Marjorie Mallon

A YA Fantasy author, with a touch of the paranormal.

Please, introduce yourself. Tell us about your personal life, family, education.

I’m now living part of the year in Edinburgh, Scotland for its culture and Tavira, Portugal for sun and the relaxed way of life. I live with my husband David and have two grown-up daughters, Natasha and Georgina, living in the UK. I studied in Scotland, in Edinburgh, and went to university in Glasgow.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy hobbies such as mindfulness, tai chi, swimming, walking, going to art galleries and the theatre. I love spending time with family and friends.

What is your ultimate writing goal as you see it today?

My goal is to finish the third book in my YA fantasy series. Next Chapter published the first two books. It’s a challenge; writing a series is demanding. I’ve joined Scribophile, which is a critiquing/beta reading group, and I’m finding this helpful for feedback. Also, I’m working on a paranormal short story with crime elements, which is a new departure for me. So, I’d say my ultimate writing goal is to be brave and see where this writing life will take me!

Have you developed a specific writing style and why?

I’m an author and poet, the first two books in my YA Fantasy series, Bloodstone and Golden Healer, began each chapter with a poem (which I called a puzzle piece.) My style of writing is quirky, like me.

Bloodstone Synopsis

Here is the synopsis of Bloodstone to give you an idea.

I didn’t think my life could get weirder, but I was wrong.

Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who is imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house.

When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden path where she encounters Ryder: a charismatic, perplexing stranger.

With the help of a magical paint set and some crystal wizard stones, can Amelina discover the truth about her family?

A unique, imaginative mystery full of magic-wielding and dark elements, Bloodstone is a riveting adventure for anyone interested in fantasy, mythology or the world of the paranormal.

Strange Experiences

How much of your books is realistic and experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?

Several strange episodes occurred whilst I was writing the first book in the series, Bloodstone. Our house in Cambridge had a creepy vibe. On one occasion, my daughter’s boyfriend was visiting, and we all saw an inexplicable twirling black and white spectre in my garden. The twirling shadowy figure gave me an idea for a scene in Bloodstone.

Prior to this, my daughters swore they’d seen a ghostly figure on the stairs. And I often heard footsteps, or falling objects. Also, we had a mysterious cat visit at this time —I guessed he was a witch’s cat—he had this habit of disappearing, climbing up on our balcony, (which was high up) and meowing for attention. He became the black cat, Shadow, in the book.

If you could not write, how would you express what you wish to convey through any stories?

If I could no longer write long fiction, I’d perform poetry. Another way to convey stories would be through the art of creative photography.

The poetry/flash fiction/anthology collections I’ve independently published to date under my poetry imprint, Kyrosmagica Publishing are:

Shh Purely Poetry, Do What You Love, The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet, Mr. Sagittarius Poetry & Prose, (including my photography,) Lockdown Innit, (including my photography,) and This Is Lockdown. All of which are available to buy via Amazon, or to read in libraries in the UK.