Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Quite a few, which I’ve been dithering over how to share with people! I released Darkbower when quarantine became a reality because I wanted to share something inexpensive that could be enjoyed at home with friends and family. I’m very excited to be releasing the first book of new series this summer, more details to follow!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Into the Darkbower is such a great example of the complexity of the creative process, I think. Its origins are at once clear and pinpoint-finite, and totally mysterious. I had just read Matheson’s Other Kingdoms and got interested in fairies. As a rule, old-timey and European are not my stomping grounds when it comes to inspiration, but I was intrigued. As I plunged into the lore, I was fascinated by how scary it was and the idea of another world lying on top of ours. I think part of how I conceived of the darkbower owes, too, to C.S. Freidman’s phenomenal Cold Sun trilogy.
How it became a detective story told in flashbacks and replete with ungainly acronyms? No idea. This was one of those stories where I sat down at the laptop and surfaced, feeling dazed, a few months later. It just came flooding out.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Aside from two unbelievably spoiled cats who constantly interrupt me, probably not. Some people find it odd that I like to write the first third of a new novel (thereabouts) before I pump the brakes and do my world-building. I find that characters have strong personalities and I like to give them a chance to assert themselves, bend my initial premise as necessary, before I start constructing a house around them.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many. Gosh, I feel like this is an impossible question. I want to have the lyricism of Mervyn Peake, the punchiness of Mieville; the vividness of Bear and Faulkner. Gaiman’s humanity, Pratchett’s humor, Chabon’s pacing, Madeline’s Miller’s originality and RR Martin’s commercial success.
What are you working on now?
I plan to release the first novel in a new epic fantasy series this summer, entitled We Gather. Everything you want from an epic (swordplay and magic, intrigue and battles, fates of empires hanging in the balance) and a few twists unique to me. Gather is done, though, in a proofing stage, so technically I’m working on the sequel, We War. I’ve just finished a rough draft and am agonizing over it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea! I’m very new to this so everything is an experiment.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to delete. Write down every idea you have and let it stew and then trash anything that doesn’t feel good. You can always produce more, it’s a limitless resource.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Persevere.
What are you reading now?
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well I was supposed to attend a conference in June and have a sit-down with several agents about my fantasy novel The Spider’s Friend. So I really have my breath held to find out of that’s still happening.
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?
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
Happy Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, duh
The Book of Flying, Keith Miller
to be clear, 20 minutes have elapsed since I typed the last, while I wandered from bookcase to bookcase, pondering
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke
Author Websites and Profiles
Meaghan Burnell Website
Meaghan Burnell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account