Interview with Chiara Bullen, Author of 'The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance'

Bullen is based in Glasgow, Scotland, where she lives with her partner and two cats. She has a passion for the outdoors, cooking, video games, and Dungeons & Dragons.

Her journey into writing began at a young age. She created books and comics in primary school and later pursued a degree in English Literature. It was during her time at university, around her third year, that Bullen began to take her writing seriously, teaching herself creative writing.

In a lightning round, Bullen shared that her earliest memorable book was likely by Roald Dahl or Jacqueline Wilson. She felt inspired to write after reading Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows, and has been particularly drawn to Robin Hobb's The Mad Ship.

The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance is set to release on July 7. When asked to summarize the book in five words, Bullen described it as mountainous, cozy, heartfelt, warm, and restful.

Readers can expect a blend of adventure and comfort, reflecting the dual nature of life’s journeys through challenges and small joys. Bullen emphasizes that the novel offers a chance for respite amid life’s hustle.

The book's inspiration stemmed from various elements, including her experience with a homebrew D&D campaign. Bullen melded this with the image of a cozy inn inspired by the Lagangarbh Hut in Glencoe, and the fictional Mount Vengeance was influenced by the Cairngorms.

While Ainworth's personal journey is central, Bullen particularly enjoyed writing the minor characters, Fig and Fern. During the writing process, she encountered challenges, especially around the emerging cozy genre. Ultimately, she focused on the heart of her narrative—finding comfort and joy even in difficult times—which helped her complete the manuscript.

Bullen began her writing career in 2015 but didn’t complete her first novel until 2020. Although her initial attempts to secure a literary agent with a YA fantasy manuscript fell short, she gained valuable experience and mentorship. This led to her exploration of various genres, culminating in the development of The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance.

Currently, she is editing her second novel set in the same world as her debut, with plans for its release in 2027. Bullen is also excited about new books, mentioning Nibedita Sen’s Children of Empire as a highly anticipated read and sharing her enjoyment of several titles released this year, including works by Shannon Chakraborty, Rhiannon Grist, and others.