PHOTO: Fantasy author Jenna Elizabeth Johnson blends swordplay, Celtic lore, and imagination to breathe life into enchanting worlds filled with magic and meaning.
Fantasy Worlds Ancient Magic And Fierce Heroines
Jenna Elizabeth Johnson discusses the deep roots of her fantasy novels, blending Celtic mythology, personal experience, and heartfelt storytelling into immersive adventures for both young adult and middle grade readers.
Jenna Elizabeth Johnson conjures worlds where ancient myth breathes beneath modern skin, where dragons soar with purpose, and where headstrong heroines stride with both sword and soul. With a background in Celtic Studies and a heart steeped in epic storytelling, she crafts fantastical realms rich in lore, woven with the delicate threads of tradition, imagination, and deep emotional resonance.
Her stories are not merely escapes; they are explorations—of magic, of myth, and of what it means to persevere through darkness toward light. Whether sketching maps of uncharted lands or wielding a longsword in competitive HEMA tournaments, Johnson brings a rare authenticity to her work. Her lived experience flows through every duel, every enchantment, every journey of healing her characters endure.
Yet it is perhaps her deep reverence for the power of storytelling that defines her most. In Johnson’s hands, fantasy becomes not only a genre but a vessel—for memory, for wonder, and for hope. Through her vibrant imagination and meticulous world-building, readers are invited to cross thresholds into realms where the extraordinary awaits just beyond the veil.
How has your background in Celtic Studies influenced the creation of the Otherworld series?
My background in Celtic Studies directly influenced the creation of my Otherworld series. While Greek and Norse mythology were gaining popularity when I started writing my books, there weren’t many series featuring Celtic mythology. Since I had studied the subject in college and loved it so much, I decided to take what I learned and weave a story that would hopefully appeal to the young adult crowd while introducing them to the world of the Celtic gods and goddesses.
What inspired you to merge modern-day settings with ancient Celtic mythology in your books?
In Celtic mythology, the Celts believe in Otherworldly beings and spirits who sometimes cross over into our world from their realm (this is where we get Halloween). Having these books set in both our world and the Otherworld made the most sense. Also, I had just finished the third book in my epic fantasy series and I was ready for something new and different.
Can you tell us about your creative process when developing the rich lore and magical systems in your fantasy worlds?
So much of my creative process comes from good old-fashioned daydreaming. Much of the time, a new idea will spark, whether that idea be a setting I suddenly find myself walking through, or a new character who starts speaking to me, or even an emotion or feeling that pushes that idea along. Both my Otherworld and Oescienne series are rich with Celtic symbolism and glamour (magic that has a strong connection to nature and the worlds of my books). The magic isn’t too complex, but it has its limits and is stronger in some, weaker in others. I’m still discovering the limits of glamour in the Otherworld with each book I write, so there may still be more for me to learn.
How do you balance writing for both young adult and middle grade audiences across your different series?
Honestly, I let my characters and the world they live in speak for me. I often tell people I’m the vessel some unknown entity uses to tell their story. Sometimes those characters are teenagers, sometimes they are young children, and sometimes they are Celtic fae or dragons that are centuries old. The story sort of balances itself out as I write. If it begins to feel more for a middle grade audience, I make an effort to keep the themes appropriate for that age group. Same thing for the young adult audience. It also helps that I work at a combined elementary and junior high school. Being around the kids gives me a bit of insight into their perspective.
As a visual artist, how does your mapmaking and illustration work shape or support your storytelling?
Sketching out maps, scenes, and anything else that comes to mind while you are writing is extremely helpful. I love having maps for fantasy worlds. They help me orient myself and make it easier to describe where my characters live and where they are going. The maps can also inspire new stories by making you wonder who lives in the areas between those featured in your current book.
What challenges do you face when writing darker emotional themes, especially in stories like Faeborne?
Making sure those darker emotional themes don’t take over the entire story is probably the most challenging aspect. For me, there has to be a good balance of the dark emotions with lighter themes. I love a good love story, one that involves characters who struggle with some past trauma, only to find someone who helps them overcome the impossible. The real world is too full of stories of people succumbing to their own demons, so I like to write stories where people persevere and find their happy ending.
How do your hobbies, such as archery and sword fighting, influence your fight scenes or world-building?
Longsword fencing has especially helped me be a more descriptive writer with regards to sword fighting. In fact, that is why I took up HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) in the first place. There is something about being comfortable with and wielding a sword– the balance, the weight, the sensation of three feet of steel moving through the air towards an opponent – that’s so much better than simply reading a description, even if that description is written by an expert in the field. Now, if I need to write out a fight scene, I can just grab my sword and go through the motions.
What advice would you offer to other authors hoping to weave mythology and original fantasy into compelling narratives?
Depending on how much mythology you wish to use, and how true to that mythology you wish to stay, do your research. I was lucky to have a program at my university that focused on Celtic mythology. If you can find experts in the field you wish to write about, try reaching out if only to ask for a list of the best books on the subject. As for original fantasy: Listen to your characters when they speak to you, let your mind have the space and quiet it needs to conjure up new worlds, and read lots of other fantasy books to help create those building blocks for your own creations.
