Authors to Watch: Jo Denning

Can you tell us how you got started writing fiction?

I began writing Dead Blood City, the first book in the Saoirse Reilly series, while working in apsychiatric hospital at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the death of a thirteen-year-old patient by suicide. The magic and monsters in Reilly’s world are metaphors for the very real evil and darkness that exists in our world. The painful experiences of my characters are things that real people go through every day. Unfortunately, treatment is not always enough to help them escape the darkness inside their own minds. I write to process my work and my many,many feelings about my work.

Describe your writing process. Do you plot or write by the seat of your pants? When and where do you write?

I write whenever I can! But, usually, it is earlier in the day on weekends or whenever I have abreak at work. I always create a detailed outline before I start writing. Then I create scene cards,a strategy discussed in ‘Story Genius,’ to make sure every scene actively contributes to character development. I jump around to different chapters and scenes when I write so a good outline helps me stay on track. I also create playlists for every story or book I write to get in the right headspace. You can listen to these free on Spotify!

Can you tell us about your most recent release?

Cruel Prince meets Law & Order in Hush Hush City, the thrilling sequel to Dead Blood City and second installment in the Saoirse Reilly series! 

Saoirse Reilly, police detective and wayward psychic, is still reeling from the events of DeadBlood City. Her lies are piling up but there's no time to deal. She and her loved ones are indanger once again. While investigating the murder of a Boston blueblood, Reilly is drawn into asupernatural power struggle centuries in the making. 

Ancient monsters are prowling the streets and Domenico Alderisi, newly installed vrykolakasmaster, needs Reilly’s help securing his territory—which just so happens to be her hometown. Alderisi, once her enemy, may be the only one who can save the city. But he has his own agenda and a taste for Reilly's blood.

The only way for Reilly to protect all she holds dear may be to rely on her two-faced teacher, Dr. Emrys Somerled. The criminal psychologist and occult expert is something more than human. If anyone can take on monsters, it's him. And he'd like to get closer to Reilly than ever before. There’s just one problem. Somerled is keeping secrets, too, and there's nothing more dangerous. 

After all… 

Stepping out of the silence is scary but secrets can kill. 

Will Reilly escape the web of death and deception? 

Find out in this urban fantasy meets gritty noir detective novel featuring imperfect heroes and slow burn dark romance with beautiful monsters who can’t be trusted. 

How did you get the idea for the book? 

I always knew Dead Blood City would have a sequel. In Hush Hush City, I wanted to address some of the questions readers had about Reilly’s heritage and her burgeoning powers. Other inspirations included Norse myths of the undead, the overlap of Viking and Irish culture, and the long, troubled history between Ukraine and Russia. But my overarching inspiration for the book was imagining someone presented with a series of distinct choices and choosing wrong everysingle time. Where would they end up?

Of all your characters, which one is your favorite? Why?

For the sake of my other characters, I want to say this is a tough one!!! (It’s not.) My favorite character is Saoirse Reilly, of course! Reilly is the protagonist, a Boston police detective with psychic abilities. She has been a love-her or hate-her kind of character for readers and that is intentional. She has taken a lot of hits throughout her life. As a result, she is a bit of a mess right now. Reilly has her flaws and she is not the easiest person to love. But she is the most real character I have ever written. I knew I needed a truly believable, human character to headline this fantastical series. Like all of us have or have to, Reilly needs to confront the trauma holding her back in order to thrive. I believe in her. 

What was the most challenging aspect of writing your book? 

This is a hard question to answer because I really love writing. The process of editing and revising can be time-consuming but I don’t dislike it. In terms of the most challenging aspect of publishing, it is definitely formatting my manuscript for print. It melts my brain. 

What projects are you currently working on? 

I’m hard at work on the third book in the Saoirse Reilly series, Black Sight City, so namedbecause it will be the darkest installment yet. This will be a major turning point for the series. For those wanting (demanding) more about Reilly’s heritage and the mysterious world we’ve only seen in flashbacks, this is the book for you! But be careful what you wish for. It is always darkest before dawn.

What advice would you offer to new or aspiring fiction authors? 

The best advice I can give aspiring authors is to WRITE. It’s okay to talk about books, do social media marketing, go to coffee shops, whatever floats your boat—but you have to actually write your book. No one else is going to do it for you. Good luck!

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