On debut novel Sea of Evil and Desire
By Christina Consolino
Poet, speaker, and romance author J. Střelou’s debut novel, The Sea of Evil and Desire, launched last month. Readers might recognize her work from Instagram, where “millions of people around the world have shared her signature black-and-white quotes.” Others might also recognize Střelou from the Inspirational Women Awards and her advocacy role for victims of domestic violence. In October 2024, she was named winner for Social Impact Innovator by Spirit of the Wakatipu Awards, which acknowledge “altruists, philanthropists, volunteers and community heroes who make a positive difference to life in Queenstown.” We chatted about Střelou’s debut novel, what inspires her writing, and what’s coming next.
Congratulations on your debut novel, The Sea of Evil and Desire, Book One in The Deep Saga series. The story features an “ancient feud,” “a forbidden love and a tragic curse,” all the makings of an excellent read! What drew you to novel writing, in particular, one that includes these classic elements?
JS: Before I was old enough to read on my own, my mother would read books like The Hobbit and The Dark Is Rising aloud to me. Growing up on a primitive commune without electricity, my sister and I relied entirely on our imaginations. We played Hobbits in the forest, created magical board games, and spent countless hours writing and reading. It was during that time that we dreamed up the idea of a girl with a Selkie coat.
I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean. As a Pisces (need I say more?), it felt like a part of me. My favorite shirt as a child was a Greenpeace tee that read “Save Our Coral Reefs,” featuring an image of the ocean. Sea of Evil and Desire [comes from] an idea that’s lived inside me for many years, though life delayed its arrival until now. I wanted to create a fantasy series that mattered, one that shed light on the importance of protecting our oceans. And what better way than through the Mer characters we fall in love with, who find themselves haunted by “the Shadow,” their name for pollution.
Did you set out to write a series, or did it arise organically? How many books are planned? Does writing a series challenge you in a way that writing standalones might not?
JS: The Deep Saga is a planned tetralogy. Initially, it was meant to be a trilogy, but after my developmental editors encouraged me to limit the first book to 100,000 words, I decided to split the debut book into two.
I haven’t written any stand-alone novels yet, only poetry, but I can say that the first book was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Thankfully, the process has become much smoother with the later books, now that I’ve learned so much.
The tetralogy will include: Sea of Evil and Desire, Sea of Pleasure and Pain, Sea of Seduction and Sin, Sea of Sacrifice and Redemption.
The novel is considered a dark romance fantasy. What about the genre appeals to you as a writer? In your hands, how dark is dark, and is anything off-limits to you in terms of its darkness?
JS: I didn’t initially set out to write a dark fantasy. But this story unfolds in the depths of the Atlantic. It’s a dark place down there.
Throughout mythology, mermaids have been portrayed as wild, dangerous creatures, and many of the Drowned are pirates from Port Royal, a city infamous for its wickedness. Given the setting and lore, the darker tone felt inevitable.
That said, book two, while still addressing some heavier themes, won’t be as dark. Set primarily in the Mediterranean, it lets me lean into the ocean’s beauty and explore the opulent lives of the Mer who dwell there.
Nothing is off-limits in terms of darkness if it is the right fit for the situation and the character’s traits, but I won’t go out of my way to make a scene darker than it needs to be.
Readers applaud the underwater world you’ve crafted for the novel. What sort of research did you perform in your quest to bring the world to life? Did you unearth anything surprising?
JS: I did a lot of research to create the Kingdom of the Deep, and I am doing more now for book two. I researched water mythology, as well as Scottish, Irish, and Greek mythology, and the mysteries of Atlantis. I watched every National Geographic documentary led by James Cameron. But the most helpful show was the “Drain the Oceans” National Geographic series, which uses groundbreaking technology and the latest scientific data from underwater systems to visualise the oceans’ secrets. I’m watching it again now for book two.
You dedicate the book to your mom and sister, and mention you were inspired by the stories your mother wrote. What other influences impacted this story/series and its characters?
JS: I’ve always had a vision of what the last mermaid might look like and what she might have gone through. I channeled this vision into painting, poetry, and now the Deep Saga.
My Scottish heritage inspired the creation of the Selkie coat. I was conceived on the Isle of Skye and born in Glasgow.
Let’s chat tropes! Romance isn’t romance without them. The novel takes on several themes—a small town and age gap, to name a few. How did you decide which tropes to use? Do you have any absolute favorite romance tropes? If so, why?
JS: I don’t really plan my tropes. I just write the story I want to tell and figure out the tropes afterward. That said, I did intentionally include the “Who did this to you?” scars on the MMC, because I can’t resist a tortured bad boy.
That’s my favorite trope: the dark-haired, mysterious, morally grey bad boy. Give me Snape or Darth Vader any day.
I love slow-burn romances, tumultuous will-they-won’t-they dynamics, and aching, bittersweet love stories. I’m drawn to devastating romances like Romeo and Juliet, and of course, enemies-to-lovers, especially when it’s unexpected. I also have a soft spot for found family stories. This might give you a little sneak peek into what’s in store for some of my characters.
You’re also an accomplished poet, sharing much of it over on Instagram. Why poetry? What creative slot does it fill that novel writing might not? Where do you find your inspiration for your poems?
JSs: My mum was a poet, and she used to take us to slam poetry nights when we were kids, so I suppose it’s in my blood. Poetry is a way to connect emotionally with audiences online, raise awareness about issues, and make people’s hearts feel heard. People have told me that they’ve used my poetry as a tool for healing, which inspires me.
That leads directly to this next question: Much of your work involves heartbreak and healing. Why focus on those themes, and how do you find a proper balance, as both could weigh a reader down?
JS: The central theme of the Deep Saga is: “Love is the reason for everything, but it can also be our ruin.” Every character in the story, whether good or evil, is ultimately driven by love.
I don’t aim for balance; I just write from the heart, and the heart of the characters. If readers connect with the story, it means the world to me. If they don’t, that’s okay too. Reading is such a subjective experience that even if you tried to please everyone, you couldn’t. In the end, it’s far better to stay true to your vision and your character.
We can’t talk about your work without mentioning the Inspirational Women Awards, “an event that elevates and celebrates women while raising funds and awareness about domestic violence.” How did organizing this event come about? What have you learned from it? What do you hope it achieves moving forward?
JS: I have always been an advocate for anti-domestic violence. One in three women globally has experienced domestic violence. Shining a light on this issue and giving survivors a voice is important to me, and it’s something that I’ve used my poetry, the Inspirational Women Awards, and now the Deep Saga to do. As a survivor myself, this is a cause that’s close to my heart.
Besides the second novel in the series, What’s next for you?
JS: I have fully immersed myself in the Kingdom of the Deep. I don’t have time to do anything else at the moment except for writing, researching, and hanging out with the MMC in my life: my dog, Diego. However, once I finish the Deep Saga, I have an idea for a stand-alone romance novel I want to pursue.
A Sea of Evil and Desire
J. Střelou
A LOVE BOUND BY FATE. A KINGDOM ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION. Beneath the waves, an ancient feud between the Mer and Drowned has simmered for centuries, sparked by a forbidden love and a tragic curse . . . Morgana Scott isn’t like anyone else—she senses people’s feelings. The unexpected death of her grandmother sends her to Ruadán’s Port, a windswept seaside town on Scotland’s Isle of Islay. Steeped in superstition and shadowed by eerie tales of Mer, Selkies, gods, and ghosts, the town holds a history as restless as the sea itself. Here, she meets Finn—magnetic, dark, and utterly unreadable. His mystery pulls her in, but the very thing that intrigues her might be why she should keep her distance. As the festival of Samhain approaches, the ocean whispers tales of the dead, and an ancient prophecy stirs—one that could unravel everything Morgana thought she knew about herself and the world beneath the waves.
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Article originally Published in the Summer 2025 Issue.