Author interview with dark fantasy writer Morgan Reilly

Morgan Reilly is the author of The Dark Library Series, a seven-book YA dark fantasy retelling of fairy tales.

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: I love this question! I grew up loving mysteries and fantasies, essentially cutting my teeth on Nancy Drew and books about magic. I also adored the Baby Sitters Club (the Scholastic Book Fair was my favorite time of year). That’s when I started to write my own stories, centering around characters and the events that shaped them. I’ve loved character-driven stories ever since I could read, so those are the types of stories I love to tell.

Q: What’s a memory of a story or book that made you realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: I was always writing, but it wasn’t until I was 16 that I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I read Fahrenheit 451 in my 10th grade English class, and it came to me in a rush: I want to write novels for the rest of my life. That’s when I knew. (I think it’s so fascinating that most writers have that moment in their lives when they knew they wanted to write—they can name the time and place, and they remember where they were. It’s so interesting!)

Q: Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?
A: Ray Bradbury, of course. Agatha Christie. CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. And contemporaries I’ve fallen in love with include Kelly Andrew, Stephanie Garber, V.E. Schwab, and Leigh Bardugo. They are all instant-buys from me. If they have a release, it’s already in my cart.

Q: What’s been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned about yourself through writing?
A: PATIENCE. I’ve made most of my decisions quickly, which I don’t always recommend, but publishing is, by its very nature, SLOW. And rushing things is never a good idea. Learning patience has been paramount on this journey.

Q: How do you nurture your creativity when life gets busy or overwhelming?
A: Prioritizing my creativity is something I’ve only just started doing for myself since quarantine/COVID. One thing that I’ve done is not push myself to write when I’m mentally done. I’m one of those millennials that is an ENFP/J and an Enneagram 3, which translates to the following: If I’m not being productive, what am I even doing? But I’ve started to allow myself to not be ON all the time, when my mind and body need rest. One of my favorite things to do, aside from binge reading a book in a single sitting with zero regrets about productivity timelines and to-do lists, is learn Korean. It focuses my mind on something useful and away from things that totally stress me out. Your brain can only have one thought in it at a time, and learning a foreign language helps me to control what input and output my brain has. As overwhelming as life gets, I can control what my brain does to process that.

Q: What’s one writing habit you can’t live without and one you wish you could break?
A: One I can’t live without: A word count tracker. Believe me, I’ve tried to see how I fare not being able to track the words as I go, but, as I said in a previous question, I’m productivity-motivated. I love reaching milestones. A word count tracker is a must-have. One that I wish I could break: Only typing on specific keyboards because I’m very tactile. If I don’t like the keyboard, I can’t write. That’s such a silly reason to suffer a creative block, but it gets me every time.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice another writer has given you about storytelling?
A: Write your book blurb first, as you outline. Tweak it as you draft, but keep that blurb in front of you as you go. I’ve lived by this advice and have shared it with others. You keep the main goal of the story in front of you and adjust as needed as the novel takes shape. It’s incredible advice that is also so simple. (Plus you get the first draft of the blurb out of the way.)

Q: When do you feel most “in the zone” with your writing—early mornings, late nights, or somewhere in between?
A: Early mornings, for sure. Sometimes, evenings. But mornings have several benefits for me: (1) my brain is fresh, (2) everyone else is asleep, (3) the coffee is hot. Evenings happen mostly if I’m on deadline or I have a burst of inspiration. Mornings are when the word count happens.

Q: What’s a book that changed how you think about writing or storytelling?
A: Story Genius by Lisa Cron! It really amplified the things I’ve learned from other books about story structure and storytelling and character development, and her narrative approach is HILARIOUS.

Q: Do you find inspiration in other art forms (music, film, visual art)? If so, how does it shape your work?
A: Absolutely. I am a self-proclaimed audiophile, and I will 100% study song lyrics like I did poetry in college. I also love k-dramas and how their plots take shape (and how they’ve mastered slow-burn romance).

Q: Do you have your own circle of writer friends? If so, what other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
A: I do! I’m close friends with fellow writers from college, and we’ve been friends for twenty years. I’ve also made new writer friends through Instagram and through the community at Salient Books (an indie bookstore that only sells indie books). These friendships are so precious and valuable, and they’re an amazing hype team, so full of encouragement and positivity. I absolutely love it.

Q: If you could collaborate with any writer, past or present, who would it be, and what would you create together?
A: Oh, that’s a great question! I think if I could collaborate with V.E. Schwab and/or Leigh Bardugo, my brain would level up. I would absolutely love to work with them, read with them, talk about writing with them…all of it.

Q: What themes do you find yourself returning to again and again in your work?
A: Themes about redemption and self-love. It’s very easy to fall into the pit of disappointment with yourself because of various reason (like not measuring up, feeling like a failure, etc.). I love exploring themes that emphasize how HUMAN we are and that our existences aren’t static. We’re not the same people we were five minutes ago, let alone five years ago. We grow and change and should forgive ourselves for the things we regret while also allowing our days to be filled with wonder and joy. (More of that Enneagram 3 coming out, lol!)

Q: How do you approach writing characters with experiences different from your own?
A: My brain usually goes 100 miles per hour, coming up with what-if scenarios and choices that other people would make and why. But the biggest help is talking with my friends about how they would approach a situation and why. Talking about my characters and their situations is one of the best things I can do for myself and for my writing. I have received invaluable insight about motivation, choice, and experiences that have reshaped how I view storytelling and character agency.

Q: Do you ever feel pressure to include (or avoid) certain topics in your writing? Why or why not?
A: I have before, but I believe in writing what you believe is best for your story and for your craft. I think one of the biggest examples is whether or not I include spice in a story. I firmly believe on-the-page spice does not belong in YA. Upper YA has had some vague moments that were well done (Divine Rivals and The Whispering Dark are a good examples), but if the protagonist is under 18, absolutely not. (That argument may be divisive for some, but that is something I won’t include in my YA.) HOWEVER, for my adult stories, if it makes sense that the characters’ storylines lead to spice, then it leads to spice. But not all of my stories do, if that makes sense. The integrity of the story is paramount, not the pressure from the industry or the perceived desires of the bookish community. I am here to tell you: Just because there isn’t spice does not mean no one will read your story. That is a lie perpetuated, for some reason, which has no bearing in what readers read and enjoy. (Sorry if that was a bit of a diatribe. TL;DR: Stay true to the story you want to tell.)

Q: What’s your go-to snack or drink while writing?
A: Coffee + dark chocolate! Coffee, without question. Chocolate, when I’m stuck on a scene.

Q: What’s a quirky or unexpected detail about your writing space?
A: I am a MESS. I have to devote time to declutter my desk because things tend to pile up. As much as I love and thrive in structure, I am also a creature of chaos. Papers, Post-Its, pens, notebooks, books. Stacks upon stacks. It’s wild.

Q: Do you have any rituals or routines to help you transition into “writer mode”?
A: Yes and no. I love writing in the dark, but I can write anywhere. I love having my candle warmer on with a warm-scented candle (like baked goods or spiced scents), but I write a LOT without anything going. The only real requirement is coffee/water. Everything else is as it comes.

Q: What’s the most rewarding feedback you’ve ever received from a reader?
A: “Hi! I just finished book one and had to come back for book two!” An exact encounter with a new reader I met at a Saturday market in a park. I was blown away, and I nearly burst into tears. That night, I went home and wrote a LOT because of the energy and encouragement that encounter gave me. I am so grateful, and I’m tearing up just typing about it!

Q: What’s a challenge you’ve faced in your writing career, and how did you overcome it?
A: Not having enough time (which attaches to the previous question where my answer was learning patience). Structure and priority are so important. I’m doing all of this myself, and there are a lot of moving parts that I’ve learned about. I have a full-time job that has to balance with everything I’m doing as a writer and publisher, so having time is a precious resource.

Q: In your experience, what has been the best way to market your books? Where have you found the greatest return on your investment (whether it be time or money invested?)
A: Talking to readers! Whether on social media or in person, meeting readers has been the best thing. We gush about the same book series and authors, we talk about our favorite tropes, and we gossip together about the recent drama in the bookish universe. That has been the best part, by far. I love meeting fellow book people.

Q: Have you ever had to cut a scene or character you loved? How did you handle it?
A: YEP. Practically in every book I write, something doesn’t survive the final revision. Whether it’s a scene or an entire character, there is always something on the cutting-room floor. For example, in The Book of Water, there was a character that was completely removed because the cast was already so large. That character’s actions passed easily to another, who was already established and had more agency. It was the right call to make, even if I was sad to see them go.

Q: How do you define success as an author? Has that definition evolved over time?
A: My first idea of success in authorship was money, book deals, movie deals, becoming a household name. But the actual definition of success is FINDING YOUR READERS. When I hear from people that they loved the series so far and can’t wait for the next installment, that they immediately had to get the next book because they loved what they just read—THAT’S why we write. Book deals and movie deals are nice, but they don’t set my heart on fire. What sets my heart on fire is hearing someone gush about my characters, the plot twists, the romance, the found family, all of it. THAT’S success.

Q: What’s one question readers ask you the most about your books, and what’s your answer?
A: “What inspired you to write these?” I get that first, and then the conversation evolves. And my answer starts with a Tumblr post I saw a ga-jillion years ago that asked (paraphrased), “What if Ariel learned dark magic from Ursula?” There was even character art, and I loved it so much. Fast forward several years, and I actually start writing that book after that post stayed with me all this time.

Q: What do you wish readers understood better about the writing or publishing process?
A: The first answer that comes to mind is that indie publishing is DIFFICULT. There are so many moving parts, and most of us are doing this by ourselves. But every person I’ve interacted with has been understanding, encouraging, supportive—all of it. Even if a manuscript takes the wildest detours and requires more time, they’ve been WONDERFUL while they go through the process with me, in a sense. It’s comforting.

Q: What have you written that you found to be the most fun to write?
A: I have an adult Gaslamp fantasy that sprouted from the notion of writing a story where the villain gets the girl, and I absolutely adore that book. I can’t wait to publish it (probably sometime in 2026).

Q: What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
A: Oh, this is a great question. I have a feeling that as soon as I say one, someone will say they’re so hyped up, lol! But I’ll say this: Not enough people are talking about Fierce Fairytales by Nikita Gill (poems that are all centered around fairytales – beautiful POVs, interesting takes, the whole nine. I freaking LOVE that book).

Q: Do you have an all-time favorite writer, or does your favorite change over time? Who is your favorite writer today?
A: All time, probably Leigh Bardugo! V.E. Schwab is tied, to be honest. They’re auto-reads for me. I also love books by T. Kingfisher – her writing and creativity and imagination are incredible.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre? Has that always been your favorite genre, or has your taste evolved as you have grown as a writer?
A: Fantasy, for sure. I also really love science fiction! I cut my teeth on mystery, but I love when mystery blends with other genres so I can get the best of both worlds. I grew up loving mystery, and then fantasy and sci fi came into the mix as I grew older and fell in love with Star Trek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Q: What other books would you recommend to our readers in addition to your own?
A: Leigh Bardugo, V.E. Schwab, Stephanie Garber, and Kelly Andrew – I actually gave a TBR to a woman I met who is getting into reading again, after not having read since she was a teenager. The list included all of these authors, and I recommended she start with Six of Crows!

Q: If you could live in the world of one of your books for a day, which would it be and why?
A: My books all take place in the same universe, but I would absolutely choose The Book of Light because they travel to another continent in my world AND Erick would be my traveling companion. Win/win.

Q: If your life were a novel, what would the title be?
A: The Introverted Extrovert

Q: What’s a surprising or unusual skill you have that might make its way into a story one day?
A: Even though I’m more of a dog person, I have befriended every cat I’ve ever met (even the ones that don’t like people).

Q: What’s a new genre or style you’d love to experiment with in the future?
A: Science fiction! I have a story that I started before Covid that’s still percolating!

Q: What’s one thing you hope readers take away from your latest book?
A: That they are LOVED and deserve to TAKE UP SPACE. ❤

Q: What do you think the future of storytelling looks like in a world of evolving technology?
A: Everything is circular. As the old adage goes, there is nothing new under the sun. Storytelling, honestly, hasn’t changed, even though technology makes it seem like it has. How did storytelling begin? At the campfire with a bard or a designated storyteller or historian, giving stories of gods, heroes, lessons about their tribe—it all started with verbal and visual media created by hands and mouths. We have that again through movies, TV, short-form media like Instagram and TikTok. And while people are still reading books, a lot of people worry about the integrity of storytelling and human communities because of how divisive technology can be. But we’re still telling stories in much the same way as we always have—we only have a phone screen to connect us from across the world.

Q: What projects are you working on at the present?
A: Finishing The Dark Library Series and working on my adult Gaslamp fantasy!

Q: What do your plans for future projects include?
A: I have so many books ready and waiting to meet the world. Some of them are series starters, others are stand-alones, and they are present in the world in some way (whether drafted, revised, or still in outline form). I cannot wait to share them with everyone!

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