PHOTO: Carol Ann Moore at her home in rural France, where she pens stories blending myth, history, and feminine strength.
Feminism, History, And Mythical Imagery
Carol Ann Moore discusses her acclaimed series The Aella Chronicles, reclaiming women’s voices throughout history and myth with feminist themes, magical realism, and deeply impactful storytelling rooted in empowering narratives.
Carol Ann Moore, a visionary author known for bridging myth, history, and the enduring strength of women, captivates readers with her empowering series The Aella Chronicles. Moore masterfully blends feminism, magical realism, and historical reflection, utilizing storytelling as a way to reclaim the voices of women silenced by centuries of misrepresentation.
Writing with conviction from her tranquil home in rural France, Moore’s narratives carry an undeniable truth and authenticity. Her work channels moments of poetic serenity while fiercely confronting generational injustices, expressing resistance and reclamation of a narrative slanted by patriarchal biases. For Moore, storytelling is not only an escape from the ordinary but a confrontation with historical inequities. Her novels reveal deeply human experiences against the backdrop of mythic landscapes, weaving a tapestry of sisterhood, vengeance, and hope.
In her series The Aella Chronicles, Moore reimagines history through the lens of Aella Saluagius, an immortal witch who interacts with women across time. Through her character, Moore interweaves elements of magic and history seamlessly. Each story brings readers face to face with inherited constraints and injustices while inspiring voices to rise beyond them. Moore’s approach redefines feminist literature, affirming that women’s stories cannot remain buried—they emerge as timeless truths.
Moore emphasizes the importance of “HERstory” over “HIStory,” challenging the historical record that predominantly highlights the experiences of those in power. For her, this distinction isn’t merely symbolic but central to her mission as a writer, reclaiming the overlooked, hidden, or distorted stories of women. Her passion to illuminate marginalized perspectives began in childhood, inspired by learning that many women authors in history had to use male pseudonyms to avoid gender bias.
The genesis of The Aella Chronicles is equally compelling. Initially imagined as a standalone novel, titled Sisterhood, the story centered around modern themes but explored Aella’s backstory. Reader demand to uncover the lives of women in Aella’s history inspired her to expand the series into what it is today. Currently, Moore is writing a detailed account of Aella’s experiences, starting in 16th-century Italy with The Coven of Cagliasaro and moving through centuries of misogyny witnessed by her immortal protagonist.
Through painstaking world-building, Moore draws from real historical accounts, blending fact and imagination with elements of magical realism. Her writing exposes institutional injustices, such as the law of coverture, which stripped women of legal independence after marriage, a reality that persisted into the 19th century. With a strong matriarchal family as her personal inspiration and vivid memories of stories rooted in hardship and resilience, Moore builds characters that reflect the courage and endurance she has witnessed through generations.
In writing historical and feminist themes, Moore demonstrates an organic storytelling process. Instead of meticulous plotting, her narratives evolve as her characters lead the way, often bringing her to unexpected places. Moore credits this approach to yielding authentic stories that resonate emotionally while maintaining coherence.
Despite moments of self-doubt, Moore perseveres with the same advice she once gave her students: write the story down first, and enhance it later. For aspiring authors, especially women looking to find their voice, Moore emphasizes discipline in reading widely and practicing writing consistently. Her empowering advice reminds writers to embrace rejection and continue writing about their passions, noting that waiting for universal approval would mean waiting indefinitely.
Her core message remains rooted in empowerment. Moore hopes readers find temporary escape from the mundane, coupled with the enduring belief that societal norms imposed on women since childhood are not immutable. She inspires readers to embrace sisterhood and hope, drawing strength from feminine solidarity.
Moore’s next book, In the Daughters of Medeina, is slated for release in early 2026. It promises an evocative combination of mythology and modern themes, exploring perfection culture and the reclamation of feminine strength set in a primordial forest and fictional walled cities of Northern Europe. Readers can expect a rich cast of characters, including goddesses, sacred guardians, and demons.
Looking ahead, Moore plans to delve into the world of audiobooks, offering The Aella Chronicles to wider audiences in 2026. With her unique ability to merge myth, truth, and modern relevance, her storytelling continues to inspire readers to reclaim their power and challenge the structures that have silenced women’s voices for far too long.
Sources: Reader’s House Magazine
Carol Ann Moore masterfully blends history and myth with feminist themes, creating timeless stories that inspire and captivate readers worldwide.
