Camilla Vavruch

My writing is basically a warm hug wrapped in a cozy fantasy cloak—with just enough sass, dragons, and queer joy sprinkled on top. Expect plenty of baking adventures, sarcastic dwarves, talking dragons who refuse to eat meat, and misfit heroes saving the world (often by accident). If you enjoy laughing, crying, yelling at fictional characters, and obsessing over found families, you'll feel right at home. It's wholesome chaos served with a side of trauma and a generous helping of hope.

I grew up in a place where forests whispered secrets and lakes looked like portals to other worlds—or... no. I grew up in Malmö, Sweden, which was quite far from magical (sadly, no actual dragons spotted), but it gifted me with the freedom to dream big and the quiet spaces to imagine even bigger. I got lost in books a lot to avoid reality, and it definitely seeped into my writing, giving me a soft spot for quirky characters finding their way, the bonds of friendship, and the kind of magic that sneaks into everyday life.

I devoured everything from epic adventures with dragons and magic to heartfelt stories about friendship, and perhaps even a romance or two once I got into my teens. The characters from my favorite books often felt like real-life friends, which is honestly, something that hasn't changed since then—except now I get to write those kinds of stories, too.

JA Andrews, because she has this incredible ability to weave epic adventures that somehow feel deeply personal—like you're not just observing the journey, you're living it. Her characters leap off the page, flawed yet lovable, brave yet vulnerable, and they become friends you carry with you long after the story ends.

Off the top of my head, my fave four are: JA Andrews, Fredrik Backman, TJ Klune, Dianna Wynne Jones.

I don't have an answer.

I believe I pour myself into each of my characters, in parts. Nerida of The Elemental Saga, is probably the one that mirrors myself quite closely with having been an outsider, but there are parts in each. Theo's (of the coming Cookies and Claws) love of baking is definitely a trait of mine, and I think I've given Will and Tristan (both from Stories of Gereon) a bit of my own sense of justice and willingness to fight.

Right now, Realm of Shadows, which is the fourth book of the Stories of Gereon series. I didn't map out the series beforehand (I'm a pantser), but the series just came together with the characters and the plot in a way that I found utterly amazing.

My writing space is theoretically a tidy desk with a computer—but realistically, it's more of an organized chaos, covered with notes, random character sketches, and probably a dragon figurine or two. In practice, though, my real writing space is wherever life allows me to squeeze in a few words: sneaking paragraphs at work between patients, or curled up on the couch, iPad balanced precariously, surrounded by kids, snacks, and the delightful chaos of family life. It's messy, it's flexible, and somehow, it works!

My ideal reading nook would have deep, dark shelves overflowing with my favorite books and all kinds of fantasy swag—plus plenty of dragons perched everywhere, obviously. Soft, cozy lighting to set the perfect mood, and right in the middle, a large, ridiculously comfortable armchair that's adjustable enough to accommodate all my reading positions (from curled-up to sprawled dramatically). Underneath, a thick, fluffy rug to keep my toes warm, and on top a comfy blanket—because you can't dive properly into a magical story if you're cold.