The Lost Defenders is a new middle-grade fantasy from SAM SUMMERS, where 11-year-old Jace realises he has the power to see monsters that no one else can.
Read on for a Q&A with the author.
MEET SAM SUMMERS
What sparked the idea for The Lost Defenders?
My son was a big inspiration. Watching him devour books at around 8 years old that made me wonder if I could write something he’d love. I’ve always been drawn to fantasy as a genre, especially the idea that magic could be hiding in plain sight, and those two things came together to form the heart of The Lost Defenders.
This is your debut book, so what was your writing process like? Do you have any advice for new authors that you would like to share?
I’d love to say I had a structured writing process – time set aside each day, a beautiful desk set-up, detailed notes and plans – but that didn’t work out for The Lost Defenders. I was heavily pregnant, working, and raising an eight-year-old, so any kind of routine became a challenge.
Most of the book was written after my son’s bedtime, fuelled by copious cups of tea! I’d sit down and just start typing, letting all my ideas spill onto the page. Not all of it was good, but that’s where editing became my new best friend. Write first – craft later!
My advice to new authors is not to obsess too much about the perfect set-up or process. If you have a great idea, write whenever and however you can. I’d often jot down scenes while at work (during my lunch break, obviously!) and email them to myself so I could work on them later.
These days, with an eleven- and two-year-old, time is still limited. I’m usually writing with a laptop on my knees on the couch or in bed, but it’s working, and that’s what matters.
Can you tell us more about Jace? How does he react to being able to see monsters?
Jace is the kind of kid that feels things very deeply, which is both his greatest strength and what makes life harder for him sometimes as he so desperately wants to fit in. He’s grown up being able to see monsters no one else can so for a long time he’s believed there’s something wrong with him.
What I love about Jace is before understanding any of it, he’s already brave. Not through lack of fear, but just wanting to do what’s right. He’s faced things he shouldn’t have to face, taken monsters down in his own way as best he could, and carried the burden alone, mostly to protect his mum from worry.
So, when the story begins his reaction isn’t excitement – it’s more “why me?”! But as the story unfolds, he begins to understand what he is and finally realises what’s made him different is actually what gives him purpose.
Jace isn’t the perfect hero that becomes fearless, he’s scared a lot of the time! But he chooses to do the right thing anyway and to me that’s what real bravery looks like.
Who was your favourite character to write in The Lost Defenders?
This is a hard one! I loved writing them all for different reasons, but Alice is definitely up there. She’s had a tough life, perhaps harder than Jace, and so she’s developed a hard exterior to protect herself. Yet underneath it, she’s fiercely loyal and deeply protective of those she cares about. She’s also super sassy and I love her confidence. She doesn’t apologise for who she is, which makes her so fun to write, but also really powerful.
Are any of the monsters inspired by history or mythology?
Yes! I drew on classic monsters like vampires, goblins, werewolves and imps as a foundation. I also came across cryptozoology while researching (which I hadn’t even heard of before!) and loved the idea that some of these creatures might exist just beyond what we can prove.
In the book, monsters come in all shapes and sizes, but what really defines them is their intelligence and purpose. Some are more animalistic, driven by instinct and a need to hunt or cause chaos, while others are more calculated, motivated by power.
In many ways, the Monster Realm reflects our own world. It’s not “all bad” or “all good”, it’s shaped by choices. Basque is a great example of that – he’s a goblin who chooses to help Jace and The Defenders even when it could cost him everything.
The secret world Jace discovers is hidden behind museum walls. What is your favourite museum that you’ve ever been to in your life? 
Oh, I LOVE museums so it’s very hard to choose! Some standouts for me are the Natural History Museum in London, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris (which might technically be an art gallery!). The Australian Museum and Maritime are both fantastic. Honestly, I could keep going!
There’s something about a museum that feels full of hidden stories, which is probably why one made its way into The Lost Defenders.
What do you hope readers take away from this book?
It would be wonderful if readers came away feeling more empowered to be themselves, but more than anything I just hope they come away smiling – excited about reading and their next book adventure.
What’s next on the horizon? Do you have a sequel planned?
I’d love to continue the story – there’s so much more to explore in this world! I’ve already started working on what comes next, which is really exciting. Time will tell.
Read an extract from The Lost Defenders here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sam Summers has had a lifelong dream be an author, to share her passion for creating magical worlds and relatable characters that captivate young readers and inspire them to embrace their own unique abilities. The Lost Defenders is her first children’s book and does just that.
Sam also runs a successful coaching business for mums returning to the corporate workforce to help them avoid burnout. She is mum to two kids, one of whom is a middle-grader who LOVES her MG stories.
Follow Sam Summers on Instagram
(5/5)
I just received my copy today and can’t put it down. I’ll let my daughter read it next i guess haha