1. What kind of atmosphere did you want the reader to feel and how did you go about laying the foundations to deliver the tone of the plot?
I thought it would be exciting to write a story about a place where the living and the dead live side by side. I like dark, lyrical, atmospheric storytelling. I had to delve into my own imagination to create a gothic world of my own. This took time. Folklore and mythology were a huge inspiration. Grave’s Pass and Dead Town are inspired by the winding narrow hills of Cork City where I live. They’re also inspired by places in Sicily like Taormina, Erice and Randazzo where I’ve been on holidays. There is a town in England called Grave’s End. That gave me the idea for Grave’s Pass. I include some of my favourite characters from folklore: A white lady, a redcap, a werewolf, a bogeyman and pooka horses. I also include animals that I like: a Maine coon cat, a labradoodle, and a tortoiseshell cat. I also include a three-wheeled car as I like retro things and antiques.
2. How was the process of teasing ideas out from your memory and getting these down in word form?
I’ve always liked ghost stories. I’ve always been interested in the supernatural. When I was eight my grandfather died. I stayed at my gran’s for a few weeks because she was lonely. She told me wonderful stories about ghosts, goblins and changelings that made my heart beat faster. These stories have stayed with me.
In Celtic mythology, black butterflies symbolise the souls of the dead. I knew from early on that the black butterfly was important in my story. It fluttered continually in my subconscious as my story took shape. One of my favourite novels in the Irish language is Cré na Cille (Graveyard Clay) by Máirtín Ó Cadhain. It’s set in a graveyard where the newly dead arrive bringing all the local news to those already in their coffins. I love the dark humour and the roguish characters in this novel. This book probably influenced me unknown to myself. Raven McKay came to me in a dream. I saw her with her suitcase with the faded sticker of the black butterfly in a hilly town with twisty narrow streets. She stood there and looked at me. It was as if she was asking me to write her story. The first few pages came quickly. At that stage I went back to plotting. I let things grow and flourish. I thought about the other characters. When I could see the story unfold like a film in my head, I knew I was ready to write it. I soon found myself in the heart of Dead Town.
3. What do you think is special about the main character, Raven McKay?
Raven is curious, individualistic, loyal and brave. She stands out in her long dark hair, her beautiful hat with the raven feather, her velvet coat, her blouse with the embroidered butterflies and her boot with the tassels. She is mysterious as she has in her possession an old suitcase with a faded sticker of a black butterfly. Lots of kids go through stages where they feel they don’t fit in, where they feel they should do what others do although a voice in their head is saying, “no, I’d prefer to do something different.” Sometimes they feel odd like Raven McKay. Sometimes they feel alone.
4. What do you think she would change about the story?
I think Raven would have liked to arrive in Grave’s Pass sooner so that she could have stopped the ghoul from causing the accident that left her friend Mack in a wheelchair
5. I'm a very big fan of the publisher. What advice were you given by them that led to the finished book?
Mikka from Everything With Words was enthusiastic about the book from the start. That really helped with the editing process. We worked very well together. Mikka is a very thorough and thoughtful editor. She recommended some name changes. We both came up with some suggestions and we chose the most suitable. I’m very grateful to Mikka for her passion about my book, her insight and for choosing Ewa as the artist. A perfect choice.
Ewa Beniak-Haremska, the artist, read the book and loved it. She said Raven reminded her of her younger self. I chatted with Mikka and Ewa over zoom a few times. What’s interesting is that Ewa said the cover of the book came to her in a dream also, which in itself is mysterious. Eva’s illustrations are sublime and wondrous. They’ve added another gothic layer to the book.
7. What do you love most about being a published author?
The past year has been amazing. Meeting kids, meeting other writers, calling into bookshops, chatting with booksellers and seeing my book. Kids have sent me drawings of Raven. They’ve told me they’re going to dress up as Raven McKay for Halloween. Others have told me that they’re going to dress up as the redcap, Bram and Callie. It’s all very exciting!
8. Do you believe in ghosts or the supernatural?
I’m not sure. I would like to believe that there is another world. There are things in life we can’t explain. I think spooky stories help us deal with our own fears. It is the same for children. Supernatural tales bring us into an unknown realm where we often come face to face with our own fears.
I’ve always loved ghost stories but I was easily scared as a child. I didn’t like going up the stairs to bed. I thought there could be a ghost lurking in the shadows. Dark winter evenings often left me on edge. Maybe this was because I secretly believed that there was something out there. Still I was brave enough to sit in a dark loft and tell ghost stories with my friends. But it shows that even if you’re scared of things it’s still fun to be scared too. There is a great thrill to be had from a spooky tale.
9. What would your favourite day look like?
Coffee. A walk with our dogs, Maddie and Bella. Music in the background while I write. I never write without music. (I write in the mornings when I’m on holidays and in the evenings when I’m teaching.) After lunch I read, usually a novel and some poetry. Sometimes I listen to podcasts. Another walk with the dogs. Dinner with my husband Jay and our daughter Rosa (16). We usually watch a film or series. We’re enjoying Black Mirror at the moment.
10. Has anything spooky happened to you?
When I was a student I stayed in a hostel on an island off the west coast of Ireland. There was an old portrait in the room. I swear it was staring at me all night. It gave me chills down my spine. The same chills I got from the hostel owner. The sound of crashing waves and the wind added to my unease.
Delighted to see Welcome to Dead Town Raven McKay out in the world
— Eibhlís Carcione (@eibhliscarcione) June 1, 2023
Order here: https://t.co/F8fcgpoflE @EveryWithWords #RavenMcKay
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