Your debut novel FEVERCHAIN has just been released. What was the most amazing part of this journey for you?
While it was an online serial: writing it and watching readers react to a new installment each week was my favorite part. When does a writer get such swift gratification? Almost never. I still haven’t come down from that high. But another equally amazing part has been working with Dylan Bosworth to create the physical book and seeing his excitement, along with the excitement of the community.
What inspired you to write this novel?
Many things. I wanted an outrageous, sexy, scary, unflinchingly lesbian book and figured I wasn’t the only one. My partner also somewhat unironically loves Twilight, so I wanted to make a cursed version of that, but it became so much more. FEVERCHAIN is much more earnest than I initially intended.
Queer rage motivated me, but I also just wanted to have fun. Werewolves were the perfect vehicles for that.
What’s next in the pipeline for you?
I wish I knew. I have three novel ideas swirling around in my head, some more substantial than others. In the meantime, short stories and other experiments.
Did you always want to be a horror author?
No. I thought I was going to write fantasy. Then dark fantasy. Then I realized my favorite parts to read and write were the most horrific scenes and concepts. With romance alongside them. Although I’ve moved away from second-world fantasy complications for the time being, I think my writing often has speculative, fantastical elements in it. And learning to worldbuild can be helpful for any genre.
What made you pick up a pen one day and decide to become a writer?
Frankly it was less romantic than that—more like open the laptop and start tip-tapping. I have an overactive imagination, and I was already writing for school and work. I figured trying fiction could help improve my writing generally, and it has, but what I didn’t expect is that I would come to need it as I now do. Deep down, I also yearned to create and wanted a creative process that I had almost total control over. Enter: writing and editing madness.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I’m figuring that out! I think it’s interesting how FEVERCHAIN came to be because it was originally an online serial and without any significant, substantive changes it became a book. I think that writing it as a serial gave it a fast-paced, intense, pulpy feel that works for the story. I don’t think that type of energy works for every story, but I’ve mused that online serialization is good for pulpy stuff, dime novels, penny dreadfuls, dare I say DREK? Not in the low-quality sense, but in the punk, fuck the industry, fuck what people may scoff at sense. Like, I’m gonna do what I want when I want, write something fun, and it’s gonna stop your doom scrolling, grab you by the proverbial balls and scream in your face YOU’RE HUMAN YOU’RE ALIVE NOW WHAT BUDDY???
What’s your favourite piece of reader feedback you’ve ever received?
Someone told me that reading FEVERCHAIN helped them get through a difficult time. That’s when I realized the story had real power.
What surprising things did you come across when bringing FEVERCHAIN out into the world?
The continued support. It’s really moved me. The art people have made, the invitations for interviews and such (thank you), that people want to share the book and leave reviews, etc. In my personal life, my friends have been surprisingly supportive as well, even though I was pretty nervous about disclosing that I’d written a lesbian werewolf book full of graphic sex and violence. Most weren’t too surprised.
Which of your FEVERCHAIN characters is your favourite? Can you tell us why?
Uh oh. I have a soft spot for heinous villains and lovable disasters, but at the end of the day, I do love Bianca. She’s anxious but takes action. She tries to do the right thing. She cares a lot, maybe too much, and loses herself along the way. But she should not be underestimated.
What would your advice be to a new author just getting started with their fiction on Substack? What worked for you in particular?
I would say do whatever the fuck you want and have fun because if you aren’t having fun then what’s the point? Experiment, play, make friends. What makes you TICK? It probably makes other people tick, too. Exploit the platform, don’t let it exploit you (yeah, I’m working on nailing that one down).
What is your favourite childhood book?
King James Bible
Be honest! How many half-finished or unpublished books do you have on your drive right now?
1.5
- Authors are serialising their fiction on Substack. Does it work?
- Contemporary Horror Romance, Twilight, And Werewolf Lesbians: Interview with MA Knight, author of FEVERCHAIN.
- Review of Pallas: A Modern Sci-Fi Novel.
- The Key Difference Between Retellings And Reimaginings.
- Feminism, Fangs and the Fairy Tale: Five things Angela Carter taught me about horror.
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