Introverted Indies Chats with Mary Rajotte

Author of The Bone Key

Author

Lydia Baker
March 26, 2025

Hello fellow book lovers,

I had the pleasure of chatting with Mary Rajotte in October last year about her book The Bone Key, a paranormal dark fantasy.

Also, don’t forget to check out Introverted Indies Giveaway, we now have a 19th author to add to the bundle. Find the giveaway here. And so without further ado here is Introverted Indies chat with Mary Rajotte.

An Interview with Mary Rajotte
Author of The Bone Key

Hi, Mary. Thanks so much for joining us at Introverted Indies. We are so pleased to have you here and to get to know you and your books. First things first, can you tell me a bit about yourself?

Hi Lydia! I'm an author from Toronto, Canada. I write Gothic fiction, often with folk horror vibes, drawing inspiration from folklore and superstitions. I've been writing since high school, and publishing works since way back in 2009! I have over 70 stories, poems, and essays published, and my debut novel, The Bone Key, came out in October 2024. I'm also the youngest of 5 siblings. My Mom is Mexican American and my Dad is French Canadian, something I explore in my book.

Wow, that's amazing! What an accomplishment to have published over 70 works. Folklore is so interesting and I bet there are loads of unheard stories to explore.
I'm keen to hear more about your debut novel, The Bone Key, can you tell us more?

Sure! The Bone Key is a paranormal dark fantasy novel following the story of a coven of owl shifter witches and the hunters that want to steal their power. My main character, Valeria Salcedo, struggles with confidence in her magic, and throughout the book, she goes on a journey of self-discovery that reveals how her family bloodline is the key to her powers.

I had such a great time writing it and weaving in threads of Mexican folklore. One of those threads features La Lechuza, the Mexican owl witch. In folklore, she’s portrayed as a fearsome creature, a cautionary tale meant to warn children. They say if you find scratches at your window she has visited you, and if you misbehave, she’ll carry you away in her talons. In The Bone Key, La Lechuza becomes a powerful guide for the coven as they’re pursued by Los Cazadores, the hunter faction.

Another thread that runs throughout the book is the lore of black witch moths, seen as an omen when spotted in Latin America. They play a vital role in Valeria’s life, from being her protectors, to warning her of threats lurking in the shadows, and even intensifying her powers. I loved exploring these facets of folklore, and I hope they bring added depth to the book.

Sounds like a chilling mix of dark fantasy and folklore. I love the title, too. It must be interesting to research and read folklore. What sparked your interest in it as a theme for your book?

I love the intricacies of folklore, those obscure little tales that add an element of intrigue for readers, so I knew I wanted to incorporate that somehow, and because I was writing dark fantasy, folklore seemed like a natural fit for the book. Initially, the idea for The Bone Key came from a photo of a downy imprint left on a window from an owl. As I started researching, I stumbled across the story of La Lechuza, and it just felt so serendipitous, as though I was being led to the seed of my story.

It also inspired me to add a little of my own culture into the book. It gave me a place to explore the Mexican American side of my heritage. I grew up in Canada, so I wasn’t exposed to the oral storytelling or folklore of my Mom’s side of the family. This became a way for me to deepen my connection to my roots and add a cultural richness to my book, something I hope readers will love.

And what's great is that every country, every culture has those stories. Your book sounds great. There is definitely a market for dark fantasy at the moment. Can you tell us what a normal writing session looks like for you? And do you have any writing tips for your fellow authors?

One of my key strategies when writing is the Pomodoro Technique. It really helps me to focus, especially when I’m always thinking about all the other things I need to be doing (like creating social media posts, outlining new projects, studying for the classes I’m currently taking). I typically write in 25-minute bursts, with a 10 minute break in between sessions. After 3 sessions, I take a longer break, and then either do a little more writing, or move on to a different task. I use an app called Toggl to track all my tasks, so I can see where my time is being spent.

One of my tips for my fellow authors, especially those who struggle with first drafts, is to try the Zero Draft method. I used that while working on the draft of my next book, writing summaries of each chapter as though I was an outside observer of the events. It gave me a bare bones draft and took away the pressure of trying to find the perfect words. I know some authors might feel that takes the fun out of writing, or it makes them feel like they’ve already written the book by then. But I try to look at the Zero Draft as a guide, not something set in stone. Even as I rework those chapters, I’m still coming up with new events. There are still things to discover!

Some great advise there. I've not heard of the Zero Draft technique but it sounds like a good way to get the bare bones down. I recently wrote a fantasy novel in 5 months by not editing at all, writing a brief plan then just writing and not working if I got stuck and just leaving a note and moving on! It's probably awful but it's there on paper now! I can edit later.
Other than writing, do you have any other hobbies?

Years ago, I made and sold beaded jewellery and bead crocheted scarves and pins. I love baking, something I learned from my Mom, and I also love taking photos on road trips. I think having interests separate from writing really helps. It gives me a different outlet, and it’s also a great time to work out plot problems!

I love to crochet as well and bake. I agree that having another hobby lets your mind be free to wander over storylines and plot holes. I thought up a great twist while I was washing up last night!

It's been so lovely chatting with you, Mary. I've learnt a few new things, too.
Lastly, can you tell us where we can find your books and how readers can keep in the loop with book updates?

Thanks so much for this chat, Lydia!

The Bone Key is available from Quill & Crow Publishing House, and you can also find it online and at various retailers.

Stay up-to-date on all my latest news at my website maryrajotte.com or sign up for my newsletter at https://maryrajotte.com/blog/newsletter/.

I'm @MaryRajotte on all socials, though I'm mostly on Instagram and Threads these days.

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Thanks for reading

Lydia x

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