Aimee Shaye, a no spice fantasy author who enjoys board games, coffee, and getting lost in her imagination. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Aimee Shaye, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.
I was born and raised in a small part of Brooklyn, New York known as Greenpoint. Perhaps you’ve heard of it now. MJ in Spiderman worked at Peter Pan’s, a donut shoppe I grew up loving as a kid. Even Drew Barrymore has been there now. I am still in New York, not too far from where I grew up. At home, it’s just me, my husband, my parents, and the cutest cockapoo in the world, Rusty. My family doesn’t end there, though. I am the youngest of three children with a brother and sister who are older than me. We are a close knit family who support each other and enjoy spending time together, especially during the holidays and impromptu family game nights that almost always happen because the kids always want to play games after eating dinner!
During the day, I am an ELA teacher. I often joke that I loved school so much, I never wanted to leave! What better way to spend my day than bestowing my love and passion for reading on the next generations to come! When I’m not writing my no spice fantasy books, I can be found at my mom’s snack table with my husband and dad playing games such as Wits End, Clue, Sorry, Scrabble, and most recently, Boggle! I can also be found playing with Rusty, sitting at the dining room table with my husband enjoying a game of Oolong, Risk, Villainous, or one of the many Monopolies we own. You can image game night gets pretty competitive at home! When I’m not at home, I enjoy going to the mall, hanging out at the beach, or just going for a stroll in the park. I enjoy adventure and traveling and have been to Spain, Morocco, France, Italy, Vatican City, Capri, Rhode Island, Georgia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Exploring the world and all its cultures is exciting and take my experiences and wrap them into my characters. I look at the world as one long novel and we are all characters living out our stories.
When did you start writing?
You’ve probably heard this from many authors and I’m sure it’s how we all break the ice, haha! I started writing when I was a young, maybe about 6 or 7. I have this very distinct memory of being at my mom’s workplace (a bank) and writing a story about a cat and dog on beige construction paper. That day, mom showed me how to use the copy machine (I must have been about 9 or 10 at this time) and I made copies for everyone in her office. I wonder if any of them still have the story! I certainly don’t, haha!
What was it like growing up?
Growing up was so much fun; it still is! I’m only 30 so I feel like I still have a lot of growing up to do, haha! My family is mixed heritage. My dad is Guyanese and Indian and my mom is Italian, Polish, Irish, and German. We got such a mix of food, music, and language that a passion for exploring other cultures and countries was almost innate. Like I have to do it because it’s part of my very existence.
Our extended families are also huge (my dad is one of nine) so you can just imagine the parties we would have with all the food, signing, and dancing! And man oh man do I love to dance! We were always out with our parents as well whether we were playing or watching sports (LET’S GO METS), going to an amusement park—Coney Island and Rye PlayLand were both a must every summer—or on the road traveling to Washington D.C. or Canada. We were always in the park, too. While dad relaxed after a hard day’s work, mom and grandma would take us to the park. Sometimes dad would come too and it was just always a blast. Very wholesome.
How was your early life?
I’m not sure how to answer this, honestly. I still feel like I’m in my early life. Yes, I accomplished so much and have gone through life for the past thirty years, but I don’t feel as if I’ve lived quite long enough to be past my early life. What I can say, though, is that so far it’s been amazing! I did a lot of traveling through high school which was when I visited Europe as I mentioned in the bio part. In my childhood, I also met some forever friends who have been in my life since age 3, 13, 14, 15, and 21. These friends have taught me so much about myself and help me grow in ways I can only be thankful for. I also met the love of my life at 18 and we’ve been married for the past 5 years. He’s also my cover designer and has been so supportive of my careers.
What has been the biggest influence in your career?
The biggest influence in my career has been my parents. They always instilled in us that when we think about making a living, it is best to do what we are passionate about and what we love or else getting up and going to work in the morning would be a chore. They taught me to push my limits and be the best that I can be. While writing was secondary to getting an education and steady work to support myself, once I was settled into a steady career, they were proud of my writing. In fact, my dad tells everyone he knows about my books and my mom has a hand in helping me plan and write them.
Tell us about your newest release.
My newest release is coming September 30, 2023. It is young adult high fantasy novel titled The Fall of Ahilon (Zaure’s Reign Book 1). I planned out and began to write it for my thesis in 2021. The Fall of Ahilon follows eighteen year old Princess Zaure as she flees her kingdom on her parents’ orders during an attack. On her journey, she discovers patience, powerful magic surging inside her, and lasting friendships. This book is made of rich world building surrounding seven kingdoms each housed by different fantastical creatures such as elves, fae, dwarves, trolls, animal people, orcs, and humans. It also features a made up Elvish tongue I created using parts of Hindi, Arabic, and Polish words.
I broke all the rules of language with this one, haha! There is also a slow burn/budding romance between the main character, Zaure, and a hero, Torin, who protects her on her journey to Rinekeep, a sanctuary town where she will be able to learn more about her magic and get some training before heading back to her kingdom to see all she left behind. With the help of Cagdas, a Fae warrior from Ahilon sent to protect and watch over her, Zaure will learn of her true potential.
Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?
The Fall of Ahilon is my favorite child. I spent so many hours working on it day in and day out. So many people had a hand in creating the story and fleshing it out. Many have told me the story is rich and enthralling, more so than anything else I’d ever written and I believe it to be true. Ahilon has been through so many critiques because I want it to be the turning point of my career and I hope I give it the justice it deserves.
What inspired you to write this book?
A Tumblr post I saw about unlikely heroes when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to write my thesis on. I remember telling my husband: what if a sorcerer who has no control of his magic, an acerbic fae warrior who has no feelings, and a bard who plays the violin and sings only war tunes come together to help save a princess from an attack on her kingdom. He absolutely loved the idea and even though Ahilon strayed a bit from my initial thought process, the stray was natural and made sense.
What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I can be found watching TV or streaming shows like Supernatural, Dynasty, Full House, Fresh Prince, or Gilmore Girls. I also enjoy sitting on the couch reading a book or playing board games with my family, running around the house with the dog, and playing Pokemon Go
What does your writing space look like?
My writing space is nonexistent. I’m either on the couch with a snack table or with my laptop on my lap or in my bed with the laptop on my lap. I know, it’s a little unorthodox but I do my best work when I’m comfy!
If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?
The Many Lives of Aimee Shaye. Is that corny? I feel like it’s corny!
How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?
It took me two years to write The Fall of Ahilon because I was developing it for my thesis class when I was finishing an MFA in English and Creative Writing. My process started with an outline, then a critique on two chapters at a time until the class finished. After that, I would write and share what I wrote with my husband and mom to see what they thought. They gave me feedback and tips and I implemented it. After I finished the first draft, I sent my book out to Alpha readers who gave me valuable feedback, then Beta readers who did the same, and finally it’s with its editor!
Favorite reads?
The Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon; The Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz: Once Upon a Broken Heart and Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber (just to name a few).
Do you have any book recommendations?
Any books by Alka Joshi, Sejal Badani, Stacey Lee, Sarah M Cradit, Casey L Bond, and Rebecca L Garcia
What’s your next big project?
My next big project is an Indian inspired fantasy re-imaging of my favorite Shakespearean tragedies!
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Yes! You have to be true to yourself and enjoy what you’re writing. Make sure you read A LOT and figure out your market and tropes before hand so you don’t struggle to find footing when you’re done.That’s why it’s important for you to be passionate about your story. You’re going to have to push it and you want your readers to see your passion so they can love it just as much as you do!
Follow Aimee:
www.tiktok.com/@aimeeshayeauthor
www.instagram.com/aimeeshayeauthor
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