How to Have Courage and Faith in a Broken World with YA Author Megan Schaulis

Episode Show Notes:

Welcome to the Read Clean YA with CJ podcast! In this episode, we dive into an exciting interview with young adult author Megan Schaulis, whose debut novel Protector is a YA dystopian retelling of Esther. Join us as we explore her inspirations, the unique twists in her story, and the deeper themes she weaves into her narrative.

Meet Megan Schaulis

After a year of traveling the country in a 100 square foot camper, Megan Schaulis returned home and wrote her first novel. With a BA in journalism from Arizona State University and experience as a special education teacher, Megan has always been passionate about helping young people fall in love with reading and writing. Now, she channels her creativity into her branding agency and her writing.

Her debut novel Protector released in April 2024 with White Crown Publishing. It’s a fresh take on the biblical story of Esther, set in a near-future dystopian world.

Reimagining Esther in a Dystopian World

Megan Schaulis’ Protector takes the historical account of Esther from the Old Testament and reinvents it in a near-future dystopian society driven by solar technology, nanotechnology, and genetic engineering.

“I completely reinvented a world, real world. It’s not a magical story. It’s not a fantasy, but it’s so it’s in a near future dystopian world that’s a little bit broken and a little bit off.” – Megan Schaulis

This unique setting allows for a fresh exploration of the themes and questions that arise from Esther’s story, particularly the intriguing aspect that the biblical book of Esther does not mention God.

The Birth of “Protector”

Like many authors, Megan’s debut novel is not the first book she ever wrote. She shared how the idea for Protector came from a random note she jotted down in her phone: “Esther Ninja Warrior”.

“Basically something along the lines of like, what if the competition sort of old world beauty pageant to be queen, what if it was a physical competition to become the king’s bodyguard?” – Megan Schaulis

This idea sparked the creation of a story where the protagonist, Novalise (or Astra), competes in a physical competition against genetically enhanced rivals to become the king’s bodyguard.

A Unique Protagonist in Novalise

Novalise, the protagonist of Protector, is an athletic yet normal human competing against opponents enhanced with nanotechnology. This dynamic creates an intense narrative where Novalise must constantly prove herself.

“She’s in a situation where she’s the only one who has a standard body and she can’t let anyone know that.” – Megan Schaulis

Her journey is not just physical but also deeply emotional and mental, challenging her to push beyond her limits.

Themes in “Protector”

One of the major themes in Protector is the power of a relationship with God. Despite the futuristic and dystopian setting, the story emphasizes that this relationship is the greatest advantage one can have.

“A relationship with God is the greatest advantage that you will ever have or ever need.” – Megan Schaulis

Novalise’s hidden conversations with a higher power, referred to as Alpha, add a profound layer to the narrative, highlighting the internal struggle of maintaining faith in a challenging environment.

Comparisons and Influences

Megan Schaulis’ Protector has drawn comparisons to other popular YA dystopian series. She pitched her book as “The Selection meets American Ninja Warrior”. Other comparable works include:

• Matched by Ali Condie
• Divergent by Veronica Roth

These comparisons give readers an idea of the exciting and intense world they can expect in Protector.

Conclusion

Megan Schaulis’ Protector promises to be a thrilling addition to the YA dystopian genre. With its unique take on the story of Esther, set in a richly imagined near-future world, it’s a book that fans of dystopian adventures won’t want to miss.

Don’t forget to check out Megan Schaulis’ debut novel. Stay tuned for more exciting author interviews and book recommendations on the Read Clean YA with CJ podcast!

Wrapping things Up: from CJ

I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Megan Schaulis. It was so fun getting to talk to Megan and hear her heart behind her story. And I always love a great dystopian adventure!

If you’re looking for a story that combines Nanotechnology and royal romance with a heartfelt quest to make in difference, then you’ll love this dystopian reimagining of the book of Esther.

Note for Sensitive Readers

There are some elements that might be too much for young or sensitive readers. Older teens/20 somethings are put in a situation where they think they have to compromise themselves to survive. It’s clear to the reader this is a lie/test, but characters consider what they’ll do in that situation. There’s also romance in this story, and the girl’s in the book experience some scary moments with things that happen with their families. Those are just some things to be made aware of if you have a younger reader.

Next Time on Read Clean YA with CJ

Next time on Read Clean YA with CJ, I’ll be talking with Nadine Brandes about her newest novel, The Nightmare Virus. This is Nadine’s second time on the podcast, and we had a truly wonderful conversation. And this book is one not to be missed! Be sure to tune in so you can hear all about it.

Thank you so much for listening to Read Clean YA with CJ. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend so they can discover exciting, clean young adult books too.