In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes back middle-grade fantasy author Greg Slomba to talk about his brand-new series, the Dragon Island Legend books, beginning with Fire and Ice. Greg explains that this new series grows out of the world of his earlier Deliverers books, particularly The Golden Dragon of Aang, which introduced the mystical Dragon Islands. Each of the five planned stories will focus on a different island, with Fire and Ice serving as a 95-page novella that opens the saga.

Greg introduces listeners to Ben and May, two 15-year-old orphans whose lives were shattered years earlier when raiders from the north, aided by a deadly silver dragon, destroyed their villages. Protected only by the legendary golden dragon, they grow up driven—especially Ben—by a desire for revenge, only to slowly discover how dangerous and consuming that desire can be.

Jed and Greg dive into the challenges of writing a prequel when the later timeline already exists, Greg’s more organic, character-driven writing process (as opposed to strict outlining), and the emotional rewards of writing for the middle-grade audience—especially kids who may feel unseen. Greg shares a touching story of a former student reader who still rereads his first book years later.

Listeners also learn where to find Fire and Ice (on Amazon) and how to follow Greg’s work via his blog and social media, as the conversation closes on a warm, encouraging note.