About May Garner:
May Garner is a poet and author based out of Dayton, Ohio. She has been dedicated to crafting and sharing her work online for over a decade. She is the author of two poetry collections, Withered Rising and Melancholic Muse. Her work has also appeared in Querencia Press, Cozy Ink Press, Arcana Poetry Press, and the Ohio Bards. Find her work on Instagram (@crimson.hands).
What inspires you to write?
Writing has been a special part of my life for a long time now. I’ve always viewed it as a friend that never abandons you, as long as you don’t abandon it. I have been writing for nearly fifteen years, a decade of those spent sharing my work online. I am constantly inspired by the hardships and challenges I’ve faced in life. I love to take the bitter parts of my upbringing and turn them into poetic revenge. I am also constantly inspired by my forever muse, my partner, Nathaniel. He pushes me to be the very best poet, author, and individual I can be.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
ton of inspiration and appreciate the art of Amanda Lovelace, Gigi Flanard, and Amy Elizabeth Vaughn.
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m a procrastinator and face writer’s block constantly, so my process can feel chaotic, but isn’t that true for most writers? I’ve never been an outliner, so my poetry and fiction usually emerge spontaneously. My best work often comes from unplanned midnight sessions, when the words simply pour out. I write on Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Wattpad. Typically, I'm drafting things out on Docs, then moving them around according, depending on where a project's located.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Definitely both! I think both trying to listen to your character and talk to your character not only helps you understand them better, but also helps add depth to their dialogue and inner thoughts. I love interacting with my characters in that sense, to outwardly play pretend in that sense and act as if your character was right beside you. Like reaching through the screen and just hopping into their world for a moment.
What advice would you give other writers?
Never ever stop doing what YOU love to do. It does not matter if it’s trendy or receiving thousands of views or likes. Oftentimes, all it takes is your work reaching one person, the right person, for it to matter. Even if you’re not sharing your work, it still matters, because it’s something you created. Hold tight to your passion and never let your dreams go. They will always be worth holding onto.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
For my debut collection Withered Rising, I chose hybrid publishing with BookLeaf, which gave me support with formatting, cover, and layout. While helpful, I wished for more creative control. For my second collection, I turned to self-publishing with Amazon KDP, which gave me the freedom to shape everything from the cover to the pricing. Going forward, I’d love to pursue traditional publishing with my third book.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think self-publishing will continue to grow, alongside the rise of indie presses who are giving space to emerging voices. More and more authors are choosing small presses or self-publishing for the creative freedom it offers, rather than relying solely on traditional houses.
What genres do you write?: Poetry, romance, horror, dystopian, apocalyptic, fanfiction.
What formats are your books in?: eBook, Print
Website(s)
Link To May Garner Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
