An interview with Samantha Bradley-Smith
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We had the pleasure of interviewing Samantha Bradley-Smith, our new indie author friend. At 13 Tomes, we understand that becoming an indie author brings a number of different challenges, so it's very important to us that we do our bit to promote them as much as possible. We hope you enjoy hearing about what Samantha's up to and her work. You'll find her links at the bottom if you'd like to connect with her and grab a copy of her debut novel, Eldershades Shadow, which was released on July 27th, 2025.
"I’m a newly published indie author from a small town in Wisconsin, where I grew up surrounded by the woods - and honestly, that wild, quiet magic found its way into just about everything I write. My debut novel, Eldershades Shadow, is full of forest lore, hidden secrets, and the kind of world you could get lost in - just like I used to growing up. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me curled up with a book, camping somewhere off-grid, crocheting with way too much yarn or diving into video games. I love storytelling in all its forms, and Eldershades Shadow has been a long-time dream finally come to life."
About Eldershade’s Shadow
"Released on July 27th, 2025 (which also happens to be my birthday!), Eldershades Shadow is a young adult fantasy novel full of magic, mischief, and found family. It follows Thorne, a half-fae thief who accidentally steals a mysterious stone and finds herself tangled in a centuries-old power struggle, stuck with an infuriating mage and a grumpy baker as they’re hunted across realms. It’s fast-paced, a little dark, a little funny, and full of forest vibes, cursed runes, chaotic banter, and heart. Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy, morally-grey decisions and slow-burn relationships will feel right at home in The Hollow. The e-book is available on Kindle Unlimited and the paperback is available on Amazon as well. And yes - there are fun extras like mood boards, character art, and maybe even a bonus scene or two floating around social media!"
What I’m working on
"Right now, I’m diving headfirst into continuing the Eldershades series! Book Two has a finalised outline and I’m officially in the drafting stage - bringing back all the magic, chaos, and character drama from Book One… and maybe turning the intensity up just a bit. The series will span four main books, with an additional duology focused on a character
introduced in Book Four. That spin-off explores the early days of The Hollow and dives deep into the lore and history that shaped the world Thorne finds herself in. The entire series is fully planned out, including the ending - which I’m both wildly excited and
slightly terrified to write. It’s been so rewarding building this world and knowing where each thread is headed, and I can’t wait for readers to experience the full journey alongside the characters."
What inspired me to write and what keeps me going
"Growing up in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by woods and quiet, gave me a lot of space to dream. As a kid, I was constantly inventing stories - whether it was scribbling in notebooks or just imagining magical adventures while walking the trails near home. That sense of wonder, that belief that anything could be hiding just beyond the trees, really shaped my imagination. Eventually, I couldn’t keep those stories to myself anymore - I had to start writing them down. And honestly? I just love writing. Even the hard days (and there are hard days - formatting woes, I’m looking at you) don’t take away from the joy of creating something out of nothing. There’s magic in it. Loving what I do is what keeps me going. That, and the incredible feeling of knowing these stories might mean something to someone else too."
Indie vs. traditional publishing - and why I chose indie
"I’m honestly pretty impartial when it comes to indie versus traditional publishing. I think both paths have value, and each comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. That said, I do believe indie authors deserve all the support they can get - we’re out here wearing every hat, from writer and editor to marketer and designer. For me, indie publishing was the path I chose mostly out of necessity. I had just lost my job, I was struggling with depression, and I didn’t have the financial means to query, hire professionals, or wait for the stars to align. I just wanted to get this story - one that had lived in my head for over 12 years - out there. So, I did it myself. And surprisingly? I’m actually having fun with it. Sure, it’s stressful and chaotic and there are moments where I want to scream at formatting software - but this book is 100% me. Every page, every word, every design decision. Maybe someday I’ll hire a team to help with editing, formatting, or cover design… maybe even go the traditional route. But for now, I’m proud of what I’ve built on my own, and I’m excited to keep going."
Challenges along the way
"Oh, formatting. That’s been my nemesis. Getting the Kindle layouts to look right, aligning
margins, making sure everything looks good on every device - it’s a whole skill set I didn’t
realise I’d need to learn just to tell a story. There were definitely nights where I stared at weirdly-spaced paragraphs thinking, “This might actually defeat me.” Another big challenge has been building a fantasy world that feels fresh. Fantasy is everywhere right now, which is amazing - but it also means there’s a lot of pressure to create something
unique that doesn’t feel like a remix of what’s already out there. I wanted Eldershades Shadow to have its own voice, tone, and atmosphere, and that took a lot of thought and careful worldbuilding. Surprisingly, the actual publishing process has been one of the smoother parts so far. I even placed in the Top 100 for a smaller Amazon category before the book officially launched, which was such an unexpected and surreal moment. Honestly, trying to recreate that kind of momentum might be the biggest challenge going forward - but hey, I love a good underdog story."
Advice for new writers
"Start messy. Start scared. Start unsure. Just start. If you have a story living in your head or tugging at your heart, don’t wait for the perfect moment or the “right” way to do it. You don’t need fancy software, a degree, or a big following. You need one thing: the willingness to sit down and write - badly, beautifully, clumsily, truthfully. There will be days when the words won’t come and others when they pour out so fast you can barely keep up. Both are part of the process. Don’t let comparison or perfectionism steal the joy of creating something that’s yours. Everyone starts somewhere. Most of us start in chaos. My debut novel sat in my head for over 12 years before I finally gave myself permission to write it. I didn’t have a team, or a budget, or any clue how formatting worked - but I had the story, and that was enough. So please: keep going. Even when it feels like you’re shouting into the void. Even when the draft is a mess. The world needs more storytellers, and your voice matters - more than you know."
My biggest writing inspiration
"Abigail Owen was probably the biggest spark that got me back into both reading and writing. I had gone through a long stretch where I wasn’t reading much, and then I picked up one of her books - and something just clicked. Her writing style, her characters, the way she balances tension, romance, and fantasy - it reminded me why I fell in love with stories in the first place. Her books pulled me out of a creative slump and made me think, “I want to do this. I can do this.” She helped reignite that part of me that used to dream up stories for fun and gave me the push I needed to finally put pen to paper and get serious about writing my own. In a way, Eldershades Shadow wouldn’t exist without that spark - so I’ll always be incredibly grateful to her work for helping me find my way back to storytelling."
What I hope readers take away
"While Eldershades Shadow is full of magic, danger, and chaotic banter, there’s also a lot woven beneath the surface. I hope readers not only enjoy the adventure, but also find moments that resonate with them emotionally - whether it’s through the characters, the symbolism, or the quieter themes hiding between the action. Thorne and Jorin, for example, both carry deep emotional scars. Their trauma isn’t loud or always visible, but it lingers in how they react, who they trust, and how they grow. I wanted to explore how people survive and heal differently - how connection, even the fragile kind, can make all the difference. Silas brings the sarcasm and the eye rolls, but that wit is his armour. He’s the kind of character who’d rather make a joke than talk about what’s hurting - but he’s still fiercely loyal underneath it all. He reminds me of the people who are always “fine” but would walk through fire for you. And then there’s Splitch - my absolute chaos goblin. He exists purely to be unpredictable, unhinged, and deeply endearing. He represents that one friend who makes zero sense, drives you a little wild, but is still the one dragging you out of danger and throwing snacks at your head when you’re sad. I love him endlessly. At the end of the day, I just hope readers can find a piece of themselves somewhere in these
pages - and know that even the messiest, most unlikely group of people can create something like family."