The following is an interview with New York Times bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall on the recent release of the romantasy novel, The Last One, through Red Tower Books. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Howzell Hall about her creative approach to bringing the high-adventure story to life on the page, what she hopes that readers may take away from the story, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of The Last One! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the premise of this high-adventure fantasy story?
Rachel Howzell Hall: Thank you so much! I’m thrilled to discuss The Last One. It’s a story about a woman who wakes up in the woods with no memory of who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that she must reach the Sea of Devour before the realm explodes. Along the way, she encounters both friends and foes, including a village blacksmith who intrigues her one moment and irritates her the next. The story weaves together elements of fantasy, romance, and mystery, creating a gripping narrative.
BD: You have become synonymous was incredibly thrilling crime stories, and this book makes a departure into the romantasy realm. As you deftly weave together fantasy and romance in this new novel while still maintaining the same thrilling pace and adventure of your previous work, what can you share with us about your creative process?
RHH: My mind naturally gravitates toward thriller, suspense, and mystery—that’s my default setting. Whenever I write, I instinctively ask myself, “But what happens next?” I approached The Last One with the same mindset. While our heroine, Kai, wakes up with the daunting task of saving the world, the first mystery she must solve is, “Who am I?”
With every chapter, I aimed to either resolve a mystery or introduce a new one. I outline extensively, and I have a particular fondness for colored index cards. I laid out the structure of The Last One across my office floor, studying the story arc just as I would for one of my thrillers. I placed cards where a mystery was introduced, and where red herrings and reveals needed to be strategically placed and exposed.
Sometimes, I tend to over-write—not in terms of description, but by packing in too much story. That’s where my brilliant editors come in; they help trim the excess. Often, what gets edited out can serve as the foundation for the first quarter of my next book.
I also make a habit of reading my chapters aloud. By now, my gut instinct will tell me if I’m bored, if something drags on too long, or if I’m tempted to skip ahead to the “good part.” Every part should feel like the good part. If it doesn’t, it’s a sign that I need to go back and refine it. Reading aloud also enhances the rhythm and flow of the story, helping me to fine-tune my voice. I want my stories to “sound” like me.
BD: What makes Red Tower Books the perfect home for this story?
RHH: Red Tower and Liz Pelletier are pioneers in this genre, working with writers across various genres to create truly original stories. They skillfully reimagine genres that can easily fall into tropes, always striving to take what’s familiar and make it fresh, broadening the appeal beyond those who have traditionally enjoyed these stories.
I had never written a romance or a fantasy, and I wasn’t sure my writing style would fit either. However, Red Tower never shared that hesitation. In fact, they’ve been incredibly supportive and excited about what this die-hard crime-thriller writer has created. I’m deeply grateful that Liz took a chance on me. I’ve learned so much from her and the entire Red Tower team.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Kai’s story may connect with and impact readers?
RHH: Kai isn’t all that different from the heroines in my thrillers, who are often inspired by the everyday women I encounter. She’s a reflection of me—someone who sometimes finds herself in a world that tells her she doesn’t belong. Despite this, Kai recognizes that this same world, which rejects her, needs help and could be a better place if only… She starts off voiceless and powerless until she discovers her truth. Throughout her journey, she’s betrayed by friends, abandoned, and blamed. She experiences moments of frustration where she just wants to burn it all down.
With this book, I aimed to tackle contemporary issues—from racism and sexism to religion and politics. (Which is a superpower of fantasy novels anyway.) In many ways, it’s a crime thriller–whodunnit–just set in a world filled with otherworldly creatures. I enjoyed writing this story because fantasy, especially, allowed me to discuss all those things that piss me off.
BD: Are there any other projects that you would like to highlight for our readers?
RHH: Absolutely! Feel free to pick up any of my thrillers, including my latest. What Fire Brings tells the story of a woman sent to the woods of Topanga Canyon to search for a missing woman—right in the middle of Los Angeles’ fire season. I’m also returning to procedurals with my next story published next summer. In Fog & Fury, a private detective’s search for a missing dog turns into a murder investigation.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about The Last One and your other work?
RHH: Please find me on www.rachelhowzell.com and follow me on Instagram (@rhowzellhall).
