The Story Behind the Book: The Story Behind Banewind by M.B. Chapman

I have always been a fantasy nerd at heart! Growing up, I found myself engrossed in anything that had to do with magic, wizards, dragons, or complex story lore. From novels to video games, my childhood—like so

many others—was dedicated to the enthralling stories of Harry Potter, Twilight, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Hunger Games. If my nose wasn’t buried deep into the pages of a good book, you’d probably find me playing The Legend of Zelda, World of Warcraft, Pokémon, or a myriad of other adventures that proved to be a dazzling and addictive escape from reality. It was happiness. It was rewarding. And it was an integral part of what made me who I am today.

Early on in my life, I also discovered my love and admiration for writing. Even before I was properly educated in language arts, I would spend countless hours drawing whimsical tales, spinning the stories in my mind and rehashing them to anyone who would listen. Imagination is a parallel of reality, the bridge between the fantastic and the objective world, a way to express yourself and deepen the bond of existence. To me, creating stories was one of the most remarkable things someone could accomplish, and I strived to achieve that for myself. But not only for me. I did it because I had a voice, and I wanted to share it with the world. So, several years ago, I set out on writing a novel that encompassed everything I loved about fantasy. I wanted to write a story that was gripping—filled with adventure, romance, and magic. I wanted to create a landscape of characters that were relatable, with emotional depth and complexity to them. I wanted to create a world with its own lore, its own identity, and its own story to tell. I wanted to bring imagination to life. And thus, Banewind was born.

It was crucial to create a story that fell into the young adult fantasy genre, as this is what I believe to be one of the most important parts of literature out there. Young adults, teens, and children are the future of writing—they are the dream makers and pivotal to our societal world. Providing material to fuel the imaginative mind is a powerful tool, and I knew this is where my talents best fell. I created Genevieve DeWinter, the story’s main protagonist and first-person narrator, to give an anchor people can relate to. She is smart, strong, and kind. She is independent, yet she appreciates the values of love and friendship. Banewind is a series that will delve into many different issues people face in life, all while providing intricate, deep tales that are woven in the realms of magic and the extraordinary. There are moments of triumph, and there are moments of loss. There are times of new life and hope, and there are times of death and grief. But most importantly, there is the always evolving pure imagination that will keep the readers immersed and feel as though they are right there in the story themselves. Whether it’s walking with Genevieve as she learns about the history of her family or helping her get to safety as she navigates the perils of the Dark Lady and the Voidweaver army, the story will be embedded into the readers’ hearts and minds, and the fantasy will live on eternally in the pages.

And so, to all the readers out there, I wish you nothing but the best. Take care, enjoy, and remember to dream forever.

Warm regards,

M.B. Chapman

About the Book

Almost two weeks ago I was just a normal girl getting ready to start my senior year of high school, deciding where I wanted my life to go. And now?

I’ve kissed a boy. I’ve been to another world. I’ve seen death.

And I don’t know what my life’s become.

Banewind tells the spellbinding story of 18-year-old Genevieve DeWinter, a typical high school girl who finds herself entangled in the throes of adventure, romance, and survival after discovering the existence of a group of magical beings known as Formulists and their co-existing world, Banewind.

With the arrival of several mages in her hometown of Parma, Ohio, Genevieve soon learns that these extraordinary secrets are rooted deep within her family’s history when it is revealed her deceased mother was a heroic warrior in a long lineage of female protectors called the Holy Guardian. Now, a vengeful group of Formulists known as the Voidweavers have returned and set their sights on Genevieve, believing she might be the next Holy Guardian and the key to awakening their fallen leader, the Void King, who had been destroyed by Genevieve’s mother when she sacrificed herself a decade earlier to save Banewind and all of humanity from an unthinkable evil.

With the help of new allies, Genevieve must fight to stay alive as she unravels the mystery and danger that have shattered the stability of the life she once knew before the Voidweavers succeed in shadowing the world in chaos and darkness once again.

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About the Author

Matt Chapman grew up outside of Cleveland and now lives in St. Louis, Missouri where he is completing his residency in Psychiatric medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. He is a graduate of Creighton University School of Medicine where he obtained his MD and a graduate of Saint Louis University where he majored in Biology.

Matt has had a passion for writing and reading since childhood and continues to find time for these interests among his other pursuits, including medical education and leadership studies. He is currently working on his next novel in The Banewind Series.