We chat with author Kellan McDaniel about Till Death, which follows two gay men—one young, one ageless—who sink their teeth into reclaiming their lives and identities from those who would silence them in this insatiable romantic horror novel.
Hi, Kellan! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! I’m a queer speculative fiction writer living in Maryland with my two fur-babies. When I’m not typing away, I like playing video games, playing TTRPGs, and planning my next tattoo.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I couldn’t tell you how old I was, but I will date myself by saying I was around when American Girl Doll first came out with the customizable dolls and those came with blank books in which you could write your own story. I definitely used those books to write Hanson fanfic, haha!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Chronicles of Prydain, by Lloyd Alexander.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Gay fanfiction—sorry not sorry!
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Piranesi, by Susanna Clarke.
- The first vampire book you devoured: Interview with the Vampire, by Anne Rice.
Your novel, Till Death, is out March 18th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Murderous gays, gentle with each other. That’s six words—don’t sue me!
What can readers expect?
A love story that is also about immortality and permanence, and how oppression cycles and manifests throughout generations. But also some snarky elders, meaningful intimacy, and lots of blood.
The book incorporates many real-life historical events. What was your research process like and why was it important for you to include these significant moments from the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement?
I think you’ve nailed half of it in the question! No story can include every historical detail, I wanted to include those that George would personally have been familiar with, involved in, or impacted by. It’s easy for younger queer folks (myself included) to lose hold of our history, especially given how many of our elders were taken from us by hateful policies and actions. As for research, I did watch a lot of shows and movies about and from George’s era, but I also read a multitude of first-hand accounts. Sharing our stories is how we keep hold of our history.
On a scale from Nosferatu to Edward Cullen, what kind of vampire is George? Is he more of an Angel or Lestat?
I can so easily cross off Nosferatu, Edward Cullen, and Lestat. I’d say he’s a combination of Angel and Louis: deep in his feelings, having been through quote a lot, in search of a new lease on un-life.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I had so much fun with the elders at Spring Meadows! The four of them are loving gossip-mongers, who really want the best for Howard and find kinship with George, even if they don’t know it’s because he’s their generation.
The book is written from the dual POVs of George and Howard. What were the biggest challenges and rewards of writing each of their perspectives?
I love writing dual POVs. The challenge is always making sure that a chapter is in the correct perspective—and, likewise, re-writing a chapter into the opposite perspective during revisions, if needed. But the biggest reward is providing two viewpoints on the same happenings. No one is the same, even if they spend every moment together. I love picking at individuals’ worries, hopes, and insights, and holding them up side-by-side for the reader to compare.
Will you be doing any in-person events where fans can come meet you and get their books signed?
My launch party is March 18, 2025 at Greedy Reads (Remington) in Baltimore! More information can be found here!
What are some of your personal favorite horror novels?
I really prefer psychological horror to physical—I’m squeamish! I will turn down the volume on my audiobook when the guts come out! But if I had to name one that has long stuck with me, I would offer the YA, Rules for Vanishing, by Kate Alice Marshall. You’ll lose track of what’s real in the best way.
This is your debut YA novel. What was the road to becoming a published author like for you? What do you find the biggest differences to be between writing for adults vs. young adults?
I followed a relatively traditional route! I had already published a handful of short fiction, including a novelette that was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards, but I knew that wasn’t my heart. I queried agents with what would become my debut novel, Docile, and signed with one a year later. We did a lot of revision, before going on to sell three adult novels to Tordotcom Publishing at Macmillan. Later, with my second and current agent, editor Christian Trimmer from MTV Books reached out to ask if I’d like to write more gay vampires—and how could I say no to that?!
I don’t think there is a specific difference between writing for each age group—excepting that there is a lot more explicit sex in my adult science fiction and fantasy. It’s more about meeting the reader where they’re at. Adults and teens are at different points in their lives, they care about different things, have different relationships with authority figures, and so on. That was especially fun to figure out for Howard since George is immortal!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
I’ve got an advanced copy of T.J. Klune’s The Bones Beneath My Skin, waiting for me in my living room, and if you’re interested in more vampires, I am looking forward to Lara Elena Donnelly’s No Such Thing as Duty. I hope everyone finds something comforting and engrossing during 2025—we’re going to need it.
