Interview With Author Maria Alexander
- Brandie June
- May 12
- 4 min read
I love a good historical fantasy, which Maria Alexander’s newest novel, Brimstone & Blades delivers, along with a heroine who not only wields a dead sword, but is a teenage gender-bending opera star who was openly bisexual. Sign me up! I got to discuss not only this killer (pun intended!) heroine with Maria, but also her writing process, how she created her magical world, and more.
What is the premise of Brimstone & Blades?
At 16 years of age, on the verge of learning she's both bisexual and badass, Julie de Maupin comes to life from French history in this magical coming-of-age tale as the famous duelist takes on the diabolical foes of French King Louis XIV. With her found family of magical and moggy misfits, she brings her blade to bear against a necromantic cult bent on destroying everything — and everyone — she loves.
Julie de Maupin is an actual, historical person. What inspired you to write a story based on her?
I discovered Julie while I was living in France. I'd been studying European smallsword for a couple of years before I left the States. So, I was astounded to find a woman in French history who was a deadly duelist with that same weapon. Plus, she was a gender-bending opera star who was openly bisexual. Any one of those traits would have been fascinating on its own, but the constellation floored me. I felt a kinship with her that went beyond badass girl bonding. Growing up myself in an evangelical home that suffocated my sexuality, I knew that it would be important for LGBTQIA+ kids to see someone like this. Adults, too.
Julie is an expert swordswoman. Did your experience with swords help you write about Julie?
Very much so. I understood and had used her weapon — lightweight, with a triangular blade for stabbing, leaving a wound that would be very hard to heal. And I was familiar with all the etiquette around dueling. Later, when I studied Japanese swordsmanship and fencing, I began to understand exactly why she was so deadly. The principle applied across all sword disciplines: she was fast. We think of swords as something heavy. Perhaps we picture Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan the Barbarian, a dude with bulging muscles, meaty hands gripping a sword the size of a forklift. But some swords were very light like hers. Sure, you could brawl with smallswords the way the Vicomte de Valmont and Le Chevalier Danceny do in that last “duel” of Dangerous Liaisons. But more duels were like that first in Ridley Scott’s The Duellists. Swift with small, deadly movements.
But what really helped me was understanding the temperament of duelists. Dueling was instant gratification back then, even if it killed you (which isn’t very gratifying in and of itself, I realize). It wasn’t hard to fuse that temperament with combustible teen hormones to create someone who needed to learn the value of patience and planning in everything except physical fights. And even then! Julie needs to choose her battles to win the war.
What is your process for writing your books?
None have been like this one. Or the one I’m writing now, for that matter.
Usually, they start with a short story. An idea that I’ve executed and polished in a smaller form with two characters. Then, I add a third person into that story, someone who triangulates with the villain and the protagonist. After a great deal of research, I begin outlining the plot. I was originally a screenwriter, so I use screenwriting techniques for plotting. There are loads of other techniques. This is just one that works for me.
This one wasn’t based on a short story. When I told my former agent that I wanted to write a book based on La Maupin, he said it was a great idea. But if it was YA, it had to have magic. I hadn’t planned on that at all. French culture is very anti-occult and pro-Catholic even if a lot of the population is atheist. Therefore, as I set about to create French magic, I realized that I couldn’t avoid Judeo-Christian mythology as I usually would if I was going to honor the people who loved and took care of me while I was there. I wanted to respect their history and values, as well as their language. So, I had to carefully research and weave together French folklore, religion, history, and culture to create something truly interesting that also felt right. I knew from the beginning that Sérannes would die, leaving Julie to the mercy of her impulses. Beyond that, it took years to figure out exactly who everyone else was. Writing is rewriting, as you know.
The next one won’t take that long. I hope.
Where can people order Brimstone & Blades?
Pretty much everywhere — Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and your local indie bookstore. It comes out 6/3/25, but you can pre-order now.
Where’s the best place to follow you?
You can find me on the following platforms:
And BlueSky @lamaupin.bsky.social
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