Dax Munro is a Fantasy and Suspense author from England who has written, The Flame Queen, Book One in The Legends of Peradon series. The Hybrid will be the next of three books that will be published in the series. She’s also in the process of writing her first suspense novel.
To describe herself, Dax says she’s a, “lifelong day-dreamer, coffee lover, and fantasy fanatic with Borderline Personality Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome.” I wanted to find out more about her writing and her journey.
Tell us about your book, The Flame Queen.
The Flame Queen follows young Flame Princess, Violetta as she learns to deal with the tragic deaths of her mother and brother. Though she was never destined to take her father’s throne, this duty now falls on her shoulders, a duty Violetta longs to be free from.
With pressure mounting from her father to find a suitable husband, Violetta ends up in the arms of their rival ruler, the mysterious Frost Emperor, Ryore. But Ryore has many secrets, and a bounty on his head.
What are some of the themes in the narrative?
- Teenage rebellion
- Childhood trauma/loss
- Family relationships
- Royal responsibilities
- Young love (Infatuation)
What inspired you to write The Flame Queen?
When I originally began writing this book (previously titled Phoenix), I was in the process of healing from a broken heart. As a young woman, I was incredibly naive and failed to listen to my gut instincts when I should have been. Violetta came to represent this naivety that lay at the core of my being, her desire to be free of certain duties mimicking the freedom I desperately wanted from the judgement of those closest to me.
Emperor Ryore’s character (by contrast) represents the man I had become infatuated with. At first, this person seemed charming, funny and compassionate but as time wore on, they became increasingly deceptive and cruel. This is something I wanted to display in Ryore’s character and certainly in his relationship with Princess Violetta.
How does being autistic influence your writing?
As a child, I grew up feeling very confused about how others interacted not just with me but with those around us. Social cues never came to me automatically and even today, certain conversations may take me some time to learn how to navigate.
At the same time, being autistic has ignited my love of reading and writing and has allowed me to project a unique perspective into the world through my creative projects.
Who’s your illustrator and why was she perfect for capturing the spirit of your book?
The German Creative: also known to me as Les.
Les is a phenomenal graphic artist. She has an MBA in digital arts with years of experience designing stunning book covers. I chose to work with her because she understands what I’m looking for whenever we speak. She’s professional, affordable, and creates eye grabbing designs.
Who is the ideal reader and how do you see the book being used?
When I imagine an ideal reader for The Flame Queen, I envision a young woman named Katie in her late teens or early twenties with a long-time passion for the fantasy genre.
The Flame Queen is suitable for readers age 14+
I see the book being used for a leisurely reading experience and to hopefully teach young people about different perspectives while growing up.
What’s the message you want your readers to take away after reading the book?
Sometimes, what we think will set us free while we’re young will actually cause us more harm than good. It’s important to think through every major decision we make, especially when we’re young and more impulsive.
‘Be careful what you wish for.’
Is there anything else that’s important to share about your books?
Every book I write has a protagonist that struggles with some sort of mental health issue, be it:
- The repercussions of childhood trauma
- PTSD and related flashbacks
- Depression and Anxiety
I hope that by writing such characters, young people and those with mental health problems will see themselves represented more often within literature. Perhaps they will relate to a specific character and learn how to overcome an issue in their own life.
Do you have a proud moment you’d like to share?
One proud moment was receiving an honourable mention in the 2017 Reader’s Favourite Book Awards when I first published Phoenix (now entitled The Flame Queen.) I remember waking up and checking the contest results, only to find myself included in the winner’s section.
I recall the headrush I felt in that moment: it came on so suddenly that my vision blurred.
Grabbing my phone, I texted those closest to me, exclaiming in joy about what I’d just learned. It was the first time in my life that I felt such pride in myself and my abilities. Ever since then, I’m even more certain that I’m on the right path in life, one that I have immense passion for.
If our readers leave with only one message after reading this interview, what would you like it to be?
Always keep an open mind when beginning a new book. Forget the styles of other authors you know and focus only on the new adventure you have begun. Judge that new adventure not against others but on its own merit, by how it made you feel and what you took away from that singular reading experience.
Books can have a tremendous impact on our lives, if only we pick the right books.
What words of encouragement can you offer to other autistic creatives?
If you are truly passionate about something, don’t ever give up. Do your research, learn the ropes and improve over time. As long as you have the passion for something and work hard at it, you have the chance to do something great.
Strive for greatness but be open to criticism and change. When you encounter obstacles, seek guidance and problem-solving advice from those you love and trust. From there on, the more you work toward your goals, the more likely you are to achieve them.
Discover more about Dax and her books on:
- The Flame Queen on Amazon*
- Buy an audio version of The Flame Queen on Amazon/Audible*
- Dax Amazon Author Page
- Find her on Goodreads
If you liked this interview, you may also like:
- Wisdom from the Mind of an Autistic Author!
- Giving Readers a Chance to See an Autistic Character Save the World!
- Secret of the Songshell
- More books by autistic authors
- More curious interviews with interesting authors and entrepreneurs
- Shop in our Amazon Influencer Autism Book Shop
*The links to buy the books are our affiliate links. By purchasing using these links, you will not only support the author, you’ll be raising funds to support our autistic team of contributors for their work too.
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