We chat with debut author Logan Karlie about Dream by the Shadows, which is a YA romantic fantasy about a deadly dream world and the shadow-cursed girl who must dare its depths to save her family, all while she falls in love with a dark prince.
Hi, Logan! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Logan Karlie, a former high school English and journalism teacher from Illinois who now spends her days writing fantasy books and consuming too much caffeine. I studied creative writing and literature in college, and I hold advanced degrees in both English and teaching. I love reading (and writing) books that are imaginative, romantic, and a bit haunting, too.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
As someone who grew up in a rural town in the Midwest, surrounded by more cornfields than people, I often found plenty of space and time to imagine, create, and read. My first stories were mostly told through illustrations and comics, actually; I still have dozens of sketchbooks from when I was younger, and they’re filled with imaginative characters and plotlines. Along with drawing, I loved to read, but I quickly found that they didn’t always satisfy me. So, I’d write (or daydream about) the stories I wanted to read, often during school when I was supposed to be paying attention. Oops.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine
- The one that made you want to become an author: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Nightweaver by R.M. Gray
Your debut novel, Dream by the Shadows, is out August 26th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A gothic fantasy fever dream.
What can readers expect?
They can expect to feel like they’re in a strange, haunting dream right alongside the protagonist, Esmer Havenfall. They will learn about the world as she learns about the world, unfurling secret after secret about the Kingdom of Noctis and origins of its corruptive dream curse. They can also expect gothic atmosphere, surreal dreamscape adventures, dark fantasy fairytale vibes, a slow burn romance with a masked villain, and themes of grief, hope, and love.
Where did the inspiration for Dream by the Shadows come from?
It came from a mixture of my own vivid dreams, which I’ve experienced my entire life, and stories like Labyrinth, The Phantom of the Opera, and Beauty and the Beast.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing the dream sequences. I enjoyed getting to be a little more lyrical and dream-like with my prose, as well as devising ways to make it feel like readers are experiencing the dream right alongside the characters. The dream sequences aren’t always pleasant, either; they’re often filled with demons looking to consume dreamers’ souls and eerie landscapes, which naturally creates emotions such as confusion, dread, and panic.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge, as many writers face, stemmed from simply a lack of time (and energy) to write. When I was finishing drafting Dream by the Shadows, I was working as a full-time high school English teacher (which is a job where you spend a lot of time grading time-consuming essays), but I was also a new mom. I was exhausted on all fronts, understandably. But I pushed through, one sentence at a time, and fought hard for this dream of mine to come true. I believed in it, believed in myself, and never gave up.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
My road was a convoluted one! I originally decided to self-publish Dream by the Shadows, which I did in 2023. Within a few weeks, it was growing in popularity, and after getting audio and translation interest I knew I needed a literary agent to help me navigate things. After signing with my agents, we decided to edit the book and submit it to publishers, and before long I had a life-changing book deal.
What’s next for you?
Beyond getting ready to release Dream by the Shadows, which I’m thrilled about, I’m busy working on its sequel, which is releasing in 2026. I can’t wait to share it with readers soon; I know many are eager to see what happens after the ending (no spoilers) of Dream by the Shadows!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
I’ve enjoyed so many wonderful books this year! Nightweaver by R.M. Gray, Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone, and A Fate Forged in Fire by Hazel McBride are three of many that I thoroughly devoured, and I’m looking forward to picking up Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause, House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt, The Weaver Bride by Lydia Gregovic, and Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray.
