1--What is the title of your latest release?
BRIDE OF THE SHADOW KING is a re-release of an independent 2022 publication. Two years later, and it’s getting a whole new life as an Ace Books publication, complete with a gorgeous new cover.
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
A princess suffering from chronic illness is forced to disguise herself as her beautiful younger sister and take her place in a political marriage with a dangerous troll king.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Ever since reading The Princess and the Goblin as a child, I’ve wanted to explore a magical, subterranean realm. So I made my hero a troll king (but a hot one, don’t worry!) and indulged in all things caves and magical crystals, bringing the Under Realm to life.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
For sure! Princess Faraine is modeled after two of my best friends (both of whom deal with similar forms of chronic illness). She is definitely someone I would be friends with in real life!
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Courageous, kind, compassionate
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
In this book, I really learned to let the romance and relationship be the heart and soul of the story. I’d always been more of a fantasy novelist before this, focused on the adventure on the worldbuilding foremost. While there’s still plenty of adventure and intricate worldbuilding to be had, in this story, that dynamic between hero and heroine drives every scene—even scenes they don’t share together!
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I write an extremely messy rough draft that I call my “snap draft,” which is usually done in 2-3 weeks. Then I spend 2 months or more creating a polished draft, which, when complete, is usually pretty close to finished (barring copy edits).
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
My Sri Lankan husband’s homemade curries! They are unique in that they are cooked in a lot of coconut milk—which is not exactly healthy, but Oh! So delicious! I have no self-control when he makes one of his epic feasts with all the sambal trimmings.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I have the most beautiful office in the world! The walls are pale blue, the trimming all white. One wall is ALL windows looking out on nothing but lush, green forest, where I can watch families of deer and foxes play. I have a fireplace, and I line the mantle with special editions of my books. My desk is big and curved, but I usually write in one of my two antique armchairs (inherited from my grandmother). My husband installed a “fandelier,” so I’ve got all the glamor of chandelier, but with the option of fan blades when it gets a little stuffy. It’s a beautiful, calm, inspiring place—and most importantly, I’ve got my three kitty “muses,” who alternate sitting in my lap and keeping me productive.
10--Who is an author you admire?
I truly admire Amy Harmon’s style, particularly when she writes fantasy romances. The Bird and the Sword is one of my favorites. She writes with such a perfect blend of classic and contemporary voice that makes her work feel otherworldly but always relatable.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Robin McKinley’s Beauty. Such a beautiful story, and my first encounter with the concept of fantasy written by women, for women, where the romance was central to the tale, and all the classic, fairy tale themes were explored with new depth. I read it as a child and have read it many times since and always told myself, ‘I want to write like that.’
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
This book was a bit of both—I independently published it in 2022, but then it was picked up in 2024 by Ace Books. As it turns out, my lovely editor at Ace had read and loved Bride of the Shadow King not long after it came out in 2022. She told me that she was reading it while on the subway . . . and got so caught up in the story, she missed her stop, read straight through to the end, and ended up late for work! So when we connected, she was already eager to give this story a trad publishing home. Though I had been independent for years, hearing her passion for my story gave me confidence that Ace was the right publishing home. I am so excited for them to bring this book to a whole new world of readers who are equally ready to be swept away from their everyday lives!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Well, it’s got to be Fantasy Romance, right?
14--What’s your favorite movie?
It’s a toss-up between the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice and Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Depends on my mood! But both of those I will watch at least once a year.
15--What is your favorite season?
I’m a springtime girlie!
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
My husband makes me a cake every year—a lemon poppyseed cake with lemon buttercream icing and raspberry curd filling. It is impossibly soft, creamy, tangy, and divine. I look forward to it every year!
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I just read India Holton’s The Ornithologist’s Guide to Love and absolutely adored it! Kept me in stitches page after page.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I am a big fan of Indian/Sri Lankan food. They’re different but share similarities. It’s harder to get Sri Lankan food in the states, so we go for Indian more frequently. It’s ALL about the spices for me!
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I have four small children—so there is very little free time in my life! But I do a bit of hand quilting (not faithfully: I’ve been working on the same quilt for years), take long walks in my woody wilderness, bake with my little ones (badly, but we have fun!), play the piano, sing, and read.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
The rest of the Bride of the Shadow King trilogy is coming from Ace Books in January and February of 2025.
I’m also writing the WarBride trilogy, which is a direct sequel to Shadow King. The first book is available now, and book 2 is coming soon!
The viral TikTok fantasy romance, now in a special print edition with exclusive bonus material!
An outcast princess makes a political marriage with a reluctant king to save both their kingdoms in this first book in the viral Bride of the Shadow King series.
Though she is the oldest daughter, Princess Faraine lives in the background, shunned from court and kept out of sight. She's told her gods-gift makes her a liability to the crown, and has learned to give place to her beautiful, favored younger sister in all things.
When the handsome and enigmatic Shadow King comes seeking a bride, Faraine is not surprised that her sister is his choice.
King Vor is not eager to take a human bride, but he is willing to do what is necessary for the sake of his people. When he meets the lively Princess Ilsevel, he quickly agrees to a marriage arrangement.
So why can’t he get the haunting eyes of her older sister out of his head?
Fantasy Dark | Horror [Ace, On Sale: November 12, 2024, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593952207 / ]
Sylvia Mercedes makes her home in the idyllic North Carolina countryside with her handsome husband, numerous small children, and the dynamic cat duo known as The Fluffy Brothers. When she’s not writing she’s . . . okay, let’s be honest. When she’s not writing, she’s running around after her little girl, cleaning up glitter, trying to plan healthy-ish meals, and wondering where she left her phone. In between, she reads a steady diet of fantasy novels.
But mostly she’s writing.
After a short career in traditional publishing (under a different name), Sylvia decided to take the plunge into the indie publishing world and is enjoying every minute of it. She's the author of the bestselling Venatrix Chronicles, The Scarred Mage of Roseward trilogy, and the romantic fantasy duology, Of Candlelight and Shadows.
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