We’re here to celebrate the release of Dana Gricken’s first novel with OHB, Modern Fairytale! Sit back and enjoy this special character interview with the main character.

An Exclusive Interview with Princess Esme

By Brienne Arwen, reporter for the Fairhaven Gazette

It’s my privilege to sit down with Fairhaven’s one and only princess, Princess Esme. If the humans ever find out about our kingdom one day, hidden beneath the storm drains under Toronto, then I’d like for them to learn about the royal family. And, of course, the princess herself. Perhaps even our own people can learn something new about her.

So, without further ado, I’m excited to meet the very busy princess to ask her a little bit about her life, goals, and future. Right now, she seems to be in a difficult position. Read on to learn more…

Good morning, Your Highness. Everyone has just learned that your father, King Tedros, has banned you from Fairhaven. Can you tell us a little more about that?

Princess Esme: (sighs) Yes, well…it was unfortunate. I pulled a stupid prank that angered a lot of people. And my father thought I could use a…vacation on the surface world to correct my behavior.

A vacation?

Princess Esme: Ha, that’s what I’m calling it, at least. It sounds better than “completely and totally banished from your homeland”.

Right, I understand. Well, I’m very sorry for this…vacation. What does he hope you’ll learn on the surface?

Princess Esme: Oh, a number of things. Responsibility, respect, friendship. He’s given me a bucket list. I need to find a job, find a place to live, help someone, and so on. Truth be told, being a princess gets boring after a while. There are only so many parties I can attend. My fairy godmother Ophelia tries to be there for me and make it more interesting, but there’s only so much she can do. My mother was the one who loved parties and got me excited for them too. She always knew how to soothe me. With her gone…things just aren’t the same.

And we’re all very sorry for your loss. Losing the Queen was difficult for all of us too. Now, what’s one thing you hope to discover on the surface?

Princess Esme: Hmm…I guess how to live on my own. As scary as it is to be banished from your home, it’s also an opportunity. I hope to learn a little about the humans and blend in. Without them knowing, of course. They probably couldn’t handle learning about magic or our people. My father has told me to keep our existence a secret while I’m up there.

Good idea, they would probably freak out. I bet some of them are open-minded, though. If you met someone special up there, would you ever consider dating one of the humans?

Princess Esme: (blushing) Oh, gosh…I don’t know. Right now, I’m just focused on survival so I can get back home.

Of course. But on that note, I’m sure many in Fairhaven would love the chance to go on a date with you and become the next prince or princess. What do you look for in a romantic partner? And what is your ideal first date?

Princess Esme: Hmm…I’ve never really thought about it before. I guess someone who’s kind. Who respects me. And who sees me for who I am, not just as a princess. My ideal first date would be something normal. Maybe eating ice cream or going for a walk. Something where I don’t have to do my royal duties.

I completely understand. Who knows—maybe you’ll find that on the surface. Now, what are some of your likes and dislikes?

Princess Esme: Likes? Hanging out with my best friend, Alva. We love to dance the night away. Dislikes? All the royal parties and balls. No thanks. Even though I do look great in a gown.

Very good. Now, one last question. If you could tell the human world anything, what would it be?

Princess Esme: It’s that they shouldn’t be afraid of our people. Yes, we have magic, fairy godmothers, potions, and dragons, but we’re harmless. Most of us, anyway. Both my people and the humans need to watch out for Fairy Godmother Zamira, Senator Remus, and his family. They’re up to something—I swear it! They want to make magic compatible on the surface. I think they’re dangerous.

Yes, that does sound like a problem. But your father trusts the Senator and his fairy godmother. If he suspected them of anything, I’m sure he would’ve acted by now. King Tedros will keep us safe.

Princess Esme: Well, my father can be short-sighted sometimes. And stubborn. I just think we all need to be more careful around them—

I’m sorry, that’s all the time we have for today. I don’t want to be charged with libel. Those magical lawyers mean business. Anyway, I’m sure our world is fine and King Tedros has everything handled. Good luck on the surface, Princess Esme. We’re all rooting for you and hope to see you back once you’ve impressed your father enough to return.

Princess Esme: Thank you. I hope so too. Good day, Brienne.

That’s it for our interview. Princess Esme was wonderful to speak to. And not to worry, Fairhaven citizens—I’m sure Princess Esme’s fears are unfounded. Everything is fine in our little kingdom…isn’t it?

Learn more about Fairhaven and Princess Esme in Modern Fairytale by Dana Gricken! Check it out below:

Beneath the city of Toronto lies a secret, magical kingdom called Fairhaven-one Princess Esme finds dreadfully dull. She spends her days pulling pranks and ruining parties, much to her father, King Tedros’s dismay. When she sabotages the anniversary ball, he finally takes the advice of the other families and kicks her out of Fairhaven to teach her a lesson.

Esme can return one day, but only if she follows a strict list her father has written. She must change her spoiled ways and help people, live on her own, and overcome her selfishness-among other goals. When she meets Noah Crawford, a humanitarian who works for a local philanthropy company, she thinks she’s hit the jackpot. She plans to use him and work for his organization to convince her father she’s changed…but things don’t always go according to plan.

Soon, she discovers one of the Senators from Fairhaven wants to bring magic to Earth to rule over it, her boss at the humanitarian organization doesn’t have the purest intentions, and old frenemies have wicked intentions for Fairhaven in her absence. On top of all that, she begins falling for Noah-and must decide if she ever wants to return to Fairhaven or if she’s found a modern fairytale in the real world.

Dana Gricken is an author from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In her spare time, she enjoys watching Star Trek with her cats, reading, and playing video games. She hopes her books bring joy to people and wants to write over a hundred novels in her lifetime.

You can find her on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub!