An Interview with Marvellous Michael Anson: Epic Fantasy Worldbuilding, Anime Influences and Yoruba Mythology

Epic fantasy author Marvellous Michael Anson recently joined The Write and Wrong Podcast to discuss her upcoming novel, Heir of the Shadow, the highly anticipated sequel to her debut, Firstborn of the Sun. During the conversation, Anson unpacked the complexities of structuring a Yoruba-inspired fantasy world, the challenges of "second book syndrome", and the vital importance of treating traditional publishing like a business.

5 Key Takeaways for Writers:

• Magic should be mundane: A believable magic system shouldn't just be used for fighting; characters should use their powers for everyday domestic tasks like cooking or regulating body temperature.

• Worldbuilding stems from asking "what if?": You can build an entire fantasy ecology by observing real-world contradictions—such as seeing snow-capped mountains in the middle of the Sahara Desert.

• Discovery writers need "signposts": Even if you write by the seat of your pants (pantsing), having a few loose narrative lampposts ensures your subconscious is always working towards the correct ending.

• Timelines are rigid: When plotting an epic fantasy series, establish the laws of your world and the ages of your characters early; you cannot easily alter historical timelines in a sequel to serve a new plot point.

• Separate the writer from the business: To survive traditional publishing emotionally, authors must learn to take off their "writer hat" and put on a "business hat," viewing their beloved book as a commercial product.

  
  

What Is the Firstborn of the Sun Series About?

Firstborn of the Sun and its sequel, Heir of the Shadow, are Yoruba-inspired epic fantasy adventures that follow a protagonist named Laura as she navigates a treacherous political court. In a world where everyone can harness the power of the sun—using heat energy or cold shadow magic—Laura is born completely devoid of this innate magic. To survive, she must mimic sun magic by secretly drawing upon the power of the "old gods" from the Yoruba pantheon, such as Shango, the god of fire and lightning. The series utilizes an ensemble cast with four distinct points of view, chronicling a looming war and a deadly succession crisis over the Kingdom's gilded throne.

How Do You Build an Epic Fantasy Magic System?

Anson built her epic fantasy magic system by blending physical science with inspiration taken from popular anime shows like Fire Force and Avatar: The Last Airbender. After flying over the Sahara Desert and marvelling at how snow could exist alongside hot sand, she designed a magic system based on thermal extremes: heat energy (agbara ooru) and cold energy (agbara tutu). Crucially, she researched anime to see how elemental magic would function in a day-to-day setting. Because harnessing the sun is as natural as breathing in her world, citizens intuitively use their magic to cook meals and regulate their body heat, grounding the fantastical elements in everyday reality.

How Does Discovery Writing Work for a Fantasy Trilogy?

Discovery writing (or "pantsing") a fantasy trilogy works best when the author establishes loose narrative "signposts" while allowing the character choices to evolve naturally during the drafting process. Anson originally conceived Firstborn of the Sun as a standalone novel, but after writing 120,000 words, she realised she was only at the end of act one. By committing to a trilogy, she gave herself a broad roadmap—a beginning, a midpoint exile, and a final war—but leaves the exact mechanics of how the characters reach those milestones entirely open. This flexible approach allows her to organically integrate new ideas, provided they don't break the rigidly established historical timelines of her universe.

What Is the Best Advice for Debut Traditionally Published Authors?

The best advice for debut traditionally published authors is to find a "publishing buddy" and mentally separate the creative process from the commercial product. Anson stressed that while a manuscript is precious to the author who wrote it, it is ultimately a business product to the publisher. New writers often struggle with this transition. To protect her emotional well-being during the stressful editing and launch phases, Anson actively switches out of her "writer hat" and into "project management mode," relying heavily on open, honest communication with her editor when she feels overwhelmed.