April Bayliss

“Thank you! It's been an incredible journey. To be honest, Sword of Eros began from a very personal place, I’ve always felt I had a story in me waiting to be told. Initially, it was only ever meant to be a single novel. But as I started writing, the story seemed to take on a life of its own. The characters evolved, the world expanded, the mythology deepened, and by the time I reached the ending it didn’t feel complete, it wasn’t an ending, it felt like a doorway

That’s when I realized there was more to explore. One book naturally led to another, and before long, one became two, two became three, and the story kept unfolding. Now, having completed five editions and currently working on the next, I can honestly say I don’t know where it will end, and I think that’s part of the magic. As long as the story continues to speak, I’ll keep writing it.”

“To be honest, it wasn’t something I planned from the beginning. When I first started writing Sword of Eros, I didn’t set out to create a mixed-genre series. I didn’t think in terms of genre at all. It didn’t fit into a single category, and I didn’t want to confine it to one. I simply had a story I felt compelled to tell. It didn’t belong to a single genre, and I didn’t want to force it into one.

As the story evolved, so did its identity. its world began to take shape in layers, The world naturally expanded to include each element. Mythology gave it its roots, history gave it weight, fantasy gave it freedom, and sci-fi added an evolving edge. It became what I like to call a hybrid genre. Because the story demanded it and each layer felt necessary to tell the story authentically.

What draws me to blending these genres is the freedom it offers. Blending these elements is the scale it creates. It allows me to build a universe where ancient gods, evolving powers, and human emotion all coexist. It allows me to explore deeper themes, good versus evil, love, power, destiny, without limitations. In a way, the series became a reflection of the story itself: a hybrid, constantly evolving into what it needs to be. It’s not about mixing genres for the sake of it; it’s about telling the story in the most complete way possible.”

“The title Sword of Eros carries a deeper meaning than it first suggests. It isn’t just about a weapon; it’s about a belief.

At the heart of the story is Eros himself. Though a God, he lived in the shadow of his father, Ares, the God of War, who saw power only in destruction, death, and control. Eros, however, believed something entirely different: that love was the greatest force in existence.

On the surface, Sword of Eros suggests a connection between love and power, but within the series, it represents something much deeper. Eros isn’t just a name in the title; he is the catalyst for everything that unfolds.

The story begins with him. Despite being a God, Eros struggled with his own identity, particularly in the shadow of his father, Ares, the God of War. Where Ares believed in dominance through violence, destruction, and fear, Eros believed that love was the greater force. He set out to prove that love could be just as powerful, if not more so, than war.

Determined to prove his worth, that belief led to the creation of Dakota. Eros chose a mortal soul and, through a divine act, infused her with celestial power before she was even born. She becomes the wielder of the Sword of Eros, and as her journey unfolds, so does her power, a power that evolves with her, fuelled by emotion. The more she feels, the stronger she becomes, especially through love, loss, and the need to protect others. Driven not by hate, but by love, emotion, and the need to protect the innocent.

So, the title isn’t just about a weapon, it’s about a philosophy. It represents the idea that true power doesn’t come from destruction, but from love, sacrifice, and the strength to protect others. In many ways, the sword is Eros’s statement to his father in that sense, the sword is more than a weapon. It’s a symbol of Eros’s defiance. A declaration that love can stand against war and win.

Dakota is that proof.”

“Without going too deeply into my personal experiences, I can say that the emotional foundation of Sword of Eros is very real to me. I can say that my real-life struggles have definitely influenced the emotional core of the story. I didn’t choose Eros randomly; I connected with him and his family struggles on a personal level.

Growing up, I experienced my own challenges of not feeling understood or fitting in, and that gave me a strong sense of empathy toward his character. Like Eros, I had my own sense of identity challenges growing up, particularly within a family dynamic. That connection allowed me to write his character from a place of authenticity. His voice, his emotions, and his internal conflict are all shaped by that understanding. That connection allowed me to write Eros not just as a God, but as someone deeply human in his emotions.

In many ways, Eros became a way for me to channel those experiences into the story and in a sense, I used those experiences to shape his voice, his doubts, his determination, and his need to be seen for who he truly is. I think that’s why his journey feels so personal, even within a mythological setting. It gave depth not just to him, but to the themes of belonging, self-worth, and the need to prove oneself, things I think many people can relate to in their own way.”

“That’s a great question. For me, I’ve never really separated the two. However, the emotional side always comes first. I don’t start with world-building, I start with real emotion. When I write, I focus on what the characters are feeling, their struggles, their choices… that’s what drives everything. From there, the world begins to take shape naturally.

Once that emotional foundation is in place, it’s then that the world takes shape around it. The mythology, the history, the fantasy elements, they all evolve to support the story I’m trying to tell, rather than the other way around. The mythology, the history, the fantasy elements, they all grow to support those emotions.

That’s how I keep the balance. No matter how expansive or imaginative the universe becomes, it’s always grounded in something real. I think that’s how I keep it grounded. No matter how big or imaginative the world becomes, the emotions remain real, things like identity, love, conflict, and the need to belong. Those are universal, and they connect the reader to the story, even in a completely fantastical setting. Those are the things readers connect with.

So, for me, it’s about balance, letting imagination expand the world, but always anchoring it in something emotionally true. And so, while the world offers escape, the emotion keeps it honest. It reminds the reader that even in a world of Gods and power, the heart of the story is still human.”

“Yes, Greek mythology is a core influence in Sword of Eros, it plays a major role in the series, particularly the Gods themselves, both Titans and Olympians. They form the foundation of the story’s mythological structure. They’re not just references in the story; they’re active forces shaping it.

What drew me to mythology was the opportunity to take these powerful, well-known figures and place them into new adventures. What interested me most wasn’t just using these figures as they are traditionally known, but evolving them, placing them in situations, journeys, and conflicts they wouldn’t typically experience in classical mythology.

By blending this with elements of historical fiction and a dash of sci-Fi, it grounds them in a different kind of reality and it allows me to explore them in a more grounded and dynamic way, while still allowing their divine nature to evolve.

It gives me the freedom to expand on their personalities, their relationships, and their flaws, while still respecting their origins. In a sense, I’m not just retelling mythology, I’m continuing it, reimagining how these Gods might exist and evolve within a new world and narrative.

I’m not just using mythology, I’m expanding it. Exploring what these Gods become when they’re pushed beyond their original roles, and how their choices affect a world that’s constantly changing around them.”

“It definitely requires a balance. Research plays an important role; it’s about understanding the essence of a time period rather than recreating it perfectly.

For me, it starts with respect for history, but not limitation by it. I do the research to understand the world, how people lived, what they believed, the atmosphere of the time, but I don’t treat it as something fixed. I use historical elements as a foundation, things like culture, environment, and the way people lived, to give the world a sense of realism and weight. From there, I weave in the fantastical aspects, allowing the story to expand beyond those boundaries.

The key is making sure the history supports the story, not restricts it. I want the world to feel believable, even when Gods, Mythology, and evolving powers are part of it. So, it becomes a blend of research, creativity, and imagination, grounding the story in something real while still allowing it to grow into something larger.

It’s about balance. History gives the world weight and authenticity, while the imagination allows it to expand beyond reality. That combination helps create a universe that feels grounded, but not confined.”

“My writing is very much rooted in inspiration and empowerment, especially through matters of the heart. I draw from real-life struggles, injustice, and personal experiences to shape the emotional core of the story.

While Sword of Eros offers an escape into a fantasy world, it’s also meant to feel real on an emotional level. I want readers to go on that journey, to experience the highs and lows, to connect with the characters, and to see parts of themselves within the story.

If there’s one message, I hope readers take away, it’s that strength doesn’t always come from power or control, it comes from within. From love, from resilience, and from the ability to keep going even when things feel overwhelming and the courage to face what’s in front of you.

At its heart, the message is about inner strength. Ultimately, I want readers to feel something, to think, and to believe, not just in the story, but in themselves. If the story can make someone feel, think, believe, or even see themselves differently, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do.”

“Matters of the heart aren’t just a theme in Sword of Eros, they’re the engine of the story. Love, loyalty, and emotional growth shape every decision and every battle. Dakota’s power is directly tied to her emotions; the deeper she loves, the stronger she becomes.

The story isn’t just about battles, Gods, or power, it’s about the choices characters make, the bonds they form, and how love, trust, and connection shape who they become. Relationships give the story its depth. They create tension, motivate choices, and even reveal vulnerabilities. Her connections, whether with allies, Gods, or even her enemies, force her to grow, to confront herself, and to rise to her destiny.

For Dakota, her emotional journey drives her actions. Her love for the innocent, her loyalty to those who cannot defend themselves, and her connection to Eros all influence how she wields her power. The stronger her heart, the stronger she becomes, her emotions aren’t a weakness; they’re her greatest weapon.

In a world of gods and warriors, the heart is what makes the story human. It drives the plot forward in ways that raw power or strategy alone never could.

By exploring these relationships, the plot naturally evolves. Conflicts aren’t just external, they’re internal, too. Characters face moral dilemmas, test their values, and grow through connection and challenges. In that sense, the emotional journey is inseparable from the adventure itself, it’s what makes the stakes real and the victories meaningful.”

“The sci-fi element in Sword of Eros is subtle, but important. It comes through in the idea that power isn’t just divine, it can evolve. It adds another layer to the story, particularly through the idea of evolution and the unknown. It’s not heavily technology-driven in the traditional sense, but more speculative, exploring concepts that blur the line between science and the divine.

A key example of this is Dakota’s dual DNA. It introduces a scientific perspective to what would otherwise be seen purely as mythological power. Her abilities aren’t static, they evolve, adapt, and grow, almost like a living system responding to the world around her.

With Dakota, her dual DNA introduces something beyond traditional mythology. Her abilities grow, adapt, and transform over time, almost like a living, evolving force. It blurs the line between what is considered godly and what could be understood as something more scientific or unknown.

That’s really where the sci-fi element comes into play. It allows me to explore ideas of transformation, progression, and the future of power itself, while still staying grounded in the emotional and mythological core of the story. It adds a different dimension without taking away from what makes the story human.

I use sci-fi as a way to expand the boundaries of the story. It allows the world to move beyond ancient mythology and into something that feels limitless, where evolution, transformation, and the future of power are always unfolding.

It’s not there to overpower the story, but to deepen it and give it another dimension.”

“I think Sword of Eros pushes boundaries by refusing to follow a single path, both creatively and thematically. Creatively, it doesn’t confine itself to a single genre, it blends fantasy, mythology, historical elements, and touches of sci-fi to create something that evolves. And as the story unfolds blending multiple genres into one, an ever-evolving universe, it doesn’t sit comfortably in one space, and that’s intentional. The story grows as the characters grow, and the world expands with it.

Thematically, it challenges what power really means. In a world of Gods and warriors, you’d expect power to come from destruction, but in this story, it comes from emotion. From love, from identity, from the struggle to choose who you are.

Instead of focusing purely on strength through force or dominance, the story explores power through emotion, particularly love, identity, and inner conflict. Dakota’s journey reflects that. Her strength comes not just from her abilities, but from what she feels and what she chooses to stand for.

It also challenges the idea of what defines a God or a mortal. Dakota experiences both, she begins as one and evolves toward the other, while the Gods themselves are forced to confront their own flaws. It pushes boundaries by humanising Gods and elevating mortals. Characters aren’t defined by what they are, but by the choices they make. I wanted to explore that grey area, where good and evil aren’t always clear, and where growth comes from facing difficult truths.

For me, it’s about stepping outside expectations, pushing myself to explore deeper ideas, and encouraging readers to question what strength, purpose, and even destiny really mean. In that sense, the story challenges both me as a writer and the reader, to think, to feel, and to see power in a different way”

“The emotional journey in Sword of Eros is layered and evolving. When readers step into Sword of Eros, they’re stepping into more than just a world, they’re stepping into an emotional journey. Readers can expect more than just action or fantasy, it’s a journey through identity, love, loss, and self-discovery.

It’s a balance of light and dark. Love and loss. Strength and vulnerability. As the story unfolds, readers experience the rise of power, but also the weight that comes with it. Dakota’s journey isn’t just about becoming a warrior, it’s about discovering who she is, what she believes in, and what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect others.

As the story unfolds, they’ll experience both the highs and the lows alongside the characters. There are moments of strength and triumph, but also moments of struggle, doubt, and sacrifice. Dakota’s journey in particular reflects that balance, her growth alongside her companions and the other characters intertwine.

At its core, the story is about connection between characters. Where there are moments of intensity, moments of reflection, and moments that challenge both the characters and the reader. It’s meant to feel like an emotional rollercoaster, one that connects fantasy to real human experience, while still grounding them in something real and relatable.

By the end, I want readers to feel like they’ve lived part of that journey, felt it, questioned it, and carried something from it with them. Ultimately, I want readers to feel immersed, to feel connected, and to walk away with something that stays with them beyond the story.”

“The most challenging part was completing the first edition while simultaneously learning, creating, and constantly rewriting. The biggest challenge was the scale of it all. What started as a single novel quickly grew into something much larger, and I found myself writing, rewriting, and building the first edition while already moving into the next. In total, it took me six years to complete the first five editions.

There were moments where it felt overwhelming, like I had taken on more than I could manage. But I kept going, piece by piece, page by page. As the story evolved, so did its scale. What began as one book grew into multiple, Series II, III, and IV, with Series IV even expanding into two parts. At times, it felt overwhelming, like I had taken on more than I could handle. But I kept moving forward, working through each chapter, each revision, and each book step by step.

What made that journey even more significant, was at that time my life had abruptly altered, the journey had become even more personal as I began writing during a difficult period in my life. I had become unwell, and I was faced with a choice, focus on the negative, or try to create something meaningful out of it. I chose to write.

That process became more than just storytelling, it became a way of coping, of healing, and of staying grounded. In a way, while I was building the world of Sword of Eros, I was also rebuilding myself. In many ways, the process became therapeutic. Writing gave me purpose, focus, and a way to turn something negative into something positive. By the time I completed the five editions, it wasn’t just an achievement as a writer it was something much deeper. It was proof of resilience.

So, although it was a long and challenging journey, it was also incredibly rewarding. It taught me fortitude and adaptability; it showed me what can come from not giving up. Which I’m very proud of.”

“Now that the first five editions are out in the world, it feels less like an ending and more like the beginning of something much bigger. Sword of Eros is still evolving, and there are parts of the story that haven’t even been uncovered yet.

I don’t approach it with a set limit, the series continues to grow naturally, and I follow where the story leads. As long as it’s still unfolding, I’ll keep writing.

As an author, my focus is on continuing to build that universe, pushing it further, deepening the mythology, and exploring new realms and continuing Dakota’s journey as it evolves. While moving forward following the directions the story takes me. It’s an ongoing journey, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.

As an author, I’m just getting started.”

“I was introduced to AllAuthor around 2019 after hearing other authors speak about it online. I decided to explore the platform for myself, and it quickly felt like a great place to begin building my presence as an author.

The more I used the site, the more I realised how helpful it is, not just in terms of visibility, but also in connecting with a wider author community. It’s been a valuable resource throughout my journey.

I truly appreciate the support and encouragement AllAuthor provides to writers, and I look forward to seeing how the platform continues to grow and support authors in the future.”