Interview With Author May Garner
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is May Garner, I’m a poet and author based out of Dayton, Ohio, and I have been writing for nearly fifteen years. A decade of those years spent sharing my work online. I am the author of two poetry books, “Withered Rising” and “Melancholic Muse.” My work can also be found in several magazines and anthologies, including Querencia Press, Arcana Poetry Press, Cozy Ink Press, and the Ohio Bards. Most recently, my work was featured in Speckled Trout Review’s 2025 Summer Issue (6.1).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Melancholic Muse” was published in February of 2025 and has been an absolute joy to watch grow over the months! The inspiration behind the collection goes deep, taking me back to 2016, when I first discovered my love for poetry. I began sharing my work online on a website called Wattpad, where I published my first online poetry collection titled “Melancholy.” When I sat down to begin drafting my next book, I decided to bring that collection to life and revamp it. “Melancholic Muse” holds all of my first poetry, my first heartbreaks, my first breath of poetic revenge.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t necessarily know if it’s unusual, but it tends to be unpopular when I talk to my author friends. I prefer to write in complete silence. No music, no shows, no talking as I type. As much as I would love to listen to the playlists I make for my books while I write, I just simply cannot comprehend what I’m thinking in my brain on top of the music.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King has always been a huge influence on my author journey. I pull from his huge success and the story of how he started out. As for poetry, I pull inspiration and take after poets like Amanda Lovelace, Amy Elizabeth Vaughn, and Gigi Flanard.
What are you working on now?
My current project is a third poetry collection entitled, “Suicidal Cathedrals.” This collection will focus heavily on the topics of childhood trauma, suicide, grief, and the loss of a parent. I’m still in the early stages of the manuscript, but I am hopeful and very excited for the new journey! This collection is looking to be far more dark compared to my other two.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I share my work on a few different platforms, but tend to focus more on Instagram! My community and group of friends there are so, so supportive and kind, and have helped my work grow into what it is today!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
No dream is impossible. If you truly want something, it will find you when your time is right. Hold on tight to your hopes, your dreams, the life you dream of late at night. It’s worth holding on. I almost let go many, many times, but I’m beyond grateful I didn’t. The little girl that dreamed of becoming an author would be ecstatic to see where we are.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just because things aren’t okay right now doesn’t mean they won’t get better.
What are you reading now?
Currently, I am trying to finish up the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver, and am on the book, “Reckless.” I am also reading a poetry collection by a close friend of mine entitled, “The Darkest of Times, The Darkest of Thoughts” by Megan Diedericks.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Currently, my main goals are to finish up my third poetry collection and to continue submitting my work to literary magazines and anthologies. I just hit my 2025 goal of being published every month out of the year, so I’m hoping to do that for 2026, as well!
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?
“Misery” by Stephen King, “No Way Home” by Gigi Flanard, “Cash: An Autobiography” by Johnny Cash, and “The Troop” by Nick Cutter.
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