Behind The Book With J.M. Shaw 

Publicist & friend Mickey Mikkelson has reconnected me with returning guest J.M. Shaw to discuss her new novel, The Convergence, which is a sequel to The Asension. 

Q: Welcome back to Book Notions J.M.! Would you please give a brief description of The Convergence? 

A: My fantasy saga continues in The Convergence.

Evil rises, spreading death and destruction across a still-fragile magical realm, and Callum Walker is drawn once more into peril. Ancient magic, powerful creatures, and dangerous rulers are beginning to reshape the fate of the realm, and the tenuous peace holding everything together is quickly unravelling.

Beings of old stir once more, and a dark queen rises to power, commanding forces capable of devastating entire armies. Hidden enemies emerge from the shadows, and alliances that once seemed secure begin to fracture.

For Callum and his companions, every step forward reveals new dangers, from friends and foes alike. The battles they face are no longer simple clashes of sword and shield—they are struggles that will determine the balance of power across the entire world.

As secrets unfold and destinies collide, Callum must decide what kind of hero he is willing to become.

Because when the moment of convergence arrives, the choices made in the shadows will decide the fate of the realm.

Fans of epic fantasy filled with monsters, magic, high-stakes adventure, and richly imagined worlds will find plenty to love in this expanding fantasy saga.

Q: Was writing the sequel to The Ascension more challenging since it’s the second book in the series, or did you find it easier? What lessons and emotions are you hoping readers feel, learn and connect with once they finish the book?

A: Writing The Convergence was easier in some ways and more challenging in others. Since I already understood the world, the magic system, and the characters on a much deeper level after writing The Ascension, I had only to build upon that foundation. I had grown alongside them, so their voices and emotional journeys felt more natural to me.

At the same time, there was an unspoken expectation to maintain the mood and elevate the scale of the adventure already established in the previous book. The stakes had to feel larger, the character development had to deepen, and the world itself needed to expand in a meaningful way without losing the heart of what made the first novel resonate with readers. More than anything, I placed tremendous pressure on myself to create something as emotionally impactful as The Ascension.

It is my hope that readers are captivated by my fantasy world and empathize with the characters, just as deeply as they did with the first book. While every novel in my saga is steeped in magic and shaped by conflict, at its core, the series is an exploration of identity, belonging, resilience, and the battle between light and darkness that exists within each of us. 

Q: What may fans expect in book 3? How many books do you plan on writing in The Ascension series? 

A: In my third novel, The Fractured Veil, readers can expect the stakes to escalate as Callum faces profound challenges that push him to the brink and threaten to be his undoing. This book not only expands upon the history, lore, and beings of the magical realm but also deepens existing relationships and forces my protagonist to confront painful truths about himself and his existence. 

 Although rife with danger, conflict, and adventure, it is at its core a story about resilience, healing, and finding strength through love. Through Callum’s trauma, I convey how anguish, both emotional and physical, can skew our thinking, distort our perception of reality, and poison our hopes for the future. Along those lines, I emphasize the importance of seeking help, sharing our experiences, and relying on the support of friends and family, all of which are vital to one’s recovery. While pain and hardship are an inescapable part of life, the love and support of those we trust can minimize our suffering and strengthen us when we are weak.

As for the rest of the series, the first four books have been published, the fifth is in the works, and the sixth has been plotted. Though I am aiming for nine books, the exact number is not yet locked in.