Monster Meet-Cute: Q&A with Author Mallory Dunlin
Ready to be hunted through the woods, then pampered like a queen?
The following profile was made possible in partnership with Monsterotica Book Con.
You can meet authors such as Mallory Dunlin at this year’s Monsterotica Book Con, which will take place on May 8-10, 2025 in Baltimore, MD.
Quick Monster Bites
Meet the Author: Mallory Dunlin
The mastermind behind: The Monsters of Faery series
First monster crush: Kelpies
Describe your books in three emojis: 🐍🪶 🏹
Team claws, team horns, or team tentacles?: Claws
Your ideal writing soundtrack: indie pop, one song on repeat
Favorite writing fuel: juniper tea
The Monster-Maker’s Secrets
How did you fall in love with the monster romance genre?
Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Lion King 2' (iykyk) were formative experiences, as were books like Kate Thompson's 'Switchers,' Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' 'Hawksong,' and Annette Curtis Klause's 'The Silver Kiss.' I've read fantasy romance and monster romance my whole adult life, so writing monster romance was a natural progression. I never considered writing anything else.
Do you prefer writing scary, swoony, or sassy monsters?
I like to mix up my protagonists, but my favorite are scary monsters who are soft only for her.
What’s the weirdest or most surprising monster you’ve written about?
If we're talking mythological creatures, probably a stymphalian bird (Cass, who is a major character in 'Caught in the Basilisk's Gaze' and the MMC of 'Crowned by the Fae King,' is part-stymphalian-bird), but the most unique monster definitely goes to Dain, with his wing-arms and unusual wolf/dragon mix of characteristics ('Captured by the Fae Beast').
Monster romances often challenge romance norms—what’s one trope you love to reinvent?
I love playing with the fated mates trope. Soulmates in 'Monsters of Faery' can be any kind of relationship, and as a teaser, the 'fated mates' of my next series have mated magics, and the wielders are along for the ride.
Who would play one of your favorite monster MCs in a movie adaptation?
I watch very little television so I've got nothing for you! Personally, I'd prefer to see my characters brought to life with animation, though I wouldn't say no to a movie adaptation.
If Your Life Were a Monster Romance…
Your monster alter ego would be?
One of those deer cryptids from Appalachia. You'd hear a crack of a branch and whirl. I would look at you for a too-long moment, the world feeling too small to hold both of us, then step into the mists and never be seen again.
Who’s your ride-or-die fictional monster BFF?
You can pry Zane Cobriana ('Hawksong') out of my cold, dead hands.
The craziest date you’d go on with your favorite monster?
Since it's Zane, we'd go dancing at a festival, spending most of our time on a dais, then retire to the nest for finger foods, wine, and something more horizontal. I'm pretty domesticated.
If you want the craziest date one of my monsters might take you on, get ready to be hunted through the woods before getting taken - back to the castle to be bathed, pampered, and fed delicacies, of course.
What advice would your favorite book character give about surviving love (monster or human)?
It's not a sin to be happy. Don't let joy pass you by: if you're scared, do it scared. But do it.
Behind the Pen
What brought you to Monster Romance?
Early on in the COVID pandemic, I had a COVID-associated stroke that left me bedbound for five months and housebound for more than a year. During my recovery, I started writing and I didn't stop, and it's one of the better decisions I've made with my life.
What’s the biggest challenge of writing monster romance?
I have aphantasia, so I have difficulty describing scenes and keeping character descriptions consistent. All of my books have (hideous) Google Doc pages with character and location references, and my dev editor's most common comment is still "where am I?".
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
The only final end to your story is dying. If you're hurting, if you feel broken, your life isn't over. You can still grow, change, and have a life full of love. Maybe it's not the life you were looking for (maybe it comes in with wing-arms, horns, and a world-class snarl), but it can still be good. Don't let the world break you.
What’s next for you in the world of monster romance?
Longtime readers already know that I'm closing out my two current series ('Echoes' might get another book eventually, but it's going on the back burner; 'Monsters of Faery' has a planned overarching plot and will be concluded with the sixth book). I like to have two projects running simultaneously - it's good for my muse - so I have two new projects that will be coming out of the gate.
'Sacrificial Brides' is the working series name for a quartet of enemies-to-lovers arranged marriage romances between the four kings of the seasonal courts of Faery (a different Faery). It open with Winter, where our intrepid FMC takes her sister's place with the intent of assassinating the King of Winter, an eldritch fae with pale skin, silver hair, and an inhuman lust for blood.
The second project is in its nascent stages, but in all likelihood it's going to be a true romantasy series with an MMF romance, set in a world inspired by the Roman Empire.
Monster Speed Round
Favorite monster from pop culture: Spike from 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'
Go-to comfort read: 'Squire' by Tamora Pierce
Book trope you’ll never get tired of: enemies-to-lovers
Dream book con destination: Sinners & Stardust
What’s next?
What do you want to plug for your fans and wannabe readers right now?
The sixth and final book of Monsters of Faery is coming out soon, so now's the perfect time to catch up on the series! There's some shorter pieces of bonus content available, too, like my novella 'To Ride a Faery Steed' that will be in the 'Evil Hearts' anthology.
Where do you want readers to find you?
Join my newsletter - there's a signup on my website homepage, www.mallorydunlin.com!
Housekeeping
For more information about this newsletter’s spice and star system, check out this newsletter’s About Me page.