Magic – Write on the World

Young Adult fantasy author Debbie Manber Kupfer says that bullying, racism, addiction, and diversity run through her series as recurring themes. “I’m fond of morally grey characters and redemption stories. I don’t believe the world is ever black and white,” she says.

When Miri receives a silver cat charm from her omama, Celia, she discovers a hidden magic that pulls her into a world of shifters, werewolves, and dark secrets. At P.A.W.S., a magic school for shapeshifters, Miri must learn to survive both her new powers and a deadly werewolf bent on her destruction. The P.A.W.S. Saga by Debbie Manber Kupfer is a thrilling journey of magic, friendship, and finding courage when everything feels lost.

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I was bullied as a child, and reading Alice’s story about escape into a magical world over and over again helped me and cemented my journey into fantasy.

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Author Interview

Author interview with fantasy writer C. Rae D’Arc

May 13, 2025April 17, 2025 Mandy Webster

Author C. Rae D’Arc is a lifelong book lover who has worked in nearly every corner of the literary world, from writing and editing to retail and reviewing. A university graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in English, she blends her love of storytelling with a deep appreciation for analysis and history. Though she lives in the desert, she finds inspiration in forests, fantastical creatures, and the beauty of nature.

When Princess Emerald of Somnus pricks her finger on a poisoned spindle, she falls into a deep sleep—and dreams of modern England. Caught between two worlds, Emer must navigate smartphones, new friendships, and a budding romance, all while racing against time to awaken before the poison claims her heart. The first installment of the Dreaming Princesses series, Dreaming Beauty is a whimsical and heartfelt retelling perfect for fans of Enchanted and reimagined fairy tales.

Q: What’s a memory of a story or book that made you realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: I always wanted to be a writer. I remember reading Kevin Henkes’ books in kindergarten and learning he was the author and illustrator. Those became my dream jobs.

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Author Interview

Author interview with fantasy writer Monica Shantel

May 6, 2025May 8, 2025 Mandy Webster

From escaping into fantasy as a young girl to building entire worlds that explore redemption, survival, and love, Monica Shantel has always turned to storytelling as her lifeline. With her debut Beauty of a Crimson Soul, she invites readers into shadowy realms where broken characters discover their strength—and maybe even a happy ending. In this interview, Monica shares the inspirations behind her work, her creative rituals, and the challenges she’s overcome to carve out her space in indie publishing. Whether you’re here for the romance, the monsters, or the magic, you’ll find plenty to love in her fierce and heartfelt journey.

In Beauty of a Crimson Soul, Angel is a newly appointed guardian angel tasked with saving Ayden Dyer, a reckless and self-destructive 23-year-old whose soul teeters on the edge of damnation. As Angel fights to guide him toward redemption, unexpected feelings complicate her mission—and when fallen angels drag them both to Hell, the stakes become eternal. With Ayden’s soul slipping away, Angel must defy fate to save him before it’s too late.

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: The authors who i really loved to read when I was just starting to were Holly Black and Dan Greenburg. I was hugely into fantasy even at 7 years old. They shaped a ton of my love for fantasy in general, and it was later on that authors like Kelley Armstrong and Lauren Kate hooked me on the romance and darker side. But Neal Shusterman got me into the creepier and more horror side.

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Author Interview

Author interview with fantasy writer Tyler Edwards

April 29, 2025April 3, 2025 Mandy Webster

Fantasy author Tyler Edwards struggled to connect with kids his age when he was growing up. Feeling rejected and alone, he became depressed and suicidal. Edwards says, “I remember reading The Hobbit, and the strangest thing happened. I was lost in this otherworldly adventure that took my mind off the struggles I couldn’t overcome. Stories became an escape. A safe place I could retreat to when life was too much. I loved writing them, reading them, and listening to them, I couldn’t get enough. Since I was eight years old, I’ve been writing stories in notebooks, dreaming of worlds and characters in hopes to one day create stories that someone else might find an escape in during their time of need.”

In the first book of Tyler Edwards’ Outlands Saga, Jett Lasting struggles to find his place in a world where drawing attention to yourself can get you killed. To survive, he must avoid guards, beggar gangs, and an ever-growing tension that could drag the whole city into chaos. Imagine Jett’s chagrin when he unwittingly becomes entwined in a plot to overthrow the government in which his choices could lead to the freedom or the death of everyone he’s ever known or cared about.

Q: What’s a memory of a story or book that made you realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: I remember as a kid my mother would read stories with me every night. The Call of the Wild, The Hobbit, The Book of Three, James and the Giant Peach and getting lost in these adventures. As I got older, I wanted to create those stories, those worlds for people to get lost in.

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