Dark magic, sisterhood, and absolute chaos? Yeah, we’re in.
This week on Page to Picture, Kim sits down with indie fantasy author John North, the mind behind The Crimson Witch — a gritty, anime-inspired YA fantasy that pulls zero punches. We talk demon fights, demigods, katana-wielding vampires, and why this is not your Disney fairytale.
John breaks down his journey from film school dreams to self-publishing success, how anime like Fullmetal Alchemist, Naruto, and Dragon Ball shaped his storytelling, and why writing sisters instead of brothers changed everything. We dive into Aurora and Polaris’ explosive first meeting, the antagonist readers can’t stop obsessing over, and the emotional core that keeps this story grounded beneath all the blood and magic.
We also get into:
Writing gore in upper YA (and why trigger warnings matter)
Letting characters hijack your plot (respectfully)
Building an indie author community from scratch
Why Serena is That Villain™
What readers should feel when they close the book
A rapid-fire round that proves John is team demons, cliffhangers, and unforgettable deaths
Plus book two The Minotaur’s Wrath is coming, the series is way longer than you think, and the Gorgon universe is only getting bigger.
If you love dark fantasy, morally messy characters, found family, and stories that feel like they were made for the screen, this episode is for you.
