Interview With Author Marcelina LoBue
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I'm a 16-year-old indie author, night owl, and otherworldly dreamer. Sleep? Doesn't exist. Constantly creating scenarios of supernatural mind control, a secret society spy organization, and kissing underneath the stars? Now that's more like it. Nonetheless, I'm doing really well in school, am Student Council Vice President, and plan to major in criminology. I started writing in those black-and-white composition notebooks when I was 8 years old – even during recess, my head was down and I was jotting down scenes. Something about a magical portal and a talking cupcake? At age 11, I wrote my first electronic book; it was for a fifth grade project, and ended as an 18,000-word creepy horror. That really kickstarted my love for writing about detectives, dead people, and the scars – both physical and mental – they leave behind. Now, present day, I've written 3 full-length novels (over 70,000 words) and over a dozen short stories.
Of course, as all good writers get their craft from others writers, I'm a huge bookworm too! Ironically, even though I only write in the mystery/thriller/romance space, my reading taste diversifies a bit; I love fantasy, romantasy, contemporary romance, and dark romance. My favorite books include the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas, the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh, The Marionettes by Katie Wismer, and Fake Skating by Lynn Painter. In addition to staying up late and saying: "just one more chapter," I also can't do anything without music blasting in my ears. Usually Tate McRae, Gracie Abrams, Chase Atlantic, and Frank Ocean, but I usually end up being obsessed with whatever shuffle puts me onto.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I released a book on Valentine's Day this year entitled "Labeled Innocent, Presumed Dead" and it's a YA mystery romance standalone. The inspiration came in February of 2025 (exactly a year before its release date) during algebra class, believe it or not. I was looking for something to put on in the background while I corrected my test and a deep dive on the show Pretty Little Liars came on my YouTube feed. Watching that got me thinking about how, if a deep dive needed to be made, the show featured such a complex timeline and everyone might've interpreted it in different ways. I know I did. I also realized that there wasn't a book that made me feel the same way Pretty Little Liars had, so I thought, "why not write it myself?" Additionally, a couple of days later, my family and I watched a true crime documentary that highlighted the flaws of the police system. It infuriated me deeply, yes, but also motivated me to include actual remnants of true crime cases – both solved and cold – in Labeled Innocent, Presumed Dead for awareness purposes.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm…I don't know if this is that unusual, but I have the Google Docs app on my phone (even though it's very glitchy and laggy) and I write on the go. Many authors will wait until they have access to their computer again to work on their book, thinking typing is the only professional way to go, though if I try to do that, it's a guarantee I'll forget my idea. So, for instance, if I'm shopping at the grocery store with my mom and have a lightbulb moment, I will whip out my phone, write it in the mobile document, and fix any formatting issues (like indenting) later.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In terms of content, Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a massive reason why I know how to sculpt mysteries as well as I do. Her degree in psychology, all the puzzles, riddles, and layered twists in her books…it's contagiously inspiring. I've studied a lot about her foreshadowing and use of effective prose/language.
Regarding publishing at such a young age, however, Sarah J. Maas is my biggest role model. She wrote one of the most popular fantasy series (Throne of Glass) at just 16! It has now sold 75 million copies worldwide and has made her a millionaire. The mere thought that I could be capable of that too, and don't have to wait until I'm an adult, is extremely encouraging.
What are you working on now?
I can't divulge too much about it as it's only in the outlining stages, but I'm currently mapping out a new YA standalone, this one being a summer camp slasher, psychological thriller romance. Quite the mouthful, but an official title is in the works and I'm so excited! Potential release is looking to be around June of 2027. Follow my YouTube channel (@authormarcelinalobue) to stay in the loop because that's where I post frequent, almost daily updates.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Without a doubt, YouTube. My channel is currently sitting at 1,248 subscribers and my most viewed video has 18,000 views. Although there's no way of knowing the exact number, I would estimate 80% of my sales come from my YouTube community.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you want to, not what you think you have to. So many of us (me included) can get
caught up in conversations of “BookTok’s Newest Obsession” or, vice versa, “No One Wants to See XYZ Trope Anymore” and we think, “Aw, man, I had such a good idea for that…guess I can’t do it because I’ll get a one-star review.”
But guess what? In this day and age, people will hate on literally anything! There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like what you do. For example, a popular fantasy book has an average Goodreads rating of 4.63 with over 2 million five-star reviews, but 20,000 one-star reviews. Your job as an author is not to please everyone. Write what YOU want to, tell YOUR story, and you’ll find your target audience at some point. If you like your story, there’s guaranteed to be at least one other person who will too.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I once heard this quote from Terry Pratchett: "The first draft is just you telling yourself the story."
This really resonates with me because I'm a massive perfectionist and sometimes want to give up because something doesn't click the first time. This quote reminds me that it's okay! First drafts are supposed to suck; that's normal, and I shouldn't stress about it. I just have to keep going.
What are you reading now?
In preparation for the new ACOTAR book releasing in October, I'm reading Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas, which is the only series of hers I haven't yet read.
What’s next for you as a writer?
A flaw of mine is that I'm overambitious to another degree. I have a ton of dreams and always fail to account for the realism in them. But other than continuing to plot my new book and start to write this summer, I have a handful of author interviews lined up, I'm in the process of a consignment deal with a local indie bookstore, I'm reaching out to Barnes and Noble to set up a signing, and I'm attempting to get either of my books in a book box. Mainly marketing stuff, but draft 1 writing will consume my life in a few months once exams are over.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
As a mood reader, this question is torture! But I'd have to go with my six-star reads, my comfort books, so…A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, Twisted Emotions by Cora Reilly, Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh and Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi.
Author Websites and Profiles
Marcelina LoBue Amazon Profile
Marcelina LoBue’s Social Media Links
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.