Audrey DeBoer has been living with this story since she was a teenager. What started as a school assignment became Vispilio, a Robin Hood reimagining that reads less like a fairy tale and more like Game of Thrones with a bow and arrow. Lost princes, political betrayal, morally complicated characters who never act like you'd expect. This is the kind of indie book that makes you wonder how it doesn't have a hundred thousand readers yet.

In this episode, Devin and Pete sit down with Audrey to talk about what it actually takes to carry a story for over a decade and finally put it in the world. The craft decisions, the indie publishing reality, and what's coming next. Militis, book two in the series, is on the horizon, and Audrey gives us a look at where Southborn goes from here.

If you've been sleeping on Vispilio, this is your sign to go pick this up!

Follow Audrey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audebo96/

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Follow Pete: https://instagram.com/pete_reviews_books_good

Follow Devin: https://instagram.com/bromantasy

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and episode overview

02:40 - Elevator pitch for "Vespiglio" and its thematic influences

03:43 - Robin Hood reimagining and political intrigue

04:54 - The importance of marketing and audiobooks in indie publishing

06:36 - Building complex characters and balancing narration perspectives

11:03 - Overcoming unexpected obstacles of indie publishing

13:28 - The power of community and IndieBookstagram for promotion

16:20 - Local events and creative marketing ideas

17:30 - The significance of audiobooks and distribution channels

21:12 - How character motivations and backgrounds shape storytelling

22:13 - Incorporating subtle twists and maintaining freshness in Robin Hood reinterpretations

26:04 - Character analysis: Morally gray and morally complex figures

27:24 - Exploring themes of destiny, trauma, and war through main characters

33:15 - The role of themes and editor input in character development

37:23 - Adelaide's role as a strategic, impactful secondary character

41:08 - The choice of using amnesia as a plot device and inspirations from history

43:39 - Effectiveness of dream sequences and visceral worldbuilding

46:23 - Multiple POV storytelling and balancing action with introspection

50:02 - Crafting compelling villains with depth, specifically Tanner

53:22 - Sneak peek into "Miletus" and future series plans

57:18 - Series scope: trilogy or beyond and world expansion

58:51 - Final thoughts, connecting with Audrey, and upcoming releases

59:41 - Closing remarks and appreciation for listeners

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