Meet Isla Melysin, author of “Siren, Book One of The Trident Throne Trilogy”
Tell us what your book, “Siren, Book One of The Trident Throne Trilogy” is about!
Sure! Here’s the summary:
Siren is an epic high fantasy saga set in Ardaion, a realm whose wellspring of power is tied to its unbroken line of predatory Siren Queens.
Serena— rejected by her mother the High Queen and being raised by her grandfather, a legendary general— straddles two worlds: politics and the raw power of her siren bloodline. When an enemy threatens invasion, Serena is ordered to cross the sea, seize the contested island of Skaera, and raise a new court in the shadow of war.
She must confront rival courts, fractured loyalties, and the bonds of love.
Kingdoms will clash, myths will wake, and one siren princess comes of age.
What did you love most about writing this book?
I loved the freedom to create a sweeping world of myth, magic, and complex relationships. Writing Serena’s journey—from a daughter haunted by loss and power into a leader who redefines her destiny—let me explore the depths of loyalty, grief, leadership, and hope in a way that felt both personal and epic. The found family, the painful choices, and the tension between duty and desire made every chapter a new adventure for me as the author, and hopefully you as the reader.
How did you start writing?
I started writing as a way to escape during a difficult period in my life. Fantasy has always been my favorite genre; I love its ability to tackle real-world themes in extraordinary settings and the escapism it offers. Eventually, those stories grew into something bigger, and I realized I wanted to share them.
Tell us a little bit about your self-publishing experience.
Self-publishing was both thrilling and daunting. I enjoyed the creative control, from designing my world to the cover art process. But it was also a steep learning curve: editing, formatting, marketing, and all the behind-the-scenes logistics. I had previously published two adult coloring books under a different name, but a novel was a very different beast! Connecting with other indie authors and learning from the community was invaluable. Every step, from editors to navigating Amazon KDP and Ingram, taught me something new.
What was your biggest challenge in bringing the book to market and how did you solve it?
The biggest challenge was balancing the perfectionism of revision with the need to finally hit “publish.” Worldbuilding in epic fantasy can feel endless, though it is my favorite part! I solved it by building a trusted team of beta readers, editors, and supportive fellow writers who helped me see the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses. Their feedback, along with setting deadlines and goals for myself, made it possible to stay on track, trust the process, and trust myself.
What's one piece of advice you have for other writers?
Write the story only you can tell, and don’t wait for permission to start, or to finish. Perfection is the enemy of progress. Find your community, ask for feedback, and don’t be afraid to put your work out there. Every book, even your first draft, is worth celebrating.
Anything else you want folks to know?
If you love complex heroines, morally grey themes, magic, and slow burn romance set against the backdrop of an unfolding war, Siren might be for you. Book Two, Twilight, is coming soon, so you won’t be left waiting long for the next chapter in Serena’s journey!
What's the link to your book?
