Y’all, in case you haven’t felt the frenzy of seeing a plus measurement heroine command her energy, save the world, and look fabulous doing it… buckle up. As a result of this week’s characteristic in our “Curve Behind the Story” highlight goes to blow your velvet-cloaked thoughts. We can’t wait to introduce you to Julianne Munich!
However first, let’s speak about why we even began this complete TCF Guide Membership factor.
For those who’ve ever curled up with a romance or fantasy novel and realized… but once more, that nobody within the story seemed such as you, you’re not alone. We created the TCF Guide Membership AND this creator sequence, as a result of we had been uninterested in seeing curvy characters both sidelined, made the punchline, or shoved into the drained outdated “she misplaced weight after which discovered love” trope. Ugh, no thanks.
Do you know plus measurement characters nonetheless make up a teeny-tiny slice of the literary pie? And after they do present up, they’re typically caught in background roles or written like their physique is the impediment to beat. Nah. We would like extra books the place the plus measurement babes are the adventurers, the romantics, the heroes, and sure, those getting kissed and saving kingdoms.
Enter: Julianne Munich.
Meet Julianne Munich: The Velvet-Clad Voice of Gaslamp Fantasy
Julianne is a small-town Wisconsin author with massive concepts, a love of all issues historic, and a ardour for placing plus measurement girls entrance and middle in fantasy. Her ebook Of Lightning and Silver brings us one thing uncommon and oh-so-needed: a curvy heroine with magic, coronary heart, and company. Sure ma’am!
Julianne informed us:
“I grew up as a mid to plus measurement teenager within the 80s and into school. I cherished studying historic fiction, romance, and basic fantasy. But, I by no means discovered a feminine character, a younger grownup heroine, who was ever described as trying like me. At all times ‘slender,’ ‘slim,’ ‘willowy.’ If there was a fuller figured girl, she was matronly, a grandma, a background random, or worse… a unfavourable character to be seemed down upon.”
So, Julianne determined to vary the narrative… actually.
Her major character is plucky, compassionate, and resilient (our favourite trio), and her story is highly effective as a result of:
“She represents the everywoman even in a world the place mage folks like her inherit these supernatural powers.”
We love a magical everywoman with depth and company!
However Wait… What Even Is Gaslamp Fantasy?
We’re so glad you requested. For those who’re picturing foggy Victorian streets, dramatic capes, and mysterious magical societies, you’re heading in the right direction.
Gaslamp fantasy is just like the dreamy cousin of steampunk. Suppose Nineteenth-century vibes however with magic as a substitute of machines. It’s corsets and candlelight meets curses and energy struggles. Much less gearhead, extra spellbook.
Julianne’s world in Of Lightning and Silver delivers all that gothic richness; darkish velvet robes, cloaks, silver jewellery and throws in a plus measurement heroine able to shake up the mage hierarchy. Y’all, this ebook is principally a temper board for a way we need to gown at our subsequent fantasy-themed brunch.
Tropes We’re Tossing and Tales We’re Claiming
Julianne is DONE with the drained tropes that plus measurement women get saddled with.
“The load loss storylines, and all the time the ‘maidservant’ or ‘bawdy tavern prostitute’ tropes for plus measurement girls in historic romance or fantasy. I’d prefer to see extra noblewomen, fantasy heroines, and plus measurement spies, queens, and members of journey quests.”
Can we get an AMEN?
She’s writing what she needed to learn rising up: fantasy with fuller-figured girls who get to be difficult, highly effective, and sure, fascinating. She’s not right here to make the physique the punchline or the hurdle. She’s right here to middle it. Interval.
Her Recommendation for Fellow Writers? Let It Get Actual.
Julianne retains it 100:
“Don’t be afraid to indicate your character feeling unhealthy about her physique and experiencing inner fats phobia. Even in a fantasy realm, it’s exhausting to image a society the place it doesn’t exist. It might be good to have a great world the place we aren’t seemed down upon, and that’s OK if you wish to write that. However displaying the character get good issues and be cherished even regardless of the fatphobia, exterior or inner, is efficient.”
That’s the form of nuance we love. It’s not all sunshine and physique confidence on a regular basis, however it’s actual. And in that actuality, there’s development, energy, and sure, a little bit little bit of fantasy sparkle.
Why She Writes for Plus Measurement Readers
“Just because I’ve spent most of my life both plus measurement or mid-size and needed to see myself in a few of my major characters. I’ve additionally written a number of skinny heroines, however the fuller figured ones had been extra relatable.”
And relatable is the secret. We love that Julianne isn’t simply writing about plus measurement girls, she’s writing from that lived expertise. It’s sincere. It’s weak. And it’s vital.
What She Hopes to Contribute to the Plus Measurement Group
“I’d love to affix the brand new rising development of authors who write physique variety. I’d like readers to see themselves in my characters.”
Extra of this vitality, please. This isn’t about becoming in… it’s about belonging.
If Of Lightning and Silver Have been an Outfit…
It’d be:
“A Gothic 1800’s robe in darkish velvet with a cloak and silver jewellery.”
We’re obsessed already. Image it, put on it, learn it.
Wish to Know Extra? Good Information…
Julianne Munich’s down to affix us for a TCF Guide Membership digital creator chat (squeal!), so keep tuned for updates on that. And oh… her subsequent ebook? A historic pirate-themed romantasy coming in 2026. We’re able to set sail.
Calling All Curvy Creatives!
Are you an creator writing body-diverse, plus size-centered fiction? We need to characteristic YOU in our Curve Behind the Story sequence. Drop us your ebook, your story, your sass. Let’s have fun the tales that make house for all of us.
Let Julianne’s journey remind you: we don’t have to attend for illustration… we will write it. And browse it. And put on velvet whereas doing it.
And sure, you’ll be able to seize her ebook Of Lightning and Silver proper now on Amazon.com!
Go forward and deal with your TBR pile.
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