S.2 Ep. 58: The Fantasy Author Rewriting How We See History: Shannon Chakraborty on the Daevabad Trilogy & The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
Podcast: The Mythic Mic PodcastPublished On: Mon May 11 2026
Description: 🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where history is never as simple as we’re taught, power is tangled in politics and belief, and stories dare to ask what it really means to belong to a world shaped by conquest.This week, Host Bethany Amanda sits down with bestselling author Shannon Chakraborty, the brilliant mind behind The City of Brass and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. Shannon reflects on her unconventional path to authorship—from writing fanfiction and short stories while working a day job to building one of the most celebrated fantasy series of the last decade—all while navigating imposter syndrome that didn’t disappear even after success arrived. We dive into the worlds that have captivated readers everywhere. First, the Daevabad Trilogy, a sweeping, political fantasy rooted in Islamic history and jinn mythology, where a con artist from Cairo is pulled into a hidden world of power, conflict, and centuries-old tensions. Shannon unpacks the heart of the series: how politics, religion, and identity collide, and what it means to inherit systems you didn’t create but are forced to navigate.Then we turn to The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi and its upcoming sequel, The Tapestry of Fate. This is a completely different kind of fantasy series, one that centers a middle-aged mother pulled back into a life of piracy, magic, and impossible choices. Shannon shares how writing Amina during the pandemic reshaped her perspective on storytelling, motherhood, and what it means to balance ambition with responsibility.Along the way, we explore Shannon’s deep commitment to historical accuracy, her belief that writing is inherently political, and why fantasy has the power to challenge the narratives we’ve been taught about the past.⚔️ What happens when history isn’t what you thought it was?🌊 How do you balance who you are with who the world needs you to be?🔥 And what does it mean to challenge a system that was never built for you?This is a must-listen for fantasy readers who want more than escapism, aspiring authors navigating their own creative paths, and anyone who believes stories should make you think just as much as they make you feel.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Shannon’s path from working-class background to bestselling fantasy author.✨ Writing fanfiction, short stories, and discovering her voice.✨ Imposter syndrome even after landing an agent and selling her books. ✨ The inspiration behind the Daevabad Trilogy and jinn mythology. ✨ How politics, religion, and conquest shape fantasy worlds. ✨ Why writing is always a political act. ✨ The importance of historical research and challenging your own assumptions. ✨ The creation of Amina al-Sirafi: a middle-aged mother in fantasy. ✨ The realities of balancing motherhood and creativity. ✨ Why fantasy rarely centers parents and why that needed to change. ✨ The inspiration behind The Tapestry of Fate and what’s next for Amina. ✨ Tackling colonial narratives in adventure stories (yes, even mummies 👀). ✨ Practical advice for aspiring authors: process, boundaries, and persistence. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Shannon Chakraborty – IG: @Sachakrabooks✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.
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