We chat with author Mikayla Bridge about Of Venom and Vengeance (Tor Australia) RRP: $26.99. Out now), which is set against a deadly criminal underworld and combines high-stakes political betrayal with a fierce enemies-to-lovers romance, perfect for fans of Sarah A. Parker, Rebecca Yarros, and Lynette Noni.
Hi, Mikayla! Welcome back! What have you been up to the past year since we last spoke?
Hi, thanks for inviting me back! It’s been a hectic year. Launching OFAF, writing and editing OVAV, and working on new ideas when time permits. I’ve been so lucky to see how OFAF has been received by readers, and very fortunate by the support from my publishing teams and local booksellers. Seeing both of my books on shelves, side by side, still feels like a fever dream.
Of Venom and Vengeance is the sequel to Of Flame and Fury and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Great question: dark, treacherous, romantic, glamorous, magical.
For readers who haven’t picked up Of Flame and Fury, what can they expect?
Of Flame and Fury is a young adult romantic fantasy about a young, hopeful phoenix tamer (Kel) and her giant (undomesticated) pet phoenix. Both are forced to team up with several other young underdogs to compete in deadly, magical phoenix races, while trying to uncover why a mysterious, wealthy benefactor has taken such a sudden interest in their team.
OFAF is a young adult Fourth Wing with F1 phoenix racing. There’s found family, a rivals-to-lovers romance, conspiracies, and plot twists that readers have tried to send me their therapy bills for (kidding).
And for those who have, what’s to come in Of Venom and Vengeance?
Of Venom and Vengeance is a standalone set in the same universe as Of Flame and Fury, so readers can five straight into OVAV without having read OFAF! For those who have, there are a few fun easter eggs and minor connections, but this is, for the most part, a new story with a fresh cast of characters.
The world of OFAF is fiery and barren, and its characters are every bit as earnest, resilient, and rough-edged as their island. I love them with all my heart. OVAV’s world, by contrast, is one of glamour and hidden danger, and its characters reflect that environment too: charming and sophisticated on the surface, yet ruthless beneath their charming facades.
OVAV follows Inna, a criminal heiress, and Rylan, a vengeful thief, as they forge a perilous alliance in search of a lost god. Neither has any intention of honouring their alliance, even as their bitter attraction ignites into something more. Expect star-crossed enemies to lovers, heists, riddles, messy family dynamics, and a magical criminal empire.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring further?
I always love writing big action scenes with distinct settings and lasting consequences for the characters. Action and danger provide great ground for emotional vulnerability; they strip away pretence and reveal who people really are. That meant I had enormous fun with OVAV’s heist and Inna and Rylan’s journey to find a lost god, weaving in little easter eggs from some of my favourite action-adventure films: The Mummy, Indiana Jones, Ocean’s 8, and Jurassic Park.
I also loved writing this story in dual POV, which was a first for me. With so many secrets and hidden motivations at play in this book, it was exciting to explore important moments through both Inna’s and Rylan’s perspectives and to see how differently they interpreted the same events. And then there’s Celesse, who holds my entire heart in her manicured grip. I hope I get to tell much more of her story one day.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing the sequel? How did you overcome them?
So many! All of my author friends were right to warn me: sophomore syndrome is very real, and there were times when writing this novel felt like pulling teeth. Imposter syndrome hit me particularly hard. This was the first book I’d written entirely from scratch while under contract, and knowing that my editors, agent, and friends would eventually read it — whatever shape it took — made me wildly anxious about getting it right. For a while, it became much harder to write for myself.
But I’m so proud that I worked through that struggle. I’m also very grateful to my author friends for their endless support and advice. Writing this book taught me a lot about myself as a writer. I understand my process, my needs, and the conditions under which I do my best work far better now.
What were some of the key lessons you learned from working on your debut that helped with Of Venom and Vengeance?
Oh, great question. Most of the lessons I carried forward were about the marketing and publicity side of being an author. I’m a stereotypical writer: introverted, anxious, and happiest when I’m at my desk (usually alone), writing. I’m also autistic, so many of the new experiences that came with promoting OFAF felt overwhelming at first. By the time OVAV came around, though, everything felt much easier because I’d already done it once before. Podcasts, interviews, panels, and launches all felt far less intimidating the second time around.
The first book also taught me a few practical lessons:
- Memorise your pitch and practise it relentlessly.
- Rein in the urge to try a new eyeliner look five minutes before leaving for a signing. Comfort first, always.
- Find your favourite signing pen, buy an absurd amount of them, and keep one in every bag you own.
- Relish every moment of it. Readers are incredible, and getting to meet them is one of the greatest joys of being an author.
What’s next for you?
I’ve got lots of exciting things happening behind the scenes that I can’t share yet, but right now, I’m working on the first draft for an adult fantasy book. I’ll pitch it as Severance meets a supernatural Ready or Not. It’s different to anything I’ve written before, which has made it very fun to write, while also forcing me to strengthen new creative muscles. It still has everything I love in my YA books: romance, magic, politics, and lots of twists. I hope I can share more about it soon!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
So many! I rarely read in the genre that I’m writing at the time, so I’ve enjoyed a wonderful, eclectic range of books so far this year. Here are some of my recents favourites:
- Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
- Discontent by Beatriz Serrano
- Overgrowth by Mira Grant
- After the Siren by Darcy Green
- Love, Gods & Sinners by Camille Chong
- Familiar Creatures by Keshe Chow
And some recent/upcoming releases I can’t wait to read:
- Twin Tides by Hien Nguyen
- The Harpy Knight by Sara Omer
- The Children by Melissa Albert
- Wench by Erynne Rivers
