Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have only written the one book (and that took a few years!). In real life, I’m a high school English teacher and, after 8 years and 5 different school systems, I’m kind of over public education. So now, I’m trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called Miracles and Foolishness, and I guess it’s mostly about coming to terms with the reality of being an adult. So much of what we’re told growing up is not really absolute truth – it’s kind of institutionalized personal preference. When you start to realize that, it can make you feel all kinds of ways. But mostly you have to learn to reorient yourself and be brave enough to discover what’s real and what’s just an elaborate illusion.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. I’ve heard of people with lucky writing socks or things like that. The only thing for me is for some reason, inspiration always seems to hit me around 3 am (very inconvenient when I was a teacher). And that’s considered the Witching hour in some perspectives, so I always thought that was interesting.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Neil Gaiman, Nancy Farmer, C.S Lewis, JRR Tolkein – basically anyone who can tell a really good story. I have found that I’m really drawn to epics or mythology or fantasy (even if it’s about dystopias). I really liked the first Hunger Games book, and I loved every Harry Potter book. I’m not particular about whether it’s an “adult book” or a young adult book. I do have a mild aversion to romance though…
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on different disconnected pieces that I post on my website. Writing more consistently has helped me identify some ways to challenge myself. I’m playing around with types of poetry. I wrote an echo verse poem, and next I want to try a rondeau or a tyburn possibly. I also think I want to challenge myself by doing a piece that’s almost entirely a series of allusions – just flowing from one to the next. I like things that require research and study. I did some mixing of Samhain and Dia de los Muertos for Halloween.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not sure – I’m new to this and I kind of started backwards, so I’m learning as I go.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Resist the pressure to respond immediately.” This piece of advice has been gold for me. It keeps me from being tricked into falling for a false dichotomy or rushing into a decision when I don’t actually have to rush. It’s definitely a big part of living mask/illusion free: you have to learn to realize that society intentionally crafts illusions so that people are more manageable. The matrix is real, guys (hahaha – that always sounds so dramatic. Also it’s true, even if not in a spoon-bending, bullet-dodging, telephones-are-transporters kind of way).
What are you reading now?
I just finished The Halloween Tree, by Ray Bradbury and I was feeling nostalgic so I’m revisiting Nancy Farmer’s Sea of Trolls series.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have absolutely no idea.
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?
The Graveyard Book, Land of the Silver Apples, The Magician’s Nephew and Lord of the Flies.
Author Websites and Profiles
Safiya Reynolds Website
Safiya Reynolds Amazon Profile
Safiya Reynolds’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile