Q&A with M.E. Samm – Author Interview

M.E. Samm is a rising voice in the literary world, and she published her debut release in October 2024. In this exclusive Q&A, we explore the creative process, from the first spark of inspiration to the challenges of bringing her story to life. We offer a behind-the-scenes look at the writing process and the passion that fuels her storytelling. 

In this interview, we dive into the themes, influences, and personal experiences that shaped M.E. Samm’s latest book. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to their writing, you’ll get a unique glimpse into the mind of an author who is passionate about crafting stories that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impact.

About The Author

Tell us more about you

I’m Canadian.

I started off writing original stories for myself, sharing them online during the LiveJournal days and amazed to find that people read them.

I’ve also written fanfic for QAF, Shameless, Captive Prince and a few more obscure fandoms, and even RPF (which I know some people are uncomfortable with). Some of my stories are available on Archive of Our Own under my user name, Mesa.

M.E. Samm = Mesa MM (Mesa writing MM)

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

Does “my library” count as one thing?? So many books that I’d finally have time to read!
A popcorn machine because eating popcorn + reading is my all-time favourite activity.
A piano, so I could finally learn how to play “Fur Elise”.

Who is your biggest role model?

Jane Austen, because she was just as good at caustic commentary as she was at writing intense psychological studies.

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

Impossible to nail it down to one! A few authors I love:

• Jane Austen (Mansfield Park is my fav)
• Gilbert & Jaime Hernandez (the entire Love & Rockets oeuvre)
• David Foster Wallace (A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again had a big impact on me)
• And so many others (Anthony Trollope, Edith Wharton, James Baldwin, Jean Genet…)

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

All things being equal – physical books. A nice small, compact hardcover like the Everyman’s Library is the best. But if something is big and bulky, I’ll take my Kindle. And if I’m reading on the beach or on a plane and outside noise is distracting me, I’ll put on an audiobook and follow along with print.

Is writing your full-time profession or a hobby?

Definitely a hobby. Fortunately, I’m retired with a decent pension so I no longer need to worry about making a living.

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

I use Insta, Threads and BlueSky; occasionally Tiktok and Facebook.

My social channels are:

Your Writing Process

How do you go about starting a new novel?

I plan for a long, long time before I dive in. At some point I’ll draft a very loose outline – generally a table in Word with dates/times in one column and a list of events or points I want to cover aligned in the next. By the time I start writing I usually have a very precise idea of the narrative, the themes, and where the story is going – but individual scenes and conversations will often still surprise me!

Where do you like to write?

At home in my comfy chair, with my laptop. I don’t really see the point of desks anymore! I like the idea of writing at a cafe, but the possibility of someone reading over my shoulder makes me cringe.

What do you like most about writing?

Capturing the ideas in my head – the sights and sounds, conversations and characters that I see or know in my mind – onto a page is the best, when it works.

What do you find stops you from writing more?

So many other things to do with my days (read, draw, play video games, travel, get things done around the house … ) With a cat on my lap, I can’t type on the keyboard so it’s just easier to hold a controller! Sometimes it’s easy to fall into the trap of “I have too much going on today [or this week, or this month], I’ll start up again when nothing else is happening.” Which never happens!

What genres do you like to write and why?

I almost always focus on relationships between male characters, because that’s what intrigues me. I’m particularly interested in power dynamics. My stories generally have some kind of HEA or HFN, but they aren’t always genre romances and sometimes they aren’t even romances. My current WIP is more of a coming-of-age or kind of “hero’s journey”. Sometimes my writing leans toward lit fic, but mostly it reflects my “id”.

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

Write first and foremost for yourself. If you write the story you want to read, it doesn’t matter so much whether other people like it.

Showcase your books!

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

The only one I’ve released as a self-published book is El & Em, so I’d say it’s my favourite for now. My WIP will likely take over the #1 spot soon!

One thing I like about El & Em is that even though their relationship starts back in the 1970s, neither of the leads go through a lot of internal angst or worry about being bi. They both start out in relationships with women while being curious about, or experimenting with, other men. When they start something up with each other, they just take it in stride. I realize it isn’t, and wasn’t, like this for everyone, but I think it’s nice to imagine it can be for some people.

How long did El & Em take to write?

About 8 months for the first draft! Another couple of months for edits and revisions.

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

Creating the stories I want to read.

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