The spark for the Realm Chronicles series came from an image of a female fairy hunched in a meadow. She looked afraid or anxious and questions began swirling in my head.
Tricia Copeland – 11 December 2025 – Tricia Copeland
The Back Flap
Evil lurks in unexpected places.
Poised to usher in a new era of unity for all fae, Queen Titania grasps for a solution for her people. With chaos in the human realm and her own, she’s stretched to make progress in either.
She finds she can’t turn her back on the witches when they’re so close to finding the key to ending Sonia’s reign of terror, but Titania worries for her fae and their need for continuity.
Both realms are on a collision course with chaos, and Titania must choose whether her people will be best served by aiding in the battle the witches wage against Sonia or by stabilizing warring forces in the fae realm.
One fateful day turns the tide, leaving Titania questioning all her allies.
How do you stop evil when it resides within everyone?
To be a Fae is the final book in the Realm Chronicles series and a harrowing, twisted tale of a fae queen’s attempts to secure the realms of Middle and Upper Earth.
Read To be a Fae to embolden Titania as she fights for peace today!
About the book
What is the book about?
To be a Fae is a young adult fantasy about a fae (fairy) queen, Queen Titania, who many in her realm believe to be the prophesied one destined to end all evil. The final book in the Realm Chronicles series, To be a Fae, finds Titania not only challenged to figure out how to stop the evil spirit hunting her people, but at odds with other leaders in her realm.
When did you start writing the book?
The first book in the Realm Chronicles series, To be a Fae Queen, published in 2021 and the finale, To be a Fae, released in July of 2025.
How long did it take you to write it?
To be a Fae took about six months to write and another two months for edits and proofreading.
Where did you get the idea from?
The spark for the Realm Chronicles series came from an image of a female fairy hunched in a meadow. She looked afraid or anxious and questions began swirling in my head. Why was she afraid? Who was she? How might she stop those who threatened her? What type of world did she live in? What type of powers do her and her people have?
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
From the start, I knew where I wanted the Realm Chronicles to begin and end, but showing the character’s progression, from young impetuous new queen to thoughtful ruler, took figuring out how to highlight her transformation, what challenges may show these changes in her, and what trials would shape her final decisions in the series. It was really hard for me to write the character through her low points of distress and sadness.
What came easily?
The parts and scenes that came easily for me were her interactions with those closest to her, her joy in their love, her zeal for her cause, and her courage in times of difficulty.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
My characters are entirely fictitious but I don’t think an author can completely cut themselves off from taking bits and pieces of personalities from people we know.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I love stories with strong character leads so series like The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Vampire Diaries, all set the stage for me weaving characters and plots into my own new worlds and stories.
Do you have a target reader?
My target reader is anyone who loves magic, strong female characters, fantastical worlds, and an assortment of fantasy characters from witches, to wolves, elves, vampires, hybrids, and everyone in between.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Before I start writing I figure out how I want the book to begin and end, the climax point of the story, as well as a few high and low points in between. I create the world, rules of the world, and people that inhabit it, the characters and their back stories.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Instead of outlining I create a plot diagram or three act plot beat sheet with the major plot points of the story. I generally create this on a large poster sheet with sticky notes for plot items that can be moved around and added to. For series, I outline a brief outline after I write each chapter so my editor and I can go back and reference things easily.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit somewhat as I go depending on how quickly the story is flowing for me. Generally, at the beginning of a writing session, I’ll review a few pages from the prior session, revising if I decide changes are needed and then moving forward.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes, a professional editor is a must for me. Me and my editor complete two editing sessions with them returning suggestions on story, plot, characters, as well as grammar, in the first round. Afterwards, I tweak the story to fix problems and then send the manuscript back for a second edit. After the issues from the first two edits are resolved, a proofreader proofs the book for final error checks.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I am not a music or noise person when I’m writing or focused on a project. Silence is golden for me.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
The first manuscript I wrote I submitted to over three-hundred agents within a span of six months. I received a couple of whole manuscript requests but decided that I wanted more control over my book content and how I wanted it released.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I am a very impatient person who likes to have control over projects. After querying for six months, and I know this is not a long time as many authors query for two years finally finding their agent and publishing deal, I decided to indie publish. My best friend, editor, and formatter were self-publishing and helped guide me.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I’ve used several amazing professional cover designers including Daryl McCool of dam Cool Graphics and Eleanor Lloyd-Jones of Shower of Schmidt Designs.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’ve learned a lot about marketing from my ten plus years in publishing. I’ve developed several different formats for reaching readers and staying connected with them from social media, to newsletter, staying active in the Goodreads and Bookbub reader communities, blog posts, and videos. I also host a podcast entitled Finding the Magic Book Podcast that hosts other authors to learn about them and their books.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Many decisions and options in indie publishing can be based on your skill set, time, and how much money you have to spend on things like editing, covers, formatting, and marketing. My top advice is finding quality people who deliver good products and support your work.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in southeastern United States in a small, rural town in south Georgia known for pine trees, water moccasins, and alligators.
Where do you live now?
I now live on the front range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I believe creating stories is a kind of magic and that each of us has our own type of magic to share with the world. I believe magic lives in people, nature, and technology and we hold the power to see, hone, and impart change through magic, i.e. by being your own wonderful magical self and sharing your gifts with the world.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am in the editing stages for a romance entitled Perfect Secrets to be released under the Maria Jane pen name in June of 2026. I have another romance in that series started with the working title My, Not-so-Perfect, Cop, and a new YA fantasy featuring a nix character in the story planning stage.
End of Interview:
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Get your copy of To Be A Fae from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
