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In Conversation With A Romantasy Author

December 07, 2023 | 2 min read

Everyone who participated in our 2023 NaNoWriMo Leaderboard was entered to win a free Alpha, and the winner is...

Stefanie L.!

Stefanie is a writer who completed NaNo this year on her Traveler — and won! She wrote 57,471 words whenever life allowed her to. We sat down to chat about her writing, how she manages with a busy schedule, and more...

 

Why don't you introduce yourself?

My name is Stefanie, and I live in Virginia by the ocean. I am currently writing for fun and hoping to be published one day. I have been writing romantasy!

Which Freewrite do you use?

I have a Freewrite Traveler that I bought for NaNoWriMo! I absolutely love it! It helped immensely to reach that 50k word goal. 

You have a busy schedule. How do you fit in writing? 

I am a mom to two little girls, and I write whenever life allows me. Sometimes that’s early mornings or in the pick-up line at school. Traveler has been so convenient for writing wherever my kids take me.

Romantasy is a relatively new term. What, in your opinion, makes a book romantasy?

Yes, a hot topic floating around in 2023 is what makes a romantasy and how it differs from its older counterparts, romance and fantasy. For me, a great romantasy falls within the graph below. There are equal parts romance building, magical elements, family, and world politics.

What takes the story to the next level is when the plot uses the problems of these elements and mixes them together to make hurdles for the character.

What attracts you to romantasy as a genre?

I have a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and the themes in my work definitely come from learning about how stories capture the culture that we live in and preserve those thoughts and ideas for eternity. 

And I have always loved magic! I am also drawn to stories of women who are finding themselves and their strength within worlds that are harsh and unforgiving because it's relatable to so many of us. We feel we are only seen if we follow the rules, and these stories help us stand up for ourselves and grow.

Who are some of your writing influences?

Like I said, I've always loved magic. Arthurian stories were my favorite until I grew up and discovered Sarah J. Maas, Carissa Broadbent, and Stephanie Garber!

Where can people follow along with your writing journey?

My Instagram handle is @RomantasyStefanie. Follow me there!

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Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Stefanie! We hope you enjoy Alpha!

https://getfreewrite.com/products/alpha

 

August 22, 2025 3 min read

Most of us are surrounded by screens all day. To get your writing done, take writer Shannon Liao's advice and unplug.

July 21, 2025 2 min read

It’s literary legend Ernest Hemingway’s birthday week, and we’re throwing "A Moveable Feast" in his honor. Purchase a Hemingwrite this week and be entered to have your purchase completely refunded.

July 21, 2025 2 min read

Official Rules for the Promotion

No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your changes of wining. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

1. Eligibility

The Purchase Refund Giveaway ("Promotion") is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees, officers, and directors of Astrohaus ("Sponsor") and its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and/or those living in the same household are not eligible. The Promotion is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

2. Promotion Period

The Promotion begins at 8 a.m. EST Monday, July 21, and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 27 ("Promotion Period"). Sponsor's computer is the official timekeeping device for this Promotion.

3. How to Enter

There are two (2) ways to enter:

a) Purchase Method:

During the Promotion Period, make a purchase of any product through https://getfreewrite.com/. All eligible purchasers will automatically be entered into the Promotion. Limit one (1) entry per purchase.

b) Free Alternate Method of Entry (AMOE):

To enter without making a purchase, fill out the form here.Limit one (1) AMOE entry per person.

4. Prize

One (1) Grand Prize: A refund equal to the amount of the winner’s eligible purchase (not to exceed $1,099.00 USD). If the winner entered via the AMOE method, they will receive one Ernest Hemingway Signature Edition Smart Typewriter.

Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): up to $1,099.00 USD.

5. Winner Selection

One (1) potential winner will be selected in a random drawing on or about August 15, from among all eligible entries received during the Promotion Period. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received.

6. Winner Notification

The potential winner will be notified by email within five (5) business days following the drawing. The potential winner may be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release within seven (7) days of notification. If a selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize, or fails to timely return the required documents, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.

7. General Conditions

By participating, entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final. The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the Promotion if it becomes technically corrupted or cannot be conducted as planned. The prize is non-transferable. All federal, state, and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner.

8. Limitation of Liability

Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, damaged, or illegible entries or for any technical or human error that may occur in the administration of the Promotion.

9. Privacy

Any personal information collected will be used in accordance with the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy located at https://getfreewrite.com/pages/privacy-policy.

9. Sponsor

Astrohaus
1632 1st Avenue #29179
New York, NY 10028