Fangs for being here!
Spooky season, how my vampire duology is developing, and stories centred on their leading women
Hello to my new subscribers! It’s the start of spooky season and that makes writing about vampires all the more exciting to me. Book One of the Bloodhunt Academy duology releases on October 9th. I’m counting down the days! You’ll hear from me again on the day the book is out, and in the meanwhile I’m deep into drafting Book Two.
I finished outlining Book Two quicker than expected, since I’m familiar with the characters and the world. That foundation is helping me. I know how the story is going to play out, and the words are coming easier to me.
Lead Women in Romance
The Lead Women in Romance collection features romance novels centred on their leading women. I included an excerpt of Bloodhunt Academy since I wrote the novel entirely in the point of view of my female protagonist (who happens to be a vampire). It’s a book about her falling in love, and it’s also a book about her experience of the world and how she finds a way to belong. If you want to read the first 10k words to get a taste of the book before its launch, this is an opportunity.
Some titles that stood out to me in this collection: Forever Still by Corinne O’Flynn because it’s about vampires and learning to trust (themes that resonate with my own writing!), and Riding Nerdy by Adrianne Brooks, an urban fantasy romance with a heroine who heads a biker gang (so cool!!) You can check out the collection here.
Media I’m enjoying
Reading: I’m reading Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, a fairytale-inspired young adult fantasy. It’s reminiscent of Shannon Hale’s fairytale retellings, which I loved as a teen and which are part of why I tried my own hand at writing fantasy romance. And continue to write them today, as a grown up.
Watching: I’m rewatching Moon in the Day, a romantic k-drama that fans of angsty paranormal romance and romantasy are sure to eat up with a spoon. The hero has loved the heroine for 1500 years. Also the hero and heroine each want to kill the other at some point. The ending is rather bittersweet, and as heartrending as the rest of the story. It’s not a traditional happily-ever-after or happily-for-now, but if you liked the ending of K-pop Demon Hunters, you’ll enjoy this one.
Listening: I love SF9’s music, and my favourite song of theirs is ‘Waruru’. (That’s Korean for ‘falling apart’.) It was a contender for title track, but ended up a b-side, which I lament. I would have loved to see a music video to go with it. However! They recently uploaded their live performance of the song, so I get to see its choreography:
Fang you very much, friends.
I’ll be sending my next newsletter sooner than usual since the launch of Bloodhunt Academy is so near. Type to you then!
In the meanwhile, let me know what you’re craving this spooky season. Gothic romance? Scented candles? Reruns of the Addams Family? You can either reply by email, or comment on this post on Substack.
Much love,
Mynah