Ruby Harris's "Into the Haze"

Today’s author interview is going to blast us back to some retro 1980s vibes! Check out Ruby Harris’s awesome cover for her upcoming novel, Into the Haze.

Rebecca: I always want to know what sparked the idea for the book.  Did it start small, maybe with an item, or was it a feeling?

Ruby: Definitely a feeling! Two summers ago, I was staying at this cosy cottage in the Swedish forest with my fiancé. I was feeling a little disheartened by the fact that my first novel, a literary drama I’d spent four years on, hadn’t been snatched up by any agent. I knew that I wanted to write something totally different for my next book, and figured I might have more luck in the YA genre. I was feeling inspired by the sunny forests and flower-speckled hills of our surroundings. After a hike, we came back to the cottage and watched The Labyrinth on TV. I remembered how much comfort that movie had given me when I was young, and the general escapism that Bowie’s music and 80s fantasy had afforded me as an unhappy teen. I knew then that I wanted to write something weird and magical, about a young girl escaping into a world in which she discovers her true strength. I also knew I wanted a powerful and flawed love interest to force my protagonist to confront her values and desires, just like the Goblin King does to Sarah in The Labyrinth. 

Rebecca: The action starts off on the Isle of Man. It seems like a place that is already steeped in myths and legends. I'm assuming you either live there or have a connection to it.  Tell us more about that. 

Ruby: I was born on the Isle of Man and spent a big part of my childhood there. The island is home to so much natural beauty and unique culture - I can’t help but feel extremely nostalgic at times. I didn’t want to paint the island in a negative light, but at the same time I wanted to capture the ‘small community’ dullness and less-than-ideal school environment that defined my own teenage years there. Nowadays, I’m a lot more appreciative of what the island has to offer, and enjoy any opportunity to visit. The glens are truly magical, and the myths are wonderful, too - it made sense for my fantasy novel to start there!

Rebecca:  Into the Haze features several non-human creatures, such as that awesome cat on the cover of your novel.  Did you create these yourself, or did you build on them from myths and legends?

Ruby: Some characters were inspired by Manx mythical beasts and Norse legends - such as Tallemaja (the huldra from Scandinavian mythology), and Moddey Dhoo and the Buggane (from Manx myths). Other creatures were the subject of my imagination, such as Disco (the flowerperson) and Fizz (the blue-skinned henchman with brows of eyes). When I was young, I adored the Abarat books by Clive Barker, which featured tons of bizarre creatures. I’m sure I must have also been inspired by his style of fantasy in creating many of my own characters.

Rebecca:  The cover is what originally drew me to read your novel. It features several items found in the novel.  Could you explain a little about them, such as the castle or the pear?

Ruby: I wanted a cover that would capture the cosy, retro ambience of the cult fantasies that inspired the novel. I drew a quick sketch, and then a super talented artist (who specializes in vintage covers and TOTALLY understood the vibe) brought the vision to life. The first time Lucy enters the parallel world known as the Haze, it’s through a magical recipe she finds in her Granny’s cookbook - featuring pears! The pear is a gateway into the Haze. King Cloudcatcher’s castle is also visible, and the rainbow represents the colours of the magical solsken gem. Lucy’s cat, a character based on my own cat, can turn into a unicorn - hence the horn!

Rebecca:  The 1980s were a great decade for fantasy movies and novels. "Into the Haze" is set in the modern day but has 80s fantasy vibes.  Give us a sneak peek of some 80s vibes readers will find in your novel.

Ruby: The book features a lot of the light comedy, genre parody, epic settings and romantic tropes of movies like The Princess Bride, Legend, The Labyrinth and The NeverEnding Story. Lucy is also a big fan of 80s music, so there are references to 80s pop icons, songs and culture throughout the novel. If books could have soundtracks, Into the Haze would feature tons of Bowie, Kate Bush, Eurythmics and Roxy Music!

Rebecca:  Last question. I saw somewhere that you're turning this into a trilogy.  Any previews you can give us about the next one?

Ruby: I desperately want to turn this into a trilogy! Whether I can justify writing sequels will depend on how things go with this first book, but I really hope readers enjoy the Haze and want more of its magic, because I have two sequels mapped out in detail. The second novel will take the characters into space, blending fantasy with sci-fi. Without giving any spoilers…some essential characters will return! The third one will be a little ‘spookier’, featuring a parallel world which is similar to the Haze…but where something sinister lurks beneath the surface of the apparent utopia. This world will also be a winter wonderland, to contrast the eternal summer of the Haze. Both sequels will develop the characters and their relationships, while introducing complex moral dilemmas and philosophical themes. Lucy will be 16 years old in the first sequel, and 18 in the final book.

Rebecca: There you have it, readers! Go out and preorder Into the Haze. It definitely delivers!

Twitter (X): @authorruby