Q&A with A.A. Fairview – Author Interview

A.A. Fairview is an author who masterfully blends magic, mystery, and the supernatural into captivating storytelling. Their novel, Teeth and Tarot, has enchanted readers with its unique mix of mysticism and intrigue, creating a world where the arcane meets the unexpected. In this exclusive Q&A, we get an inside look at the inspiration behind the book, the creative process, and what it takes to craft such an immersive tale.

From character development to the deeper themes woven throughout Teeth and Tarot, Fairview shares their journey as a writer, their passion for blending fantasy with reality, and what readers can expect next. Whether you’re already a fan or new to their work, this interview offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a storyteller who knows how to keep readers spellbound.

About The Author

Tell us more about you

I’ve lived in several states on the East Coast and currently reside in New England.

What are the three items you’d take on a deserted island?

An iPod with a whole lot of music. A pillow because I am someone who needs to be comfy. And a first aid kit because it’s practical. 

Who is your biggest role model?

My ears always perk up whenever Katee Robert speaks, she’s been publishing books for so long and has built up such a brand that I really admire! 

What is your favourite book and who is your favourite author?

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. A classic I revisit often. I have yet to pick up a Kimberly Lemmings book that didn’t have me cackling. Her books are so funny and swoony!

Do you prefer e-books, physical books or audiobooks?

I could never pick! I love the convenience of ebooks but there is something about flipping the pages of a book that can’t be beat. I also love highlighting and annotating. That being said, I probably read mostly through audiobooks these days. It’s super accessible for me as a dyslexic person and I like that I can read while also working with my hands on crafts or chores. 

Is writing your full-time profession or a hobby?

No yet! I would love to write full-time someday but currently, I work in education.

What social media platform do you like and use the most?

I’m mostly active on Instagram, but you can also find me on other socials too.

Your Writing Process

How do you go about starting a new novel?

I start with a sandbox phase, I create characters and scenes and just play around in my head for a bit to see what sticks. There are usually moments and character beats I keep coming back to that I want to include in a novel. Then when I have a few of those I sit down and create an outline. I don’t always follow the outline, a few times I’ve ignored the outline completely after a couple thousand words, but it helps me know where I want the story to end. I treat my outline less like a map and more like a series of landmarks I would like to hit. 

Where do you like to write?

Sitting on my couch in either my livingroom or office– whichever one is quieter! I don’t really like noise or any sort of distractions so I rarely write in public. I think the only public place I’ve gotten a lot of words down is in airports. People tend to leave you alone when you’re typing away at a laptop.

I’ve recently started sitting down to write with a cup of tea and a scented candle. The cozy helps me settle down after a long day. 

What do you like most about writing?

Being able to create something out of nothing and playing around with language. I tend to write a lot of metaphors and it’s fun to try and take something mundane and compare it to something that gives it new life. It’s also super rewarding writing a character that people resonate with. I love all my characters and writing them is such a blast, it’s one of the big things that always brings me back to writing.

What do you find stops you from writing more?

Myself! Sometimes I just don’t have the energy to write. Other Times I get stuck in my own head and feel like my writing isn’t very good which stalls me from drafting. I’ve taught myself that it’s better to sit for an hour and get even ten words down than to not set aside the time at all, so normally I try to sit and write for an hour a day. But as I mentioned, some days I’m burned out from my day job or I have another engagement. I think rest is an important part of any writing schedule and it’s important to me that I make time for my friends and family. 

What genres do you like to write and why?

I love writing romance because I love characters! Creating characters and watching them interact is endlessly entertaining for me and I find that romance lets me play the most in this space. Plus I do enjoy writing intimate scenes- realistic and fantastical! I tend to lean more into paranormal and monster romance because I enjoy world building and the creative freedom. Plus I’ve always been drawn to werewolves, mermaids, and the like.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring writers?

Never compare yourself to other authors. By all means you should learn from them, take critique from your fellows and ask questions (What is your process? How do you market?), but comparison can be such a creative killer. Abandoning your ideas because you see someone else doing something different and better might give you a boost but that’s a heavy might. 

You also never see all the work a person has put into their success. I know so many authors who have gone through multiple pen names and genres before they find the success that fulfils them. Focus less on others and more on yourself, your art, and your audience.

Showcase your books!

How many books have you written and if more than one, what’s your favourite?

Four books, two novellas, and a handful of short stories! It’s hard to pick a favourite because they all represent a milestone in my author journey and I learn a lot with every book I release. If I had to pick, I would go with Mother of Pearl because it’s the book that’s the most out-there and a lot of the book was inspired by my actual life. Though unfortunately none of the tentacles or sugar baby-ing was inspired by real events, more the growing up in New Jersey and working a summer job at the local pool. 

How long did Teeth and Tarot take to write?

From initial draft to finished product was around six months. I started writing it in May of 2022 and published it in January of 2023. I was unemployed for a good chunk of that time so I was able to focus a lot of time on the project and even started drafting my second novel while the book was being copy edited. Nowadays I think it takes a year for me to draft, revise, and edit a book till it’s a level of quality I feel good about publishing

Lastly, what is your favourite thing about being an author?

Getting to be creative and share that creativity with others. Whenever I remember that hundreds of people have read my writing, that there are complete strangers who have my books on their shelves, it’s like wow! Really? My silly little werewolf books? I joke but my books mean a lot to me and the fact they mean something to other people as well… It really is just wow! 

You’d think someone who writes all the time would have a more graceful word for it, but nothing matches the swell of good feelings like wow.

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