Explore the wonderfully wicked world of poetry with author Serena Morrigan
Serena Morrigan is a poet whose work addresses both gothic themes and mental health issues. Her poetry often explores the intersection of personal struggles with darker, atmospheric elements, offering a heartfelt and introspective look at the human experience.
We were honoured to interview Serena about her second poetry collection 'Tea for the Wicked’, discussing her writing process, her healing journey through poetry, the challenges she faced during the process and advice for new poets.
1. A huge congratulations on the upcoming launch of your second poetry book ‘Tea for the Wicked’! Tell us all about what to expect and where we can purchase a copy.
Thank you so much! ’Tea for the Wicked ’dives into a realm where Gothic horror meets the macabre, and the spirit of Halloween lingers all year. Where only the brave and the wicked dare to wander among the shadows, mingle with ancient ghosts and listen to the crooked tales of the wind. Expect poems that stir the soul, send chills down your spine, and haunt the heart long after the pages are closed.
Copies can be purchased online on Amazon, Waterstones, and Barnes & Noble, as well as directly through me, just send me a DM on Instagram or e-mail!
2. What was different with the process of writing your second book compared to your first collection, ‘A Song for Every Scar’?
‘A Song for Every Scar ’ is a very personal poetry collection, whereas ‘Tea for the Wicked’ follows a specific concept. Right from the start I had a vision about what this poetry collection should look like. ‘A Song for Every Scar’ developed as I went. I guess those are the two main differences, process-wise.
3. The themes of ‘Tea for the Wicked’ focus on dark poetry and a touch of madness while also promoting mental health awareness and healing. How did you tie in the different themes?
I was always more drawn to the darker side and as a person with mental health struggles, blending the two aspects came naturally, to be honest. It’s like I created the essence of me.
4. Can you tell us more about the title? What is its significance?
The title appears in one of the poems inside the book and I just thought it gave the whole book a personal touch since I’m an avid tea drinker and would choose tea over coffee any time!
5. Did you plan to release this book in the perfect time for Halloween/spooky season and cosy reads?
I did. ;) But of course, 'Tea for the Wicked' can be read all year round, since it isn’t merely your usual Halloween-themed collection, but a blend of horror, Gothic literature, and mental health-related topics that resonates beyond the spooky season!
6. Tell us about your journey to become a poet. What drew you to writing poetry and what do you hope to express throughout your poetry?
When I was a teenager I used to write song lyrics to deal with the bullying I faced at school. I still fell into a deep depression at 17 though that left me unable to even get out of bed most days. During that time I wasn’t even able to write anything and for almost a decade I thought I simply had lost my ability to be creative. Only after another traumatic incident did I get back to writing. It seemed like the only way to cope with the grief I was feeling. That’s how ‘A Song for Every Scar’ developed.
Through my poetry I hope to reach other like-minded people who can relate to what I went through, so as not to feel alone in all of this madness.
7. What is your writing process and what inspires your poetry?
I don’t really have a set writing process. I usually take out my notes app whenever inspiration strikes and I’ll then edit it at a later point. I’m inspired by nature, personal struggles, and more recently – motherhood. I feel like I’m most creative in autumn though.
8. When writing poetry, do you feel like this is a healing journey for you?
Yes, it is. I often refer to my poetry as my personal diary and therapy sessions. There’s something about writing down how you feel that’s just so cathartic.
9. What is your favourite poem from this book, if you can choose one, or the favourite poem you have ever written?
Ooh, I love this question! I’d say ‘The Séance’ from ‘Tea for the Wicked’. I had a clear image in my mind of the scene I wanted to describe and I just love how it turned out. You can find it in chapter two.
10. Were there any challenges in writing this book?
Definitely. I got pregnant in the middle of the design process (luckily, I had already written the book and had it edited by that time!) and suddenly found myself sapped of all energy, as it’s a lot of work growing a human! I had to put everything on hold until about six months postpartum. That’s when things gained pace again and here we are now!
11. Do you have any advice for new poets making their way into the industry or poets who want to publish their own poetry collections?
Don’t think about it too much, just do it! Yes, it’s a lot of work and you will probably have to do a bit of research, but it’s so worth it. And if you stumble upon something you don’t understand, ask for help. There are so many talented and wise people out there who will be happy to help you out. That’s what I love about the writing community – we’re all basically just one big family who want to see each other shine. It’s beautiful, really.
12. Are you working on any new poetry? Are there more books in the future?
Yes, I’m already working on a new poetry book! As a writer, you always have about four or five projects going at the same time, but I’ll try to focus on this one project in the coming year.
Thank you so much to Serena for sharing her creative insights with us and inviting us into her wonderfully wicked world of poetry.
‘Tea for the Wicked’ is available now via Amazon, Waterstones, and Barnes & Noble, as well as directly sending Serena a DM on Instagram or e-mail!
Find out more and purchase here.
Written by Serena Morrigan
Writer
Serena Morrigan is a poet whose work addresses both gothic themes and mental health issues. Her poetry often explores the intersection of personal struggles with darker, atmospheric elements, offering a heartfelt and introspective look at the human experience. Her collections, ‘Tea for the Wicked’ and ‘A Song for Every Scar’ reflect her unique voice and her ability to weave together haunting imagery with profound emotional insight.
‘Tea for the Wicked’ and ‘A Song for Every Scar’ can be purchased online at all major retailers, such as Amazon, Waterstones, and Barnes & Noble. You can also purchase signed copies by sending Serena a DM on Instagram or e-mailing her at serena.morrigan@gmail.com