Hey y’all! Happy Black History Month! I know during February, the Black community often spends time looking back at how far we’ve come. We didn’t just survive, we did the work, we broke the barriers, and we created (Period!). But as an author, I’m also looking forward.
When I first started writing this dark fantasy novel eleven years ago, I wasn’t just telling a supernatural story, I was filling a void. For so long, the “chosen one” in young adult fantasy novels didn’t have braids or brown skin. A lot of times, the Black girl was relegated to being the sidekick, the best friend, the comedic relief, or the “token” character. And mind you, we are all those things, especially hilarious! But we deserve to be the focal point too.
I realized that if I wanted to see a hero who looked like me, navigating a hidden powers fantasy story, I had to be the one to create her. Representation isn’t just a trend; it’s the mission.
The Face
Mya Yu is the female protagonist readers have been waiting for. She is a reminder that we belong as the catalyst of the saga. For the younger generation, especially the young Black creatives sitting with a notebook full of ideas, Mya is proof that your stories are valid. I chose to put her on the cover (shout out to my cousin for planting that seed) because seeing is believing. If you can see a Black woman wielding powers and deciding her own destiny in a modern fantasy novel, you can believe that you too, can take up space in the creative world. We are no longer asking for a seat at the table; we are building our own worlds. (As we should!)
Identity in the Shadows
Mya struggles with her identity and is forced to balance her “normal” life with the heavy burden of being a Doppel Paladin.
In this story, the “Doppel” concept is a metaphor for the “double life” so many of us lead. Mya is constantly at war with herself, the person she wants to be versus the warrior she was built to be. It’s that internal tug-of-war we all feel when we’re forced to step into spaces where we have to be twice as good, twice as fast, and twice as strong, just to be seen. And dare I say it, especially when you’re Black.
High Stakes and Hidden Truths
Beyond the magic, Doppel Paladin is a story of secret societies and high-stakes power plays.
Mya isn’t just fighting monsters, she’s navigating a “Secret War” where the lines between ally and enemy are blurred. She has to learn leadership on the fly in a room full of people who have been playing this game for centuries. This isn’t just a simple good vs. evil fantasy novel; it’s a story about family conflict, betrayal, and the gray areas of power.
A Legacy in the Making
For years, I carried this story through my own seasons of growth, facing the moments where I doubted my own voice and the years spent refining a world that didn’t exist yet.
This dark fantasy book series is my contribution to a future where every creative of colour knows they can be the architect of their own universe. Mya’s fight is a “Secret War” but her presence is a loud declaration: We are here, we are powerful, and our stories are just beginning.
Supporting the Vision
Supporting Black authors/creators/artists isn’t just about the stories on the page; it’s about investing in voices that are building new worlds for the next generation to inhabit. When you support Black-owned stories, you are helping ensure that the “chosen one” continues to look like us, fight like us, and win like us.
This Black History Month, let’s keep that same energy. If you’re ready to see Mya take center stage, head back to my home page and grab a copy of Doppel Paladin.
Love you… mean it!
Lera Bishop