Alchemised
NYC Midnight Release Party – Union Square
Part 1
As I have gotten older, I’ve found that getting outside my comfort zone has become more and more impossible. The familiarity of home, a cozy bed with a candle warmer beside me, my dog snoozing on my lap while I turn the pages of a novel that I will ultimately devour within days and completely forget about a few weeks later is too divine of an existence to give up, even if it is for just one night.
In general, I do not set New Years resolutions for myself for fear that I will fail at achieving them. This year felt entirely different to me, and I decided it was to be the “year of yes.” Invite me to Vegas to see the Backstreet Boys… yes! Want to go out to dinner on a Tuesday after work just because… yes! Attend a midnight release party of a book that its source material absolutely changed your life and you want nothing more than to give back to the author that gifted it to the world… ABSOLUTELY!
However much I find comfort in my time alone diving into a world that is so very much unlike my own within the pages of a novel, I do not enjoy experiencing exciting moments alone. So, I took a look at a favorite Dramione group of mine on Facebook and did a quick ‘Midnight Release’ search a few days before the event to see if anyone else was in the same boat as me – excited to go, but alone. Aside from buying the event ticket itself, this was the best idea I could have ever had. I met up with two incredible women for dinner (a blind date of sorts), we connected on so many levels and not just about the sort of things we read, and I had two immediate friends to enjoy the event with!
Part 2
Doors opened at the Union Square Barnes and Noble for the Release Party at 9:30 PM, but that did not mean that there wasn’t a massive line by the time we got there around 45 minutes early. Excited fans were wrapped completely around the block – leaving us about 250 people back. The order of your entry determined which talkback/Q&A session you attended – and we were lucky to be in the very first group!
Sen shared how the heart of their writing lies in grappling with unanswerable questions. For them, the act of storytelling isn’t about finding neat solutions, but about exploring every angle until they can live with the irreconcilable. When talking about the political and religious structures in Alchemised, Sen said they started with ancient Greek philosophy, since that’s where alchemy’s roots are. Ideas like the soul versus the body, fire as something purifying, and the link between planets and metals all shaped the foundation. From there, they looked at different examples of religion and leadership tied to the sun or divine power – Zoroastrianism, Roman worship of Sol, Israelite traditions, the Japanese emperor, France’s Sun King, and the English monarchy. Sen explained that what really inspired them were the similarities in how these systems mixed spiritual authority with political power, and that’s what they used to build the world of Alchemised.
When it came to character details, Sen revealed that Kaine’s name was chosen both for its biblical weight – Cain as the first murderer – and for its etymological roots, capturing both violence and duty. Helena, meanwhile, grew from Sen’s frustration with history’s sidelining of powerful women: they wanted to give the overlooked “non-hero” the story she deserved. Sen admitted it’s difficult to choose a favorite character, but highlighted Ilva as someone who evolved far beyond her original conception, becoming one of the book’s most layered and complex figures. For them, the real joy lies in the interactions between characters and in exploring the theme of people who would do anything – moral or not -for those they love.
They also gave fans a peek into their writing life: afternoons of focus or late-night “gremlin art hours,” always in solitude, with the door shut and no distractions. And while they acknowledge they’ll always wish they could polish more, Sen is proud of Alchemised as the best they could create at this stage of their craft.
For anyone curious about what inspires them outside their own writing, Sen recommended Dogs of War by Adrian Tchaikovsky – an emotional story about a genetically altered dog soldier that doubles as a powerful commentary on war.
Part 3
The whole experience felt like stepping back into the days of the Scholastic book fair – but for adults. Giddy, happy, surrounded by books and friends and whimsical activities to keep everyone busy and entertained until the countdown to midnight began.
A ‘Lost Memories’ scavenger hunt was spread throughout the store, with ten questions hidden in different book sections that tied back to Alchemised. Some were easy enough to know right away, while others had me pulling out my phone to look things up. It turned into a fun way to move around the store, cross paths with other fans, and help point each other toward the next clue. By the end, it felt like a lighthearted way to explore the space while staying connected to the book.
Temporary tattoos of the snake Ouroboros symbol were handed out as keepsakes, while a guest book for Avendell and Sen gave everyone the chance to share their gratitude. Page after page filled with notes of appreciation, recognizing not only the impact of their art when it was freely shared, but also celebrating that it’s now receiving the recognition and support it has always deserved.
As midnight drew closer, the entire store gathered together, lining up across every floor for the final countdown. When the clock struck twelve, cheers rang out as we received our copies of Alchemised. Over the loudspeaker, Sen’s voice carried through the building as they shared heartfelt, tearful words of gratitude for everyone who had come to celebrate and support them.
Sen, thank you for giving your art so freely and with such heart. Your words and worlds have meant so much to us for years, and now we are lucky enough to hold them in our hands, to keep forever. I’m so grateful for the time and care you’ve poured into this story, and for sharing it with us so generously.