We chat with author Delilah S, Dawson about her latest novel Midnight at the Houdini, which follows a girl who discovers a surreal hotel where no one ever leaves. When the clock strikes midnight she’ll be trapped there forever unless she’s able to break free from magic that in turn breaks all her rules.
Hi, Delilah! Welcome back! How has the past year been for you since we last spoke?
Busy and beautiful! Since Camp Scare launched last year, I’ve had several books out, including Star Wars Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade, Disney Mirrorverse: Pure of Heart, and the paperbacks of The Violence and Minecraft Mob Squad: Don’t Fear the Reaper. I’ve gotten back into comic cons, continued my Olympic lifting, and somehow ended up with more houseplants, although that’s totally not my fault.
Your latest novel, Midnight at the Houdini, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Magical hotel romance; rogue bunnies!
What can readers expect?
Magic and mystery! Twists and turns! A hotel with a mind of its own! A ball that never ends! A bartender who makes (non-alcoholic) drinks personally tailored to you! And, randomly, some very prudish parrots.
Where did the inspiration for Midnight at the Houdini come from?
I wrote MATH (can you believe that’s the acronym?!) during that utterly unique part of the Covid pandemic when we all stayed home and did online school and clapped for hospitals every night. I wanted a magical escape, and the thought of being in a beautiful hotel that’s constantly changing was intoxicating. The biggest influences are the immersive theater experience of Sleep No More in New York, Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and what I thought Las Vegas would be like instead of what it actually is.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Most of my books are issues books, where I work through past trauma. I’ve covered bullying (Camp Scare), having a parent who doesn’t like you (Mine), and growing up in a house with domestic violence (The Violence). But Midnight at the Houdini is all about exploration and magic, so I wrote about the boy I would’ve swooned for when I was in high school—and a girl who is as dedicated to being valedictorian as I was and needs to learn to let go of expectation.
What’s your process when it comes to worldbuilding?
Lots of dreaming! It often happens while driving and listening to carefully chosen playlists, or while being near water or in the bath. But for MATH in particular, I spent a lot of time in my outside office in Florida with the screen windows open, flopped in a papasan chair and thinking about what would be the most interesting and beautiful thing that could possibly happen.
What are some of the key lessons you’ve learnt as a writer over the years?
- That you need to think of writing as an escape, not drudgery.
- That the magic happens in revisions.
- That the best idea is the one that you’re passionate about, the one that feels audacious and a little scary. Instead of chasing trends, listen to your heart.
What’s next for you?
My next book is out in October, a cottagecore horror story called Bloom that was inspired by my teen daughter getting into the show Hannibal and asking me why all the cool serial killers are dudes. I have a few books out next year, but they haven’t been announced yet! And I’ll be at New York Comic Con… where I’ll probably make time for my seventh trip to Sleep No More.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
If you like Midnight at the Houdini, you’ll probably enjoy The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, Caraval by Stephanie Garber, and the YA Romance books by Jenn Bennett.
