Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author M. K. Lobb (Seven Faceless Saints)!
Meet the Author: M. K. Lobb
M.K. Lobb is a fantasy writer with a love of all things dark—whether literature, humor, or general aesthetic. Seven Faceless Saints is her debut novel. She lives in Ontario with her partner and cats. She invites you to visit her online at mklobb.com and follow her @mk_lobb.
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About the Book: Seven Faceless Saints
Discover what’s lurking in the shadows in this dark fantasy debut with a murder-mystery twist, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kerri Maniscalco.
In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.
After her father’s murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system—tapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strong, and to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. But three years spent fighting in a never-ending war have left him with deeper scars than he wants to admit…and a fear of confronting the girl he left behind.
Now a murderer stalks Ombrazia’s citizens. As the body count climbs, the Palazzo is all too happy to look the other way—that is, until a disciple becomes the newest victim. With every lead turning into a dead end, Damian and Roz must team up to find the killer, even if it means digging up buried emotions. As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinister—and far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write Seven Faceless Saints?
I really wanted to try writing a murder mystery, so that’s what I did! In creating the setting, I drew inspiration from the seven major guilds that more or less controlled historical Florence, Italy. Those elements quickly became more fantastical than historical, but once I added the rebellion and the lore surrounding the saints, my dark little world clicked into place.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
You know, I started out liking Damian more, but that’s probably because Roz is much more like me. As I got deeper into the story, writing her chapters became almost cathartic. I always say that Roz is my rage, and Damian is my regret—that’s true, but I tend to tap into my angry side a little more often.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel! I randomly dropped the idea of the faceless saints into the text as I was drafting, and only after the fact did I decide that might be a good name for the book.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I think the one where Damian finally confesses his feelings to Roz. So many things have been simmering in him from the start of the book, and there’s this moment where he finally puts everything on the table. Having him be openly emotional while showing Roz’s conflicted reaction was something I knew I was building up to as I wrote, so it felt important I got it right.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
Oh boy, I feel like I still have so much to learn! So far, though, I’ve learned to write for myself first. I wrote this book for fun without really thinking about what would come next, so it’s full of everything I love. Once people start reading and reacting to your work, it’s so easy to take mental notes and get caught up in how they’ll react to your future books, and you really have to block all of that out. It’s so tough, but I’m getting better at putting my own vision first.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
Everything! I just adore the whole “cracked marble” feel. It’s lovely but also sinister, which is how I imagine an ancient magical city. I have to say, I wasn’t sold on the concept of the shrouded figure at first, but the way the blood is running from its eyes… it’s just so cool.
YABC: What new book release are you looking forward to the most in 2023?
This is an impossible question—there are so many, and they’re all rolling around in my head right now. I have so much pride and excitement for all the debuts releasing books alongside me this year. Lately I can’t stop thinking about how much I want to read Maiya Ibrahim’s epic fantasy novel Spice Road. On the contemporary side, I read an early version of Page Powars’ The Borrow a Boyfriend Club, and I cannot wait to see it launch this fall.
YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
I just finished an ARC of Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone, which was fabulous. Fans of the monstrous and beautiful will adore it, but I won’t say more than that!
YABC: Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?
Can I say the entire ending? I must have rewritten it five times. I struggle with conclusions far more than anything else, and it was quite a few drafts before I got something I was happy with. There’s so much going on, and the characters are experiencing so many strong feelings: betrayal, fear, heartbreak, love… I don’t tend to get emotional when I’m writing, but I do get very frustrated as I work on getting it right!
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
Damian, especially at the start of the book, because he possessed a lot of thoughts and beliefs that were very different from my own. I always find it easier to write characters who react to things the way I would, and he was definitely not one of them! I had to put work into unravelling his thought processes.
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
I keep thinking about this question, because I didn’t really write it with a lesson in mind. It was just a story I thought teen me would have enjoyed. I suppose, at its heart, this is a book for young people who are frustrated with the world around them. I hope they feel some of the catharsis I did while writing it, and I hope it helps them find the strength to forge their own path if they haven’t already.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
Hyperfocusing! Once I get into the zone, I can work and work without taking a break or eating. That’s probably bad for you, but I literally just block out everything else, especially when I’m on a deadline.
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
Write for you. Make friends who understand your passions. When the criticisms come, let them hurt, but then remind yourself why you’re doing this. If the words seem to leave you for a while, give yourself grace. Take breaks. I’m sure you’ve heard it countless times before, but this is a marathon, not a sprint.
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
I only want to thank you so much for having me! I hope Seven Faceless Saints finds its audience, and I hope people stick around for the sequel (and finale!) in 2024.
Title: Seven Faceless Saints
Author: M. K. Lobb
Release Date: Feb 7, 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult
Age Range: 14+
