We caught up with Emma Clancey to discuss her debut novel, This Dream Will Devour Us, a mix of magic and the machinations of the rich and powerful. Read on for a Q&A.
What inspired your foray into writing?
I’ve always loved storytelling. Growing up, I shared a bedroom with my sister, and once the lights were out, we would tell each other stories. I started writing down some of them – including a truly terrible dystopian book – but I never finished a manuscript until 2020. I was 17, stuck in lockdown and looking for escapism. Writing about fantastical worlds and exciting adventures, I discovered, was a wonderful way to break free from the four walls of my room.
What sparked the idea for This Dream Will Devour Us?
The idea sparked on my commute. Exciting, right? Back in 2023, when I was a third-year medical student, I walked past the iconic Kings Cross Coca Cola billboard most mornings on my way to the hospital. It’s such a recognisable brand – ubiquitous, really. It made me wonder: what if magic was a product like that? Something mass-produced, marketed and inescapable.
That spawned so many interesting questions. What would the product look like? Who would make it? Who would use it? What would it be used for?
Since I was pondering these questions on my way to the hospital, it’s probably not surprising that my thoughts headed in a medical direction. I had the idea of magic being a pharmaceutical product – and that magic, called ‘levincium’, became the core of This Dream Will Devour Us.
What can you tell us about the magical high society in your story?
Magic lends an enormous amount of power to the wealthy elite in This Dream Will Devour Us. Their glamorous lives and glittering parties might be enticing, but remember, power comes at a price. So, be careful who you trust …
What challenges will Nora face?
As Nora delves into magical high society, she’ll discover that everyone she meets is hiding something – and that some of those scheming celebrities are willing to kill to keep their secrets safe. She’ll also find herself with a heart torn in two very different directions.
Did you draw from any real families to craft the powerful and rich characters in your novel?
While no real families inspired the characters in This Dream Will Devour Us, the ultra-wealthy, dysfunctional Lamours were influenced by some of my fictional favourites. Succession and Knives Out were key inspirations, as were the Capulets and Montagues. You’ll find a few references to Romeo and Juliet tucked in the book!
Do you have any writing habits or rituals?
Every year since 2020, I’ve written a new book in January. In high school and university, the summer break was my best chance to sink deep into a new project. I love the feeling of being totally enveloped by whatever I’m drafting. So, for those 31 days, I’ll more or less write from morning to night in 39 ‘sprints’ – other obligations permitting! The editing phase is when I slow down.
Who are some authors you admire or draw influence from?
There are too many to count! For This Dream Will Devour Us, which combines fantasy and thriller elements, I was inspired by masterful YA mysteries like One of Us is Lying (Karen M. McManus) and The Inheritance Games (Jennifer Lynn Barnes) as well as the cinematic magical spectacles of Caraval (Stephanie Garber). As a fantasy writer and reader, some of my all-time favourites include Leigh Bardugo, V E Schwab and Ava Reid.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emma Clancey is a fantasy writer and medical student living in Sydney. In 2024, she was awarded the Ray Koppe/Australian Society of Authors Young Writers Fellowship. Emma’s debut novel, This Dream Will Devour Us, is a YA fantasy thriller that blends her passions for magic and medicine.
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