An Interview with Mehdi Mejri

I am a writer whose work embodies the profound depth of my richly interwoven cultural heritage and historical legacy. As a descendant of an English Protestant who fled England during the perilous reign of Mary Tudor, my lineage is a testament to resilience and adaptation. My ancestor’s courageous escape from England to Calais and eventually to France anchors my family’s narrative in a legacy of survival, faith, and defiance in the face of adversity.

My identity is a mosaic of histories and traditions rooted in a vibrant tapestry of ancestry that spans English, Ashkenazi, Semitic, Spanish, Italian, and North African heritage.

This multifaceted background shapes not only my worldview but also the stories I craft, infusing them with a unique blend of cultural richness, historical nuance, and emotional resonance.

Through my writing, I explore universal themes of identity, belonging, and the human condition, offering readers narratives that transcend geographical borders and historical epochs. My work bridges the past and present, intertwining historical echoes with contemporary insights, and creating stories that are as thought-provoking as they are timeless.

Driven by a passion for storytelling, I am committed to honoring my heritage while crafting narratives that speak to the shared experiences of humanity. Each story is an homage to the resilience and complexity of the human spirit, a reflection of a voice shaped by centuries of history yet profoundly relevant today.

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Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I didn’t start writing because I thought I could become an author. I started writing because there were stories I couldn’t stop thinking about, and eventually I realized the only way to get them out of my head was to put them on paper.

I’ve been drawn to storytelling for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was fascinated by epic worlds, complicated families, and characters forced to confront both their greatest strengths and their deepest flaws. Writing became my way of exploring those ideas and asking questions about legacy, power, love, identity, and the choices that define us.

Many writers have influenced me, but two stand out above all others: J.K. Rowling and George R.R. Martin. Rowling inspired me with her ability to create a rich, immersive world filled with wonder, heart, and unforgettable characters. Martin showed me that fantasy could be brutal, morally complex, and profoundly human. Together, they helped shape the kind of stories I wanted to tell—stories that combine epic adventure with emotional depth and flawed, relatable characters.

More than anything, I write because I believe stories have the power to stay with us. Long after we finish the last page, the best characters continue to live in our minds, challenging us, inspiring us, and making us see the world differently. That’s the kind of story I hope to create for my readers.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’ve worked in several fields that have given me a unique perspective on people and the challenges they face. I currently work as a legal assistant while also studying law. Before that, I worked in child protective services, an experience that exposed me to both the resilience and vulnerability of people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Although these professions may seem very different from writing fantasy, they have had a profound influence on my work. They’ve shown me how complex people really are—how love, fear, loyalty, trauma, and hope can shape our decisions. Those human experiences are at the heart of every story I write.

As for something readers might not know about me, I didn’t follow a traditional path into writing. I wasn’t formally trained as an author. Everything I’ve learned has come through reading, studying great storytellers, and spending years developing my craft. I’ve also lived in several countries and been exposed to different cultures, which has shaped the way I think about identity, family, power, and belonging—themes that frequently find their way into my books.

At my core, I’m simply someone who is endlessly curious about people. Whether through law, social work, or storytelling, I’ve always been interested in understanding what drives us, what breaks us, and what helps us endure.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Finding the title wasn’t as straightforward as many people might think. Like a lot of writers, I went through several possibilities before finding the one that truly captured the heart of the story.

I eventually settled on The Fives’ Oath: Legacy of the Bloodborn because it reflects the two central forces that drive the novel: loyalty and inheritance. The ‘Fives’ Oath’ speaks to an ancient promise that echoes across generations, while ‘Legacy of the Bloodborn’ reflects the burden of ancestry, destiny, and the weight of a family history that the characters cannot escape.

What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?

The moment it truly felt real was when The Fives’ Oath: Legacy of the Bloodborn became a finalist in the Reader Views Literary Awards. Like many writers, I faced rejection along the way, but I never let it discourage me. J.K. Rowling famously faced numerous rejections before finding success, and that reminded me that rejection isn’t the end of the journey.
I believed in my story, so I chose to self-publish. Becoming an award finalist and seeing readers connect with the book confirmed that belief. It was proof that the story had found its audience.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

If The Fives’ Oath: Legacy of the Bloodborn had a soundtrack, it would be heavily inspired by Greek mythology. While writing the book, I listened to a great deal of Greek-inspired music because of my Greek ancestry and my deep emotional connection to the language and culture.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

More than anything, I hope readers walk away feeling a little less alone.

One of the most meaningful messages I have ever received came from a reader who told me that the book helped him accept himself. He shared that he had struggled with shame surrounding his identity and had even contemplated taking his own life. Reading that message left me unable to sleep that night. I kept thinking about what he had been carrying and how close he had come to losing hope.

As writers, we dream of good reviews, awards, and sales, but that message put everything into perspective. If my story helped even one person see their worth, find acceptance, or choose to keep going, then that is the greatest reward I could ever receive as an author.

Stories have power. If The Fives’ Oath leaves readers with anything, I hope it is the belief that they are not alone in their struggles and that there is always hope, even in the darkest moments.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The most rewarding part of publishing my book wasn’t seeing it in print or becoming an award finalist—it was hearing from readers whose lives were touched by the story.

One message in particular will stay with me forever. A reader told me that the book helped him accept himself and confront years of shame surrounding his identity. He shared that he had even considered ending his life. Reading that message left me speechless and unable to sleep that night.

In that moment, I realized that stories could do far more than entertain. They can comfort, heal, and remind people that they are not alone. If The Fives’ Oath: Legacy of the Bloodborn helped even one person find hope and choose to keep going, then that is more meaningful to me than any review, award, or sales figure could ever be.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on the second instalment of The Fives’ Oath saga. While the first book introduces readers to Ravenhelm, the Blackskull family, and the forces shaping the fate of the realm, the second book expands the world significantly and raises the stakes for every character. It’s an exciting project because I already know where these characters are headed, and I can’t wait for readers to continue the journey with them.

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