Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.
Recently, we interviewed Evelyn M. Exley about her writing and recently released book, The Warm Planet, a tender, quirky, deeply nostalgic tale of grief, belonging, and second chances (Read the review here).
Evelyn M. Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with stories as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them beyond her comprehension) in her hands. She likes to say she has lived most of her life seeing the world through a Coke-bottle-thick lens of metaphor and imagination. Her stories range from sweeping mythic worlds to the heart of everyday life — but all explore the deeper meaning beneath human experience.
Her fascination with stories that impact the soul comes from her own need for it. That need has shaped both her life and her writing far more than any list of qualifications—which include being a licensed minister, a professional pianist and cinematic composer, and an award-winning author. Her work has earned silver and bronze medals in the 2026 Independent Publisher Book Awards, three silver medals in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, finalist recognition in seven categories at the 2026 International Book Awards, and finalist recognition in eight categories at the 2026 American Legacy Book Awards. She was also featured in an author spotlight in the June 2026 edition of Kirkus Reviews magazine and was recently interviewed by IndieReader following a five-star review.
In all of her creative work, Evie seeks to use imagery with intention, believing that art can teach the heart without preaching and heal the soul without patronizing—ultimately helping to change culture through the divine work that takes place within.
Evie resides with her husband in the Southeastern United States in a musical and somewhat magical house, where conversation is often full of talk about real-life legends, fantasy stories, and other timeless tales.
Website: https://exleybooks.com
Social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evieexleyofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evie__exley
Tell us some more about your book.
The Warm Planet centers around a wildly imaginative young woman who returns home after personal tragedy scattered her to the winds for nearly a decade, where she begins to remember back to what makes her who she is, and examines what fruitless ideals she needs to let go of so she can move forward again. (It’s also a delightful romance. *wink)
What inspired the premise of your book?
The premise was largely inspired by my own upbringing. Though a good deal of Tulsa’s journey is not my own, there were large parts of my childhood that were very magical, very eccentric, and filled with colorful characters like The Warm Planet. I was very fortunate.
How many rewrites did you do for this book?
It isn’t unusual for me to rewrite a scene at least twenty times until I’m satisfied with it. I enjoy crafting the story until it resembles the vision I have for the characters, emotion, dialogue, and setting.
Are any of your characters based on real people you know?
In The Warm Planet, yes, absolutely. Treasure was a combination of several young women I’ve known, including a mash-up of a few of my sisters (I have several). Tulsa unapologetically bears a strong resemblance to myself growing up. In fact, after one of my sisters read the novel, she said she couldn’t tell us apart. And Max was part imagination part based on a childhood friend I grew up with.
Which scene or chapter in the book is your favorite? Why?
This is a toughie. There are so many scenes in this book that are huge favorites. For this interview, I’ll say the beginning scene where Max finds Tulsa acting out a scene of imagination as an enslaved princess and he breaks in as the Rejected Suitor come to save her. It sets the premise for the entire novel… and is great fun. But I have to warn you-my favorite may change as soon as five minutes from now.
Which scene was most difficult to write? Why?
The most difficult scene was when Max and Tulsa are stargazing and Tulsa begins to “feel again” after several days of being in a state of emotional shock. I felt every part of this scene — her realization of her feelings, her emotional awakening, and her pain.
What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
Like all of my novels, there are several layers built into this story, too many to put down here. However, my greatest hope is that my readers will walk away having been enchanted and entertained by the characters and the creative fun, but also inspired by Tulsa’s journey as she learns the difference between unhealthy independence and interdependence, as well as her growth as she discovers what it means to live freely instead of by the laws she has always set for herself.
How does your faith life/ethical outlook inform your writing?
I would say, even though this novel does not directly discuss my faith, my work is firmly anchored by my faith life. My beliefs and belief system inspire all that I do and everything I hope to communicate in my stories.
What’s next for you?
Why stop now? I’m going to write more, of course! I have several sequels to write for my catalog of books, and there’s always new worlds forming in the unseen recesses of my inner universe.
***
BookView Review 
Leave a comment