Today, we're thrilled to feature author Mallory Benjamin, whose work, the Allium Series, was bound using our eco-friendly adhesive. In this exclusive interview, we dive into Benjamin’s creative process, the journey of bringing the Allium Series to life, and why the physical form of books matters in our increasingly digital world.
Join us as we discover how sustainable bookbinding practices align with Benjamin’s values and explore the unexpected ways that how a book is made can enhance the reading experience. Through conversations like these, we want to highlight that the bonds between writers, readers, and thoughtful production choices create something greater than the sum of their parts.
Read on to discover the story behind it—and the sustainable binding that brings it all together.
Mallory Benjamin is a fantasy romance author. Her books, Lake of Sapphire, Ocean of Silver, Illusion of Hazel, and the newly released River of Lavender, were printed using LD Davis’ sustainable glue in the bookbinding. We managed to snag some of her time between writing and exploring Washington with her family to ask her questions about her process, her storytelling, and why it was vital for her to have a book printed using LD Davis adhesive.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you became an author? Hi! My name is Mallory Benjamin, and I live in Seattle, Washington, with my husband and daughter, even though I hate the rain. I'm the author of the Allium Series and a huge book nerd. Give me magic, dragons, new worlds, etc., and I'm happy!
What inspired you to write the Allium Series? The original idea for Lake of Sapphire sparked from me wanting to write a story about a girl who's stuck in her enemy's kingdom and has to keep her powers hidden in order to stay alive. From there, the story exploded into what it is today.
Have you always been drawn to this genre, or did you explore others first? I have always wanted to write fantasy romance or romantasy as the bookish world coins it. It's my favorite genre to read.
What’s your writing process like — do you plot everything or let the story unfold organically? My writing process starts with a single idea; sometimes, it's a character, a scene, or even a premise of an idea. From there, I like to build the world. Then, I'll outline the key scenes and events I want to happen and start writing. I usually come up with a lot while I write, and half of my story is made on the go. The saying, "My character wrote the scene for me," is so true because a lot of the time, I'm inspired while I draft.
How important is the physical form of your book to you — the feel, the design, the smell? This question makes me so happy because it's so important! It's honestly my absolute favorite part! Holding the physical copy of your book is the most surreal feeling. The smell of a freshly printed book, being able to hold it in your hands, a perfect unbent spine, and floppy pages = perfection!
Did you know that LD Davis glue helped bind your book together? How does that feel, knowing your story is held by something so hands-on? Fun fact - yes! My oldest sister, Kelly Pepper, has worked for LD Davis since 2012, and I didn't publish my first book until 2022. I knew the moment I was going to self-publish that I wanted to use a print-on-demand company that uses LD Davis glue. The physical version of my book is just as important as the story–both come together as a representation of my mind and imagination. I love floppy pages, but I also wanted to make sure my book is sturdy and holds up against toddlers who also love books (especially my toddler). I knew LD Davis would be the best fit!
What’s next for you—any upcoming releases or projects? River of Lavender, the third book in the Allium Series, was just released on 4/24/25, making this a completed series. I'm also working on new projects and series, I'll announce soon!
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors out there? My advice for any aspiring authors would be to write the story that YOU love. Don't focus on trends or what's popular because, ultimately, you're going to be reading your own story fifty-plus times, and you want to make sure YOU love it. Also, don't be afraid to just start. The first draft of your book isn't meant to be perfect. It's you telling the story to yourself and getting the words onto the page.
As our conversation with Mallory reveals, the relationship between writer and reader extends beyond the words on the page to include how those pages come together. Through sustainable bookbinding practices and our eco-friendly adhesives, LD Davis is proud to play a small but significant role in bringing Mallory’s vision to life in a form that honors both her creative work and our shared planet.
We hope this interview has given you a glimpse into Mallory’s world and the thoughtful craftsmanship that goes into creating books that stand the test of time, both in content and construction.
Thank you to Mallory Benjamin for sharing her insights and choosing publishers that prioritize sustainability in their production methods. Together, we're proving that what binds books can also bind communities of readers, writers, and craftspeople who care about creating meaningful, lasting stories.
Remember to pick up a copy of Mallory’s Allium series books to support your local authors and LD Davis!
Contact us today to learn more about how LD Davis can help with your sustainable adhesive solutions. And, keep an eye out for more of our featured posts, leading up to our 100-year celebration!