We chat with author M.K. England about Riley Dare: Slightly Witchy Sleuth, which is the first book in a trilogy that promises that Riley’s magical mystery-solving is only just getting started!
Hi, M.K.! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi, thanks for having me! I’m the bestselling author of fourteen books for kids, teens, and adults in genres from sci-fi to rom-coms to cozy fantasy. When I’m not writing, I’m usually either drowning in fandom, gardening, or gaming: tabletop rpgs, board games, video games, allll the games. I have a very spunky six-year-old, two dogs named Biggs and Wedge, and way too many plants.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I was a huge reader and sci-fi/fantasy fan as a child, but I spent years too embarrassed by my own writing to even make eye contact with it. I spent most of my teens and twenties squirreling away little scraps of dialogue and story ideas scribbled on receipts and in random notebooks. Eventually, I forced myself to sit down and give writing a genuine try, though I gave up several times over the course of years before it stuck. The “love” part of writing was pretty hard-earned and involved getting over a lot of anxiety first!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles book that came with a cassette—wish I knew which one!
- The one that made you want to become an author: Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Once and Future Witches book by Alix E. Harrow
Your latest novel, Riley Dare: Slightly Witchy Sleuth, is out September 15th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Spunky witchy gamer kid detective
What can readers expect?
Riley Dare lives above an escape room, so gaming and puzzles play a big role in the story, and Riley’s two best friends are also her D&D group. Readers can expect lots of little flashes of magic woven through the mystery: little spells, a ghost, tarot cards, and more. They also get two mysteries for the price of one: one that began the night Riley was born, and another that begins when a man disappears from inside their escape room. A little something for everyone!
Where did the inspiration for Riley Dare: Slightly Witchy Sleuth come from?
I originally developed this concept years ago when a publisher put out a call for a “modern Nancy Drew,” but Riley quickly grew beyond that original prompt quickly. I wanted to write a kid detective who was a little gender-bendy and who could use gamer skills in solving mysteries. Riley Dare was born!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I can’t talk about her too much without giving spoilers, but there’s a ghost named Eliza who is just so fun to write. I love the ways she and Riley come up with to communicate with notes and tarot cards. She’s even more fun in book 2!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Mostly just the fact that I am not a natural mystery writer! The beats of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance are pretty ingrained in me, but for whatever reason I just have not internalized mysteries and thrillers to the same degree. I’ve really had to sit down and study a variety of sources on plotting a satisfying mystery. (Also, book 3 is currently kicking my butt—when I overcome that problem, I’ll let you know!)
What’s next for you?
My second cozy fantasy under my pen name Autumn K. England is out in May 2027, so I’m wrapping up final details on that. I’m also working on edits for an unannounced middle grade graphic novel that won’t be out for quite a long time, but I love it dearly. After that, Riley Dare 3 is up!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I have read a truly shocking amount of fanfiction this year, but I have managed to keep up with my TBR a bit, too! I was wrecked by Amber McBride’s The Leaving Room recently, and I’m looking forward to K. Ancrum’s latest, Adam, Mine.
