My first Interview!-Written by Mary Regan – Published 5/22/24

Interview with author Joyce Serrano

Mary Regan mary@propublicist.com

Publish Pros referred me to one of its author clients, Joyce Serrano, of Ladson.

Originally from West Virginia, Serrano came to the Lowcountry in 2002. She was born in Quantico, Virginia, and she (and her late husband) were in the Marines for several years.

She was inspired to write her first novel after binge-watching superhero movies and supernatural television shows during a hurricane lockdown. Since 2018, she has self-published the first two of “The Turned Gods Series” of her science fiction books: “Original Grace” and “Immortals in the Everything.” In addition, she has authored two novella companion books that explain her characters: “Galin’s Alley” comes before book No. 1 and “Lilly’s Game” is between books No. 1 and No. 2. More books are on the way.

Regan: Joyce, how did you think of the storylines for all these books you’ve written? Is it true you had a series of recurring dreams that led you to write a short story and then a full-length novel?

Serrano: I’ve always had very vivid dreams. One particular dream refused to leave me alone. It became so repetitive that I saw it during the day. One night, I opened a blank Word document and began writing, hoping to get it out of my head. I had around 20 pages several hours later, and everything grew from there. I never planned on writing anything, much less a full-blown series. The story continues to flow, and I don’t see it stopping soon.

R: Can you briefly outline each of the main characters?

S: The story begins with Grace, an immortal woman abandoned on Earth in the early fourth century with no memories and an unexplained amulet around her neck she can’t remove. Lukkas is a vampire she becomes involved with. He helps her become accepted into his family. Their vampire clan is led by Lukkas’s brother, Galin, and his mate, Vivienne. Ben is a god who has been hunting her. (Spoiler) He also turns out to be her estranged husband, creating a tense exchange since she doesn’t remember him. Other characters rounding off the first books are Ivan, the vampire Regent; Ami, an archangel and Grace’s best friend; Ma’at, a member of the Council of the Divine; and The Three, Grace and Ben’s formidable identical triplets, Aleksander, Erik and Mikkel.

R: Could you tell us the main plot of the two books?

S: The series’ main plotline starts on modern-day Earth, bringing the vampire species from their origins into the chaotic world of a multi-dimensional universe filled with other advanced species. Not everyone is happy with the turned being artificially advanced in their evolution, but there is a bigger issue. The Everything is growing darker. The question is, will Grace and her newly elevated gods be able to fix it? Or will other species stand in the way, allowing it to collapse in on itself and end life throughout all dimensions?

R: How did you think of the name “The Turned Gods Series?” Does that have to do with turning away from the usual perspectives that man has living life on Earth?

S: The Turned Gods is quite literal. The blood of gods changed the vampire race into an entirely new species with advanced abilities and a new perspective on how they fit into an increasingly unstable world.

R: Do you think companion books (novellas) are necessary? How often do authors provide them?

S: I love companion books. I haven’t seen them used as frequently as I’d like. How often do you read something and wonder about an interesting character who doesn’t necessarily get their due attention? There isn’t always room to dive into everyone’s story in a series. Companion books allow the writer to expand their universe and give dimension to otherwise underserved characters. I like to pick one or two from each book. I have two published books, and a third will be released after the third book in my main series later this summer.

R: Did you always have inherent writing ability, or did you have to learn about the science fiction genre?

S: I have always been a sci-fi/fantasy junkie. It’s an incredibly flexible genre where your imagination is limitless. I hadn’t done formal writing before starting the series, but I have always been a voracious reader. Like most writers, I have had to sacrifice much of my reading time for my writing. Before my first novel, I didn’t have the courage to put my inner thoughts out in such a public way.

R: You have the third companion book coming out when? Where are you at with books No. 4 and No. 5 in this series? Are any author book signings or readings in the region at bookstores or libraries coming up?

S: Book No. 3 of the main series – currently unnamed – will go into the editing stage at the end of this month and should be out mid-to-late summer. My next companion book, “Alex’s Retreat,” is finished but needs a final edit. It will be released after the third book of the main series. I have concepts for two more companion books. They will both come out next year if I can stay on schedule. I don’t have a fourth book planned for the main series, but that could change. I am working with Publish Pros to set up local events when my next book is released. I am open to doing book signings and readings. I can be reached through the contact form on my website, jserranowrites.com, which also has more book information.

Mary E. Regan is a columnist and freelance publicist with her propublicist.com consultancy. She is always seeking new publicity clients and writing projects. Email story ideas to mary@propublicist.com.