Meet J. Jedrisko, Author of Whispers Beyond the Wall
This week, I’m chatting with indie Dystopian author J. Jedrisko about the Booktok Indie Author Awards finalist, Whispers Beyond the Wall.
J. Jedrisko writes stories that blur the lines between dystopian fiction, romance, and fantasy. Her writing is rooted in heartache and the quiet resilience that binds people together.
Tell us about your book. What is it about, and what makes it special?
Whispers Beyond the Wall is a very human story of grief, betrayal and the fragile fight for hope. It will take you on an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you staring at a wall. What makes this story different is how it refuses to shy away from the difficult topics and pushes the reader to constantly question themselves. It's a modern blend of all the popular tropes you might find in Romantasy, but set against a dystopian backdrop. Picture 'The Last of Us', but with monsters in the dark and a love story that rips your heart out!
What first inspired you to write this story?
I finally reached a point in my life where I decided I wanted to pursue my dream of being a writer. I've always written stories, but for some reason, this specific story stemmed from such a deeply personal place, and writing it felt like a healing exercise. Once the words landed on the page, they didn't want to stop. I had a really terrifying nightmare one night that birthed this shadowy world and inspired me to build this setting. But overall, the inspiration came from me feeling trapped in a world where I'm not pursuing my passions and what I'm actually supposed to be doing. Writing WBTW helped me overcome that, and I think at the end of the day that's what this whole journey was actually about.
What kind of reader do you think would fall in love with this book?
The Hunger Games girlies who have been stuck reading Romantasy wink, wink, nudge, nudge. And anyone looking to cry after finishing the last page of a story.
If you had to describe your book using three tropes, what would they be?
Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Slow Burn
What do you hope readers will still be thinking about after finishing the book?
The characters and the world. Even after the grand conclusion, there are plenty of "what-ifs" I hope readers think about, especially when considering the world's fate and the fate of some of the characters mentioned in the story (I deliberately want you guys to have some hope!).
Which of your characters has put you through the most emotional turmoil as a writer?
Definitely Corvin and Sena together. The whole story stemmed from how they dealt with grief and how it affected and changed them differently.
Which relationship in your book means the most to you, and why?
Sena and Mouse. The healing that little girl brought Sena was such a delicate and beautiful thing to write and it stemmed from a very personal place.
Which character most desperately needs a hug. And would they accept one?
Kiran... Probably not, lol. He'll probably accept a cigarette, though (if you're looking to become his friend)
Is there a character who surprised you by becoming more important than you originally planned?
Kiran. He has no business being in this story, and once he landed on the page, he completely took over and changed the course of EVERYTHING!
Which scene was your favourite to write, and which was the hardest?
I really enjoyed the Bridge scene (IYKYK). The action and tension were just so fun to put on page! The hardest was the ending, mostly because I changed it so much and wanted something that served all the characters and their arc's. Full disclosure, the original ending was way darker!
Do you have any unusual writing habits, rituals or essential writing companions?
I NEED music. During my planning phase, I spend an equal amount of time outlining and building a playlist to accompany my writing. (That's also why there's a playlist included for the story)
What books or authors have influenced your writing?
So many! For this specific story, I drew a lot of inspiration from both dystopian authors and fantasy. I re-read The Road by Cormac McCarthy before starting this journey. Also, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel and I drew a lot from Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead. I've always been obsessed with the "human" factor at the end of the world. The question of "what do we become when there's nothing else?" is such a driving force for me. I've also been enjoying the boom of Romantasy, so I really wanted to bring that same enjoyment to a genre I truly love. Dystopian-Romance needs to be more hyped (I volunteer as tribute to be the hype-woman and/or start the revolution)
What indie book have you loved recently and wish more people knew about?
The Endless Fall by Emmerson Hoyt. It's not typically what I read, but I could not put it down. The Southern Gothic vibe with such a yearn-heavy romance was scorching. I'm obsessed.
What's currently at the top of your TBR?
Threshing Day (because I don't want to see anymore spoilers!)
What's your favourite fictional relationship or found family, and why?
I'm a big Mr. Darcy and Lizzy fan. They're on a pedestal when it comes to what I want from an FMC and MMC.
Discover Whispers Beyond the Wall
Rule #1: Never go outside after dark.
In the crumbling remains of a world abandoned by the elite, Sena has nothing left but her grief. She survives in the Outer City, a lawless slum shadowed by the impenetrable walls of Liora.
When Liora announces it will finally open its gates to new residents after twenty-five years of silence, the city ignites with desperate hope. Against her will, Sena, and the only person she’s ever loved, Corvin, are chosen to enter. But inside Liora, nothing is as it seems. The city’s glow masks something monstrous hidden within its shadows. And Sena, broken as she is, may be the only one who can stop it.
As trust fractures and secrets rise, Sena is torn between the boy who once saved her, the man he’s become, and the quiet strength of someone new. With time running out, she must decide who she will be: a survivor, a savior, or a sacrifice.
A haunting dystopian tale of grief, betrayal, and the fragile fight for hope. Whispers Beyond the Wall is a character-driven survival story where love is not always enough, and healing is a war unto itself.
Includes popular tropes, such as: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, found family and slow-burn.
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