Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Bruce Buchanan!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Bruce Buchanan
Bruce Buchanan is the communications writer for an international law firm and a former journalist. But he’s been a fan of fantasy and heroic fiction for most of his life. His influences range from the novels of Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman and Terry Brooks to the Marvel Comics stories of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko.
He lives in Greensboro, N.C. with his wife, Amy Joyner Buchanan (a blogger and the author of five non-fiction books), and their guitar-playing teenage son, Jackson.
Website * BlueSky * Instagram * X
About the Book: The Blacksmith’s Boy
Bok Omat thought his place in the Kingdom of Imarina was settled. The 19-year-old served as his rural community’s healer and helped in his family’s blacksmith’s shop. It was an unremarkable life in Imarina’s peasant class, but as long as his parents, sister, and young nephew were safe, a fine one under the protection of the Inishari royal family.
But when an ancient spell threatens Bok’s family and the safety of the entire kingdom, he answers an unlikely summons from Princess Isabella to join her in protecting all they cherish. Despite their vastly different pasts, Bok and Isabella become close friends as they race to counter this deadly incantation and the mysterious mastermind behind it.
Bok learns secrets that force him to reconsider all he has ever known about the world and his place in it. But will this knowledge come at the price of his life, Imarina’s freedom, or even his burgeoning friendship with Isabella?
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I’ve been a fan of heroic fiction for most of my life. When I was in elementary school, my parents bought me a three-pack of comic books at our hometown Kmart. One of those issues was a Spider-Man comic—and I was hooked!
Later, I discovered fantasy novels, and I became an avid reader of those as well. The adventure was an important element, for sure. But I also grew to love stories about people put in difficult situations who still try to do the right thing. I think there’s a misconception that heroes are by default two-dimensional or less interesting than “morally gray” characters. But I don’t buy that. Heroes shouldn’t be perfect—they make mistakes, they struggle with their decisions, they fall short all the time. The key is that they strive to do the right thing, even when it’s hard.
I also came to love YA stories about ride-or-die friendships. Movies such as “Stand By Me” or “The Goonies”, for example. Most of my fiction includes those types of relationships.
YABC: Is your main character like you?
In some ways, yeah. Bok Omat struggles with impostor syndrome. Princess Isabella summons him to join her on a mission to discover why fields of crops are turning to black ash—and he’s totally unprepared. He’s a small-town country healer and blacksmith’s son who’s only been on the job a few months. He certainly doesn’t see himself as a hero or an adventurer.
Likewise, I battle self-doubt as a writer all the time. I don’t know if that ever will go away. But it makes me grateful for every reader who gives one of my stories a chance.
YABC: How do you know when a book is finished?
Not to start the whole “Plotter vs. Pantser” debate, but I’ve found I need a detailed outline before I start writing. Otherwise, I lose sight of the main plot.
But I also revised and edited The Blacksmith’s Boy so many times! It was hard to step away and say, “That’s it – I’m done.” Having a publisher’s deadline helped with that. I worked with some great editors (Andie Smith at Wild Ink, Dante Medema before I queried it) who helped me get it into shape. Early on, my friend S.E. Reed—who has written four amazing YA books—helped me start the story in the right spot.
After all of that revising, rereading, and editing, I’m happy with how it turned out, and readers have been responding positively.
YABC: What type of scene do you love to write the most?
That has evolved as I’ve gained experience writing fiction. On my first draft of The Blacksmith’s Boy, the action scenes were my favorites to write. I loved slowing things down and trying to put the reader in the moment: What is Bok experiencing? What’s running through his mind as he faces down danger?
But now, I’m most drawn to writing scenes of emotional impact. The ones where the protagonists discover something about themselves. Or where two characters share their feelings for each other—whatever those feelings happen to be. Those are the ones where you have to put yourself in their shoes.
As I revised (and re-revised!) The Blacksmith’s Boy, adding that emotional depth was my biggest priority. Yeah, it’s an escapist fantasy adventure. But I want it to have heart, too.
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
Kotarian—the brash young sorcerer. Like Bok, he’s part of Princess Isabella’s small crew sent to investigate the so-called “Blight” that’s destroying farms and killing peasants. My original outline included a more robust backstory for Kotarian, but I trimmed that from the final draft in order to streamline the book. Definitely a case of killing your darlings!
Bok Omat, the peasant class country healer, is the book’s protagonist. But as I got deeper into the book, I realized Princess Isabella (the impact character of The Blacksmith’s Boy) needs her own spotlight.
I’m not sure if this news will be officially announced by the time this interview runs, but… I’ve drafted the sequel. When you are born into power and privilege, how do you know if you can stand on your own? Is the crown all that matters? Or can the young woman wearing it meet the moment? The Queen’s Daughter is Isabella’s story, and readers can look for it in late 2026!
YABC: What word do you have trouble overusing?
“Smile”. Too many people smile in my books! I’m intentional about showing emotion versus telling. But sometimes, I get repetitive – and I have to watch that.
YABC: What is your favorite reading space?
The recliner in our living room for sure. I like to put my feet up and kick back with a book. Usually, our sweet kitty Susan sits beside me in the chair. Sometimes, she interrupts my reading to get some ear scratches!
YABC: How do you plan to celebrate the launch of your book?
My book came out in August, and I “celebrated” by moving my only son into college two days later. Talk about an emotional whirlwind of a week! Launch Day was one of the happiest of my life. Then I have to turn around and deal with so many mixed feelings: pride that my son is pursuing his dreams and sadness that he won’t be under our roof.
YABC: What fandom would you write for if you had time?
Oh, I’ve got a few story ideas for Marvel Comics in the bag. Not sure if I’ll ever have time to pursue that, but I’d love to contribute a few stories about the superheroes I grew up loving.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I’ve got a lot cooking! My website (https://brucebuchananauthor.com/) has all my updates.
But I’m excited to share my next book – coming May 12, 2026, again from Wild Ink Publishing. It’s The Return of the Cerulean Blur, a superhero’s redemption story.
Susan Murphy used to love her life. As the Cerulean Blur, Susan battled supervillains, helped others, and soaked in the public adoration—all at 2,000 mph.
But a tragic mistake ended Susan’s superhero career 17 years ago and she’s never recovered. Susan’s marriage ended, her graphic design career sputtered, and most painfully, she struggled to connect with her teenage son, Troy.
Susan is forced to use her powers again—and this opens a dialogue with Troy. However, it also gets the attention of a deadly villain from her past. Can Susan overcome this seemingly unbeatable foe, repair her relationship with her son, and find happiness (and maybe even romance) after tragedy?
For Susan Murphy to live, the Cerulean Blur must run again.
Title: The Blacksmith’s Boy
Author: Bruce Buchanan
Illustrator: Tamara Horton (interior art); Abigail Wild (cover)
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Publisher: Wild Ink Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1964885223
Genre: Young Adult/New Adult
Age Range: 13+
Sounds like an amazing adventure story, and the cover is awesome!