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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

I think it’s more a question of what stopped me from writing the book before now. I have been an avid reader since I was tiny, like, think Matilda without the cool telekinesis stuff. I had ripped through the kids’ section of the local library by age eight, and then I discovered The Hobbit, which opened the door to the Tolkien legendarium and a wider world of literature.

And I wasn’t that much older when I started creating my own stories. But they never made it to the page or out into the wild. Mostly because I doubted myself and harbored a deep sensitivity to rejection. Even when I wrote professionally, it was often hidden behind another’s name. So why now? Why this one?

I aim to be a champion of diversity and equality in all I do. It took time to find my voice, but I’m getting there (eventually!), and I owe much of my own personal development journey to the words wiser people left for me on a page. So, I know the value of recognizing even a small element of yourself in a character.

Then, I listened to an author I hugely admire speak about their fear of rejection in relation to publishing their content. I saw the shake in their hand and heard the nerves in their voice. And I thought, ‘If they can be brave, maybe I can too. If they can still be insecure with all their success, maybe that’s what is holding me back?’ So, here I am. Trying to be brave, and it is terrifying!

Why this story? Many reasons, partly because a huge theme in Tolkien literature I grew up adoring is unity and collaboration. The premise that villains are made when arrogance about their own abilities stifles their willingness to listen to others.

I see the pressures people are under, and the need for escapism growing. I wanted to add my voice to the cause, even if it is quiet.

I wanted characters that struggle. For those who don’t necessarily come easily, whether they realize it or not. And that’s why Daisy’s mum, Carrie, has her place in this story. Because adults definitely don’t have things all figured out, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have an important part to play.

But most of all, I wanted characters that would come to life for me as an author. Characters that become so real and familiar that they move into your brain, set up camp, and wake you up at 3 a.m. because they thought of something they want to do. The kinds of characters that write themselves and surprise you from time to time. Because I believe that shines through to a reader.

Daisy is chaotic, messy, and flawed, but I hope she has the fierceness that comes with having to fight for things. Dandé is the confident one, who has everything figured out, until you realize he isn’t; and Cameron—well, Cameron just is, because it hasn’t really occurred to him to be any different!

And yes, they have “magic,” or “superpowers” in the wraiths. But I wanted to give them powers with teeth. Powers that can bite back. Powers as flawed and faceted as they are, that could be both a strength and a weakness.

Because I believe that when you stop seeing the nuance, it’s as dangerous as when you stop seeing the magic!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?

Daisy – Flight of the Bumblebee by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Dandé – Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Cameron – Come as You Are by Nirvana

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love books, and I will read most things. I love seeing how others use words to paint pictures, and the angle that it gives you into another person’s mind. A brief opportunity to step outside yourself and wrap yourself up in someone else’s reality. Like some kind of magical coat that allows you to be someone else for as long as you wear it! I definitely used books as a form of escapism—from life, and also from a busy mind that seems to always be teeming with thoughts and no “off switch.” So, I guess that’s why the fantasy genre always appealed doubly on both fronts.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Four Roads Cross – Mark Hayden
Time of Contempt – Andrzej Sapkowski
The Power of Love: The One – Ross J Kinnaird
The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss
The Copper Heart – Sarah Painter
The Quantum Curators and the Missing Codex – Eva St John

And I’m too ashamed to list the many others on the ever-growing pile of half-started and TBR. I hoard books like a dragon hoards gold!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It should probably be one of the action or reveal scenes, but I think it was actually Dandé’s scene with Carrie. It’s small, quiet, and understated, but selfishly, it felt like the writing equivalent of giving an abandoned puppy a treat! A simple little reward, something that is easily overlooked or taken for granted, but something that a character badly needed.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

No quirky writing habits, I don’t think, but please don’t ask my cats this question, or they will be demanding to be listed as co-authors for time spent stepping on the keyboard.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Be kind, be curious, and be you.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Dandé – "When you stop seeing the wonder and magic, life gets hard… brittle. It makes the soul fragile, then bad things can creep in the cracks and fester."

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

This is a collection of fifteen short stories, most of which are award winners, award finalists, or "Best of" selections. The stories are a mix of genres: fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, high fantasy, and one mainstream tale. The tone of the stories ranges from humorous to dark. It’s my third collection, and its inspiration was simply that I had accumulated enough stories that had appeared in professional markets to pull together into a book. I’m very proud of this one. It’s received an "Editor’s Pick" from BookLife, and Blue Ink Review gave it a "Starred" review, calling it "an impeccable collection … sure to delight from the first story to the last."

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?

That’s tough for a collection with multiple stories. But I am a huge Springsteen fan, and have written several stories inspired by and using the titles of his songs, including two of the stories in the collection, "Gypsy Biker’s Coming Home" and "If I Should Fall Behind." I’d probably go with "Gypsy Biker."

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I write mostly urban fantasy and SF, and I enjoy reading urban fantasy, especially Charles de Lint. But I read across genres, including mysteries, detective, action/adventure, and non-fiction. I’ve read very little new SF lately.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’m working through the six volumes of The Collected Stories of Roger Zelazny. On #4 right now. He remains one of my favorite writers of speculative fiction.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Again, a tough question for a collection. I’d pick the closing scenes of any of "Walker of the Shifting Borderland," "Gypsy Biker’s Coming Home," or "If I Should Fall Behind."

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Coffee. In a favorite mug. And music. I listen to music via headphones when I write. Despite my love of rock, I listen to orchestral pieces that are more cerebral than emotional. Bach and Corelli, but Vivaldi is my go-to. I think I have over 17 hours of Vivaldi on my phone.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Chase your dreams. Never give up, never surrender (although that one may be taken).

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That they’d found at least one of the stories that really spoke to them, at least one character who will stay with them. That they’d return to that story to read it again or to that character to spend more time with them.