From Dark Dreams to Fantasy Realms: S. Von on Cartel Romance, Trafficking Awareness & Epic Worldbuilding

In this gripping Literary Lines episode, GiGi Meier sits down with author S. Von, whose writing journey began with a literal dream—one so vivid it became Taken Not Destroyed, a high-stakes cartel romance duology about kidnapping, obsession, and harrowing survival. Now, she’s pivoting to an expansive fantasy saga (Hearts Burn Slow, coming September) while using her platform to spotlight real-world trafficking through her newsletter’s dedicated resource section.S. Von pulls back the curtain on how that fateful dream scene unfolded into a published duet, why dark romance chose her (rather than the other way around), and the steep learning curve of finding the perfect editor and cover artist as a new indie author. She reveals how she wrote Mission of Destruction while editing its predecessor, and why her upcoming 11-book fantasy series—featuring a human heroine torn between worlds—promises even more slow-burn tension and moral complexity.For writers, this is a masterclass in trusting creative instincts; for readers, it’s a thrilling preview of gritty romance and sprawling fantasy—all woven with S. Von’s commitment to storytelling that entertains and educates. Find S. Von here:Website:https://www.svonauthor.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/petergribble3/ How to find GiGi:Website: https://www.gigimeier.com/ Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes: https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier Substack: https://gigimeier.substack.com The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier