Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Lycia’s Leopard, an upcoming release from Magic Moon Publishing, set to captivate readers in 2025. Shah Husain shares the inspirations, challenges, and magic behind this heartfelt story. From big cat sightings in East Sussex to the bond between Lycia and her Alsatian, Clio, discover what makes this book a tale worth waiting for.
What inspired you to write Lycia's Leopard? Was it based on personal experiences or entirely from your imagination?
My story ideas tend to stem from a blend of imagination, personal experiences, and impactful moments. I often came across local news reports about "big cat" sightings of leopards, pumas, or panthers on the South Downs and other areas of E. Sussex. They captured my curiosity, particularly after I saw a white animal moving through a wooded area that looked very much like a big cat.
But the first inspiration came from a heartbreaking news report about a beloved family dog impounded for not wearing a muzzle. The emotional weight of the incident stayed with me. The two elements together became central to Lycia’s story, influencing themes of loyalty, resilience, and justice in the book.
The white leopard is a captivating symbol in the story. Can you share what it represents to you and how it ties into Lycia’s journey?
The white leopard serves as both a metaphor and a touchstone for Lycia’s growth. It’s a tale her father shares, about a rare and extraordinary creature that survives not just through cunning but by staying true to itself. This mirrors Emma’s journey as she navigates the upheaval of her parents’ separation, the challenges of bullying, and her struggle to find her place in a new environment.
The leopard’s resilience inspires her, and its story becomes the catalyst for her own transformation. When Emma pours herself into painting a stunning image of the leopard, it’s more than art – it’s her way of reclaiming her voice and proving, to herself and the world, that she’s capable of something extraordinary.
Lycia’s relationship with her parents and Clio, her Alsatian, is central to the story. How did you approach writing these dynamics to resonate with readers?
Writing the relationships in Lycia’s Leopard was a deeply personal process, especially when it came to Clio, the Alsatian. I grew up with dogs, and German Shepherds were always my favourite. The dog I related to most was Clio, a gentle and sweet-natured creature I’d known since a toddler. She had this incredible intuition – she always seemed to know when I needed comfort and became hyper-alert if she thought I needed protection. Her quiet presence made even the hardest moments feel bearable. I poured all of that into Lycia’s bond with Clio.
I think many readers will resonate with the special closeness Lycia shares with Clio. Most children love animals and often long for them if they haven’t got any. Animals have a way of offering us unconditional love and understanding. Mostly dogs – maybe I’m playing favourites.
Clio becomes Lycia’s confidante and a source of strength, especially when she’s feeling isolated or overwhelmed by her struggles with bullying and family upheaval. For anyone who’s had a pet that feels like a best friend, I hope Lycia’s connection with Clio will feel authentic and deeply relatable. It’s a reminder of how animals can help us through even the most challenging times.
The story delves into themes of resilience, family tension, and self-discovery. What message do you hope young readers take away from Lycia’s experiences?
At its heart, Lycia’s Leopard is a story about finding strength in difficult times and believing in yourself, even when life feels overwhelming. Through Lycia’s experiences, I hope young readers see that resilience isn’t about never struggling - it’s about facing challenges head-on and growing through them. Whether it’s navigating family tension, dealing with bullying, or finding her own voice, Lycia learns that she’s stronger than she realized, and that creativity and imagination can be powerful tools for healing and self-expression. I also wanted to convey that family relationships, even when messy or strained, can grow and evolve through understanding and compromise. And most importantly, Lycia’s journey is about discovering who she is and embracing her unique strengths.
My hope is that readers will take away the message that, like Lycia, they have the ability to overcome challenges, create positive change in their lives, and find their own paths to happiness and fulfilment. And never give in. Those factors definitely affected my thinking when I read about them.
You’ve painted vivid descriptions of the Sussex countryside in the book. Why did you choose this setting, and how does it enhance the story?
I chose East Sussex because its vast green expanses, enchanting forests, and the serene Bexhill seaside have always captivated me. I’ve spent time exploring the area – it’s both beautiful and atmospheric an perfect for Lycia’s story. The rolling countryside felt like a natural reflection of her journey; its beauty offers moments of peace and inspiration, while its untamed, wild nature mirrors the challenges she faces.
The forests, with their quiet mystery, seemed the perfect place for the magic of the white leopard to come alive. And the seaside at Bexhill, with its openness and endless horizons, symbolized hope and the possibility of new beginnings – and the magical touch of a dinosaur footprint. The landscape isn’t just a backdrop for me – it’s integral to Lycia’s emotional journey and the magic that threads through her story.
Bullying and fitting in are significant challenges for Lycia in her new school. What advice would you give to readers dealing with similar experiences?
I empathize deeply with anyone who experiences bullying. It’s isolating and traumatic. My advice is reflected in Lycia’s actions. Reach out as she did to someone you trust – a parent, a teacher, a friend – because sharing your feelings means you’re not alone. Reach out to someone you trust even if it feels difficult – a parent, a teacher, a friend.
Sharing your feelings can help ease the burden and bring support where it’s needed. Like Lycia, it’s also important to find something that anchors you, whether it’s a hobby, a creative outlet, or even a goal that keeps you moving forward. For Lycia, it was her painting and her connection to Clio, which gave her the strength to face her challenges. Lastly, always remember that bullying says more about the bully than it does about you. You are stronger than you realize, and, like Lycia, you can rise above it. Your voice, your creativity, and your uniqueness are what make you extraordinary.
The story incorporates elements of magic and realism. How did you balance these to keep the narrative grounded yet imaginative?
It came quite organically, really. I’ve always believed that magic, however you define it, is all around us. There may be a hard-core explanation but that doesn’t mean it’s not magical. The balance lies in blending the extraordinary with the everyday.
Simon’s story of being rescued from a bully by a white leopard introduces magic as something subtle and unprovable, yet deeply transformative, echoing the idea that magic exists in ways we don’t always see – for example when Simon describes the moment a bud blooms or a creeper latches on to a something for support.
Lycia’s own struggles with bullying and her journey of resilience, symbolized through her painting of the leopard, wins an art competition. The detective subplot, involving a Big Cat investigator offers just enough mystery to keep readers wondering. The reports of sighting and investigation can’t be proved or disproved. I hope the magical element enriches the narrative without overpowering its emotional and relatable core.
Lycia faces asthma and stress, which are portrayed with sensitivity. How did you balance these to keep the narrative grounded yet imaginative?
It was really important to portray these aspects with authenticity. Having seen first- hand the impact of asthma on children, and drawing from my experience as a psychoanalyst, I’m deeply aware of the emotional and mental toll on both patients and their families.
I also spoke to people with asthma about their experience, symptoms and other effects. I wanted to accurately convey the distress and tension that come with managing the condition, while also showing the resilience required to navigate it. It was important to strike a balance – depicting the reality of these critical aspects while highlighting hope and a path forward.
What was the most challenging part of writing Lycia’s Leopard, and how did you overcome it?
Once I got going, Lycia’s Leopard pretty much wrote itself. The challenge lay in reflecting the Lycia’s life – the internal drama and the material and physical changes in her life that demonstrate bother vulnerability and resilience. Lycia’s heartbreak at leaving her dad, Simon, in London while moving to Sussex; her mum’s feelings of being let down and her tendency to override Lycia’s concerns, driven by her fear that Lycia might inherit Simon’s light-hearted approach to work; and the bullying Lycia faced at her new school.
On top of that, Lycia carried a quiet guilt for her parents’ split, which added another emotional layer. All of these had to feel interconnected to make Lycia’s journey cohesive and meaningful.
Above all, I wanted to balance these realistic struggles with the magical elements of the animals and Lycia’s ability to draw on her imagination and inner strength. For me, the key was finding ways to meld these experiences into a cohesive story – one that showed how compromise, creativity, forgiveness, and an open mind can foster positive connections and ultimately lead to a happier, more balanced life. It was a challenge, but also incredibly rewarding to see it all come together.
Are there plans for a sequel or more stories exploring Lycia’s life?
Now that’s an idea! If it goes down well with my readers, I’m sure there could be much more to tell!
Coming in 2025 from Magic Moon Publishing, Lycia’s Leopard is a heartfelt story about resilience, self-discovery, and the quiet magic that surrounds us. Keep an eye out for this extraordinary tale that promises to inspire and captivate readers of all ages! 🐾✨
Connect with Shah on Instagram: @Shahrukhhusain65
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