Helen Scheuerer discusses the world of Legends of Theszmar and the opening of Blood & Steel on the Book Bits & Chill podcast.
Uploaded by Book Bits and Chill, 2026 · Watch on YouTube ·
Scheuerer says that Blood & Steel originally began with a prologue featuring a lightning wielder in the courtyard of Thezmarr. During revisions, she chose to cut it so the story could open immediately with Thea and her knowledge of her death date.
Scheuerer explains that she determined the cliffhanger ending of Vows & Ruins right when she first conceived the entire series. She notes that sustaining tension across four books about the same couple required escalating high-stakes conflict at that midpoint.
Scheuerer says the tension in her slow-burn romances is primarily built during the editing phase rather than the first draft. After laying down the core story pillars, she revisits the manuscript to layer in sequential intimacy beats like hand brushes and near-kisses.
Scheuerer shares that she developed Kiss of the Black Flame quietly while working on Legends of Thezmarr, which became her first traditionally published US release with Atria. She found it refreshing to write in an entirely new universe without reader expectations.
Scheuerer cautions aspiring authors that writing is a marathon rather than a sprint, meaning authors must genuinely enjoy what they write to sustain years of drafting and editing. She also encourages writers not to delay publication out of fear of imperfection.
Intro
Welcome Helen Scheuerer
What prompted the move to New Zealand
Where Thea's voice came from and the original opening
Building a world for fans of ACOTAR and Throne of Glass
Why Thea is morally gray and how her age shapes her arc
Who is Helen Scheuerer?
Follow up
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