Introduce yourself; who are you and what types of books do you write?
Besides creating the Wisteraverse fantasy series and universe, I’m a computer scientist, the emotional support human to four cute cats, and a polyglot currently residing in the verdant region along the borders of Germany, France, and Luxembourg.
As someone who lives and breathes high fantasy, incorporating my own life and identity into my stories has been highly cathartic. I grew up with traditional fantasy books dominated by “pauper to prince” and the chosen orphan tropes, where getting the girl was the prize. In my books, I strive to tell stories of those who weren’t destined for greatness, yet fight for their survival against all odds and prevail in their own imperfect ways.
After receiving my Ph.D. with honors in informatics from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, I spent several years as a university lecturer and scientist, publishing in various scientific journals and conferences. But as much as I enjoyed research, no experience can ever compare to creating my own world and sharing it with my readers.
The Wisteraverse is the fruit of endless hours of outlining, drafting, writing, re-writing, revising, and revising some more. And, of course, over a million cups of the finest bergamot, black tea have gone into the creation of this universe. 
What are your books about?
I write SFF, predominantly high fantasy, though I have one or two speculative fiction works. Most of my stories are set on a little, obscure planet called Hymber within the vast Wisteraverse (Goddess Wistera’s universe), which exists fully developed in my mind. Like many high fantasy writers, I believe the world-building itself is a major part of these stories, from the race-based differences in color perception rendering the world colder and less vivid to commoners, who can only distinguish the blue-green hues, to the planet’s bizarre shape and diverse climate that, in turn, creates bizarre and diverse cultures.
Yet the core and heart of my stories are the inclusion of traditionally underrepresented identities and the subversion of the classic tropes. I write for that teenage girl I used to be, whose traumatic life made her too mature and cynical for her age. The girl who was never chosen, not destined for greatness, lived with parents who made her wish she had been an orphan, and who had received first-hand experiences, which, though great for drama and character backstories, no child or even adult should ever have to go through. So, to sum up, my stories are usually on the lighter side of grimdark as I strive to avoid gratuitous graphic violence.
What was the inspiration behind writing your first book?
I’ve just published what is technically my first genre fiction book. It started as a few chapters from the POVs of side characters in a novel that was initially supposed to be my debut. Yet after two years in the query trenches and being told to cut these side protagonists, since apparently paper has become too expensive, I resolved to self-publish them as a standalone, high fantasy novella, Killer Quill. The inspiration for the character Quill herself was a mixture of the desire to start a book by killing the “chosen one” and the idea that an assassin murdering with a quill could be quite cool!
What did you learn while writing your second book?
This is technically my second book, but the first to be published. Through this process, I learned a lot about self-publishing, the good, the bad, the ugly, but also the wonderfully rewarding side I might not have ever experienced had I not dared to take this leap. Some of what I’ve learned is not just relevant for fellow authors, but are also some rather shocking facts I wish I knew as a reader, especially about how certain platforms squeeze self-published authors simply because there’s no fairer option to publish their books. I believe many more readers would improve their opinion about self-published authors and books, and would be willing to give them a shot if only they knew some of what happens behind the scenes in this industry.
What is the most rewarding part of being an author?
My answer to this has changed over the years. Right now, the two most rewarding have been: holding my book in my hand, turning the pages, and being in awe of how much it “looks like a real book,” as well as every time I see a wonderful review by someone I’ve never even met or see someone post a photo of my physical (paperback) book they bought. The more of the latter I get, the less I’m convinced people are just buying my book as a favor, and the more I start to believe readers might actually like and identify with my book and characters!
What elements do you think make for a good story?
It’s a very hard question and requires a long answer. But at least for me, it’s a good blend of originality, internal consistency (especially regarding laws of magic), an engaging and sound plot, relatable, strong characters that, no matter how bizarre, are still realistic within that world, and ideally good prose.
Add to that enough respect for the habitual readers of the genre, as well as any cultures or identities that inspired the story in any way.
What is the hardest part of being an author for you?
It fluctuates between selling (whether querying agents or marketing self-published books) and getting enough of that first draft on the page. I’m too introverted for the former and too much of a perfectionist for the latter. Since I started querying, I struggle to shake off all the imaginary critics looking over my shoulder and clicking their collective tongues at every word and sentence I write. I’m also partially dyslexic, so have to triple check spellings, and the check them several times over!
What is your current writing project?
All I can divulge at this point is that it’s a villain origin story set on the same planet as Killer Quill but in a different country and culture. And it would be my own origin story if I ever could become a badass villain!
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Leigh Bardugo: “First drafts are inherently garbage.” See the part about my struggle with perfection and first drafts!
Where can readers discover more about you and your books?
All important info and links for my book(s) are listed here: https://wisteraverse.com/books/
My linktree page includes all my social media links (including TikTok & Youtube, where I’m trying to get more visibility) and a few links to where my book is sold: https://linktr.ee/Wisteraverse
The best platform to connect with me, read about whatever is going through my mind, and receive the latest news about me is Twitter (X): https://x.com/Wisteraverse
For a copious number of cute cat photos and a bit about my books, check my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewisteraverse/
Amazon link for ebook and paperback: https://a.co/d/dU6CffU
To purchase Killer Quill in PDF format (where I get higher royalties): https://payhip.com/Wisteraverse
Ko-fi for donations, if anyone is feeling particularly generous or wishes to be thanked in my next books: https://ko-fi.com/wisteraverse