spotlight: PARANORMAL FICTION WRITER MICKEY FLAGG
Welcome back to my blog my friends, today I am delighted to introduce you to multiple award winning author, Mickey Flagg. Welcome Mickey!
And while I am about to ask questions about her publishing journey, I’d like to remind you, my lovely readers, not to forget there is an opportunity for you to ask questions as well. In fact, we would love it. When you are ready, go to the bottom of the blog where you will find the option for comments there.
Bio
Mickey Flagg is a multiple award-winning paranormal fiction author whose imaginative world building is attuned to the uncanny and echoes with the promise of destiny. Adventure, suspense, and romance are woven through plots brimming with supernatural tension to create a tapestry of passion and peril where fate always has one last card to play. Also published in the field of music education, she is a life-long New Jersey resident, a member of Liberty States Fiction Writers, NJ Author’s Network, and NJRW and has served as a Professor in Residence with a local university. Now retired, she loves to write, edit forever, and then snuggle with her rescued Maine Coon. Find out more about her novels at www.mflagg-author.com
What a beautiful cover, Mickey! What inspired you to write your novel?
Mickey:
Let me start by saying I never thought I had a book inside me, or an interesting story to tell. I started writing in my mid-50s back in 2006. I was blessed to have three novels published by the Wild Rose Press. A few years later, my profession as an educational administrator required my full attention. In 2020, once retired, I began to write again.
I’ve always loved reading paranormal. So the idea to redeem a vampire came to me, and my series was born. I like both the challenge of writing and the fact that creativity is a healing process for me. Twelve years later, I added a fourth to my original series, then a fifth and now a sixth. Come the Blood Moon Night releases April 15th and there’s already some positive buzz around it. All my novels have a theme of redemption or change with a solid support system in place for my characters. My paranormal world is vibrant with reality and a great setting for them to step up to do the right thing.
Mickey has kindly agreed to share an excerpt from her upcoming release – so exciting:
Excerpt from Come the Blood Moon Night:
Info Swaps
It took little energy to convince Donovan, the bouncer at Destiny, to let Chris in. Standing in semi-darkness before the trendy after-hours club opened, Chris stared at a particular marble column. The one he leaned against last October, on the night he met Aurora, the dark witch. Little did I know that encounter would lead me to eventually claim my rightful destiny in another realm instead of remaining unaware about who I really am.
He shook his head. Claim his rightful destiny? Where had that come from? He had no desire whatsoever to jump through a portal and sacrifice himself for a dying realm he knew little about.
“Come through,” he heard Draven say. Walking the wide hallway, Chris passed four open doors. He eyed floor-to-ceiling mirrored “powder rooms,” certain of their use with the spoiled rich and beautiful that craved Destiny’s ambiance. Perfectly groomed players eager for classy hook-ups and meaningless sex. Something he definitely wasn’t in to.
Entering Draven’s office, the tall, arrogant vampire, dressed in an expensive black suit, black shirt and tie, stood near his classy desk. His arms were crossed and his feet slightly apart. His long dark hair was tied neatly at the nape of his neck, accentuating a very impressive widow’s peak, angular lines of a handsome face and warm-brown eyes that came off kind.
Draven moved to one of two leather armchairs and sat down, inviting him to do the same. “To what do I owe the honor of your visit,” the vampire said in a rich baritone voice.
“I need information about the Second Realm, anything and everything.”
“If I say not tonight, you will think to turn me into something or other?” The vampire’s typical smirk appeared. “That spell doesn’t work on vampires.”
He shrugged at Draven’s signature sarcasm sprinkled with dry humor. “Nah, but you won’t stop scratching anytime soon.”
“I assure you, ‘anything and everything’ may take quite a bit of time, but I have forever.”
“Something’s happening in the Second Realm.”
“And you know this how?”
The pose stayed casual, with Draven’s long legs crossed at the knees, his manicured hands resting on the chair’s wide arms. But this wasn’t a casual conversation.
“I sense it,” Chris stated.
Thank you so much for the excerpt – and so intriguing – can’t wait to read Come the Blood Moon Night!
I’d love it if you could share the moment you decided it was time to put your work out into the world. For me it was case of ‘get it out there before you pop your clogs mate!’ While it was a little hard to hear, it was the deal breaker, after all I didn’t want ‘coulda, shoulda, woulda’ on my tombstone!
Mickey:
I know exactly what you mean, Lynn. And what a scary step to take, right? When I thought my first manuscript was ready, I took the plunge with both hesitation and hope. I felt that the time had simply come to give it a go and see if my novel was good enough. I passed my first manuscript around to some friends, two of whom were writers. When they both suggested I publish the novel, I was pleasantly surprised and that gave me the push to keep going.
I started doing research on publishers. I queried ten, and three asked for full reads. Three offered me contracts. I went with The Wild Rose Press and never regretted it. My novels had found a great home, and I’m forever grateful.
By the time I signed the first two contracts, the third book had already started taking shape. I knew the redemption arc was a three book deal. That first moment when I decided to pursue publishing was a scary one. I wasn’t sure I had the determination it would take to accept rejection, but I guess I did. You never know until you try – it may be an old cliché, but it is a relevant one.
When was the moment you decided it was time to put your work out into the world?
Mickey:
By the time I signed the first two contracts, the third book had already started taking shape. I knew the redemption arc was a three book deal. That first moment when I decided to pursue publishing was a scary one. I wasn’t sure I had the determination it would take to accept rejection, but I guess I did. You never know until you try – it may be an old cliché, but it is a relevant one.
Did you aim for a traditional publisher, consider indie publishing, or explore other routes?
Tell us about your publishing path and why it suited you.
I was so raw and had such little knowledge that I never considered self-publishing. I felt a certain amount of validation when contracts were offered. Then, at TWRP, I had a fantastic editor who, even when I returned twelve years later, edited all six books in the series, and that definitely helped.
Just for the experience, I self-published a prequel to the series, a novella entitled Awaken His Soul, which takes place in 1928. That experience was so totally different, paying an editor, finding the right cover, and then having someone format the book and walk me through the steps of getting live on Amazon. I prefer the traditional route to publishing. Knowing that my novels has gone through a multi-step edit process with someone who shares my vision of the book is a blessing. And my covers with TWRP are beautiful.
So, Mickey, I run creative writing groups and I think I have an idea what you might say, but it’s always good to hear what advice would you give to budding writers. Encouragement, lessons learned, or practical tips, anything you wish you’d known earlier.
Mickey:
Keep writing and don’t let anyone stand in the way of your dream to publish. Learn all you can about the writing process and what goes in to publishing and marketing your book. Have a great support system as well as a good critique group to keep you on track. Attend writing conferences and network with published authors to get a feel of what you’re in for. Know the difference between constructive criticism and simply mean speech. Then get ready to read what you wrote at least fifty times before giving it over to beta readers. Above all, never give up and never give in.
Whether you’re just starting out on your writing career or well into it, be open to learning and changing. Write because you want to or need to, whichever is important to you on a personal level. Embrace the support of family and friends, but look with a clear eye at what you create. You way not want to publish your work right now. That’s okay. You may be hungry to see your book in print. That’s okay, too. Just enjoy the process and where the journey into storytelling takes you. It will be an amazing as well as eye-opening experience, unique to you alone. No two success stories are the same, and they shouldn’t be. We are all different, blessed with different talents and abilities. Be your best and write your best.
I love that Mickey, thank you!
What has your experience with regard to writing been so far?
Mickey:
I write almost every day, but only when I feel that creative muse tapping my shoulder. Critique partners and groups keep me grounded and my story on track. I promote whenever I can and I do as many live events as possible. I also sit on panels about writing and I present workshops on worldbuilding and the difference between self-pub and traditional publishing (the process is very different). I attend conferences and I’m a member of two local writers groups – NJRW and Liberty States Fiction Writers. It’s important to network, especially since writing is such an isolated experience. We need to support each other on our journeys.
Thank you for being on my blog and sharing with me and my lovely readers – but maybe you would like to have one final word…
Mickey:
My books are a patchwork of characters and emotions. They are deeper reads with a vivid world, satisfying endings with each book a standalone read. If you like to read a series, I suggest you start with Awaken His Soul or The Vampire’s Retribution.
But… If you’re looking for an exciting paranormal read to sink your teeth into (pun intended 😊) then this might help you decide to pick up my newest novel on April 15th:
Come the Blood Moon Night is a densely layered paranormal fantasy that combines urban magic, vampire lore, and destiny-driven conflict. Flagg once again demonstrates a remarkable command of world-building and character development, giving us a story that is both expansive in scope yet detailed in its emotional stakes. The author does an exceptional job balancing action with introspection. The plot of the story accelerates fluidly between high-stakes confrontations involving vampires, warlocks, witches, and mystical guardians, and quieter moments that explore relationships, trust, and the psychological cost of living under constant threat. The romance woven through the story feels earned and grounding. The most striking aspect of this novel is its examination of destiny versus choice. Fans of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and intricately imagined supernatural worlds will find much to admire here. I highly recommend this paranormal fantasy by M. Flagg – Literary Book Review
Thank you for having me here today, Lynn. I love talking about writing, often can’t keep quiet. I wish you the best on your writing journey as well.
Naturally we need your book links etc., so here they are:
Come the Blood Moon Night Amazon US buy link: Amazon.com: Come the Blood Moon Night (The Champion Chronicles Book 6) eBook : Flagg, M. : Kindle Store
Amazon US Author Page: Amazon.com: M. Flagg: books, biography, latest update
Barnes & Noble: Come the Blood Moon Night by M Flagg, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®
The Wild Rose Press: Come the Blood Moon Night – The Wild Rose Press Inc
Social media links: Social Media links:
Facebook (Mickey Flagg)
Instagram (Mickey Flagg)
Mickey Flagg (@flagg_michele) / X
TikTok: MicheleFlagg7@tiktok
Thank you so much for being with us today, Mickey – its been an absolute joy to read how you’ve progressed through the publishing world – I wish you every success with your upcoming release 15th April 2026!
Don’t forget, if you scroll to the very bottom of the page there is room for comments, and I know both of us would love to hear from you. Thank you all once again. Lynn Griffin and Mickey Flagg
One final word from me, thank you to every reader, without you we would not be needed. Thank you to every author who has joined me on this page and shared their experiences.
