I am excited to welcome author Megan Morgan, who is releasing her first Siren Song novel, The Wicked City, on Tuesday!
Whatever June Coffin says, goes—literally. And it’s not just because she’s a chain smoking rebel. As a Siren, June has the ability to force people to obey any command she voices. But in a world where those with supernatural powers quickly become lab rats for science, she’d rather look out for herself than fight on the front lines…until her similarly gifted twin brother, Jason, is captured by Chicago’s Institute of Supernatural Research.
To save Jason, June has no choice but to enter a hidden world of conspiracy, murder—and strange bedfellows—including a widowed paranormal advocate whose memory June accidentally erased, and a fiery paranormal separatist leader. Soon the lines between attraction and strategic alliance become blurred. But in a city exploding with paranormal crossfire, and her brother’s life at stake, June will have to face her inner demons and finally take a stand.
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Interview
Literary Escapism: For those of my readers unfamiliar with The Wicked City, can you give us a brief look at your novel and what they would be missing out on? Something we haven’t seen yet?
Megan Morgan: I tried to base most of the supernatural powers in this world on science, at least loosely. Therefore, the characters aren’t invincible and they aren’t always glamorous, which I hope makes them feel more real. June very much wishes she was normal and she’s a reluctant heroine. She has to learn to accept herself and realize that being different isn’t always a bad thing.
LE: What was your inspiration when you created the supernaturals of The Wicked City and the world they live in? How did you determine how they were going to interact with each other?
MM: One of the big themes in this novel is the age-old human struggle against oppression and discrimination, which supernatural people deal with a lot in this world. In a big city like Chicago, the fear that ‘normal’ people have of supernatural people makes for a volatile environment. I’ve always loved supernatural themes and beings—vampires, ghosts, witches—but I also wondered what it would be like to drop them into the ‘real world’ where humans would most certainly fear them and definitely not want them mixing into their society.
LE: Why June? What was it about her that drew you to her and want to tell her story?
MM: June, amusingly, started out in the earliest versions of this book as a background male character. He eventually stepped forward, and he became she, and I realized June was the right person to tell the story. I don’t think it would be the same without her unique voice. I just had to do a lot of digging to find it. She’s a good conduit for the reader, because she’s denied the world she lives in for a long time and she has to learn about it as much as the reader does.
LE: Is there a particular legend or mythology that you came across that was the root of inspiration for June’s Siren abilities that was used more than others or was there a wide source?
MM: In mythology, Sirens are tempestuous creatures who lure men to their deaths—obviously, I couldn’t have June do that, or she wouldn’t be much of a heroine! I liked the idea of her voice being her power, and the things she might do with it, and also the pain and suffering it could cause her, the complications it could cause in her life and accidents that could happen. As you’ll find in the book, the term ‘Siren’ is applied to her colloquially and in some politically correct circles of the supernatural community, it’s even considered a pejorative. The activists and scientists call her an aural captivator.
LE: We know June meets up with a paranormal advocate and a paranormal separatist leader; but who else has played an important role to/for June?
MM: Definitely her twin brother Jason, who is also a Siren, as well as her mother. She’s very family-oriented. Always being an outsider, they are the only people who make her feel accepted and safe.
LE: What is your favorite scene in The Wicked City? What makes it so special – characters, setting, dialogue, action?
MM: Without giving away any spoilers, there is a powerful scene at the climax of the book in which June finally gives in to what she truly is and uses the full strength of her power. It’s a turning point for her, in accepting herself, and also understanding that sometimes we have to give in to things we don’t want to in order to save the things that are important to us. It’s a huge moment for her and I loved writing it.
LE: What are you working on? What do readers have to look forward to? Can we expect more stories from the world of The Wicked City?
MM: Definitely. The second book, The Bloody City, comes out in November. I’m nearly done writing the third, which will be called The Burning City. Tentatively, the series is meant to be a trilogy and that’s what I’m contracted for…but as I approach the end of the third book, I have a feeling it may stretch beyond that.
LE: What was it about the fantasy genre that drew you to write in it? Was there a certain book that captured your imagination and lead you to thinking up your own fantastical stories or did it come to you naturally?
MM: I’ve always been interested in supernatural stuff. Even as a kid, I loved horror movies and anything with a fantastical twist. When urban fantasy became a popular genre, it was everything I ever wanted—the otherworldly with a touch of sexy, and a bunch of kickass heroines.
LE: Can you take us on a tour of your Chicago? Where are some of June’s favorite places?
MM: June HATES Chicago, but I love it! She’s there against her will, unfortunately. I wrote her in many of the places in Chicago I absolutely adore though, including Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue. She makes an important trip to Navy Pier’s stained glass museum, which is beautiful. I’m visiting Chicago again very soon and I want to take a tour of the places I wrote about in the books (though admittedly, a few are made up).
LE: And my favorite question to ask…Which authors do you read and/or think “Damn! I wish I had thought of that”?
MM: Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire Mysteries are the freshest take I’ve seen on vampires in a long time, and they’re such a fun, frisky romp. It’s no wonder readers love them so much and they became a TV show. I wish I could create something that fun and brilliantly endearing.
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Meet Megan Morgan!
Megan Morgan is an urban fantasy, romance, and erotica author from Cleveland, Ohio—a bartender by day and purveyor of things that go bump at night. She’s a member of the RWA and trying to turn writing into her day job, so she can be on the other side of the bar for a change.
Contact Info: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | GoodReads | Amazon | Pinterest | Instagram
Want to purchase Megan Morgan’s novels?
Siren Song
- The Wicked City
- The Blood City (November 2015)
- The Burning City (2016)
Her Darkest Secret (Wild Darkness Calls)
Landing Strip
Smut by the Sea Volume 3
One Night in Chicago (May 27, 2015)
Destiny Undying (2015)
