An Interview with Nadine AuCoin

NOVELTY FICTION – “Divine Banishers” is the descriptive label for your series of fantasy novellas. What makes the Celtic clan members (your protagonists) “banishers”? What makes them “divine”?

NADINE AUCOIN – The Celtic clan members in Divine Banishers earn their title through both sacred duty and ancestral power. They are “banishers” because they are the last line of defense against the encroaching horrors that slip through the veil, creatures born of ancient curses, forgotten gods, and fractured realms. Their role is not just to fight, but to exile these entities back to the shadows from which they came, often at great personal cost.

They are “divine” not because they are flawless, but because they are chosen. Each carries a fragment of divine essence, whether through bloodline, ritual, or fate that allows them to wield magic rooted in Celtic mythos. Their connection to the divine is both a blessing and a burden, as it sets them apart from the mortal world they protect. In essence, they are warriors of the old ways, walking a sacred path between myth and madness.

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NOVELTY FICTION – How did a short story idea (“Tucked Inn”) evolve into a novella, and how did you go about completing it?

NADINE AUCOIN – While still living in my hometown of Cheticamp, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, I always felt like I didn’t quite fit the mold. I knew deep down I was meant for something different; something brighter, freer, a life that wouldn’t clip my wings but help me soar. My curiosity about the land I came from, my ancestors, and the haunting beauty of the coastline was constant. Every day, I was surrounded by mesmerizing views and stories—tales of shipwrecks, tragic accidents, and romances tangled in poverty and hardship.

There was something about those cliffs plunging into the cold Atlantic that stirred something ancient in me. I began to wonder: had there been a world before mine? The jagged edges looked like remnants of a broken realm, shattered when the Creator of All cleansed the earth. That’s when the idea of The World Beneath took root; an unseen place where evil never truly dies. From that seed, Tucked Inn grew into something far more expansive than I’d first imagined. It became a vessel for everything I longed for and questioned.

Lucy, my protagonist, became my mirror and my escape. She embodies the strength, mystery, and freedom I craved. Through her, I lived the extraordinary life I once only dreamed of. And with the unwavering support of my friend Morten Rand, I found the courage to finish Tucked Inn and to keep building the Divine Banishers series that followed.

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NOVELTY FICTION – Your novellas follow a similar concept: An established and experienced queen yields the throne to a younger woman, who is destined to be the ultimate leader. The two women, Dominique and Lucy, seem very different in temperament and style. What are each queen’s strengths and weaknesses, and what makes Lucy the ultimate leader?

NADINE AUCOIN Great question. In the world of Divine Banishers, children of the Chosen live ordinary lives until their eighteenth birthday. Their Divine Banisher parents raise them in secrecy, shielding them from evil while allowing destiny to unfold naturally. It’s a sacred tradition: the Chosen must awaken to their powers on their own, without interference. Among the elders, it was always known that Lucy carried something extraordinary; an innate strength, a divine spark that marked her as the ultimate leader of God’s Chosen.

Dominique, the reigning queen, was once revered for her wisdom and command. She led with discipline and a fierce sense of duty. But as time passed, her rule became rigid, her heart guarded. Lucy, by contrast, emerged with a fire that could not be contained; empathetic, intuitive, and profoundly powerful. Her leadership flows not from control, but from connection. She sees what others miss, feels what others fear, and acts with a courage born of compassion. That’s what makes her the true heir; not just to the throne, but to the divine purpose behind it.

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NOVELTY FICTION – Dominique, a widow, has three sons, namely Allister and the twins Darko and Drake. “The Storms We Keep” (Book III) reveals that the twins can be surprisingly articulate and outspoken. Are they as intelligent as their brother? Neither of the twins ever has a romantic partner; is that a coincidence?

NADINE AUCOIN – When Drake and Darko are in their natural state – free from beast-mode – they’re playful, charming, and surprisingly wise. Their intelligence isn’t always obvious; it runs deep, often surfacing in moments of unexpected clarity. Unlike their older brother Allister, who was groomed from the age of eighteen to be a leader and Lucy’s destined mate, the twins were allowed to remain wild at heart. Dominique, their mother, gave them freedom, perhaps sensing that their path would be far less conventional.

Allister is eloquent, composed, and regal by design; he carries the weight of prophecy with grace, embodying the role of future king with unwavering purpose. The twins, on the other hand, are unpredictable; shaped by a supernatural power they don’t fully understand. When they shift into beast-mode, they lose all memory of who they are, becoming something primal and unknowable. That absence of romantic connection isn’t coincidence; it’s a reflection of their fractured identity. But as the series unfolds, so will their evolution. Drake and Darko are destined to mature to reclaim their humanity and, eventually, to seek the mates who will help anchor their souls.

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NOVELTY FICTION – Please describe the Celtic clan’s geographical reach, letting us know where they reside. Will future novellas give us detailed depictions of Divine Banishers living outside Nova Scotia, and if so, then where?

NADINE AUCOIN – The Celtic clan represents the original lineage of Divine Banishers, rooted in the rugged beauty of Nova Scotia. Their ancestral power is steeped in the land’s ancient mysticism; however, their reach extends far beyond their birthplace. These Banishers are globe-trotters by divine design, dispatched wherever Queen Lucy deems their presence necessary. Across the series, including all three books and the latest compilation Divine Banishers, they have journeyed to Arizona, California, New York City, the Ural Mountains of Russia, Newfoundland, and the sacred landscapes of Peru.

Though the Celtic clan remains the spiritual core of the realm, Divine Banishers exist across the world. Future novellas will delve into these global chapters, introducing new characters and cultures that enrich the mythology. Some will appear briefly; others will rise to prominence as central figures. The beauty of this universe lies in its boundless potential with each location, each Banisher, each mission opening the door to new stories waiting to be told.

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NOVELTY FICTION – Banishers speak in a particular way, dress in a distinct way, and carry weapons like swords. They also follow certain procedures and perform certain rituals. Did their god guide them into becoming like this, or did they figure it all out by themselves? Would a small group of banishers stand out among regular folks in a village?

NADINE AUCOIN – The Divine Banishers are not merely warriors, they are living embodiments of sacred design. Their speech, attire, rituals, and weaponry are not arbitrary choices, but reflections of divine instruction. It was the Creator of All who guided them into becoming what they are: regal, disciplined, and spiritually attuned. Their customs were not invented, they were inherited through prophecy, revelation, and ancestral memory. Every sword they carry, every ritual they perform, every word they speak in their distinct cadence is part of a sacred lineage.
Physically, they are extraordinary beings: tall, graceful, and strikingly beautiful. Their eyes shimmer in brilliant shades of green or blue, sometimes both. Their presence commands attention. Though they wear civilian clothing in daily life, the women often conceal sleek black protective bodysuits beneath, ready to shift into duty at a moment’s notice. When performing Banisher rites, all wear black: a symbol of solemnity and power. Some possess the ability to become invisible, but even when visible, they blend in only superficially. To the untrained eye, they may appear as models or ethereal strangers, yet their aura sets them apart.

In a quiet village, a small group of Banishers would undoubtedly stand out. Their beauty is otherworldly, their energy unmistakable. Though they experience the trials of youth like any other, especially during childhood, their destiny marks them from birth. They are not of this world alone; they are its guardians, shaped by divine will and bound to a higher calling.

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NOVELTY FICTION – Anything else you would like to share with our readers?

NADINE AUCOIN – Divine Banishers is more than a series; it’s a living world. Every character, every realm, every ritual is born from a place of deep curiosity, ancestral memory, and spiritual wonder. These stories are my way of exploring what lies beneath the surface of our everyday lives: the unseen battles, the sacred callings, the quiet strength we carry. I hope readers find not only entertainment, but a sense of connection, perhaps even a reflection of their own inner power.

That said, this journey is not for the faint of heart. The series delves into intense emotional terrain, with scenes of explicit passion, supernatural violence, and visceral transformation. It’s not a tale for children or the elderly, it’s for those who crave depth, danger, and the divine. And the journey is far from over. There are countless realms yet to be revealed, characters waiting to rise, and truths still buried in the shadows. I’m honored to share this world with you, and I can’t wait to show you what comes next.

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(c) 2025 by Novelty Fiction.