Shannon J. Spann’s Letter to Librarians

In A STAGE SET FOR VILLAINS, Shannon J. Spann writes a high-concept fantasy that blends cursed romance and deadly ambition, set against a backdrop of dark velvet stages, shifting masks, and spotlight secrets. In her letter to librarians, she shares how librarians are no longer just keepers of stories, but also guardians of them—and how this idea of protecting stories in a world that views them as dangerous is reflected in her own novel.

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Dear Librarian and Reader,

Ever since I can recall, I’ve viewed libraries the same way I view theatres—as the keepers of story, and portals to endless adventure and potential. If you struggled to find where you fit in the world, there was probably a place for you in both—a theatre to step into a new costume, or a book to slip into someone else’s world. When I was young, my mother had to drag me out of both with books and playbills alike clutched in my hands.

But today, to my understanding, librarians don’t only have to be keepers of stories but also guardians of them—seeing that access isn’t lost, restricted, or stolen in an age where stories are (once again) viewed as dangerous. At its core, that is what A STAGE SET FOR VILLAINS is about.

When I began plotting, I set out to write a book that felt fun, exciting, and romantic—but underneath the glitter and magic, I wanted its message to ring loud and clear over the orchestra: what happens when one person gets to control which stories get told, and how they’re told?

This is the idea that fueled me to discover Riven’s story: the tale of a girl who stumbles through the gilded doors of a magical theatre that hoards all of the stories in the world within its walls. To survive, Riven enters the Playhouse’s deadly competition—and a bargain with its merciless, charming Lead Player Jude. But as she plots her escape from the theatre and its dangerous cast of immortal Players, the Playhouse’s darkest secrets unravel around her… and begin to paint a disturbing picture.

This book incorporates my passion for storytelling, mythology, and history—inspired by the beginnings of theatre in Ancient Greece, and the themes of fate and freewill that often frequented their stages. It’s also woven with my love for fantasy worlds, epic battles, banter, drama, and my favorite Shakespeare quote of all time: “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.”

A STAGE SET FOR VILLAINS is a dark fantasy about a traveling theatre and its deeply flawed, immortal cast of villains, but you don’t need to know—or love—theatre to dive in. While the theatre nerds of the world may appreciate some hidden references (don’t touch someone else’s prop!), this is a fantasy for anyone who loves magic, romance, and a good twist. But more than that, this is a story about story. It’s about power, corruption, and what makes a villain—and what it means to be redeemed. It’s about taking control of one’s fate, regardless of the hand you’re dealt, and perhaps, on occasion, challenging the gods themselves if they so happen to disagree.

Thank you, librarians, for the deeply important and ever-constant work you do in getting stories into the hands of readers—and keeping them there.

Welcome to the Playhouse. I hope you enjoy this performance of A STAGE SET FOR VILLAINS.

Shannon J. Spann
Author of A STAGE SET FOR VILLAINS