A Conversation with J.M. Wallace

1) Let’s get to know one another. What is your Author name; use your Pen name if you have one.

J.M. Wallace

2) What is your genre and what drew you to it?

New Adult/Adult Romantic Fantasy. I have always loved mythology and folklore, even as a little girl. And I think growing up as an only child, I really relied on my imagination to entertain myself.

When I was young, I had a beautiful white pony and anytime I would take her out on my own I would pretend to be riding in an enchanted forest, or to be on some big, magical adventure. Even when I was in school my head was in the clouds.

So, when I decided to really dive into writing, there was no question which genre I belonged in.

3) What is the hardest challenge in being a writer?

For me, it’s finding balance. I’m a stay at home mom and military wife so I have to be really flexible. I want to give my writing the effort and attention it deserves, without letting things like quality family time slip through the cracks.

Now in terms of indie publishing, the biggest challenge comes with the marketing!

4) What is the most important bit of information you would want to tell a person interested in publishing a book?

Surround yourself with other writers and authors! They will be your BIGGEST cheerleaders. Without my community I honestly never would have been brave enough to take the leap. And anytime you’re confused, need advice, or need help, they are the ones who will step up and get you through it.

5) Pick five books that are must-reads in your mind.

Oh boy! This is always a tough one because there are so many that I love. If I had to choose, I’d say my recent favorites have been From Blood and Ash, Six of Crows, The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices, and Practical Magic.

6) Which book villain would be the hardest to defeat?

That’s another tough one because in fantasy the villain always a weakness or there is some loophole to defeat them. I like to think that Samael from my series Claiming Elfhame is a particularly hard one to defeat. He wields powerful, ancient magic that comes from the realm itself. And he always has a plan b.

7) If you had to write in any other genre, what would that be and why?

Urban Fantasy. It wouldn’t be a far stretch from the epic/high fantasy that I already write, and I think it would be fun to dive into something more contemporary while keeping the same magical/mythological elements of fantasy that I love so much.

8) What is one book that is currently on your To-Be-Read list?

There are so many! Right now, I’m reading Blood on My Name by K. Elle. Morrison. But the Book of Magic by Holly black, Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton, and The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks are high on my list. I could keep going… My TBR is literally endless!

9) If you could live in any “book world” what would that be?

Prythian from the ACOTAR series. I would have so much fun exploring the different courts. I think I would have trouble choosing between living in the Velaris or the Autumn Court though (fall is my favorite season).

10) Do you own any interesting ‘bookish’ memorabilia or clothes? If so, what?

Probably more than I should! My favorites are my “house of wind bookclub” sweatpants from MoonlacebyYoly and my “Favorite Book Tropes” art prints by Book Babe Designs.

11) What is your best book memory?

When I was learning to read on my own, we lived on this little farm, and I sometimes my books out to this big tree behind the house so I could read to the sheep. It always made me feel like Belle from Beauty and the Beast!

12) What is the name of your book/series? Tell me a little bit about them.

My debut series was A Legacy of Darkness. I’d gotten the idea when I was pregnant with my son and spent years pinning inspiration on Pinterest for it and jotting little notes down here and there. Its aesthetic is a mix of Anastasia and the Witcher. We follow Shaye, the last of an ancient Druid line and Sorin, the newly crowned King of Asterion. When a blight starts spreading across the kingdom, they find themselves forced to work together to stop it. (its full of fast paced romance, mythical creatures, and dark magic!)

My new series Claiming Elfhame is a Fae Fantasy is sort of Cruel Prince, meets Red Queen. It follows Kelera, a half fae-half mortal woman who has spent her life trying to fit in with the mortals. When her best friend is taken by one of Unseelie Princes, she must venture into Elfhame to get her back. There is a lot of political intrigue, slow burn romance, and classic faerie folklore. (Book two has a bit of spice too, for all of my spicy booktok friends!)

13) Do you have a website? If so, what is it?

https://linktr.ee/acourtof.coffeeandbooks or jmwallaceauthor.com

14) Where can we find and follow you? (Name your social media platforms.)

TIKTOK https://www.tiktok.com/@jmwallace.author

IG https://www.instagram.com/j.m.wallaceauthor/

READER GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/519912325937559

DISCORD https://discord.gg/7ffRBYM8

15) If there anything important that you would want my readers to know about you?

I also co-host a podcast with author, Emily Fluke, called Moms, Books, and Magic: a podcast for moms who read and write fantasy! It launches in September. Our hope is to connect with others who are reading or writing fantasy books while juggling motherhood.

https://shows.acast.com/moms-books-and-magic/about