Author Q&A: Delizhia Jenkins | The Book of Maya (Vampire Hunters Academy)
“I am not emotionally prepared for what I am about to write and to be honest, I do not think the readers will be prepared for what is going to happen either.”
Delizhia Jenkins is the author of multiple books ranging from adult paranormal romance to urban fantasy for young adults. She’s a fan of vampires, werewolves, faeries, all things that go bump in the night, and what one would consider the esoteric. She’s a shape-shifter writer who simply wants to leave her own mark on the literary world, leaving behind a legacy that will extend for generations to come.
In this exclusive interview, Delizhia talks about the origins of the Vampire Hunters prequel The Book of Maya, outlines the shape of the series, and promises that you do not know what’s coming…
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01 Delizhia, where does The Book of Maya fit into the larger picture of your Vampire Hunters Academy series?
I am so glad that you asked that question. Next to Sanaya (the Huntress), Maya is the strongest character in the story. She is the descendant of a Fallen Angel and his power is what fuels her bloodline, and has connected her to various realms of the spiritual world.
One of Maya’s gifts is the ability to unlock the lower realms of Hell—which is a major component, and a key to the ending of the story. There is a reason why Sanaya and Maya share a strong friendship bond, and that is something that I will dive into when I release the next book.
02 What number is this volume of the series? Or is it a side project? (How do I add this to my post featuring the complete Vampire Hunters Academy series?)
The Book of Maya (like Cain) is another prequel, but I consider it a side story. Readers can actually read the books in the following order:
03 What inspired this story for you?
Maya is actually a fan favorite and there were quite a few questions regarding her origin story and the events leading up to her stay at The Vampire Hunters Academy. I figured it would help readers understand her character better since she has been kept in Sanaya's shadow throughout most of the series. I also wanted to prepare readers for the next book following The Forsaken, wherein Maya will be able to fully come into her own. There is just so much to Maya's character that I had to give her, her own book.
04 What are the biggest challenges for writing these Vampire Academy books?
Really the biggest challenge is tying everything together in preparation for the conclusion of the series. I am not emotionally prepared for what I am about to write and to be honest, I do not think the readers will be prepared for what is going to happen either.
05 What is the funnest part of writing these Vampire Academy books?
Diving into vampire lore and creating prophecies is what I enjoy the most about writing this series. And as I was writing Maya's story, I took myself on a journey into New Orleans and explored some of the mysteries of Voodoo and other aspects of the spiritual community too.
06 Is your novel Sanctum: A Last Vampire Huntress Novel related to this series? Or is it a separate “vampire hunter” story?
No, Sanctum is a separate, unrelated Huntress story that I wanted to release. I love vampire hunter lore, so I will be publishing more huntress/slayer novels soon.
07 What is the best way for readers to keep up with you?
Readers can always connect with me on missjenkinsbooks.com or on Facebook.com/DJenkinsbooks. They can even find me on Instagram @miss_jenkins_books.
