We chat with author L.L. McKinney about A Crown So Cursed, which is the third book in L.L. McKinney’s Nightmare-Verse trilogy where Alice gets one last chance to save Wonderland from itself.
Hi, Elle! Welcome back! How has the past two years been since we last spoke for Nubia: Real One?
They’ve been kind of wild! I took a break from social media, still kind of am on hiatus. Mostly because ’ve been so busy, and the result is launching three books in six month. A CROWN SO CURSED is the second. But it’s been good. Fulfilling.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
Hnnnnnnng I don’t know! My brain freezes with these questions, because my favorite book changes so often. And I’ve wanted to write for so long, I can’t rightly point to one book that was the catalyst. It feels like I’ve always loved reading. I know that’s a cop out, I know! But if I wasn’t already a writer, NK Jemisin’s Great Cities series would inspire me to pick up a pen.
A Crown So Cursed is the final installment in your The Nightmare-Verse trilogy! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Uhm…you ain’t seen nothing yet.
What can readers expect?
The conclusion to a lot of what’s been built up in the first two books, revelations to some secrets, hopefully answers to most of the questions that have come up. And maybe a few new questions that don’t necessarily need answers right NOW but could get them if I’m blessed enough to come back to this world in the future. I always write in a few threads that could be picked up and pulled on, I can’t help it.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring one last time?
No moments that I can talk about without entering spoiler territory, but it was kinda fun to get inside Humphrey’s head again. Of course I love writing Alice, and Nana K is probably my absolute favorite person in the entire trilogy.
How did it feel wrapping up the trilogy?
Good. It felt good. The bittersweet kind of good. This book has hit so many roadblocks, one of these days I’m gonna have to talk about just what it was like trying to get this book out, but here we are and I’m thrilled readers can come along with me one more time. I’m not gonna say final because, if I have my way, this won’t be our last trip to Wonderland.
What’s next for you?
Well, I have another reimagining coming out in January. ESCAPING MR. ROCHESTER is a queer take on the classic of Jane Eyre. I’ve already got some folks mad about it, which honestly rejuvinates my skin at night. I’m also working on the script for the sequel to Nubia: Real One. A couple projects that haven’t been announced. Like I said, ya girl’s been busy.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I mentioned the Great Cities series above. Cherish Farrah is a psychological thriller that occupies a decent area of my brain that every now and then a line or something just POPS up and I’m reminded of that book. Wash Day Diaries! I’mma stop there because that’s four, nice round number, and I could go on for ever.
