L.L. McKinney is a writer, a poet, and an active member of the kidlit community. She’s an advocate for equality and inclusion in publishing, and the creator of the hashtag #WhatWoCWritersHear. She’s spent time in the slush by serving as a reader for agents and participating as a judge in various online writing contests. She’s also a gamer girl and an adamant Hei Hei stan. A Blade So Black is her debut novel. Twitter ◉ Instagram ◉ Facebook
About A Blade So Black:
What if Buffy fell down the rabbit hole instead of Alice?
Swords will shatter.
Hearts will break.
Heads will roll. . .
“A thrilling, timely novel.” — Kirkus
“An explosive, kickass debut!” — Booklist
A BLADE SO BLACK is available for pre-order!
Talk about one thing that’s making you happy right now. Being a writer. Seriously, I get to do what I love most in this world. Doesn’t get much better than that.
When you were a teenager, what did you think you’d be when you grew up? An astronaut. Seriously. I excelled in sciences and mathematics, I went to space camp, I was obsessed! Then, in the eighth grade I started getting headaches. They worsened over the period of a few weeks and when all was said and done, I needed glasses. You can’t be an astronaut if you wear glasses. I was heartbroken. Not about wearing glasses, I loved my glasses, but about the not being an astronaut thing.
What time of day do you love best? Nighttime. I stay up late much easier than I get up early. Even with a full night’s sleep, dragging myself out of bed is an ordeal.
Have you ever tried writing in a different genre? How did that turn out? I tried to write contemporary, I really did. Then a magic sword popped up and that was the end of that funny business. Maybe I’ll try it again, or maybe I’ll try something more science fictiony than fantasy. Who knows!
What three things would you want with you if stranded on a desert island? A gassed motorboat, a jug of water, and a functioning CB radio. I don’t get along with nature at the best of times, I’m not looking to get comfortable.