Q&A With Tricia Copeland

Mickey Mikkelson connected me with fantasy author Tricia Copeland to do this Q&A with her today. Tricia is the author of The Realm Chronicles Series and there are 4 books so far in the series. Each book is To Be A Fae Queen, To Be A Fae Guardian, To Be A Fae Legend & To Be A Fae Rogue. 

Q: Tricia, would you please give a brief description of each of your books in The Realm Chronicles Series starting with book 1? 

A: The Realm Chronicles series begins with To be a Fae Queen. In To be a Fae Queen, Princess Titania finds her kingdom in peril. A group of invading monsters are stealing the ring crystals that ensure her fae can get light and water from the human realm. Titania and a new friend discover how to defeat the monsters, and, spoiler alert, her father makes her queen. As the first female monarch in the fae realm she faces many challenges to her crown, some from within her castle walls. But Titania discovers a power she didn’t know she possessed and a legend that prophesies one to end all evil. In To be a Fae Guardian Titania’s kingdom becomes plagued by locusts. But these locusts seem to be driven by something more than simple hunger. Titania struggles to hone her new powers before her land is decimated by swarms of insects. In To be a Fae Legend, Titania continues to be hunted by the evil spirit. Not only must she figure out how to rid her realm of this demon, but she’s also tasked with finding a husband to placate her elders. When the two goals collide Titania must make an irreversible choice, to save herself or save her kingdom. Not to divulge too many spoilers, in To be a Fae Rogue Titania’s kingdom is now led by her cousin. The evil spirit has turned their attention to the human realm, causing earthquakes and volcanoes to rock the bedrock of the fae realm. How can this evil be stopped without the one thought to end all evil? The finale to the series, To be a Fae, releases in July of 2025 and promises drama and surprises galore!

Q: Where did the idea for The Realm Chronicles Series come from? I enjoy reading stories with magic, what made you want to write in the fantasy genre? 

A: The idea for the Realm Chronicles series arose from a call for stories to submission to an anthology featuring fantasy characters with mental health challenges. The anthology announcement featured a fairy who appeared to be frightened. The image launched the idea for a fairy, or fae, character, a fae princess, who suffered from anxiety and panic attacks. The anthology never got off the ground, but I had a short story that launched an idea for a whole new fantasy world. 

I write in the fantasy genre because I’ve always loved reading about magical worlds and characters. From my first introduction to the Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz series, I’ve been hooked on fantasy books. I love the escape of the fantasy genre.

Q: Are you writing book 5 in The Realm Chronicles series or are you writing something different or a combination of both?

A: Right now, I am writing book 5 of the Realm Chronicles series, To be a Fae, which will be released in July of 2025. I generally hop between my romance and fantasy genres but while I was on a roll from the release of To be a Fae Rogue decided to keep my momentum going with the finale to the series.

Q: What lessons & emotions do you want readers to learn and feel after reading The Realm Chronicles series? 

A: First, I want readers to experience an exciting roller coaster ride of surprise, fun, fear, love, heartbreak, anger, determination, and wonder. But also, each book in the Realm Chronicles series contains a different theme. Titania struggles with issues such as trust, faith, acceptance, sacrifice, and forging her own path, things I believe we all are challenged with at some point.

Q: If The Realm Chronicles series were to become a television series or a movie series, who would be your dream cast to play the characters you created? The entertainment industry needs new original content again. More book ideas could help them out. 

A: Titania is the lead, and I think Zendaya (Spider Man, Euphoria, Dune) would be excellent for her character. Titania has four cousins who are featured as well and I can see Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones), Emma Watson (Harry Potter), Lola Kirk (Mozart in the Jungle), and Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) in these roles. I think Tanner Buchanan (Designated Survivor) would make an excellent Foster for the series, and Jacob Latimore (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), a great DJ.