He was incredibly kind and always encouraged me to keep with my writing. Alexander passed away, we actually had a nice ongoing correspondence. I wanted to make children feel the same sense of wonder and magic I felt as a child. I got a flyer from the Institute of Children’s Literature in the mail and considered it fate, so that’s when I started the journey. When I got into college, though, I realized that my real love was in literature. I would write for fun, but when I was younger my focus was on ballet or the theater. I didn’t initially think of becoming a writer. They had a profound effect on me as a child, and I think his work really set the stage for me. I was utterly swept up in his stories, his words. I was always a book worm, but I think Lloyd Alexander’s “Prydain Chronicles” is the series that sealed the deal for me. “Willow Whispers” and “The Spoiling” are the novels that will follow.Ĭ.J: Literature has always had a huge place in my heart. “Ashwood” was published by Distinguished Press and is the first of a trilogy of novels. Malasky wears lolita fashion outside of writing.

The last book about a main character wearing lolita fashion was “Kamikaze Girls”, which was published in 2002. Willow also wears lolita fashion.Įven though J-Fashion is gaining popularity in the states, it is rare to read about characters who wear alternative j-fashion. The asylum follows Willow into her nightmares, along with creatures called the Mora, who feed on fear. Malarsky is the author of the young adult novel, “ Ashwood.” The novel is about a 16-year-old girl Willow, who explores and comes across an abandoned asylum.

Ashwood by C.J. Malarsky