Octavia Butler – Write on the World

Michelle Maryk’s The Found Object Society, released February 10, 2026, invites readers into a world where memory, mystery, and the supernatural blur the boundaries of time—and her own creative journey is just as compelling as the story itself. In this interview, Maryk reflects on the unconventional childhood influences that shaped her imagination, the early-morning writing discipline that keeps her grounded, and the spark of inspiration that arrived in a single, unforgettable moment. From ghost stories and cinematic storytelling to the realities of modern book marketing, she shares an honest look at the habits, challenges, and creative instincts that continue to guide her work as an author.

Michelle Maryk’s debut novel, *The Found Object Society*, released February 10, 2026.

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: As a kid, I grew up with a dad who took me to Dairy Queens alongside graveyards so he could tell me ghost stories; bought tickets to Alien as I watched, enthralled, and my Swedish cousin ran to the bathroom and puked; encouraged me to consider all things supernatural and extraterrestrial—in other words, the best-worst dad ever.

Parenting skills (or lack thereof) aside, those wild, terrifying, exhilarating experiences imprinted themselves in my DNA as a human and an author. I’m drawn to stories that feature what-ifs, tales that dance within the realm of reality only to dip into the murk of what could be possible…if.

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Author Johanny Ortega weaves her Dominican roots, love of classical music, and fascination with the supernatural into stories that explore identity, heritage, and the complexities of family. Her upcoming novel, The Ordinary Bruja—releasing November 4, 2025—invites readers into a world of dark magic and self-discovery, where one woman must face the haunting legacy of her ancestors. In this interview, Ortega shares how her grandmother’s influence shaped her storytelling, why representation remains central to her work, and how she balances creativity with the realities of indie publishing.

Get your copy of The Ordinary Bruja from my independent online bookstore today!

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, and my grandmother raised me. She was a big advocate of literature and education. She believed that it was a way out of poverty. While I resisted at first, once I got a hand on reading, it opened a whole new world for me, and I hadn’t left that world ever since. My grandmother was not an author, but she influences tremendously what I write about and how I write. I proudly represent my background in my book as an ode to her and my beginnings.

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