"The Sea Spinner" is the second book in the Reign of Remnants trilogy. Be sure to check out the interview with Julie Johnson to learn more.
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
My newest novel "The Sea Spinner" is the second book in my Reign of Remnants trilogy, a continuation of the story that began in my 2025 release THE WIND WEAVER. My inspiration for this entire series was actually a song: “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac. The lyrics got stuck in my head one afternoon while I was singing (terribly off-key) in the shower. I couldn’t stop thinking about a character who “rules the skies like a fine skylark.” “A woman taken by the wind.” A heroine who embodies the element of air. A wind weaver. And so, the character Rhya Fleetwood was born. The first book is dedicated to Stevie Nicks, the writer of that song, in thanks for the inspiration.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
To me, Reading Rainbow means reading intentionally and inclusively. Supporting authors with diverse voices and perspectives. Specifically seeking stories that include LGBTQIA+ characters and queer-normative worlds. Representation in fiction matters more than ever in an era of book bans and restrictive legislation.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
Our real world is made up of so many different types of people… why wouldn’t a fictional world be the same? I find joy in creating characters that feel vivid and alive, with widely varying points of view and lived experiences. Characters who are perhaps going through the very same struggles as the person at home, holding the book. As an author, there are few things more heartwarming than getting a message from a reader who recognized parts of themself in a specific character, or related strongly to a certain plot point.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
The Reign of Remnants trilogy is, at its core, the story of four incarnated elements – air, fire, water, earth – scattered to remote corners of their ravaged realm, who must find each other and restore the balance of magic before it dies out completely. I set out to create four main characters who fully embody their elements, not only in how they wield their powers but in everything they do. How they talk, how they move… even how they love. And ultimately, I wanted those unique dynamics to inform their interactions with each other. Their inherent compatibilities – and unyielding incompatibilities – were wildly fun to play with on the page.
What can fans expect from your book?
A war-torn world brimming with prejudices and power imbalances. Complex characters in high stakes scenarios. Found family. Big battles. And monsters – of both the physical and mental variety – to be conquered.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
Early next year, the third and final installment in the Reign of Remnants trilogy will be released. It’s the darkest of the three books in terms of content and tone, exploring the fallout of immense loss and the devastating consequences of war. And yet, for all its darkness, it is somehow also the most joyful, fulfilling, and romantic of the trilogy. (In my opinion, at least!) Look for it in February 2027.
