Interview with Sue Lynn Tan, author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess
Welcome to our blog! We’re delighted to have you here. To begin, could you provide our readers with a brief introduction about yourself?
I’m so happy to be here, and was delighted to hear Daughter of the Moon Goddess was the January 2024 book for the Subtle Asian Book Club!
A little about me: I grew up in Malaysia and now live in Hong Kong with my family. I’ve always loved writing and dreamed of being an author since I was a child, but never imagined it would happen in real life. Writing was something I always came back to, and I’m thankful to be able to share my stories. I love writing fantasy and romance, dreaming of new worlds and impossible situations.
Some of my favorite things are bubble tea, spicy food, dark chocolate, and hiking.
Congratulations on the global success of Daughter of the Moon Goddess! As you reflect on your publishing journey, is there anything you wish you would’ve known when you first started? Can you share some of the highlights and memorable moments that stand out to you?
Thank you so much – it still feels surreal! I’m grateful to everyone who worked on the books, who read, shared and supported them. The books would not be where they are without their readers.
One thing I wish I’d known beforehand is about managing deadlines. My debut year was quite intense with both books releasing in 2022 and my family had to temporarily move due to the pandemic. In the run-up to the release of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, there were tight deadlines for the sequel Heart of the Sun Warrior. I wish I had more time then to spend with readers, but was not able to participate in as many activities as I would’ve liked to.
I still remember the first time I held the book – it was an ARC, my first one as I was new to publishing. I was recording the unboxing and when I picked up the book and looked at the cover, tears unexpectedly welled up. It felt so real, in that moment – that it was a book, no longer just a dream.
I also felt very emotional to learn the books would be translated into Traditional Chinese, and when DotMG received the Alex Award from the American Library Association – I honestly couldn’t believe it. Another real highlight for me was the inclusion of the book in a FairyLoot box – Anissa and the FairyLoot team are absolutely amazing, they make the most beautiful editions and I’ll never be over the sprayed edges.
The heart of your novel lies in the inspiration drawn from the legend of Chang’e. How did this legend become the catalyst for Daughter of the Moon Goddess? Was there anything specific about Chang’e’s story that captivated you?
The legend of Chang’e has always been a favorite of mine, capturing my imagination, a story that stayed with me over the years perhaps because of its sad ending, when Chang’e flies to the moon leaving Houyi behind. I believed they were in love when they parted – Chang’e was said to live in loneliness on the moon and Houyi set out offerings to his wife each Mid-Autumn. I wondered, what might have spurred her decision to take the elixir of immortality from Houyi, beyond those offered by the variations of the stories – what if she did it to save someone else, whom she loved as much as her husband.
It was from this idea Daughter of the Moon Goddess took form. I imagined a child, born to the goddess of the moon and the archer who shot the suns, and the traits she might have inherited from her parents – the legacy of her father’s heroism, the shadow of her mother’s choice and her strength to endure, the characteristics that would be wholly her own, and how valiantly she would fight for her mother’s freedom.
Amidst the adventure and fantasy, Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a tale that intricately weaves the theme of love. From the mother-daughter bond to the complexities of first love, how did you approach portraying the various facets of love in the narrative?
In Daughter of the Moon Goddess you’ll find epic battles, magical kingdoms, legendary creatures, but at its heart this is a story of love: romantic love, first love, self-love, the bonds between family and friends.
I wanted to explore the different manifestations of love and its complexities – what we’d do for it, how it can change us, whether for better or worse. Love can have a profound effect on our lives, whether its gift or loss, and can craft miracles as easily as it can destroy. I also believe that love is something that grows and evolves along with us, shaped through time and our experiences, that it possesses as many facets and possibilities as our own characters – and can surprise us too, as we might not be aware of the secrets of our hearts.
The world in Daughter of the Moon Goddess is both enchanting and vivid. Can you share some insights into your approach to world-building and creating an environment that captivates readers?
I wanted to create a world inspired by the things I loved, rooted in my culture – a world that is magical and beautiful, but also treacherous and deadly. I was inspired by Chinese xianxia dramas— the palaces in the clouds, the majestic halls, the flowing garments, as well as the natural surroundings of where I live. As I’m a visual person, I tend to imagine what I see in my mind as I write it, from the perspective of the characters, wondering how they look, sound, and feel. While my preference is to write in silence, there are times that I listen to music beforehand to frame my mood – whether it’s a battle scene or a romantic one.
Many of us are excited to read Heart of the Sun Warrior and Tales of the Celestial Kingdom next! What else are you working on that readers can expect from you?
I’m so glad to hear that and I hope you’ll like the stories! Heart of the Sun Warrior continues from
Daughter of the Moon Goddess, delving in different part of the mythology and the entanglements left
unresolved —intense battles, more romance and angst. I’m also really excited for Tales of the Celestial Kingdom to release this February, a novella that includes stories from before, during, and after the duology, including the final epilogue to the story.
I’m currently editing another adult fantasy set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess, but with new characters. This can be read as a standalone, independently of the duology, and there are no spoilers within. Hopefully, I can reveal the title soon! I’m also working on another book that I’m excited to share more about.
Fun questions / speed round:
1. Favorite Asian food? It’s so hard to narrow down but I love bubble tea and dim sum.
2. Favorite book of 2023? As I’ve been writing a lot last year, I haven’t been able to read much, but I loved The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty and I’ve also read some wonderful ARCs: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo and A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang (both releasing in 2024).
3. Book you’re most looking forward to reading in 2024? I’m still catching up on reading from 2023! I can’t wait to start Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan (need to prepare myself to be destroyed), and a 2024 release would be Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid.
Sue Lynn Tan is the author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Heart of the Sun Warrior, a romantic fantasy duology inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess. Her books will be translated into sixteen languages, have been nominated for several awards, and are USA Today and Sunday Times bestsellers.
Born in Malaysia, Sue Lynn studied in London and France, before moving to Hong Kong with her family. Her love for stories began with a gift from her father, her first compilation of fairytales from around the world. After devouring every fable she could find in the library, she discovered fantasy books, spending much of her childhood lost in magical worlds. When not writing or reading, she enjoys exploring the hills, lakes, and temples around her home.
Find her on Instagram @SuelynnTan, or on her website www.suelynntan.com .
