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Exploring the Shadows: An Interview with Daisy DeMay, author of The Cost of Living

Daisy DeMay 1

Daisy DeMay lives in Illinois with her children and husband of 25 years. She loves sitting and watching the storms roll in. She enjoys reading outside in the warmth of the sun. When she’s not working, she creates stories to share. She has a fascination with the macabre. She approaches everything in life with a mix of passion and logic.

You can buy The Cost of Living here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.


Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The book title took a long time. Many things go on in the story, and finding a title to encompass it all seemed almost impossible. The title came to life one evening, and I couldn’t imagine the book being anything different.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

The first look at the cover was phenomenal; of course, all the options the team presented would have portrayed the book beautifully, but the one I chose gave me chills.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I had a great uncle who used to tell us the most absurd tall tales when I was growing up. He would just come up with them off the top of his head, relating them to something we were doing and usually designed to scare the hell out of us. However, there are some I remember that were meant to calm our fears. The older I got, the more I wanted to tell stories like he did, some scary, others helpful, but overall, something almost anyone could relate to on different levels.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I was a para-pro at a school for students with disabilities. I enjoyed getting to know the students as well as the excellent staff.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

I had a rocky start with publishing years ago and almost gave up, so the most rewarding part for me was getting my first editorial review.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

My book’s soundtrack would be an even mix of Ludovico Einaudi and the instrumental work of Nine Inch Nails.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope when the reader finishes the book, it still lingers in their minds because they relate to one of the characters.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I am working on a paranormal novel. Leigh finds out after a brush with death that she has empathetic abilities. She is trying to determine if she has been blessed or cursed.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

Atmosphere Press was phenomenal to work with. The team helped me every step of the way, wanting the best for my book. I would highly suggest this group to anyone looking for a publishing company.


You can buy The Cost of Living here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.

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