A new year means new books, and new authors. I’m so excited to talk with author Ann Michelle Harris about her debut release, North.
Tell me about your latest book.
My debut novel North is a YA (crossover) fairytale fantasy romance with Black leading characters. Kai is a captive boy who can heal from any injury. With his cynical attitude and strong fighting skills, he’s destined for a lot of suffering. But when he meets a princess with a murdered father, his dangerous adventures are just beginning. Now Kai is a brother to Wil, a reckless prince trapped by destiny and Cara, a warrior princess dodging a political marriage and fighting attacks from the evil North. But when Kai suddenly disappears, Cara must decide how far she will go to save Kai, and her kingdom, from the queen of the North. It’s a story of forbidden romance, found family, brotherhood, and fighting for what you believe in. It also deals with issues of poverty, bigotry, grief, self-forgiveness, and the true, sacrificial nature of love. As a YA crossover, it’s appropriate for everyone from teens to adults.
Why did you decide to write it?
I have always enjoyed reading fantasy adventure stories for myself and with my children. But I was disappointed by the lack of diverse leading characters in most of the books. Often the Black character was limited to the witty sidekick or the character who dies early in the story to motivate the hero. So, I decided to create an adventure with Black heroic characters in a satisfying fantasy adventure. As the fantasy book world slowly becomes more diverse, my hope is to fill the niche of encouragement, particularly for teens and young adults. Trauma and social justice are important parts of my storytelling but ultimately my focus is on strength, belonging, love, and triumph.
Who is your favorite character and why?
My favorite character in my novel North is definitely Cara. She’s a demoted warrior princess fighting to protect her kingdom while avoiding a forced political marriage. She is strong, fierce, and clever, and she’s not afraid to run to a sword fight. But she’s also relatably flawed and insecure at times. I hope Black girls and women will relate to and be inspired by the struggle to find your strength and believe in yourself even when others doubt you.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I’ve loved books since I was a very young girl. I spent my early years in Kingston, Jamaica, and my parents would always buy me books, which I always devoured. My first chapter book was Nancy Drew. It set me on a lifelong love of books and stories, particularly adventure stories with strong female leads.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
I’m a lawyer by day so that would be (and is) my alternate career. Even as a child, I’ve had a strong sense of justice. And, a career as an advocate is a great way to help others. Litigation can be a form of storytelling, and it is definitely always an adventure. As a lawyer, I’ve spent years working with people in difficult situations, and I’ve tried to convey that kind of courage in my writing.
What author would you fangirl over?
I loved N.K. Jemisin’s novel The Fifth Season. It’s an incredibly profound and intense vision of the future with a very unique writing style. Like North, it has Black lead characters and takes a creative, speculative approach to current, real-life issues of social justice. Jemisin does amazing things with point of view and story timelines that I would definitely fangirl over.
What books have you read lately and loved?
I love Edwidge Danticat’s Everything Inside. It’s a collection of short fiction dealing with interpersonal relationships and the human condition. She does a stunning job of elevating ordinary, relatable experiences into profound, unforgettable, emotional explorations.
What books are you most excited to read next?
I’m just starting Wanda M. Morris’s All Her Little Secrets. It’s a twisty murder thriller featuring a Black female lawyer, and it’s set in my hometown of Atlanta. So, it’s checking all the boxes of relatable adventure for me. I’m also looking forward to reading Soul of the Stone by Sharina Harris. It’s a YA vampire / slayer romance sequel to Sign of the Slayer. It’s a great story with strong Black male and female lead characters in a fantasy setting.
What’s next for you?
I’m excited for the debut of North in January 2025. It will be available for order everywhere (Target, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, etc.), and we’ll have a book launch at Eagle Eye Books in Decatur, Georgia. Additionally, my second short story Drive will be featured in the upcoming Sisters in Crime, Guppy Chapter anthology, Crime Takes a Holiday, arriving February 2025. I’m also already working on the sequel to North, which lots of people have already asked me about. I can’t wait to share the next adventure.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I’m so thankful to have this time to share my writing journey with you. As the fantasy writing world slowly becomes more diverse, my hope is to fill the niche of encouragement, particularly for teens and young adults. My goal is to use fantasy adventures to connect to and symbolize real-life struggles and motivations. I’m very proud of my debut novel North for presenting young Black male and female characters in heroic lead roles and showing positive, mature, parental characters as well.
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To learn more about author Ann Michelle Harris, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
https://annmichelleharris.com and https://linktr.ee/annmichelleharris
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