LINDSEY BYRD grew up in New York before moving abroad for graduate research studies. She is an amateur birder and enjoys going for hikes to take photos of nature. She enjoys all forms of speculative fiction, and is an avid researcher of history.

I had the opportunity to interview Lindsey, which you can read below.

First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m an author and a historian currently living in France. In my day job I research the history of antibiotics and tuberculosis, and I relax by walking my pup as much as I can and taking pictures of birds. I just started a new Youtube channel and Spotify podcast, entitled “Lindsey Byrd in Writing is Hard,” where I interview members of the publishing community about their own experiences and I’m genuinely having a lot of fun talking to people from all different walks of life on how they got involved in the industry. The Sun Blessed Prince is my 2025 debut novel, but I have published via indie press before – in 2019 with On the Subject of Griffons. 

What can you tell us about your book, The Sun Blessed Prince?  What was the inspiration for this story?

The Sun Blessed Prince was born from a lot of things. The first spark of the idea came actually while I was watching The Old Guard on Netflix. The notion of immortal warriors that live through all of the horrors of history was deeply fascinating to me. Covid had just started not long before I saw the movie, and while I was in lock-down I just started playing with the idea. Okay, so they’re immortal – but what then? What if it was more than that? What does immortality really mean, and what does life and death really mean from there? The world and the powers just evolved from that point on. 

As an author, what drew you to writing, particularly fantasy and romance? 

I was a deeply unpopular child growing up. I was just tormented by bullies, and honestly that loneliness and isolation needed to find an outlet somewhere. I started writing and creating universes where I had friends and was a hero. A lot of my early writings were self-inserts for TV shows, movies, and books that I loved, and the other worldliness of fantasy appealed to me a lot. In an “other world” things could be different. 

I would say my take on romance is quite different, in that I don’t look at romance as a journey to eventual physical relations. The genuine human connection of two people who just love, understand, respect, and care for one another is the most romantic thing I can think of. So when I write stories that involve characters who are in love, their relationship is defined by a kind of ride-or-die mentality. It doesn’t matter what’s happening: no questions asked, that person is there. To me, that’s one of the most beautiful things in the world. 

How would you describe your writing process?

Utterly unrepeatable. I’m either a manic writer who will sit down and write 5-10k a day and have a novel in 28 days or less, or it takes me a whole year to put things on the page. I do not like writing outlines, but I’d say I lurk between being a pure panster and a plotter because I think and overthink my stories to death before putting them on the page. I know my characters and their thoughts, I know their intentions and motivations, and I know what they’ll do and where they’ll go, but I hate writing an outline because once it’s written – it’s written. When I get the impulse to write I’m an insanely fast writer, but when I’m not in one of those phases…it’s pulling teeth and I really struggle to get anything done. 

What are some of your favorite elements of writing? What do you consider some of the most frustrating/challenging?

I love a good conflict. What’s really important to me is that there is a conflict that the character genuinely feels is meaningful to them. They may be completely in the wrong, they may be making terrible choices, but to them – that conflict is real. Everyone certainly can have different opinions on what justifies a good stake in a book, but I think that when the characters believe the stakes are high, that’s where the tension really lies. 

As far as a grand perspective is concerned, I’d say the plot is probably the most challenging element for me to tackle. Something has to be “the most challenging” and I’d say it’s that for the sole reason that it needs all of the other elements in order to feel justified. The characters are the one making the plot matter, the setting gives the plot a sense of realism, the conflict, theme, and tone all raise the tension and provide purpose. If any of those elements fail, the plot feels weak and disappointing. Even if a story truly is character driven, the plot has to exist. So making it strong enough to support all of the book’s events is the reason it can be the most challenging element to work with. 

Aside from your work, what are some things you would want others to know about you?

I’m a historian in my day job, and so I love all things history related. But! I’m a historian of science, technology, and medicine, so what ends up happening is I integrate a lot of scientific theory and philosophy within my fantasy. A lot of my magic systems, as a result, tend to be inspired by science and scientific theory. 

What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet but that you wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?

Question: The Sun Blessed Prince is marketed as a slow burn romance, what does a slow burn mean to you? 

Answer: The Sun Blessed Prince is absolutely a slow burn, but it’s also the first of a two book series. I knew from the start that when I was writing this book, it was going to take a long time for the main couple to get together. I don’t know if I initially purposefully planned to write a duology, but I knew when I got to the end of what would eventually be the end of Sun Blessed I knew that was it. 

For me, a slow burn is driven by both a deep seeded yearning, but also a coming together of hearts and minds. Our main couple may be attracted to each other early on, but they are on completely different paths in life. They have different responsibilities, different priorities. They’re not ready for a relationship, and they’re not even looking for a relationship. By the time they do eventually come together – I want the audience to truly know deep in their hearts: when these two unite, there will be no splitting them up. They’re ready and prepared and they are going to be in it for the long haul. So for this book, it takes time. Their romance isn’t explicit at all in the first book, but what I truly hope for, is that the audience sees where these characters are, how they’ve evolved, and how they’re only a breath away from being the other’s forever. And luckily, I have a second book to give them the happy ending they deserve. 

What advice might you have to give for any aspiring writers?

This may sound really harsh, but get good at accepting feedback and criticism. Writing, and publishing, is a team process. There are things that you absolutely should hold your ground for and not budge an inch, but there’s a lot more that a beta reader, agent, or editor may suggest to change. Being receptive to criticism while still knowing when to not listen to things that aren’t helpful will be hugely beneficial to you throughout your journey. 

Are there any other projects you are working on and at liberty to speak about?

Right now I’m working on edits for the sequel to The Sun Blessed Prince. The Moon Blessed King releases in April 2026 and I absolutely adore that book. I’m so excited to share it with everyone, and it is incredibly dear to my heart.

Finally, what books/authors (LGBTQ+ or otherwise) would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT? 

I’m a huge fan of Lucy Holland, Sistersong was absolutely phenomenal. 

In the same vein would be Sophie Keetch’s The Morgan le Fay series. 

I also read The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline recently and it took my breath away. 

If you’re interested in something somewhat cozy but also a bit wintery with some Howl’s Moving Castle vibes, Lauren Wiesebron’s House of Frost and Feathers was a delight. 

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