GREETINGS, BOOKWORMS! I’m Aisha Kandisha, Head Librarian at Kandisha Press. Join me in the dusty stacks of the library I will never leave again as I chat with some of my favorite Women in Horror. Today we feature author Briana Morgan!
Briana Morgan is a horror writer, editor, and author of The Tricker-Treater and Other Stories, which won a Godless 666 Award for Best Audiobook. With more than a decade of experience scaring herself and others, Briana has a fresh voice that shines through in her latest book, The Reyes Incident, which has sold more than 16,000 copies to date. Her other books include Livingston Girls, Mouth Full of Ashes, Unboxed, and more.
Briana has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University. She is also an active member of the Horror Writers Association. When not writing, Briana loves reading disturbing fiction, playing video games, and spending time with her husband.
What made you want to become an author? Did you have an “Aha!” moment when you knew you were born to write? Or perhaps a beloved book inspired you?
As soon as I learned to read, my future was set in stone. I devoured every story I could get my hands on, including those my grandfather made up and shared during his visits. One day, I realized I could create stories of my own. There wasn’t one “Aha!” moment so much as hundreds of “Aha!” moments along the way.
What do you believe are your strengths in writing? And when you feel you need to improve on a particular writing skill, how do you go about it?
This is a tricky question. I’m working on talking up my strengths, but it’s often tough for me to express them without feeling “braggy.” Organic character development and character psychology are my favorite aspects of my writing. It stands to reason those would also be my strengths.
When I need to improve on a particular writing skill, I research and gather all the practical information I can on that skill. For example, when I wanted to write better dialogue, I studied craft books, tips, and advice from authors whose dialogue I wanted to emulate. I think continuous study and improvement are the keys to levelling up your career as an author, no matter your experience level.
What are your thoughts on the book industry today, or more importantly, about the book community? Do you feel it is getting harder or easier to make it as an independent author these days?
I feel differently about being an independent author now than I did just two years ago. Back then, I wanted to be an indie author all my life, self-publishing as fast as I could. Now, I’m pivoting. I want an agent. I want a traditional publishing path. As I’ve written, published, and learned, I’ve deepened my understanding of myself and my desires for my career. Independent publishing is no longer the right fit for me.
However, just because it doesn’t suit me anymore doesn’t mean it won’t suit others. It’s the best time to self-publish and make a living as an indie authors, and I think what remains of the industry’s stigma around self-publishing will disappear in time.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
I write spooky stories featuring complicated characters and twisty storylines, mostly involving ghosts, monsters, or demons. The story I’m most proud of changes every day. Right now, I’m focused on my play Touch. It’s being adapted into a full-length opera. I just got to read the finished libretto, and it took my breath away. I am so, so excited for the finished production.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
Currently, I’m 80% finished with edits for my DarkLit novel Tiger Cult, which should release this year. I’m also working on a new book I intend to query when I’m finished.
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