PROSERPINE author Pagan Malcolm released her eleventh book earlier this year, and she’s still only 27 years old!
Now going by the name Pagan Alexandria, the Proserpine local – she grew up and started writing in Proserpine – is a fairytale retelling author.
Growing up in Proserpine, she gained the inspiration for her debut novel, which was published in 2012 and ‘intended for young adult audiences’.
‘Stuck on Vacation with Ryan Rupert’ (published under P.S. Malcolm) is a fast-paced contemporary romance and was inspired by a trip to Daydream Island.
“They say to write what you know, so I doubled down on my lived experience, growing up next to the Whitsunday Islands, and drew from the real-life settings around me,” she said.
Pagan quickly realised she had a love for blending contemporary worlds with fantasy.
She went on to write a seven-book fantasy series, The Starlight Chronicles (signed by Lycaon Press, in 2015, and The Parliament House Press, in 2017).
Not long after, she walked away from traditional publishing to go completely independent.
Now relocated in Perth, she is best known for her dual retelling of classic tales ‘Snow White’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’.
Today, Pagan continues to write dual retellings of beloved fairy tales, filled with star-crossed romance, morally grey characters, supernatural twists and a sprinkling of spice.
Her fantasy and contemporary titles continue to be inspired by the Whitsunday region.
When she isn’t writing, she’s making charcuterie boards, playing cosy video games, and recording her podcast ‘Bestseller Energy’.
Now, the ten-times published, bestselling Whitsunday author is taking her books Australia-wide with her new release ‘Blood Magic’, her eleventh book.
Pagan’s books are available under the name ‘Pagan Alexandria’ including at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Dymocks.
MORE ABOUT PAGAN
The 27-year-old author from Proserpine has written and published 10 books, ranging from contemporary romances to dark fantasy retellings.
She has been contracted twice by international publishers in just three years.
Her most recent instalment of books (formerly published under pen name Tara Quinn and released in 2022) is titled ‘Kingdom of Sirens and Monsters’ and is a dual retelling of Snow White and The Little Mermaid, set on the fictional island of ‘Odyssey Bay’ (loosely inspired by Hamilton Island).
Pagan commented on her most recent duology’s success:
“In 2019, I received some feedback on my second fantasy series regarding the need to improve my worldbuilding skills.
“They say to write what you know, so I doubled down on my lived experience, growing up next to the Whitsunday Islands, and drew from the real-life settings around me.
“Kingdom of Sirens and Monsters has sold better than all my previously published titles combined and is currently being considered for foreign rights acquisition on DropCap marketplace, which is why I brought it back under my real name.”
This milestone comes 10 years after writing her debut novel, in 2012, Stuck on Vacation with Ryan Rupert—a fast-paced contemporary romance intended for young adult audiences that was inspired by a trip to Daydream Island.
Stuck on Vacation with Ryan Rupert has been sold at local bookstore Beach Book Boutique, and is a long-time favourite purchase for tourists visiting the Whitsunday region.
Now, Pagan is taking her growing brand interstate as part of her relocation to Perth, WA, and has stepped into a new genre with her eleventh release, Blood Magic (published under pen name Pagan Alexandria).
“When I finished writing the Kingdom of Sirens and Monsters duology, I knew I was done writing about teenagers and wanted to write characters closer to my actual age,” she said.
“I took a two-year break from writing to pivot into New Adult fantasy fiction.
“Blood Magic is my most mature book to date and is a dual retelling of Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty, loosely inspired by the movie Barbie Rapunzel.
“The book is already reviewing extremely well, with multiple five-star reviews from early readers on Goodreads and social media, and has been featured in a recent article in Writer’s Digest.”
Pagan’s books are now all available under the name ‘Pagan Alexandria’ and available where all books are sold, including at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Dymocks.
For more information visit her website: www.paganalexandria.com.
