The following is an interview with author Meghan Le Fay regarding the release of the romantasy novel, Wings of Life, through publisher Page & Vine. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Le Fay about her creative process in bringing the series’ story and characters to life on the page, what she hopes that readers may take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of Wings of Life! As the first book in the Dragonbound Chronicles trilogy, what are you most excited for readers to experience with the series’ introduction?
Meghan Le Fay: I am so excited for readers to see the world through Serae’s eyes. Toward the beginning of the book, she makes her way to Rihtlond to what she expects to be a land and people of brutality and cold. She finds life thriving in her surroundings and in the culture in so many ways she would never have predicted. I fell in love with Rihtlond while writing it—especially Drakh, the city where Serae is sent. It’s a place that lives in my heart, and I am over the moon to share it with everyone else.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in bringing the dragon-filled world and its characters to life on the page?
MLF: It was a process of both intentional and unexpected magic. I took great pains to weave so many threads into the world and breathe true life into the characters by giving them many facets, strengths, and flaws. As the author, I know the truth behind what is actually happening in the past, present, and future of Jaeda, but the characters are not omniscient. Stories get misunderstood; history gets twisted into myth and legend. People lie, alter the truth, and fabricate or exaggerate memories. All of this is taken into consideration when bringing the world to life, making it feel real, and making the characters sound and act like real people.
BD: What makes Page & Vine the perfect publishing partner for this series?
MLF: Everything! My editor is a dream to work with, and I love her so much. The designer and cover artist are phenomenal, making the series a visual beauty. The marketing manager is a true gem. Overall, everyone is so helpful, and most importantly, everyone has been so passionate about the Dragonbound Chronicles. Page & Vine is such a great partner for both support and belief in my work, and I cannot be happier to be working with them.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums – no matter the genre. How do you feel that Serae’s story may connect with and impact readers, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that it might inspire?
MLF: I hope that the characters in Wings of Life and the rest of the series inspire people to have an open mind to the inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community in mainstream media, as well as encourage people to embrace those of us who identify with diverse genders and orientations in everyday life. The people Serae meets along her journey are not included to tick off any boxes or act as token representations. They are fully fledged people who happen to have LGBTQIA+ representation as one facet of their personalities, but more importantly, they are people like any other with dreams, fears, goals, hopes, likes, dislikes, and more. I cringe at the thought of any character falling into a stereotype, and I hope that by writing these characters as people existing in the world alongside Serae, others might be inspired to recognize the same in those around them.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
MLF: My big project right now is finishing off the Dragonbound Chronicles. I’m delighted to say that the final book is in editing! One of the worst things for me as a reader is waiting so long until the next book comes out. Readers will hopefully be thrilled to know that Scales of Flame (Dragonbound Chronicles #2) releases on November 17th and is already available for preorder. The final installment of the trilogy will follow next year.
After that, the project near and dear to my heart is a series of interwoven fairytale retellings with very, very loose ties to fairytales and much darker twists than even some of the original stories. I’m having a lot of fun writing dark and twisty plots and turning the classic fairytale ideas on their heads.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Wings of Life and your other work?
MLF: Visiting my website at meghanlefay.com is a great way to go. If you want to see what I’m up to on the day by day, check me out on socials. I’m most active on Instagram (@meghanlefay) if you’re looking to hear back on a comment or DM!
