Red Deer's Leslie Allen has loved creating stories her whole life.
Now a mother of two, she's decided to share her passion of storytelling with the world by writing and releasing her first novel, Stars and Armor, under the name L. D. Allen.
"When I turned 35, I had read 121 books. I just kind of woke up one day and texted my mom, 'I'm going to write a book,'" said Allen, a Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School graduate.
"I had some ideas floating around and they just started to take shape. I've always really enjoyed the writing and creative process of making stories. Within about six weeks I mostly had the whole thing written. Then, over the next year, I had gone back hundreds of times to fill in conversations and emotions to make (the novel) what it is now."
Stars and Armor is a fantasy novel that takes place in the fictional country of Domhnall, which has been living under the control of a tyrannical queen who has been waging war on magic. Members of opposing groups come together following "a distressing event" to make their way through uncharted territory.
"I like Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones and all of that kind of fantasy storytelling that brings a magical element," said Allen.
"Right now, fantasy is such a popular genre. There are so many people all over TikTok and Instagram who have really fallen into this genre. Stars and Armor has got an adult spice behind it as well, which is popular."
After all the work she put into her debut novel, Allen said she was satisfied to finally release it to the public this past July.
"It's so nice to see it on Amazon. It's so nice being able to see it on people's shelves. It means a lot to be able to say, 'I did that,'" she said.
"The reception has been pretty good so far. Social media is a huge force when it comes to advertising and getting it out there. I'm not a huge (social media person), but I've found my friends and family have helped me. I've made actual items too — I've given out bookmarks with a QR code on it. Through word of mouth it'll spread, and I'm hoping people with see those bookmarks or fliers and want to read it."
Allen said she will be part of a book signing at the Red Deer Indigo soon, but a date has not been set yet.
Stars and Armor, by L. D. Allen, is available now on Amazon.ca. People can also follow the author on Instagram at www.instagram.com/l.d.allenbookish.
