Author Chat with Jesse Byrd (Dream Warriors: A New World), Plus Giveaway~ US ONLY!

An exciting launch to a new graphic novel franchise that combines action, adventure, multi-cultural dream mythology, and of course humor. For readers, this is what dreams are made of!

Dream Warriors are magical beings who battle “nap to night” to keep sleeping people safe from bad dreams. Each Dream Warrior is assigned a person to protect with whom they share a special connection. Their fight is honorable. They’re the reason humanity can continue to dream.

Now all of that is at risk. The Bad Dreams have teamed up to conduct a multi-layer plan to convert all dreams into nightmares and permanently scar humanity. It’s up to the Dream Warriors, including newbie 12-year-old, Khi, to defeat them.

But Khi misses his old life and is still just trying to figure out his new normal: living in the dream realm and being…well…a super hero. Will he muster up the courage to embrace his new life? Will he be able keep his slumbering sister safe while she sleeps at night? And will he and the other Dream Warriors be able to protect the earthly realm from the Bad Dreams for good?

YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write Dream Warriors: A New World?

Since a kid I wondered, if there is an Afterlife, what would I do with all that time? Besides eating a bunch of beignets while being fanned by banana leaves would I be bored? Would I be given chores? What would my purpose be besides kickin’ it? The five realms of the Afterlife (pg. 3) arose from researching a spectrum of spiritual beliefs across time and cultures related to the Beyond. Since this series takes place with those who have been assigned the task of Dream Warrior, I was curious what a dream landscape would look like as an active battle ground with agents of harm vs. agents of safety.

YABC: Did you always envision the book as a graphic novel or even an illustrated book? How did Berto Santiago become involved?

I attempted this concept as a picture book first in 2017 and was laughably wrong about the best format. It was like reaching for a small tupperware container designed for sauce and trying to fold in an XL pizza. (Pepperoni and pineapple, of course.) The series kept growing and picture books didn’t give the latitude I learned I needed for world and character building. When I realized it needed to be a graphic novel, I was lowkey shook. That many scenes, words, characters, plotlines?! So, I asked for help. This being my first time creating a graphic novel, I reached out to Bixie Mathieu (seasoned and gifted art director) to ask if she would help morph the script into something Berto Santiago (illustrator) could use. She and Lau Moraiti (book designer and master multihyphenate) had to hold my hand several times throughout the process and tell me that I was kind, smart, and important. Adam Rau (former editor of Scholastic’s Graphix) issued the much-needed deep tissue notes on the first draft. That draft was all over the place. I was put on to Berto’s art by Mónica Paola Rodriguez (proud plug: both are now phenomenal illustrators we rep at Moonbeam Literary & Media). Berto’s experience as a cinematographer, art director, animator, and INCREDIBLE illustrator was a perfect fit and also made up for a litany of my flaws and learning curves.

YABC: What research did you do to write Dream Warriors: A New World?

The research was such a good time I feared I’d stop there and swim endlessly in all the new/fascinating information like Scrooge McDuck with his coins. I hopped from people (Aristotle. Jung. Freud.) to ancient civilizations (Egypt. Indigenous America. Rome. Greece.) to religion (Buddhism. Christianity. Islam.) Part of it was learning about the scientific part of NREM and REM phases + body and brain functions. The other was learning about dreams’ varying cultural significance and methods of interpretations throughout history. I was most fascinated by the ways dreams have and can influence our waking lives. Einstein, Mary Shelley, Dali, Khalo, da Vinci, Alexander the Great, and so many more credit dreams for influencing choices, creations, and thought streams. I knew for this series to work, the stakes in the Dream Warrior realm needed to have grave consequences on Earth.

YABC:  What can readers expect to find in this graphic novel?

Action, humor, and heart. I had one rule while writing this: “All exposition and plot growth had to happen in the midst of fight scenes and world building, with as much humor and heart threaded in as possible.” I (re)watched an unhinged number of action movies to get familiar with fight and chase scene choreo. I credit my late uncle Wayne (who EXCLUSIVELY watched Bruce Lee, 007, the Matrix, and Jackie Chan type movies) for instilling the love for the action genre in me as a kid.

YABC: Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to write?

The big reveal near the end. I knew what was coming around the bend. Because I put it there. BUT, I grossly underestimated how it would feel to get into the skin of the protagonist and feel the moment. The degree of detachment I was afforded while mapping plot points and drafting chapter overviews was shed when I had to get in the mud of dialogue and play-by-play scene description.

YABC: What is your favorite snack when creating?

I absolutely dogged packs of dried mango slices from Trader Joe’s. BBQ Lays got plenty of playing time too. Plus, bowls of fries from my local pub at the time – shout out Liberties of Dublin in Downtown L.A.

YABC: If you could time travel what would you want to see?

It’d have to be ahead. My challenge with going backwards is the increase of negative-isms. If I go back even further, I may end up without indoor plumbing. Indoor plumbing means something to me. An insect-riddled trek to the outhouse under the moonlight isn’t God’s plan for my life. Let’s say 15 years ahead here in the U.S. to see what’s poppin. To answer the question directly, I’d want to see how people who can be overlooked and treated as disposable by society are treated.

YABC: What other age group would you consider writing for?

YA-surreal-heist. There’s a story called Sleep Thief I’m having a hoot with. Every year I attempt to write and produce one project self-published without the considerations of trad publishing, comps, public opinion, etc. Something truly free from the considerations of Industry. It’s an effort to try to remain brave and free in my art. If it sells, it sells. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Either way, I’ve made something I truly love, the way I felt it needed to be made, and learned a ton in the process.

YABC: What daily thing do you see that brings you joy?

My grandmother’s photo. She was a brilliant firecracker, loved fiercely, and was nobody’s fool.

YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?

I know I’m madd late to the party but I recently read MexiKid to my six-month-old son and was ROLLIN’. The family dynamics felt so palpable and the humor was ceaseless.

YABC: What is your favorite writing space or routine?

I’m a night writer. Snacks + a view are my ideal setup. I’m a busy body during the day. I struggle turning off my admin brain and desire to be outside. 10pm and on is when I’m still enough for ideas to take root and be acted on. I LOVE slow mornings – meditating, breathwork, writing research, stretching, green tea, etc. – because, as I’ve discovered, I’m an oldhead now. I learned that, against my will, I’d been elevated from “big homie” to “unc” status. Essentially being dubbed a septuagenarian while in my late 30s by the youth. I posit that I’m still cool, kids! 67 67 67 67 67.

Consider the aforementioned while reviewing my appeal.

YABC: What’s up next for you?

Book 2 of Dream Warriors. And a book I’m sure to need more therapy after scripting, titled “Playmate”.

Title:Dream Warriors: A New World

Author: Jesse Byrd

Illustrator: Berto Santiago

Release Date: October 28, 2025

Publisher: Paw Prints Publishing

ISBN-13: 978-1223187938

Genre: Graphic Novel

Age Range: Reading age 9-12; grade level 3-5