An Interview with KJ Reed

KJ Reed is an English indie author who writes primarily dark, psychological fiction. Although she is an English author, KJ writes America-based fiction since her love for all things dark and twisty comes from growing up watching and reading American TV and fiction. She lives with her amazing husband and stereotypically nightmarish ginger cat, Milo, and has loved writing since she could put pen to paper.

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

Does it sound cheesy if I say that writing has always felt more like a need for me than a want? It feels like I have so many ideas – of people, places, plotlines, and twists – that all run around and live, rent-free, inside my head. Writing is a way for me to unleash them into the world. It’s a way for me to introduce my readers to the people and their stories that I envision so clearly in my head. I’ve always said that writing stories feeds my soul, and I’m always happiest when I’m writing (even when I want to scream because my characters aren’t playing ball or because I have that dreaded writer’s block). It’s a pure shot of serotonin when I put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, so what “makes” me want to write is the desire for another serotonin shot – except, you know, without the actual physical drugs. So really, being an addict of books and stories is what makes me want to write.

That being said, there are particular writers and works that influence my books. I’ve always loved reading but I really found my niche in the thriller genre through James Patterson novels. As soon as I read Kiss the Girls, I never went back. His style of writing and talent for unbelievable twists has always been something I’ve wanted to bring to my own writing. Other writers like Gillian Flynn also inspire me, especially in the darker gorier and downright messed-up sections of my novels. Growing up, I always watched spooky television programmes from Goosebumps when I was young and Supernatural in my later teens / early adulthood, and the love for strongly built characters in them and spooky awe has influenced my focus when writing novels. Or maybe it was just Jensen Ackles that really drew me in… Don’t tell my husband I said that, though. He’ll only roll his eyes!

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

Titles are the absolute bane of my existence as a writer. Actually, no. Scratch that – synopses and blurbs are even worse! But I always struggle with titles. When I say struggle, I mean that I can either think of none whatsoever, like the two brain cells left in my head just won’t play ball, or I have so many title options that I can’t decide which one is best. Well, which is best, or which one is not complete and utter trash.

For my debut, All the Lies We Told, I started off with a very clear title that I planned to use. It was a rhetorical question, which I thought would work well and draw readers like me in. But then, from beta feedback and market research, I found that the title was more like marmite. Some people loved it, they found it super intriguing! But others thought it sounded like a cheesy “choose your own story” or that it didn’t make sense because they’re not the character. So, I screamed into my pillow for 3.5 business days and then got my shit together and picked a new one. Looking back, I’m glad I did.

My next novel, Smile For Me, which will release at the end of 2024 (all being well) was a bit easier to pick. I don’t want to give much away just yet, but since it’s included in my current working blurb, I’ll give you the tidbit behind the title. My antagonist is creepy and totally f**d up. He cuts his victims’ faces from ear to ear in a garish smile, and then tells them to smile for him. It wasn’t a signature that I planned but that just kind of fell out of my head onto the page when I wrote the scene, and I rolled with it. So, this title was much easier to find, my character simply told me what I should call it! Plus, the title is creepy just like him, so it’s a win-win! And perhaps, there’s even a twist with that too…but you’ll have to read it and see.

Describe your dream book cover.

Book covers are one of my favourite parts of writing and publishing, but probably one of the most nerve-wracking too. After all, everyone says not to judge a book by its cover, but I think most of us often do. Or I do, at least. So, I definitely feel the pressure when designing my front covers. I had a very clear vision in mind for my debut – a paper house burning in blue flames. Except, when a lovely artist helped me to bring my vision to life, it felt rather cold, and that didn’t really match the fiery, fast-paced nature of the story in the pages. All the twists and against-the-clock action didn’t match the blue…the cover was almost dull in comparison. So, we experimented with different colour combinations until I chose to go with the current cover and fell in love with the cover instantly. Who would’ve thought…the simpler version of just using bog-standard orange would work so perfectly?

My WIP, Smile For Me, hasn’t had such a clear focus. What I envision for the cover changes so often, that I don’t think I’ll really be able to put a finger on it until I see it in all its glory. At the moment, I’m thinking about having the title and a creepy smiley face drawn in a rain-covered window, perhaps with the shining neon light of a motel blurred in the background at nighttime. (The motel will make sense when it comes out). But who knows…I might wind up with something completely different, or I may just wind up changing the colours a thousand times again, like my first! I’ll have to see when my artist creates it, if my vision is even achievable… I’m a writer, after all, not a graphic designer, so what do I know?

What books did you read (for research or comfort) throughout your writing process?

I discovered Riley Sager and John Marrs whilst writing Smile For Me, and I’ve been completely binge-reading them since. They are both fighting for first place as my favourite author, so I’ve read a few of both so far this year. I wouldn’t say that I have read any specifically as research when it comes to fiction reading, it’s mainly been for fun. My favourite read for 2024 so far has been Sager’s The Only One Left. It’s a banger!

Although, I have been doing a master’s in Novel Writing at Middlesex University this year too, and whilst writing my second novel I’ve made the transition between “pantser” and “planne,r, so I’ve read a lot for research. The ones that have stuck with me have been Save the Cat Writes a Novel and a LOT of psychology and psychotherapy books. I did my undergrad in psychology, but figured I’d still brush up on them, as I’ve included patient files and transcripts in Smile For Me, and I’m loving the mixed media, so I needed to make them as authentic as possible.

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

I always say that my books are for readers who are as dark and twisty as me and the stories I write. Essentially, those who get excited by long trigger lists and love a bit of gore here and there. My characters are sinister and sadistic, and it takes a certain kind of reader to really appreciate the darkness in the pages. If my readers come away with goosebumps, reeling from the twists and turns, and checking their locks before bed more than necessary, then the book has done its job. Although, it seems inappropriate to say that I hope my readers take away nightmares from reading my book, so I won’t go quite that far. Maybe just a racing pulse and the dire need to get their friend to read it too so that they can scream and cry and fangirl together.

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