Author Lyndall Clipstone Interview

booktalkwithbookis
Jul 29
3 min read

What three words are used most to describe your writing?

Atmospheric, romantic, lyrical

Tenderly, I am Devoured is one of the most anticipated YA releases of 2025 and almost 37,000 people have added the book to their "want to read" shelf on Goodreads. How does it feel knowing so many people are excited to read your book?

It honestly feels like magic! It's so surreal to think that a story which has lived in my mind (and then as a word document on my computer) for so long, belonging only to me, is going out into the world and will soon belong to readers. I'm so excited for everyone to enter the world of DEVOURED, and I hope readers will find a sense of escape, connection, or solace from my book.

How would you explain the genre 'flower-threaded horror' to those who aren't familiar?

It's a term I coined to describe the dark cottagecore vibes of DEVOURED. I see it as a mix between romance and folk horror, where the lush, pastoral setting and atmosphere of the book hides a layer of ominousness. It's lighter and more pastel than a gothic horror, but still just as terrifying!

Why did you choose to write a soft-girl heroine like Lark, instead of the snarky FMC that is so popular these days?

After writing such a fierce heroine in my previous book, I loved the contrast of writing such a soft girl, and showing the quiet strength that comes from within that softness.

Why was it important for you to represent a queer poly romance in your book?

As a queer author, I feel strongly about representation in my work. And as I wrote DEVOURED, a poly romance felt like the right choice for the characters. I didn't want Lark to have to choose between romantic partners, because her character arc is about trusting again after betrayal, and realising she is worthy of being cherished, despite her bad choices. So her romances with Alastair and Camille were a wonderful way to emphasise the unconditionality of love that she deserves.

When did your passion for horror start?

I have always loved spooky, gothic things right from childhood! I was a very weird little Wednesday Addams type of kid, obsessed with movies like Labyrinth (David Bowie as the goblin king, sigh!). As a teen, I found solace in books like Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and Poppy Z. Brite's Lost Souls. Creatively, I love to write character-driven stories, and found that horror is an excellent way to explore psychological tension because it's such a visceral, intimate type of narrative.

From where does your inspiration for horror, queerness, and dark academia in books come?

Two of my biggest inspirations for DEVOURED were The Secret History by Donna Tartt, and Ari Aster's film Midsommar.

You did your own chapter heading illustrations for your latest book and they are beautiful! Do you have a background in illustration?

Thank you! I studied art in high school, and have always enjoyed illustration as a hobby. I love having something creative which is just for me, now that writing has become my career, so I've very deliberately tried to keep my art low-stakes and not turn it into a job. But I love how I have been able to contribute my illustrations to my books, it makes them feel so special.

As the author, do you have any say in who gets approved to read/listen to your books through NetGalley?

Usually all NetGalley approvals go through my publisher, but I am always happy to try my best to organise an eARC or ALC for readers if they ask me.

The author's website can be found here

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