Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Film and TV student who is obsessed with writing YA books, particularly if they are fantasy and have connections to mental health.
I’ve written quite a few books/ series growing up, especially when I was supposed to be studying in High School. However, I only found out about the process of self-publishing last year and published my first book in August.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘My Everlasting Reign’. I began writing a version of this book when I was around 12yrs old and read Twilight. I didn’t understand why she would create the powerful vampires in Italy and then barely include them in plotlines. I wanted to create a story about a powerful supernatural family that rule over other supernatural creatures but I didn’t think people would read something set in the past – the 14th century – so it became an immature/ pretty cringey high school story.
Then last year, in lockdown, I found my old notes on the new supernatural creatures I had created for that book and adapted them into a new story. I’d watched Reign, realised that people can watch teenage stories set in history, and also realised that you should write the book you want to read.
I also think that my own experience with mental health – my panic disorder – helps shape my writing because I don’t intend to write stories about anxiety but it always becomes a massive part of the characters. I think this means that the characters in My Everlasting Reign aren’t just token representation, for example of depression, and that’s really important to me.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I know it’s terrible but I write a lot with the TV on. I’d blame it on the fact that I’m a TV and Film student but I think I just like having that sort of noise in the background.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always loved JK Rowling, though obviously I no longer support her. When I was little I used to purposely forget my book for reading hour because school had her biography in the lost and found – I read her biography every week until it was memorised because I wanted to be an author so badly.
So, I can’t dismiss her as an inspiration for me to become an author even though I don’t support her. I also think her mistakes have inspired me in heightening what I already knew – how important representation is and the way in which it should be included.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the sequel to ‘My Everlasting Reign’ which is called ‘My Everlasting Redemption’. The first book focuses on the main character’s breakdown and the sequel is more about her recovery; bringing up ideas about depression and trauma.
It’s been interesting to write because it’s so different from the first book – there’s a seven century time jump and only three of the original characters reappear for the full plot.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Instagram and the community there but honestly, I didn’t understand promotion when I first published ‘My Everlasting Reign’. I know now that I should have left time to market and promote the book before the release but I didn’t think readers would care or wait for some unknown book.
I know now I need a better promotional method and to have faith in your own work – people will care!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I think it’s really important to remember how amazing it is that you can create characters and stories, even if they are still unfinished. I definitely have a bad habit of thinking that what I do is unimportant especially because I write YA. I think it’s really easy to dismiss this as ‘bad’ writing and I know that this is sometimes reflected in people’s reactions in life when they know I’m writing about vampires and things like that.
It’s important to remember your own value and how amazing it is that you are creative.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve heard it so many times but remembering to write for myself is something I constantly have to remind myself of. It’s so important because sometimes you get so caught up in thinking that your writing has to be perfect for readers instead of just focusing on what you would want to read.
What are you reading now?
Whenever I have problems with my manuscript I always stop reading other books because otherwise I end up comparing a published, successful mainstream book to my first draft which is never a good idea. But I’ve nearly fixed the problem in my draft right now and I’m going to start A Court of Silver Flames which I’m super excited about.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m really hoping to sort out ‘My Everlasting Redemption’ quickly so I can market it with more success. I’m also hoping to get some reviews on my first book soon and if that happens, I think I’ll be dancing around my room screaming!
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?
I would have to bring Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix because it’s my favourite book of all time – I love when Harry Potter just has a lot of normal life at Hogwarts, like the exams. And I love any scenes with the Weasleys and that book has a good amount of Weasley content.
I would also bring A Court of Mist and Fury because who doesn’t love that book and I would have to bring a Mortal Instruments book because Alec Lightwood is my comfort character. I barely even care which book just as long as it’s Alec content! So maybe City of Glass.
Author Websites and Profiles
Morgana Stewart Website
Morgana Stewart Amazon Profile