We chat with author Megan Crane about Edge of Obsession, which is a dark, high-heat dystopian romance about a brotherhood of modern-day Vikings from USA Today bestseller Megan Crane. Perfect for fans of Laura Thalassa and L.J. Shen.
Hi, Megan! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m the author of over 175 books, under a bunch of names. They are almost exclusively romance novels of one sort or another. I live in a beautiful part of rural Oregon with my comic book artist husband and our two very bossy dachshunds. For fun I like to knit and do combat sports—not at the same time.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I can’t remember a time I WASN’T writing! And I always loved stories. I believe I wrote my first book on construction paper when I was very little, about a talking horse named Casey.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: I taught myself to read Goodnight Moon when I was very little.
- The one that made you want to become an author: I didn’t actually realize you could BECOME an author. I think I thought they were just magical creatures or something.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Kulti by Mariana Zapata is one my most reread, most-recommended books ever. I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t completely swept away by it. The perfect (very) slow burn!
Your latest novel, Edge of Obsession, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Very. Dirty. End. Of. World.
What can readers expect?
It’s a very explicit book, but my favorite part is the world. It’s a post apocalyptic, dystopian version of the world we know. Most of the planet has been rearranged by storms, famines, and so on. What remains are a mostly wiped-out human race and the societies built out of what’s left. Into that I threw a brotherhood of very rough and ready warriors, who are basically Viking raiders. It’s dark and delicious!
Where did the inspiration for Edge of Obsession come from?
I was talking to my brilliant editor Monique Patterson, who said she was thinking of dystopian worlds. And also Navy SEALs. I happened to be obsessed with the show Vikings at the time (this was a long time ago—this series originally came out about ten years ago) and I’d seen an interview with a couple of actors where one of them said that Vikings were basically the Navy SEALs of their time. That really kicked the whole idea into gear. I still have no clue where the whole, vast, drowned world came from. It was like it was just waiting for me inside my head. I wish all books were like that!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I had never written a series before these books. I loved every part of figuring out how to link everything and carry threads through. I have such fond memories of writing these stories!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I did indeed. I started dictating because of these books. One of them was giving me fits. I must have rewritten the first chapter 65 times and if I missed the deadline, it would start a horrifying domino effect that I’d never dig myself out from under… So I taught myself how to dictate instead of type (and it was a hard transition!) and now I dictate all of my first drafts and can’t imagine NOT dictating. It’s been about a decade and I could never have written all the books I’ve had out since then if I hadn’t learned how to get out of my own way and get those words down.
What’s next for you?
I have tons of books coming out all the time. I write as Megan Crane, my alter-ego Caitlin Crews, and one part of the writing duo known as Hazel Beck. We all have books out or coming out, and Hazel Beck is going on tour in October. We’d love to see you out there! And if you’re not along our Midwest touring trail, you can dig into all 175+ of my books at www.megancrane.com
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I adored Cleat Cute by Meryl Winsler, LaQuette’s Savvy, Sexy, & Single series, The Glowing Life of Leann Wu by Mindy Hung, and I would read Ali Hazelwood’s grocery list.
