Author interview with YA/NA sci-fi fantasy writer Marissa Allen

If you love stories filled with bold characters, high-stakes action, and a dash of delightful chaos, you’ll want to meet Marissa Allen. A fiction author inspired by anime, pop culture, and everything in between, Marissa crafts genre-blending adventures that explore found family, inner strength, and twisty plots that keep readers on their toes. In this interview, we dig into her creative process, her love for fight scenes and playlist-building, and what fuels the thrilling worlds she builds—from magical shops to superpowered societies. Keep reading to discover the stories behind the storyteller—and what’s next in her ever-expanding multiverse.

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: The first author I became obsessed with was Tamora Pierce. It was the first time I found myself needing to reorient to real life after putting a book down at three in the morning. Her female characters went on amazing adventures, unafraid to fight alongside the boys, with immersive worldbuilding that I’m still chasing in my own work.

Later came Douglas Adams. I would read in wonder at how a mind like his worked—the absurdity was a masterclass in comedy. My most recent anthology story, coming out this summer, is heavily influenced by that same spirit of hilarity—inspired by both his work and my love for dungeon-crawling anime.

Q: How do you nurture your creativity when life gets busy or overwhelming?
A: Having been around the burnout block before, I’ve found it imperative to check in with myself and figure out what I need each day. Any plans I make always include buffer days—because some days, my cup is empty, and all I can manage is the couch and a good show. Other weekends, I’m bursting with energy and can knock out eight hours of writing. Sometimes, it’s a Lego, painting, or video game day to recharge my battery. I know not every day is a creative day, but I also know creative days will always come again. So, I don’t push myself beyond what I can handle. The best advice I ever received was to treat myself the way I treat my friends. Taking that to heart completely changed how I see my abilities. I can do anything—just maybe not today, and that’s okay.

Q: When do you feel most “in the zone” with your writing—early mornings, late nights, or somewhere in between?
A: I’m not a morning person. I’ve been a night owl my whole life—I got that from my mom. On weekends, I need to be up for at least a few hours before I can really function, but once I’m going, I can jump straight into writing. Sometimes I go so late I have to force myself to shut down and get some sleep before work the next day. But I’ve been building a writing playlist over the last few years, and if I pop that bad boy on—after a song or two—any time becomes writing time.

Q: Do you find inspiration in other art forms (music, film, visual art)? If so, how does it shape your work?
A: I love basically any form of storytelling—movies, television, music, games, comics—but anime is life. I grew up on Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon, running home to catch the next episode right after school. The depth and magnitude of the stories in those colorful episodes, along with the top-notch action, are core memories for me.

I’ve got a main character who fights like Black Widow and has Captain America’s powers. I have adventurers who retire into a magical shop, whose best friends are a dwarf, an elf, and a barbarian. I’ve got long-lost raiders chasing a chaos pixie through a dungeon in search of revenge. And the next series I’m writing? Superheroes and villains—with plans for much more!

Q: What themes do you find yourself returning to again and again in your work?
A: I’ve always felt a little different—like my brain never quite worked the way everyone else’s does. So, I find myself writing characters who feel like they’re on the outside looking in. People who are a little more broken than they’d like to admit. People who need support but will never ask for it—yet somehow, some way, they stumble into a group of misfits and create a family. I want to show the impact of having the right people around you. More than anything, I hope readers enjoy the thrill ride—and maybe, just maybe, feel a little bit seen too.

Q: Do you have any rituals or routines to help you transition into “writer mode”?
A: A long time ago, I realized I type in rhythm with the beat when I’m listening to music. I write a lot of fight scenes, so I’m drawn to fast-paced tracks with a strong beat—probably the kind most people use on their workout playlists. For example, Arcane’s entire soundtrack is basically on my playlist now. I’ve been building it for years, and it’s up to eight hours long. It’s perfect for plotting while I’m driving or when I need to sit down and get to work.

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: I’m still new to marketing, since I mostly waited until my entire series was completed and published. In the year I’ve been marketing, Stuff Your Kindle events have become my favorite. I write because I’m obsessed with these stories and have to share them with the world, so I love connecting with new readers through events like these. Watching people read through on Kindle Unlimited and seeing those ratings come in makes me prouder than anything else could.

Q: What have you written that you found to be the most fun to write?
A: I have a short story coming out in an anthology this summer, and it was by far the most fun I’ve ever had writing. It’s goofy and rambunctious, with best friends, girlfriends, and the infuriating Dave! The troublesome trio is back together, trying to obtain the legendary Wand of Unfortunate Timing to take revenge.

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, sci-fi, paranormal, dark academia—basically anything that can’t happen in real life. More recently, I’ve also started to enjoy memoirs by celebrities I like, as well as mysteries and cozy books. I’m sure my taste will continue to grow and evolve. With each passing year, more and more becomes relevant to my own experiences.

Q: What other books would you recommend to our readers in addition to your own?
A: Cait Marie’s work is amazing. She has fantasy, rom-com, and more and all of it is amazing. My favorite book in 2024 was The Games That Gods Play by Abigail Owen.

Q: If you could live in the world of one of your books for a day, which would it be and why?
A: My series I’m writing right now is a superheroes and villains story, and I would give anything to live in The United States of Assembly. I’m putting a lot of my concerns about what it would take to save the world we have right now into it. If only it could be so easy as sending ice variants to rebuild the ice shelf, or have people pull the carbon from the air, or get supplies to the people who need them instantly. For now, the only power I have is my words. I guess that’ll have to be enough.

Q: What do you think the future of storytelling looks like in a world of evolving technology?
A: I’m excited—it’s wild how close we already are to Ready Player One. Soon, we’ll be completely immersed in our favorite stories, either riding along or making our own. Or maybe instead of suits, it’ll be more like Star Trek and the holodeck? Probably both—and I’m sure we’ll surpass even that. Humans can’t live without stories, so no matter the tech, tragedy, comedy, epics, and poems will live on.

Q: What do your plans for future projects include?
A: You already know about the superheroes, but I’m also planning to dive into a ton of classic anime tropes. Think: I got pulled into another world to fight the demon king, still have my {xyz}, but now I’m stuck with this ADHD god. Or pirates who are just looking for a good time but get sidetracked—and end up loved by everyone they meet. Or I’m stuck in a video game… why are the goblins real? Plus, expect more dungeon adventurers, spies, and a lineup of badass female main characters—who just so happen to be the morally grey ones.

When she’s not writing, Marissa is probably bingeing a new series, gaming, or shouting about plot twists no one saw coming. Her stories and short fiction can be found in multiple anthologies, and has a completed science-fiction fantasy blending trilogy The Blood Regent available now.

Connect with the author

• Author Website
• Facebook Author Page and Author Reader Group
• Instagram
• Link Tree
• Buy these and other Marissa Allen books today!

Now available in print and on Kindle!