Countdown to The Swan Maiden Launch…
Selina Fenech is an amazing artist – her stunning paintings grace the covers of the Into the Mists and Into the Storm Trilogies – and also an incredible writer. She’s the author of the beautiful fantasy series Memory’s Wake, and the intriguing Empath Chronicles, and is currently working on a brand new urban fantasy series, Beshadowed. She’s also created many gorgeous colouring books, including Fairy Tales, Princesses and Fables, and Australian Animals and Wildflowers, which match perfectly with Chasing Neve and The Swan Maiden.
You created the gorgeous Australian Animals and Wildflowers Colouring Book as a fundraiser. What inspired that? January 2020 in Australia was a time when all our hearts were heavy. Nearly twenty per cent of all bushland in Australia was burnt during raging wildfires that came after a long drought. More than 1 billion animals died. Rainforest and ancient bushland that had never burnt before was left devastated. Many, human and animal, lost their homes. I was talking to my eight-year-old daughter about all of this, and what the helpers of the world were already doing (the real heroes in the fire service and wildlife rescue volunteers). And we talked about what we could do to help. It was her suggestion that I create a colouring book featuring all Australian animals, and that we use it to raise funds to help restore what has been lost. During all of March 2020, 100 per cent of the profits of this book will be donated to Greening Australia. Read more here.
When did you start writing? I did a lot of creative writing in school, and started my first (unfinished) novel when I was 15. I’m happy to say I’m a much better writer now and actually finish what I start. Mostly.
Memory is a wonderful, complex and kick-ass character – was it fun to write her? She is one of my most favourite characters, and I loved building the journey she goes on from a selfish, emotional wreck, to a selfless, powerful leader. I also enjoyed giving her some of the best one-liners I could come up with to match her weird sense of humour. It was fun trying to come up with some truly crudely hilarious phrases, like: “I hate you so much right now if someone doesn’t get you out of this room I’m going to pull your eyeballs out and vomit in the empty sockets,” and then contrasting her with the ever-sweet Eloryn.
Do you miss the beautiful, magical world of those books? Often. I put so much time and thought into building that world and the twisty-turny complicated plot of those stories. It still feels almost like a real place to me.
How different is it writing characters like Livvy from your Empath Chronicles? Livvy starts her journey from a much more stable place, with no tragedy or hardship (but still some selfishness until she realises how good she has it). The Empath Chronicles are also set in pretty much the normal world, so there’s a lot less world-building involved, other than creating the lore around the Empath powers themselves.
Livvy drinks coffee, and Memory laments the lack of it. Are you a tea or coffee person? Mostly tea, English Breakfast with a dash of milk is my go-to drink. I make myself a big pot of loose-leaf in the morning and drink it throughout the day – I even just got my first tea-cosy to keep my pot warmer for longer! I love the ritual of it as much as the tea. But I don’t mind coffee either, depending on my mood, but can only take it very weak.
Does your art inspire your writing, and vice versa? I find the writing inspires my art more than art inspiring my writing. Coming up with a story I want to illustrate happens more often than illustrating something that then becomes a story.
What draws you to the genres you write? I’ve always loved fantasy and how it brings out the feeling of childlike awe of magic and the world.
How do you describe your books: YA Fantasy with lots of action and twists.
List your books: The Memory’s Wake Trilogy – Memory’s Wake, Hope Reigns and Providence Unveiled – The Memory’s Wake Companion Guide and the Empath Chronicles – Emotionally Charged, Emotionally Unstable and Emotionally Powerful.
Who do you like to read? Do you feel they influence you? I read very broadly and don’t tend to pick favourites and stick to them. One day I could be reading YA paranormal romance, the next a thesis about the relationship between the written word and the rise of the patriarchy. I like to think that my eclectic tastes are the greater influence to my written work than who I read.
Check out Selina’s books at SelinaFenech.com.
Visit her US Amazon page here.
And you can grab stunning art prints, tote bags, clothes and swimmers, mugs, pillows and more at her Fairies and Fantasy store.
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