Queer author Alexander Paul Burton is opening up about how writing his debut novel, “The Hollow Vale,” saved his life. In a candid interview, Burton discusses his struggles with mental health, masculinity, and the power of fantasy.
The novel, set in a post-Roman Britain inspired by Burton’s childhood in Somerset, blends myth, memory, and mental health in a lyrical, character-driven story about grief, survival, and chosen family. For Burton, writing The Hollow Vale was not about achieving success, but rather, a form of psychological resilience.
“I didn’t write The Hollow Vale to be successful. I wrote it to stay alive,” Burton says.
As a neurodivergent individual, Burton faces challenges with focus and spelling, but he has found ways to use AI tools and alternative routines to stay productive. He reframes technology as a support rather than a crutch, and advocates for redefining masculinity through softness, vulnerability, and creative strength.
“There’s no mental gym for young queer men – so I built one in a book,” Burton says.
The Hollow Vale features a queer protagonist and explores themes of queer identity and male tenderness. The characters in the novel are not portrayed as macho or stoic, but rather, they cry, make mistakes, and heal.
“Masculinity doesn’t have to mean silence,” Burton says.
Burton also discusses how self-publishing gave him a voice after years of silence, and how it saved him from the struggles of estrangement and depression. He shares his experiences as a neurodivergent man in a hyper-competitive industry, and how fantasy worlds can offer therapy without stigma.
“Being queer and neurodivergent doesn’t make you broken – it means you build things differently,” Burton says.
To accompany the novel, Burton has composed original music albums. These soundscapes are designed to aid in meditation, emotional regulation, and focus. He is also launching a podcast, “Marketing for New Musicians: Stop Pissing Your Money Up the Wall,” where he discusses mental clarity, budgeting, and self-belief for creative men.
Burton, who now lives in Toronto, is available for interviews by Zoom or podcast to discuss topics such as male mental health, creative identity, writing as recovery, neurodivergence and masculinity, and self-publishing as an act of self-worth. His inspiring story serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the importance of mental wellness.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.