Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.

Recently, we interviewed El Holly about her writing and her soon to be published final installment in the Finding Fae Trilogoy, Fate of the Fae, (Read the review here.)

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have a lot of unformed ideas for books, but only one that I’d consider unpublished/half-finished. Maybe someday it will be out in the world like the Finding Fae and Phantasmic Wars books. I also have an idea for a short story collection featuring some characters from the Finding Fae trilogy, but that is only in the idea phase.

What does literary success look like to you?

To me, I’ve felt the most literary success this year, and neither of the moments where I felt “success” had to do with selling books and making millions. I suppose literary success depends on the person. For me, it’s the impact and connections I make with my readers.

How often do you read?

I read every day! Partly because I’m currently in grad school to achieve a Masters in English Literature. But also because I just love to read.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I find when I try and deliver what the readers want, there are some who don’t get what they want. So I prefer to be true to myself and write what brings me joy.

Has this novel changed drastically as you created it?

The Finding Fae trilogy itself has changed a lot from initial conception to when I started writing. I actually had plans for Eevee’s birth parents to be aliens at first, rather than fae. However, I am very happy with the end result.

What’s next for you?

I’ll be stepping back from my fun writing for a bit until I achieve my Masters of English Literature. So for the next few years, I’ll mainly be doing academic writing. However, I do have ideas in the works and I’m sure after a few years of academic writing I’ll be eager to jump back into writing for fun.

***