Interview With Author Morgan Merren
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a West Virginia-based nonfiction author focused on practical books for real-world problems. I’m interested in situations where people have a problem in front of them and need useful information more than theory. I currently have two published books, Flagged by AI and Don’t Donate That Yet. They cover very different subjects, but the goal is the same: help readers make better decisions with clear, usable information.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Don’t Donate That Yet. The idea came from a simple observation: people routinely donate, give away, or throw out things that may still have real resale value. At the same time, trying to squeeze every possible dollar out of every item can become a job of its own. I wanted to write a practical guide that helps people recognize what is worth a second look, figure out realistic value, and decide what is actually worth selling.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to start with the reader’s problem rather than with a chapter outline. I ask what someone would actually need to know if they picked up the book because the problem was happening to them today. From there, I try to cut anything that does not help them understand the situation, make a decision, or take the next step.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t think there is one author I would point to as the model for what I’m doing. I read widely, but I’m especially drawn to practical nonfiction that respects the reader’s time. I like books that take something confusing, remove the unnecessary complexity, and leave the reader feeling more capable than when they started.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my third practical guide, focused on what to do when you believe a parent or other loved one may be getting scammed. It looks at how to recognize warning signs, have a difficult conversation without immediately putting someone on the defensive, protect money, accounts and identity, and know when outside help may be necessary. Like my first two books, the goal is to take a stressful real-world problem and give people a clear place to start.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still early enough in this that I would be suspicious of anyone claiming to have a magic answer. So far, the most promising approach has been finding people who are already talking about the problem a book addresses and putting a genuinely useful resource in front of them. I would rather reach 100 people who actually need a book than 10,000 random people who do not.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Publish something useful, learn from what happens, and keep going. It is easy to spend forever trying to make the first book perfect or waiting until you have the perfect marketing plan. A finished book gives you something real to improve from. Then you can take what you learned into the next one.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pay attention to what people actually do, not just what they say they will do. That applies to writing, business, and a lot of life. Real behavior usually teaches you more than opinions do.
What are you reading now?
It’s not in the non-fiction world but I’ve been enjoying the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, as well as the classic East of Eden.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to keep building a catalog of practical nonfiction that helps people deal with real problems. My goal is not to depend on one breakout book, but to keep publishing useful titles on subjects people are actively trying to solve. If someone finds one of my books helpful, I’d like there to eventually be several others they can turn to for the same straightforward, practical approach.
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?
Ready Player One, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, the Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
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