The Wildling
by Darcy Frost
Released: Jan 02, 2026
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Why this book and why now?
I’ve been building this world for a long time, and finally felt it was ready for prime-time. The larger world is called the Quintarchy, though I am starting in one tiny corner with this book.
I have about 12 other novellas in different stages of outlining and drafting for this Fae Wilds series. Knowing myself, since I planned for 12, it’s likely to end up around 16 or 20+ by the end. Another series in the same world is very early stages of outlining. That will be two different Five Courts series with one being regency-inspired drawing room romance and the other a higher stakes political fantasy series in the works.
My initial inspiration was the Wu Xing combined with a fae-centric second world fantasy. There may or may not be a portal fantasy element to the mortal world in a future series. The world keeps growing, despite my best efforts to wrangle it.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
It ended up a lot softer and mostly relationship-focused. Originally, there was more angst and more external stakes. But in the end, it landed closer to cozy fantasy than I originally envisioned. Higher external stakes for this world will be for a different series (unless that changes on me too).
Do your character names have special significance or meaning?
Mei very simply means “beautiful” and Briar is, well, prickly. The Wild-born fae in this world have nature-related names, while the Court fae have names that align with the cultures for that Court. Mei is from the Wood Court, which is East Asian-inspired.
What’s one fun fact about your book that most people wouldn’t know?
The Five Wilds and the corresponding Five Courts were inspired by the Wu Xing, or 5 elements in Chinese culture/philosophy.
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
They do not have TVs in this world, but I think Briar would be oddly fascinated by HGTV reality shows and develop strong opinions about kitchen backsplash and countertop choices.
Which character was the most fun to write, and which was the hardest?
Mei was the most fun to write and also hardest to write for me. I didn’t want her to tip into annoying. Finding the line between “endearing chaos” and “too much” took some drafts. I’ll leave it up to the readers to decide if I succeeded.
Did any of your characters surprise you by developing in unexpected ways?
Yes, Briar got over herself and opened up to Mei sooner than I originally planned. She shortcut about 4 extra chapters, too.
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
Mei would kill for some real tea. I think she’d enjoy a fancy, medium-roast oolong, which Briar would claim tastes the same as the bark tea – terrible.
If your book had a scent, what would it smell like?
Damp moss, pine, and woodsmoke.
If your book had a signature dessert, what would it be?
Whatever dessert it is would be an affront to berries everywhere and likely as bad as the tea. But when Mei makes it, Briar eats every bite.
If your book had an official mascot, what (or who) would it be?
Needle.
Do you outline your books in detail, or do you prefer to discover the story as you write?
I have always wished I could discovery write. Alas, I discovery write outlines every time I try.
Do you have any writing rituals or habits?
Yes, I put on my noise-cancelling headphones and use brain.fm, often a water or wind soundtrack.
What are you currently reading?
Boomerang by Michael Lewis. Often I read wildly different books than my current writing projects.
