An Interview with L. L. Yovoki

How did the concept of The Salvation of the Scum Prince come to fruition? Were there any specific inspirations behind its vision?

Amusingly enough, the initial inspiration for The Salvation of the Scum Prince came from an apocalyptic danmei called Global Examination. The original premise contained similar nuances and characters; however, it focused on a more action-themed plot with special abilities. It goes to show how drastically stories can evolve! Later, it transformed into a fantasy-style setting inspired by various novels I’d read during that period. I’d always been fond of Western fantasy transmigration stories, as they’d been taking the world by storm, so I wanted to try my shot at one for my online debut.

The Salvation of the Scum Prince transitioned from webnovel to self-published, how did the story evolve throughout its reissue process?

The Salvation of the Scum Prince has evolved exponentially, allowing more accurate representations of character, heightened plot, and the introduction of new individuals or themes that hadn’t appeared in the webnovel. I believe its portrayal of emotions and relationships evoke a more empathetic response, allowing more relatability and connection between the reader and character.

The themes of family, identity, and connection play an important role in a lot of your stories. What draws you towards these themes and what message do you hope for readers to take away from it?

One of my favorite comments my online readers left for me is how the story helped them evaluate themselves and their emotions, and served as a companion during times of need. As a reader myself, stories are an important way for me to navigate my understanding of others, our world, and life. Therefore, similar concepts translate into my writing as I hope to connect to others who may seek such themes from my work!

The transmigration and danmei genres have a rich history with queer online writing spaces. How did you approach blending the genres together while keeping the story’s concept fresh?

I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from the writing styles of my favorite danmei, which often focuses on the smaller details that weave together to form a larger picture. I wanted to focus on that subtlety of complex relationships in combination with the popular transmigration trope, while finding a way to incorporate themes of identity and family. Therefore, I combined curiosities I considered when reading such genres, such as the whereabouts of the original identity the protagonist possesses, to explore concepts I hadn’t found previously.

What inspired the dynamic between Soren and Raphael given their opposing traits and unconventional goals?

The dynamic between Soren and Raphael was developed to center around Soren’s colder personality and his growth as he came to understand the charms of life and society. Raphael, with a brighter outlook on life despite his hardships, served as a guide to help Soren navigate new emotions and understandings. I’d wanted them to complement each other while having opposing traits—traits that might not seem compatible at a glance but can later become a comfort to them both.

With book one of the Scum Prince series out in the world, what should readers look forward to in book two?

The Laments of the Lost Hero will provide a deeper insight into the brotherhood dynamics between the five princes, exploring their different perspectives and what drove their relationship to collapse as it did. Overall, readers will see a deeper interplay of relationships, the revelation of Soren’s past and his abilities, as well as exciting developments between Raphael and Soren!

After the Scum Prince series concludes, are you looking to reissue your other webnovels?

I have considered reissuing my other works, although I’d have to decide which ones are suitable for publishing. If I had the time, I would love to rework all of them! For now, I’m keen to revise another fantasy-themed story soon, while the others may be a possibility for much later

You’ve published several other webnovels before your self-publishing debut with The Salvation of the Scum Prince. What advice would you give to webnovel authors looking to break into the publishing space?

I would first and foremost suggest thorough research into the self-publishing sphere, such as the style of writing, marketing, and progress. Navigating the self-publishing realm has been an incredibly exciting experience, and I’m grateful to have been well supported; however, there are drastic differences to consider. For example, the chapter length of stories, the segregation of paragraphs, and the plot flow. Not to mention, the aspects of creating social media accounts, the different types of editing, and the formatting process. Without prior research, I find it can be overwhelming to adjust to all the little nuances; however, it’s ultimately a worthwhile experience that all authors are capable of accomplishing!

How and where can we support you?

I can be found on TikTok and Instagram under @herewritesyovoki, or on Amazon under L. L. Yovoki. I think having access to writing resources, or the ability to connect to other readers or writers, would be a great support! It can be hard to reach other individuals in the writing circle, and avenues that allow us to branch out are always incredibly helpful, whether it is through social media or other avenues.