James Patterson is writing a romantasy with this Scottish author | Exclusive

James Patterson is writing a romantasy with this Scottish author Exclusive.

Key points

• Bill Clinton and James Patterson release "The First Gentleman, " using Clinton's White House experience to shape their third political thriller.
• Like millions of readers worldwide, James Patterson loves Sarah J.
• A surefire bestseller himself, Patterson is known for his pulse-pounding crime thrillers, mysteries and the occasional nonfiction book.
• "Once people start thinking there are rules, I think it gets boring and repetitive and not so good, " Patterson notes.

James Patterson is writing a romantasy with this Scottish author Exclusive. Clare Mulroy USA TODAY. Bill Clinton and James Patterson talk new political thriller book.

Like millions of readers worldwide, James Patterson loves Sarah J. Maas' "A Court of Thorns and Roses" and Rebecca Yarros' "Fourth Wing."

They are staples of romantasy, a portmanteau of romance and fantasy and one of publishing's most popular genres. When Yarros' "Onyx Storm" published in January 2025, it became the fastest-selling adult novel in 20 years at 2.7 million copies. Maas' series – Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City – have sold more than 70 million copies in English worldwide. Since BookTok's explosion during the pandemic, the genre is largely driven by women and for women.

Meanwhile, a surefire bestseller himself, Patterson is known for his pulse-pounding crime thrillers, mysteries and the occasional nonfiction book. On a four-decade publishing streak, Patterson has co-authored books with former President Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton. He began a podcast last year. Most lately, he wrote a book with MrBeast, the world's most successful YouTuber.

Now, he's venturing into the world of romantasy, USA TODAY can exclusively announce. "Firedance, " written with Hazel McBride, author "A Fate Forged in Fire, " comes out June 7, 2027 from Little, Brown and Firm and Forever Publishing and is available for preorder now.

As far as his motivation, Patterson notes there's nothing he wouldn't try.

"I think your initial response is (how) a lot of people are going to respond – like, 'What?'" Patterson notes, referencing my surprise at him stepping into the genre. "But I will tell you, it has nothing to do with the funds, it has everything to do with the storytelling. As I mentioned, with Sarah (J, I just love the idea and having read some of these. Maas) and Callie (Hart) and Rebecca (Yarros), I just remarked, I'd love to let my imagination loose in this area." James Patterson reveals romantasy novel with Hazel McBride: See the cover.

"Firedance" is set in a kingdom ruled by cruel twin princes, where magical creatures are imprisoned and shapeshifters are targeted for execution. Julianna, the protagonist, runs a menagerie dedicated to healing these beasts. She once hoped to escape the kingdom with her first love, Raal, but he betrayed her and deserted into the wilderness outside of the kingdom walls. As the twin princes embark on a royal hunt, Julianna sees her opportunity to infiltrate and dismantle the court, now.

Meanwhile, the story promises "the momentum of a thriller and the emotional intensity of an epic fantasy romance, " the publishers informed USA TODAY in a press release.

In practice, the beasts were especially fun to write, Patterson notes. There are mermaids and ogres and fairies and griffins and, of course, dragons.

"We got a mermaid love affair and we have fascinating ogres and a wonderful couple of scenes with the fairy, a wonderful little fairy who Julianna is very fond of, " Patterson notes.

Just don't expect any tried-and-true romantasy tropes. From enemies-to-lovers to star-crossed lovers, these storytelling devices or character archetypes are often what draw readers to come back to the genre for book after book. But Patterson thinks tropes can be limiting.

"Once people start thinking there are rules, I think it gets boring and repetitive and not so good, " Patterson notes. "It's been done. I'm not interested in it and if somebody notes you can't do it (without tropes), I secure really fascinated."

Though he is open to more, the book is planned as a duology, Patterson notes.

"If it takes off like Rebecca Yarros, I will probably be able to twist our arm and help me do a third, " he notes. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around james Patterson is writing a romantasy with this Scottish author point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.