An Interview with May Garner
May Garner is a poet and author based in Dayton, Ohio. She has been dedicated to crafting and sharing her work online for over a decade. She is the author of two poetry collections, Withered Rising and Melancholic Muse. Her work has also appeared in Querencia Press, Cozy Ink Press, Arcana Poetry Press, and the Ohio Bards. Find her work on Instagram (@crimson.hands).
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
Writing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I found inspiration in my favorite movies and television shows, weaving my own stories between the scenes. It wasn’t until I discovered the reading and writing platform Wattpad that I began to consider writing as a career. I was especially inspired by The Walking Dead, which introduced me to a new world of horrific imagery and the apocalyptic genre. Without my love and passion for that show, I truly don’t believe I’d still be writing today.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Outside of writing, I work full-time as an Operations Coordinator at a nonprofit art center, where I assist local artists, manage our Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Studio, and run all of our social media platforms. Something many of my readers might not know is that, before working in the nonprofit sector, I spent nearly three years working in a garden and greenhouse factory. I did not enjoy it very much, but it taught me a lot. I love what I do now, but I hope to pursue writing full-time in the future.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Melancholic Muse found me naturally, as if it were meant to be. This collection is special to me because most, if not all, of the poems were pulled from my very first online poetry collection, Melancholy, which I published on Wattpad. I knew I wanted the title of this book to honor that first collection, so when Melancholic Muse came to mind, I just knew it was the one. The title represents the moment when the muse becomes melancholic, turning what was once sweet nothings into bitter endings.
What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?
I think this is a universal experience among authors, but for me, it was holding my book for the first time. Receiving the proof copies, unboxing them like they were the only things that mattered in the world, and seeing my work in physical form made everything real. It truly transforms the feeling of being a writer into the feeling of being a full-fledged author.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
Funny enough, my collection has a soundtrack included! It’s even on Spotify and can be accessed through the code in the book. Some of the songs included are “Hurt” by Johnny Cash, “Storms” by Fleetwood Mac, and “Nutshell” by Alice in Chains.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
I hope, more than anything, that readers walk away from my work knowing they aren’t alone in the battles they fight. I write and share my emotions and experiences to help others understand that they aren’t alone. It’s a bittersweet feeling, knowing others will read my words and feel what I’ve felt, but I hope it brings them a sense of connection and comfort.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Finally getting it out into the world. I know it sounds like an easy task—just hitting that publish button—but it was incredibly rewarding to know I had completed the project. I pushed myself hard for months, preparing and finalizing every detail, and after a bumpy road (and a whole lot of crying), I made it through. It’s such a relief and an honor to have two poetry collections to my name, and to know there are many more to come.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I am currently drafting my third poetry collection, titled Suicidal Cathedrals. This collection will differ from my previous two, as it will be darker and will handle heavier topics. It will dig deep into the aftermath of suicide within a family, the loss of a parent, grief, and mental illness. I am incredibly passionate about this project and deeply excited to see it come together.
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