparing. I just want to get to writing.
Q: What’s the most rewarding feedback you’ve ever received from a reader?
A: When a reader tells me my book isn’t in a genre they would normally read, but they fell in love with it and want to read more, that’s the most rewarding thing to hear.
Q: Have you ever had to cut a scene or character you loved? How did you handle it?
A: Cutting scenes can be so hard, especially if it’s one you love. It doesn’t happen very often, but I have had to cut scenes that I thought were so good, but didn’t really fit with the rest of the story or just didn’t fit at that time. I have a folder just for deleted scenes because it makes me feel better to know that even if I couldn’t use it in the book, I still have it. I also sometimes am able to take those scenes and turn them into short stories.
Q: How do you define success as an author? Has that definition evolved over time?
A: When I first started writing I thought I would feel successful when I sold books on a regular basis, but now sales don’t really play a part in what my success looks like. I feel successful when someone enjoys my books and wants to read more. The turning point for me was when someone actually wanted a signed copy of my book, because up until that point I felt like a nobody, but to have someone ask for a signed copy made me feel like I was being seen.
Q: Do you have an all-time favorite writer, or does your favorite change over time? Who is your favorite writer today?
A: I used to read a lot of historical romance and loved Johanna Lindsey and Linda Lael Miller, but over time I slipped away from that genre and those writers. Now I read more fantasy romance and I’m not sure I have a favorite. If I had to pick, I think right now I would have to say Rebecca Yarros.
Q: What is your favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre? Has that always been your favorite genre, or has your taste evolved as you have grown as a writer?
A: I will read from almost any genre except horror; however my favorites right now are fantasy, sci-fi, and romantasy. Those also happened to be the genres I write in. My taste has definitely changed over time, and I feel like I’ve become more picky about the books I read because I don’t have as much time to read, so I want to read something I’m going to enjoy.
Q: If you could live in the world of one of your books for a day, which would it be and why?
A: I would love to live in the Rise of Witches world, before the new king came into power. I love the different animals and of course there is magic. It was also a nice safe place for people where everyone was friendly and there wasn’t really a lot of crime.
Q: What projects are you working on at the present?
A: Right now, I’m working on a new series involving cowboys and witches in the 1800s. I’m having so much fun with this series because it mixes my love of historical romance with paranormal elements like witches, demons, and magic.
Q: What do your plans for future projects include?
A: Right now, I’m focusing on my Cowboys and Witches series which will have four books. After that I’m not sure what my next project will be. I have a notebook full of ideas and I usually go looking around through it until one of them speaks to me.
Witch’s Magic: Rise of Witches Book Three is scheduled for publication April 16, 2025. Pre-order your copy on Kindle today!
A.K. Stuntz is the author of the fantasy series, Rise of Witches. Her love for reading and writing started at an early age and carried into adulthood where she finally decided to follow her dreams and turn the stories in her head into books for others to enjoy.
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Book Summary
When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.
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