Author Interview – Alexandra Stenos – Than Meets The Eye

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Alexandra Stenos talks about her new book, Than Meets The Eye, in which former mystery-solvers are pulled back into danger when a suspicious student suicide leads them to uncover a web of deceit and a potential serial killer on campus.

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed Alexandra Stenos about her life and career, the inspiration behind her book, Than Meets The Eye, and her creative writing process.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

My name is Alexandra Stenos, I’m 21 years old, and I’m currently studying a degree in counselling. While I’m a bit of a homebody, I love getting outdoors for hikes or adventures when I can—though I always regret it when I have to walk uphill. I’ll be honest, I never really know what to say about myself, so this question was definitely the hardest one to answer.

When did you first WANT to write a book? When did you take a step to start writing?

I never thought I’d write a book. Honestly, I hated English throughout school—it was a subject I’d constantly try to get out of. So the idea of me wanting to write a book was completely foreign. It wasn’t until I picked up Verity by Colleen Hoover that something shifted. There was something about that story—the main character being a writer, the way she described the process of writing—it hit me in a way I can’t fully explain. It was like a spark I didn’t know I was waiting for. I remember being in the middle of a chapter, closing the book, and thinking, I need to write something. Anything.

So I sat down at my computer, opened a blank document, and just started typing. And I didn’t stop. There was no grand plan, no carefully crafted outline—just me, the keyboard, and this pull to keep going. And that’s how There’s More To It was born. It was messy, chaotic, and went through a lot of editing, but it started with that one moment of inspiration. And I’m so glad I followed it.

How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?

My first book, There’s More To It, came together surprisingly fast because once I started writing, I couldn’t stop. I was completely consumed by it—writing through the night, during the day, and basically living in that story. The first draft was done in about a month because I was so hooked on the process and the characters. From that initial spark to the final release, the entire process took around six months. I was just so excited and motivated that nothing else mattered—if it was book-related, I was all in. Writing, editing, tweaking—I loved every second of it.

How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?

My second book, Than Meets The Eye, which is part of my Aetheria series, took a little longer than the first one. The book itself ended up being 100 pages larger than the first; I didn’t have a word or page goal, I just wrote freely and saw what happened, it turned out that there was a lot more story to tell this time around.

The writing process had that same intense drive—I wanted to be at my computer 24/7, completely immersed in the story—but the editing stage stretched out a bit more this time around. Overall, it took about a year from the first spark of an idea to release, partly because it overlapped a lot with There’s More To It. Balancing both books added an extra layer of challenge, but it was worth it to see everything come together in the end.

Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Than Meets The Eye?

After finishing There’s More To It, I was itching to dive into another story. I knew I wanted to continue the series, so I grabbed my whiteboard, started scribbling ideas, and let the mystery unravel from there. The characters felt like they had so much more to say—more stories to tell, more life to live. I couldn’t ignore that pull to bring them back, to see where their journeys would take them next. Writing Than Meets The Eye wasn’t just about continuing the plot; it was about reconnecting with these characters and discovering what they had left to show me.

What were your biggest challenges with writing Than Meets The Eye?

Knowing when to stop. I can write for hours on end, completely lost in the story, but sometimes I have to force myself to step away and actually digest what I’ve written. Editing, though—that’s the real challenge. I have an incredible team of people who help with editing, but I also do a huge chunk of it myself. I’ve probably read each of my books twenty times over (maybe more), often in quick succession. And honestly, it’s exhausting. Editing requires such a different mindset from writing, and jumping back and forth between the two can be draining. But at the end of the day, it’s worth every reread when I finally see the finished product.

Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?

The book actually has five main characters, with chapters told from each of their perspectives. I love how this approach gives readers a chance to really step into each character’s mind—to understand their thoughts, feelings, and the unique way they see the world. I think it creates a deeper connection, making it easier for readers to relate to them on a personal level.

My goal with all of these characters was to make them real. I wanted them to feel like people you might actually meet—flawed, insecure, strong, vulnerable, sometimes messy, but always deeply human. They make mistakes, they carry trauma, but they also have these incredible moments of kindness and courage. For me, it was all about capturing the intricacies of real thoughts, relationships, and the beautiful imperfections of being human.

Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?

When creating my antagonists, I aim to make them human. I want readers to see their motivations, their pain, and the reasons behind their actions—even if those actions are terrible. When you strip everything down, I think it’s powerful when you can almost understand where they’re coming from. I’ve always been drawn to stories where the lines between good and bad aren’t so clear, where morality exists in shades of grey rather than black and white. Sometimes, it’s hard to pinpoint who the real “good guys” or “bad guys” are, and I love exploring that complexity. This theme becomes even more pronounced in the later books of the series, where the antagonists’ layers and motivations are peeled back even further.

What is the inciting incident of Than Meets The Eye?

The inciting incident in There’s More To It occurs when the characters decide to investigate a decades-old criminal case. Up until that point, the case seemed closed, but when they realise they might actually be onto something, it sparks their determination to uncover the truth and propels the rest of the story forward.

What is the main conflict of Than Meets The Eye?

What I find really interesting about There’s More To It is that each of the characters have their own personal struggles and conflicts, which keeps the tension high and the story moving in unexpected directions. But the main conflict of the book revolves around how the characters get so deeply entangled in the mystery they’re trying to solve that they end up creating trouble for themselves. As they uncover more secrets and chase down leads, their pursuit of the truth starts to put them in increasingly dangerous situations, forcing them to confront not just the case, but their own fears, limitations, and the consequences of their actions.

Did you plot Than Meets The Eye in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?

First of all, I just have to say—the phrase ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ is absolutely iconic, and I’m never going to stop saying it now. It perfectly describes how I wrote my first book. I had no clue what I was doing or where the story was headed—I was just writing and seeing where it took me. I always say this, and it might sound silly, but I truly believe the characters write themselves. They have their own voices, their own agendas, and sometimes they completely hijack the plot. Even if I try to plan things out, it rarely sticks. Somehow, the story always takes on a life of its own and veers in a different direction. So no, I’m not much of a planner. I usually start with a vague idea of where things might go, but after that, I just let the story unfold naturally. And honestly, I think it’s way more fun that way.

Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Than Meets The Eye need?

YES. My book needed all the help it could get. Honestly, a first draft—at least one of mine—should never see the light of day. They’re usually chaotic, full of plot holes, and barely make sense. But even in that state, I send it off to my first editor, who’s incredible at helping me figure out what’s missing, what needs expanding, and whether the story’s direction needs tweaking. From there, my book goes through several editors, each with their own focus—grammar, plot consistency, pacing, and more. I’ve found that letting each editor hone in on their strengths creates this really balanced and thorough editing process. It’s definitely a team effort, and I’m so grateful for the fresh eyes and insights they bring to every stage.

What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?

The first piece of advice I’d give to anyone inspired to write is: write for yourself. Don’t worry about what anyone else is going to think or say about your writing. If you focus on that, you’ll get overwhelmed, and you might never want to share your work with anyone. Just write, let the story flow, and see what happens—don’t overthink it. As a chronic over-thinker myself, I can tell you that’s easier said than done. But when I’m writing, I enter this little bubble where I forget about the fact that other people are going to read my words. Like right now, as I’m answering these questions, I’m not thinking about how anyone’s going to perceive it. I’m just speaking from the heart, being true to myself, and letting the words flow.

Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?

Hmm, that’s tricky. I’m terrible at keeping secrets, so if you ask me, I’ll probably tell you way too much. But I’ll keep it brief to avoid any spoilers. There are definitely more books planned—honestly, I’m at a point with writing where I love it so much that, as long as I’m alive, I’ll keep writing. So there’s a lot more on the way, maybe within this series, maybe in a whole new one. I won’t spoil it just yet. But I will say, every new book I write immediately becomes my favourite, so there’s a lot to look forward to.

And, finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

YES! One thousand percent. Honestly, I never thought I’d write even one book, let alone two. I’m incredibly humbled by the support I’ve received and so proud of how far I’ve come. The journey has taught me so much—I never realised just how much goes into writing a book until I actually went through the process myself. It was absolutely worth the effort, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

You can find me on Instagram @authoralexandras

For all book related updates, my Instagram is the best place to be, that’s where I’ll be posting everything, sneak peeks, release information, links to the books and so much more.

There’s More To It

Apple Books: https://apple.co/4iYP8hH

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3FDpTDm

Paperback: https://amzn.to/42gesdq

Than Meets The Eye

Apple Books: https://apple.co/4ie6De9

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3FDqgxK

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4idp2I0