K.J. Fieler – A Journey Through Worlds and Words

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Editor’s Desk – London

Fieler’s Role in Literary Organizations and Support for Young Writers

KJ Fieler discusses her award-winning novels, the Lunar Codex project, her YouTube show, and her dedication to supporting young writers and the literary community.

KJ Fieler is renowned for her exceptional storytelling and captivating narratives, earning her multiple prestigious awards. Her accolades include the Literary Titan Gold, the Firebird Award for Women’s Issues and Weird Genre, the 2023 Historical Fiction Company 5-star Reader’s Choice and Silver Award for Fantasy, a finalist spot in the 20th Annual “Best Book” Awards, and the Reader’s Favorite 5-star Reader’s Choice and Finalist.

In addition to her writing, Fieler hosts “Writer 2 Writer,” a YouTube author spotlight show where she delves into the lives and works of fellow authors, exploring their creative processes and showcasing their latest works.

Fieler is an active member of several esteemed organizations, including the Florida Writers’ Association, North Florida Writers, Henderson Group, the Amelia Island Book Festival, and the Atlanta Writers’ Club. She also serves as a Royal Palm Literary Award Judge for Teen and Young Adult Fiction.

Her influence extends beyond Earth, as her short story “LOYALTY” was included in the Lunar Codex Project, Peregrine Mission One, which launched into space on January 8th, 2024, alongside the remains of Gene Roddenberry and Arthur C. Clarke.

Fieler’s award-winning debut novel, “Shadow Runner,” is the first installment in a thrilling three-book Victorian Adventure series that plunges readers into a world of mystery and intrigue. The highly anticipated second book in the Shadow Series, “Shadow Hunter,” is set to debut in December 2024.

Your debut novel Shadow Runner has garnered significant acclaim and numerous awards. Can you share the inspiration behind this Victorian adventure series and the process of creating its unique blend of mystery and intrigue?

Shadow Runner started out as a short story in a Steampunk anthology, written to an existing world. But the anthology didn’t launch, and rights went back to authors. I’d had difficulty keeping the story under 10k so, once the guard rails were off, the heart of the tale found light. Ada struggles to find self-agency in a world of moral ambiguity. It’s a tale of good and evil and shades of gray; about how one retains their humanity when survival depends upon embracing the darkness. Ada’s world and the characters she shares it with evolved to support her journey. The backdrop morphed into a combo of Steampunk, historical fantasy, and women’s issues, because the idea is ageless and goes beyond a given genre.

Shadow Hunter, the second book in the Shadow Series, is highly anticipated by your readers. What can fans expect in this new installment, and how does it expand upon the world and characters introduced in Shadow Runner?

In book two, Ada is free at last. But… to do what? As a woman in Victorian England, not much. She clings to her independence but longs to be a part of something again. She’s truly alone. And she’s on a crusade to nullify her previous employers. She’s also seventeen and in love with a young man who could give her a dream life if only she would surrender to captivity. She’s up against some very tough choices… again.

Several characters come with Ada on this new adventure, including Dieb and Aldrik… and this time we’ll learn much more about Lady Fiona Constantine and her enigmatic butler.

Your short story LOYALTY was included in the Lunar Codex Project, Peregrine Mission one, alongside the remains of Gene Roddenberry and Arthur C. Clarke. How did this opportunity come about, and what does it mean to you to have your work included in such a historic mission?

LOYALTY was part of a Samuel Peralta series of anthologies. It was my first, ever, fiction byline. That my story was included in the payload aboard Peregrine One was a dream come true. My one regret in life was that I’d never get to go into space. But in a way, I did. My story did what my physical body could not. The mission technically failed: the capsule misfired, and it was recalled to Earth, where it burned up in the atmosphere. But the way I look at it, instead of becoming a resident of the Moon, I rode a shooting star!

As the host of Writer 2 Writer on YouTube, you spotlight fellow authors and their creative processes. How has this experience influenced your own writing, and what are some of the most valuable insights you’ve gained from your interviews with other writers?

Everyone has an origin story. Writers often write their own stories into their works, even if they don’t realize it. I’m no exception. Although the physical circumstances were different for me, Ada’s emotional journey mirrors a crossing that happened in my own life. As I interview authors for WRITER 2 WRITER, one theme comes through again and again. Metamorphosis. Something happens that changes us, and we write about it. Writers tend to examine and document life events, and sometimes we share our experiences via stories. Fiction… mostly. It has been a comfort to learn that I’m not alone.

Your membership in several writers’ organizations and your role as a Royal Palm Literary Award Judge highlight your active involvement in the literary community. How do these roles impact your writing and your perspective on the industry?

Supporting teen and young adult authors is extremely important to me. Toward that end, I volunteer. I host free teen fiction classes and events. I volunteer as a teen fiction judge, most recently for RPLA. I’m involved in several projects with and for adult author programs, mostly behind the scenes. But I’m out front on teen projects because that’s my passion.

Chronicle Worlds: Legacy Fleet features stories set in the Legacy Fleet universe. How did you approach writing within this established universe, and what challenges did you face in creating a story that fits seamlessly into this expansive sci-fi world?

Had to write to a canon, which means the world was already established and stories in that universe already existed. I prepared for my own contribution by reading every story I could get my hands, drawing up a reference sheet: a list of main characters and their names, the names of the ships, I created a lexicon of terms common to that world… Basically, I did a lot of research, which is the first step in any writing project. The difference is, when I create a world, it’s mine to manipulate. When you write to someone else’s world, it’s like being on a mission and you must be true to the team.

Photo credit to: 

Kai Smith, eikönik images

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