We chat with author Wanda Hellmund about Our Dark Incantations, which is an achingly romantic dark academia fantasy a young woman must embrace Dark Magic and an alliance with a deadly Wielder to fight a powerful threat cloaked in shadow.
Hi, Wanda! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I grew up in Germany and went on to study politics in London and journalism in New York. Next to my love for reading and writing I also love to travel. I currently live with my husband and our rescue dog in sunny Southern California.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve been obsessed with scary stories since I was as a child. I wrote my first murder mystery in fourth grade and haven’t stopped wirting since. I love getting lost in a story. Writing provides the perfect form of escapism for me.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: “The Boy Who Did Not Fear” – Brothers Grimm
- The one that made you want to become an author: Lord of the Rings was my first introduction to fantasy and I became obsessed with it.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Wuthering Heights
Your debut novel, Our Dark Incantations, is out October 20th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Gothic, angst, mystery, magic, trauma
What can readers expect?
Banter! Lots of banter. It’s one of my favorite things to write. Readers can expect a rollercoaster of emotions where they might laugh and kick their feet one moment and cry the next. I wanted to create a story that highlights the dichotomy of trauma because while Mira’s internal world is on fire, life for the people around her goes on as ususal.
Where did the inspiration for Our Dark Incantations come from?
I began writing Our Dark Incantations when I was at my lowest, dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Writing about a character who faces her trauma and reclaims her power became a guiding light for me during a hard time in my life.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
There are many but for me the core theme of trauma was the most rewarding part to explore. Seeing how the two main characters, who are very different people, navigate their trauma and help each other feel less alone with their pain felt extremely both cathartic and powerful. I loved navigating how each of them deal with their trauma in very different ways. She rejects her magic, blaming it for what has happened to her. He embraces his magic, despite of what it has done to him.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I probably rewrote the first chapter twenty times. The first chapter is so important to me because not only is it what introduces the reader to the main character and the world but also to the tone of the author. There is that wise saying to start the first chapter twenty percent later and it is so true. My first draft had Mira traveling to Ivercrest University. In the second draft she was just outside the gates. And in the final version she is already inside. There were also different versions of her entry test before I settled on the version readers can now discover for themselves.
Instead of dwelling on the first chapter, I would continue writing the rest of the book and then keep tweaking the opening chapter in later drafts until I was satisfied.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
This wasn’t my first book I wrote. While I’ve written all my life, I wrote my first novel during the pandemic. I went the indie publishing route. I hired two different developmental editors and went through numerous rounds of edits. I commissioned character art and a cover. I had even put down a retainer for a line editor. In the end, I realized that manuscript wasn’t the book I was meant to publish. I think I had so much time and money invested in it that I became determined to publish it. But all the time and money wasn’t wasted. That manuscript was a great teacher. It helped me understand my writing process and how to become a better storyteller. No writing is ever a waste – even if it never sees the light of day.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on a new project that I’m so excited for but I’m sworn to secrecy. All I can say is that it’s TRUE enemies to lovers.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I’m currently loving Dead Beat by Leigh Bardugo. Can’t wait to devour Victorious by V.E. Schwab next. As for recent books: I loved The Poet Empress by Shen Tao, Famesick by Lena Dunham, and A Long Game-Notes on Writing Fiction by Elizabeth McCracken.
