Reading and Writing Addiction was able to catch up with Lyn Michael Kalani McClenathan, Author of "The Excelsior Witch Chronicles". We are excited to share this insightful interview today with our readers.
Writing really did bring out
my biggest insecurities. It’s so scary
to write a book. So, I think that was
the most challenging. Overcoming my own
insecurities to want to share my thoughts and dreams with the world was also my
favorite. I am now more proud of
anything I have ever accomplished.
Lyn Michael Kalani McClenathan is a recent graduate of Arizona State University with his BA in Liberal Studies. He currently attends WNMU studying Social Work. He lives in New York City with his husband and two dogs. For more information follow Lyn on Twitter: @lynmkm and Instagram: @lynmkm
When did you first discover that you enjoy
writing and wanted to become a published author?
It sounds ridiculously
cliché, but I have always loved writing.
However, I never dreamed I would become a published author. There’s something surreal and almost ethereal
to see a book of your thoughts in print, in your hand. It’s incredible. I would encourage anyone who has ever thought
about writing, to do so. Even if it’s
just for you and your close person circle…write it!
What is your favorite and the most challenging
aspect of writing?
Writing really did bring out
my biggest insecurities. It’s so scary
to write a book. So, I think that was
the most challenging. Overcoming my own
insecurities to want to share my thoughts and dreams with the world was also my
favorite. I am now more proud of
anything I have ever accomplished.
Tell us about your latest release.
The Excelsior Witch
Chronicles is the tale of an 18-year-old girl named Bali who is trying to
figure out who she is. She finds out she
is a descendant of Tituba from Salem, but that the connection to black magic
and voodoo isn’t true. Tituba brought
light magic to the world and her descendants keep it going. She meets new friends that are also
descendants named Leilani and James and through their friendship they learn to
become powerful witches, as well as to learn about themselves. It’s really such a great story, with each of
the main characters having their own personal journey to work through to be the
best they can be. The Excelsior Witch Chronicles
is full of magic, friendship, growth and diversity!
How did you come up with the title of your
book?
I was on the subway in New
York City and I saw an ad for New York City, and its slogan has the world
excelsior in it, and it immediately clicked!
It reminded me of Bali and the power that she has within her. She truly exemplifies #blackgirlmagic and has
deep and powerful magic inside of her!
What do you hope readers are able to get from
reading your story?
I would love for a reader to
have a character to look up to. As a gay
man, I grew up without a character in entertainment to really look up to. Most of the gay characters I can think of
were some caricature of a gay man. I
want a little African-American girl to read about Bali and see themselves as
powerful. Or a James and think that
there isn’t a mold for a gay youth, and that being yourself and being proud of
who you are, is the most important.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have
written fantastic books about their lives!
I also love Nicola Yoon and Kami
Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I am also
recently getting into Danielle Paige and the Dorothy Must Die series!
Do you have any advice for writers looking to
get published?
Be confident in who you
are. Be confident in your writing and
your talent. Also, edit, edit, edit and
edit again.
Lyn Michael Kalani McClenathan is a recent graduate of Arizona State University with his BA in Liberal Studies. He currently attends WNMU studying Social Work. He lives in New York City with his husband and two dogs. For more information follow Lyn on Twitter: @lynmkm and Instagram: @lynmkm
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