Author

Alesia Matson

An analog hobbyist waking up in a digital world. Author, counted cross-stitch enthusiast, cricket fan. Music, Shakespeare, cats, kindness, Oxford comma, EM dash. CRONE.

62 Articles

An illustration of a woman reclining on a white sofa with a pug at her feet. She's reading one of the most anticipated romantasy books of 2026.

Romantasy Books 2026: 8 Most Anticipated, Including ACOTAR 6

By Alesia Matson

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6 Min Read

A list of eight of the most anticipated romantasy books for 2026, including upcoming romantasy novels, a few sequels, and works from debut authors.

In this illustration, a low, flat boat poled by a single figure in silhouette is backlit by a large, rull white moon. This is emblematic of the Hero's Quest in fantasy fiction.

Timeless or Tired? The Alluring Secrets of the Hero’s Quest

By Alesia Matson

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5 Min Read

What exactly makes the hero's quest trope so enduring? And how do fantasy fiction writers keep it fresh in a sea of traditional fantasy? Read on to find out!

An elaborate doorway set in five nested arches. Behind-the-screens at MetPub!

A Behind-the-Screens Spotlight: Life at Metaphor Publications

By Alesia Matson

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5 Min Read

An epistolary-style, peek behind-the-screens into the lives of the publishers. We cover AI book-marketing scams, copyright infringement + a very adorable cat.

A rusty sword in a stone, an iconic metaphor for the "chosen one" trope in fantasy fiction.

The Chosen One: Why Fantasy Can’t Quit This Trope

By Alesia Matson

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5 Min Read

Why does the Chosen One trope endure? Explore its ancient roots, its modern reinventions, and why readers never tire of a destined hero.

A figure in silhouette stands in front of a large round portal-style gateway. Mountains and a lake in the background, while daylit clouds surrender to a moon lit sky. This portrays character-driven fiction very well.

Use These 5 Tips to Master Character-Driven Fiction

By Alesia Matson

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5 Min Read

Character-driven fiction puts people before plot. Discover the 5 defining features that make this storytelling style so resonant + tips for writing it yourself.

An illustration of two cartoon emoji hearts with smiling faces. That's what co-authors look like at their best!

How to Co-Author a Book With Your Spouse (Without Divorce)

By Alesia Matson

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6 Min Read

When people discover that Michael and I write books together, the reactions split fairly predicably between two camps...

A surreal depiction of classic fantasy elements---an upright open book with stairs leading up to a page, a bubbling potion in a wine glass, a couple of antique keys, and a quill pen with an ink pot---on a wooden tabletop, set as a horizon against a cloudy sky.

Classic Fantasy, Modern Storytelling: The Legacy of Chandar

By Alesia Matson

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6 Min Read

Classic fantasy roots, modern sensibilities. Discover where The Legacy of Chandar lands — and why we chose epic escapism over ambiguity.

Meet Coralin: Paladin Knight of What God Has Ordained

By Alesia Matson

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6 Min Read

She’s a priestess, a paladin knight, a mystic, and a romantasy heroine — and she’s been living in my head for longer than I’d like to admit. Allow me to introduce her properly. If you’ve been following along here at MetPub,…

A (Brief) Journey Through Time: The Enchanting Evolution of Fantasy Literature

By Alesia Matson

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6 Min Read

From Gilgamesh to Game of Thrones, fantasy has always reflected its times. Trace the genre's evolution across thousands of years of storytelling.

The Dark Side: Exposing AI-Driven Book Marketing Scams

By Alesia Matson

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6 Min Read

AI-powered scams are targeting indie authors. One almost fooled me. Here's how to spot the red flags and protect yourself and your book.