Kim Harrison: On Keeping Focus While Writing Fantasy

Kim Harrison is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Hollows series, including Trouble with the Cursed, Million Dollar Demon, and American Demon. She has also published traditional fantasy under the name Dawn Cook. Kim was born and raised in Michigan and between other projects is currently working on a new Hollows book.

Follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more at www.kimharrison.net.

Kim Harrison

In this post, Kim reveals a little about her latest urban fantasy novel and discusses the importance of focus for writers.

Name: Kim Harrison
Literary agent: Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maass Literary Agency
Book title: Demons of Good and Evil
Publisher: Ace
Release date: June 13, 2023
Genre/category: urban fantasy/fantasy
Previous titles: The Hollows series, currently standing at 18 books, 2 graphic novels, and a one-of-a-kind world book. Series begins with Dead Witch Walking. The previous release is Trouble With the Cursed.
Elevator pitch for the book: Witch-born demon, Rachel Morgan uses her magic and found family to keep Cincinnati’s paranormal citizens safe from an old threat in a new guise.

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What prompted you to write this book?

One of my goals with Demons of Good and Evil was to bring back some of the readers’ favorite characters. The franchise has grown so far from its beginnings of a witch, a vampire, and a pixy that any time I can revisit old friends and explore a new magic system, I’m there!

I don't want to put out too many spoilers, but Rachel and Trent are steadily moving forward in their relationship, and the closer they get, the more likely that they will come under threat from each other’s enemies.

How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?

Demons of Good and Evil took about two years to go from idea to publication, which is about average for me: a good six to eight months for me to write a rough draft, two to four months to shine it up, and then a good three months for me to make any changes my editor thinks will make the book stronger. There’s also a few months spent on copy edit and page proofs. I’m usually working on one or two projects at any given time, all at different stages. When one is at the publisher’s, the other is on my desk.

When everything meshes, I can get a book out every year, though that can stretch if it’s a new world or magic system. Demons of Good and Evil didn’t have a tremendous amount of change through the editorial process, though you can be sure that my editor helped me tighten everything up and make sure that someone new to the Hollows would not be too lost.

Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?

The entire publishing industry seems to have undergone a painful shift in how books are produced and made available due to COVID, especially in regards to getting physical copies on the drop date, and that has been hard to adjust to. The last few books previous to this one felt chancy, almost, in having enough copies on release day.

Now that things seem to be evening out, I’m eager to see how much of the golden era of publisher-sponsored physical tours and paper copy overindulgence in the brick and mortar stores we get back.

Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?

I was surprised at how much the outside world still impacted my ability to immerse myself in my work and write. I almost had to relearn how to do it, but I will admit that it’s getting easier again.

What do you hope readers will get out of your book?

The Hollows began as, and continues to be, 99% pure fun and escapism—and 1% social warning. It’s that 1% that gets me to my keyboard every day.

If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?

For aspiring writers, my advice would be to practice focus. The best ideas might come while you are in the shower, or on a walk, but if you can’t focus to put them on paper, then it is a losing battle.

While there’s no shortage of writing advice, it’s often scattered around—a piece of advice here, words of wisdom there. And in the moments when you most need writing advice, what you find might not resonate with you or speak to the issue you’re dealing with. In A Year of Writing Advice, the editors of Writer’s Digest have gathered thoughts, musings, and yes, advice from 365 authors in dozens of genres to help you on your writing journey.

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