Hello fellow book lovers!

I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Melissa K. Magner and chatting about her book Of the Sun and Sea. So without further ado, here she is!

Author Interview with Melissa K. Magner
Author of ‘Of the Sun and Sea’

Hello Melissa, thank you for joining me at Indie Author Insight. Please introduce yourself.

Hi! My name is Melissa K. Magner. I was raised in the Bay Area, California, and I’m currently residing on the Central Coast. I’ve been writing since early childhood—honestly, since before I could even spell. Growing up, my younger sister and I played tons of imaginary games, which sparked my love for storytelling. I think that’s where my passion for creating my own worlds and characters began. For me, the escapism inherent in writing is still a huge part of what keeps me going—it’s just so much fun! I write primarily in speculative genres, like fantasy and science fiction, where I can let my imagination run wild.

It’s great to have you here to chat. Escapism is one of the biggest reasons people read, I’m sure. So tell me about your book!

My most recent release is Of the Sun and Sea, a (new adult) high portal fantasy/science fiction duology that’s presented as a single omnibus volume. It follows Marina, a young woman who is transported to a realm called Elsudra after a strange nighttime encounter on the beach. Once there, she discovers she’s the unwilling host of a powerful magical entity and is caught in a political conflict she has no connection to. Despite only wanting to return home, she’s told she was supposed to have taken on this burden willingly, which means either her memories are wrong, or—even worse—she’s not the person Elsudra was expecting. 

Of the Sun and Sea took me over 4 years to complete, but it stems from a story I wrote ~20 years ago. When I was seven, I wrote a story called Marina Oliver and the Island, which follows a young girl swept out to sea and stranded on a magical island. The general idea inspired this story—albeit with much more complexity this time around.

At its heart, Of the Sun and Sea is a twist on the chosen one trope. But it’s also a story about regaining hope—more specifically, what it means for a hopeless character to be thrust into a position where they’re looked to as a beacon of hope. Marina begins the story at her lowest: reeling from a massive loss in her life and, as a result, stuck in a cycle where she believes it’s worthless to move forward. The theme of moving forward, then—of choosing to move forward—is another key part of the series. There’s also a lot of commentary about control, political upheaval and war, and the lengths societies/people will go to in order to hoard power. On a more intimate scale, the novel explores found family, self-acceptance, and love in all its forms.

TW: The book contains mature themes, including depictions of grief, violence, and mental health struggles. Full content warnings are provided inside the book so readers can approach the story with care.

I love how writing never leaves us. So many authors start writing at a young age. I think its great how your idea from childhood has become your inspiration in adulthood. Are you working on anything else at the moment?

Right now, I’m still processing Of the Sun and Sea’s release! It’s a story that has consumed so much of my energy and attention for the past 4+ years, so I’m letting potential ideas simmer in my mind for now. My writing process tends to get a little obsessive, and this story had an emotional impact on me like nothing else I’ve written before. I know I’ll dive into something new soon—it’s just a matter of finding the right idea. Until then, I’m enjoying this moment and reflecting on everything that went into bringing this series to life.

Taking time to wait for the right next idea. I find I need time between novels to do other things and just relax as writing can be an intense process. I write crime and it can be dark so sometimes I need to play some video games or something light hearted in-between. Could you tell me a bit about some of your highs and lows and how you dealt with the hard stuff?

That’s a great (and hard) question! My author career has been a little unexpected. When I released my YA debut, Jinx (2018), I wasn’t really planning on having a full-fledged author career—I just wanted to get my voice out there, especially since the book was inspired by an idea my late grandmother had started working on in the 1970s. But things evolved slowly, and by the time I released my second book, The Underground Moon (2020), I realized I’d started down a much bigger path than I’d first imagined.

There have been so many great moments, but one that stands out was in 2023. I was getting beta feedback on Of the Sun and Sea, my earlier books were gaining more attention, and for the first time, I remember thinking, “Wow, I actually feel like an author.” That moment of realizing my work was resonating with people—and that there were more stories ahead—felt incredible. It wasn’t just about the milestones, but the feeling that I was doing something meaningful to me and hopefully to my readers.

Of course, there have been lows too. There’s the usual worries, I think, about one’s merit as a writer—something I’ve gotten better at weathering over time. For me, the biggest challenge has been balancing what I want for my career with the external expectations I sometimes feel. I always knew I wanted to stay indie, and I love being in this space where I can write what I truly care about. But there’s always that nagging voice of “should”: Should I be pushing my books more? Should I be more active on social media? Am I doing this the ‘right’ way?

I’ve also had people ask, “Are you trying to become a famous author?” and the honest answer is, not really. I’m happy carving out my own little niche, connecting with readers who love my stories, and keeping this process enjoyable for myself. The hard part comes when I find myself questioning if that’s enough, or comparing my goals to what I think an author “should” want. What’s helped is stepping back and reminding myself that there’s no one way to do this. My goal is to write stories I love and to enjoy the process.

At the end of the day, I’ve made a deal with myself: if the time comes where my author career is causing me stress or making me lose sleep for the wrong reasons, then I’ll reassess. For now, I’m just so grateful to be able to tell these stories.

That is such a brilliant answer and embodies everything I love about being indie. Not having to write to what popular opinion dictates is freeing. So on the indie train of thought…marketing. So many authors struggle with it, do you have any tips?

Do what feels authentic to you! Like I mentioned earlier, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to being an author, and the same applies to marketing. There are so many ways to promote your books, but you don’t have to do all of them—just the ones that resonate with you.

For example, I’m not big on social media at all. Aside from Instagram, I don’t use any other platforms. While I enjoy sharing the occasional book-related update on Instagram, constant posting or managing multiple accounts just isn’t for me. Instead, I focus my marketing efforts elsewhere: things like author interviews and newsletters (like this one!), entering book contests, creating an author website I’m proud of, doing the occasional giveaway, and building direct, meaningful connections with readers who enjoy my genres.

I also work with an amazing team of talented contributors—my illustrator, narrator, editor(s), and more—who are incredibly helpful in generating excitement and attention for my books.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. Building momentum takes time, and that’s okay. Just like being an author, there’s no “right” way to do it—only the way that works best for you. My advice is to explore your options and focus on what feels sustainable and enjoyable.

Great advice! So, here’s a fun one, if you could go back in time and give yourself one bit of advice what would it be?

Embrace the unconventional! One of the things I love most about reading is how every book brings something new into the world, and the same goes for writing. I’ve learned to write the stories I want to see in fiction, and charting my own path has been essential in maintaining my creative freedom and agency.

That said, I’d also remind myself not to go at it alone. Writing may feel solitary (and as an introvert, I often enjoy this!), but navigating everything that comes after doesn’t have to be. From editing to cover design to audiobook production, I’m so thankful for my team—they’ve truly made all the difference.

One thing I wish I’d done earlier, though, is join author groups! I’ve learned that if I have a question—whether it’s about ISBNs, pricing across territories, or anything else—chances are someone’s already asked it. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there, and tapping into it can be a game changer. Learning the ins and outs of the industry can feel overwhelming at first, but connecting with others makes the journey so much easier (and less intimidating).

It certainly can seem daunting out there! But like you said there are so many great authors and groups out there. I find the indie community extremely supportive. So, do you have any hobbies you enjoy when you’re not writing? I love to crochet, myself.

I wish I could crochet! I tried making a blanket once and…it did not look too great. Maybe one day, I’ll find the patience to practice more. Outside of writing (and reading), I love swimming, singing, and journaling. I also love photography; I’m no professional, but I’m definitely my family’s archivist, so I take/accumulate photos from daily life, family trips, etc.

I love swimming too, and I’d recommend crochet. Once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s quite freeing. While your hands are busy your mind can think up new book ideas! Is there anything else you’d like to add before we finish?

If you enjoy SFF stories and/or intimate epics with found family, LGBTQ+ representation (including an aroace FMC), and themes surrounding choice, change, and love, then I hope you’ll consider reading Of the Sun and Sea!

And, of course, thank you so much for featuring me. This was so much fun, and I really appreciate the opportunity to share a little more about myself and my work.

It was lovely chat with you Melissa. Thanks for joining me!

Thank you for reading!

Lydia xx