Melissa K. Magner is an award-winning indie author of dark, character-driven fantasy. Inspired by her late grandmother, Patricia M. Kaspar, she writes novels that blend fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery. Known for exploring themes of grief, healing, and identity, Magner has received critical acclaim from IndieReader, Readers’ Favorite, and the BookLife Prize by Publishers Weekly.
Her 2025 novel, Of the Sun and Sea, is her debut new adult epic fantasy—a duology published as a single omnibus volume. Praised as “dense and dramatic yet heartfelt and relatable” by IndieReader, the novel follows nineteen-year-old Marina Oliver, a grief-stricken young woman whose inner turmoil is mirrored by a realm in crisis.
After an accident takes her parents’ lives, Marina is pulled into Elsudra, a dying magical world that comes back to life upon her arrival—because she carries the Omnia, a godlike force that reignites its dormant magic. As war brews and power-hungry forces close in, Marina must decide whether her internal storms make her unfit for such a power…or uniquely suited to wield it.
Both an epic fantasy adventure and a metaphor for grief and mental health, Of the Sun and Sea has been praised for its immersive world-building, complex characters, and subversion of the chosen one trope. Learn more at melissakmagner.com or on Instagram.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
As a dark fantasy author, I’ve always been drawn to magic laced with danger. Even as a kid, my make-believe games had supernatural twists—and more than a little mortal peril (as my grandma liked to point out).
In Of the Sun and Sea and my previous books, I use fantasy as a mirror—one which gives me the space to explore very real themes through mystical elements. Plus, it satisfies my inner-escapist.
Are you more of a fan of plot-driven stories or character-driven stories?
Definitely character-driven, mostly because I find that, in my own writing, my characters are the drivers of my plot. They’re where the plot begins and ends; without them, there would be no story to tell. They feel like real people to me—so much so that they often seem to make decisions on their own. Of course, I’m guiding the story, but when I strike the right balance between their autonomy and my vision, the plot unfolds naturally.
Fill in the blank: “People will like your book if they like stories about…”
…loss, healing, and the ways people keep going—even when the world, or a world not their own, asks more of them than they think they can give. Readers who are drawn to literary fantasy, emotionally intimate epics, and/or character-driven stories with high stakes will likely connect with Of the Sun and Sea.
What are your thoughts on typewriters?
I love them, but mostly for aesthetic purposes. I actually have my grandmother’s old typewriter, which I treasure. But for actual writing, I stick to my computer. My process tends to involve lots of reworking, and typewriters aren’t exactly built for that!
What is your favorite website that you use to promote your writing?
I’m not the most media-savvy, but I’m pretty proud of my official author website. It’s where I get to showcase the details of my books—playlists, trailers, and book photography—and share the vibe behind my indie fantasy brand.
I worked with a wonderful designer to bring it to life, and it really reflects the tone of my books: atmospheric, emotional, and immersive. It’s the best place to explore my work as a dark fantasy author, especially for Of the Sun and Sea!
If Hollywood bought the rights to your book, would you want it to be turned into a movie or series?
Probably a series. Of the Sun and Sea is a new adult epic fantasy duology with complex character arcs, layered timelines, and sprawling world-building—definitely too much to fit in a single film!
That said, there’s something special about the reading experience. The intimacy of a story unfolding in a reader’s mind is hard to replicate, so I’m a little torn when it comes to adaptations.
But if it were to happen, I’d want it animated. Elsudra’s otherworldly setting—partly inspired by the Myst computer games I loved growing up (Myst Uru especially)—and the alien creatures called ruemin would come to life in incredible ways through animation. It’s a world built for visual storytelling, if done right.
Who is your dream audiobook narrator?
My current narrator, Marissa DuBois. She’s brought every one of my books to life so far: my earlier teen/young adult low fantasies—Jinx (2018) and The Underground Moon (2020)—and most recently, my debut new adult epic fantasy Of the Sun and Sea (2025).
Her vocal range is phenomenal, and she has an intuitive grasp of tone and emotion. She even recorded some sessions live for Of the Sun and Sea, and watching her react in real time to the twists and heavy scenes was unforgettable. She’s a core part of the Of the Sun and Sea audiobook, and I couldn’t imagine anyone else voicing it.
Do you try to hit a certain page or word count with each writing session?
Not really. I’ve found I work best when I let myself write without reins. Some days I write thousands of words; other days, I barely get through a paragraph.
When I was writing Of the Sun and Sea, I had long stretches of momentum and others where I wrote a little less. When I’m excited about a story, I’m able to keep a good pace overall—though I intentionally don’t give myself deadlines or daily targets.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Music plays a huge role in my process. I create custom playlists for every book—Of the Sun and Sea was especially fun to make, and I think I’ve played it on repeat a hundred times.
Before a writing session, I’ll often loop a specific song to help me emotionally tune in. Sometimes I need silence, but music usually unlocks something in my writing brain.
What are your passions/obsessions outside of writing?
Archiving and organizing photos. It’s a strange little obsession, but I love it.
I’ve organized decades of old family photos into SSD backups with folders and subfolders for every year and occasion, and I do the same thing for present day pictures I take. It feels like memory-keeping, and it’s such a therapeutic process for me.
What is the most unique way that an idea for a piece of writing has come to you?
When I got the idea for the major twist in Of the Sun and Sea (Book 1: The Sun), I was cycling and listening to music. The song “Show Yourself” from Frozen II started playing, and I must’ve been in an unusually unique headspace, because the twist hit like lightning. I hadn’t written a word of the book yet, but I knew then what Of the Sun and Sea was going to be about—and it shaped everything that followed.
Are you a big reader? Do you own a large collection of books, or are you more of a borrower?
I’m definitely a big reader. I really try to either borrow when I can or finish the books I have before I get more (but I’m not always successful). I do keep some very special books from my childhood, like the Sisters Grimm series my grandma gave me for my eleventh birthday.
How do you measure the success of your writing career?
By how much I love doing it. If I still feel excited to tell stories, then I’m doing something right. That said, I’m proud of the recognition my books have received, and I’m even prouder of the readership I’ve cultivated, especially since my books lean on niche.
Of the Sun and Sea won praise from IndieReader and BookLife by Publishers Weekly, and hearing that feedback—plus the notes I get from readers—means the world. But at the end of the day, success means keeping my passion for writing alive. When the flame is burning, I know I’m on the right path!
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Very relatable.