Dark Fantasy/Steampunk
Date Published: November 30, 2021
“Some call me Murderer, others call me Lord. I've been called Savior and Enslaver. But no one has ever called me Child.”
A young man signs his own death warrant when he joins an already failing militia. A teenage girl is haunted by her childhood abuse and begins to crave the very things she hates. A childless mother finds herself on the run as a convicted murderer. Yet they are all unaware that their own fates are tied to a young orphan who has drowned and come back to life in a foreign land where he will be the death of everyone he meets.
Hælend’s Ballad is a tale about what happens when men and women from two colliding cultures realize they may not be on the right side. Heroes are villains. The persecuted are oppressors. And when rumors begin to spread that the world is dying, the darkness of their own hearts betrays them.
Interview with Ian V. Conrey
What was the hardest scene from your book to write?
Probably Søren’s opening chapter, Gunborg Orphanage. It was originally the first chapter in the book, and I rewrote it around a dozen times to make sure I got everything right. There was also quite a bit of difficult history I had to research (primarily abuse against children in 19th century orphanages). Aside from that scene, the ending was also challenging. When you have 18 points-of-view with several plot lines converging together, making sure that everything is timed right and wraps up sufficiently (with no plot holes) was crucial.
Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
When I finished Haelend’s Ballad, I was told (and soon realized from reading other works) that it’s a blend of grimdark fantasy and steampunk. This wasn’t intentionally planned, but just came out naturally from my love of fantasy, especially fantasy with a darker tone, and also my fascination with the rise of industry in both Europe and America in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Also, I intentionally wrote this novel in limited-third person from multiple points-of-view. Given the scope of the book, it really helped communicate some aspects of the story that I felt were important. For example, many characters assume they are on the right side, or that the other side is clearly on the wrong side. But adding these different perspectives gives the reader a chance to see how it’s not so black and white. What one perspective sees as a heartless tyrant, another sees as a humble leader who loves his/her family. In my opinion, this adds a depth and complexity to the characters that is far more realistic.
If you write in more than one genre, how do you balance them?
I felt that using both fantasy and steampunk in my world really enhanced it by adding a sense of tension. For example, the story revolves around the rural medieval kingdom of Sunder, which has been colonized and exploited by the more advanced kingdom Daecland (which is currently experiencing a type of industrial revolution). Being able to show how the Daecish used their steam-powered technology to exploit the Sunderians for their own benefit was very exciting for me.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
There was so much! Just creating the world (cities, maps, cultures) was a huge enjoyment and incredibly addicting. Also, I really enjoyed watching my characters grow as they went through life, love, and tragedies. I became very close to them and at times I had a very difficult time deciding if I was going to kill one off or not, lol. Finally, I loved writing out the deeper conversations between the characters. There is a lot of talk about suffering, God, morals, etc., and being able to communicate the tension between characters regarding their personal beliefs was very interesting.
What book that you have read has most influenced your life?
Tolkien’s The Children of Húrin has been the most influential. It was so dark and tragic, yet incredibly beautiful. It was the only fiction book I ever read that made me cry at the end. Tolkien was a master at showing how myth, although not fact, is certainly riddled with truths all humans can relate to, and I think this particular book did it best.
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
I tend to do a little bit of everything. Since I live in the southern Appalachians, I spend a lot of time exploring the wilderness off trail (using a map and compass), fly fishing for trout, and discovering old Native American or early Anglo-American ruins and settlements. I also love surfing and photography, which I get to do a lot of both when I travel. In the Navy I was able to travel to Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Dubai, and other places. Afterward I traveled around Kenya which was absolutely gorgeous. Finally, I’m also a private detective and work mostly human-trafficking and missing person cases.
About the Author
Ian Conrey is both a teacher and student of history and theology, who actively fights against human trafficking and is working toward an M.A. in Religion. In his free time, he enjoys reading biographies and ancient mythology, discovering early American folk songs, and exploring the Cohutta Wilderness. He lives with his wife and three children in the North Georgia mountains.
Contact Links
Twitter: @IanConrey
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