What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
The idea for the Ravenglass Legends came to me on a flight from Cairo to Luxor. Looking out over the Nile cutting through the desert, I found myself thinking about the rise and fall of civilisations—how cultures clash, how power shifts, and what happens to people caught in the middle of that change. That moment became the seed for Ragnar and Maja’s story. While travelling through Egypt, those ideas deepened. Visiting the Egyptian Museum, I started thinking about cultural ownership—who history belongs to, and how power shapes that narrative. That fed directly into Maja’s storyline, especially her experience in the imperial court, surrounded by artefacts taken from her homeland. The monuments left a big impression, too.
Places like the pyramids and Karnak showed how empires project strength through architecture, and how each generation leaves its mark. That influenced the design and feel of the Ostreich Empire, as well as the sense that this is a world shaped by layers of history rather than a single moment in time. At its core, the series is about cultures in collision. Meerand represents a proud, independent way of life, while Ostreich embodies expansion, control, and assimilation. Ragnar and Maja are caught between those forces, each trying to hold onto their identity while adapting to survive. That tension between who you are and what the world is trying to turn you into became the heart of the story.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
For Ragnar, it would have to be My Own Summer (Shove It) by Deftones. The song captures Ragnar’s controlled aggression, defiance, and that sense of pushing back against something bigger than you. For Maja, I’ll pick All Is Full of Love by Björk. The track combines emotional depth with something slightly otherworldly.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I read widely, but I always come back to fantasy. I love stories with impossible choices, complex characters, and a world where even the most noble actions can have unforeseen consequences. It’s the genre I love writing, as I enjoy everything that goes into it—from historical research and building a magic system to coming up with new ways to make life harder for my characters.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My TBR grows with each book I read. I don't think I'll ever be able to keep up. I’m currently working through The Wandering Inn, which is a fun LitRPG with emotional depth.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
There are so many! I only write a scene if it excites me, so the whole process is fun for me. The one that was most satisfying to write was the opening chapter of the first book. This came to me fully formed on that flight from Cairo to Luxor, and it was a great feeling to get that down on the page and start Ragnar and Maja’s adventure.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I’m a full-time author, but I have the quirk of only working on what excites me most on any given day. This is both for my sanity and so I know I’m writing the best books I can. It also means that I’m very inconsistent. At the moment, I’ve got seven open projects, and this week I’ve gone back to working on a series I haven’t touched in three years. Everything gets finished eventually, and overall, I’m more productive. It’s just not as consistent as a lot of other authors.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Story is everything. The rest is padding.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
That the most dangerous people aren’t the strongest—they’re the ones willing to think differently.
