Skye Melki-Wegner is a Young Adult and Middle Grade fantasy author. The second book in her latest MG trilogy, The Deadlands: Trapped, comes out October 3rd, 2023. While we wait in anticipation for this upcoming book, Skye sat down to answer some questions for RC1 about her writing and publishing path.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your books?
My name is Skye and I live in Melbourne, Australia. I write fantasy books for kids and young adults, with a focus on magic, friendship and adventure.
My latest trilogy, The Deadlands, is a middle grade adventure about warring dinosaur kingdoms. I first had the idea when I was working at a museum for the summer. Early one morning I stood near the dinosaur display, waiting for museum to open – and inspiration struck.
In the silence, I started picturing ankylosaur battles, tyrannosaurs hunting my heroes across the desert, a gang of young misfits struggling to survive… And by the time the museum opened, I had a plan for a trilogy!
You’ve written both young adult and children’s literature. Do you have a favorite out of these two genres? If so, why?
Honestly, I love writing for both age groups! The Deadlands is my first foray into middle grade and I’m having an absolute blast writing for a slightly younger readership.
Books were a critical source of escape and adventure while I was growing up, and I have fond memories of being a self-proclaimed “bookworm” at that age. It’s such a thrill to share my own stories with the next generation of young readers!
You pursued a degree in law before deciding to write fantasy. What pushed you to choose this path rather than a career in law? Do you have any advice for others who may feel stuck between writing and a completely different career?
As a kid, my ultimate dream was to become an author – but as I grew up, I came to realise that it wasn’t the most financially viable job. After finishing high school, I studied law to pursue a more “sensible” career path. Of course, I kept writing fiction on the side!
At the tail end of my studies, I landed my first publishing deal – and found myself at something of a crossroads. If I jumped into a highly demanding legal career, I feared that I wouldn’t have time or energy to write.
In the end, I prioritised my writing and took a variety of day jobs on the side, as well as teaching writing workshops for kids. Over the years, I’ve worked in retail, at a cinema and at a museum – which is where I had the idea for The Deadlands! Since 2018, I’ve been working in a very sensible office job.
Balancing a day job and writing can be a struggle – and sometimes, you need to think creatively to make it feasible. That might mean waking up an hour earlier, or writing during your lunchbreak. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with decent public transport, I really recommend writing during your commute! I’ve written huge chunks of my books while riding the bus or the train to work.
In what ways has your writing evolved since starting your journey as an author?
At university, I went through a phase of writing literary short stories, cramming a dozen layers of symbolism into every sentence. These tales were generally bleak and depressing, nothing like the books I loved to read. I felt as though I needed to write “serious” fiction to prove myself as a writer.
These days, I feel confident to write what I love to read. As a reader, I’ve always adored stories about magic, danger, friendship and adventure! And as an author, I try to fill my books with story elements that make me happy.
What did your path to publishing look like? Do you have any advice for authors who stand on the threshold of publishing?
My main advice is to write what brings you joy and excitement, rather than trying to chase trends in the industry. Different genres will be favoured at different times. In the time I’ve been writing for young adults, I’ve seen crazes for paranormal romance, dystopian, quirky contemporary and everything between!
When something is the hot new genre, it’s so tempting to jump on the bandwagon. It feels like the magic solution to landing an agent and a book deal. But ultimately, I think it’s more rewarding to write what you’re passionate about – and your work will be all the stronger for it. When I pitched and sold The Deadlands, fantasy adventures about dinosaurs certainly weren’t trendy, but my passion came through in the writing and won over my agent and publisher.
Writing is a continual learning process. Are there any ways you continue to hone your craft as a writer?
Well, the obvious answer is to read widely – and not just in your own genre. Although I write fantasy adventures, I also love to read mysteries, thrillers and whodunnit stories. By doing so, I’ve learnt a lot about weaving suspense and juggling intricate plotlines.
I also enjoy books about writing as a craft, which can provide invaluable tips for weaving compelling plots or crafting interesting characters. There are so many awesome books out there for fiction writers if you’re willing to look!
Finally, I recommend seeking feedback on your work. Constructive criticism is incredibly important and helps you to identify weak spots. If you have friends or family members who are avid readers, let them read your manuscript and give their honest opinions. You can also find other writers to be your critique partners, reading and commenting on one another’s manuscripts.
Can you provide links to any websites or social channels you’d like readers to follow?
Website: www.skyemelki-wegner.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkyeOhWhy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyeohwhy/
