Matthew E. Morgan writes to inform and entertain. In his day job as a teacher in a private school in central Ohio he teaches students lessons in unconventional ways. In his home life with his wife Martha and son Michael, he learned how relationships work. And in his brief stint as a stand-up comedian, he learned to add snark and humor - usually at inopportune times.
Matthew earned his BA in theological studies from Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, North Dakota, and is currently working on a masters degree in counseling from Liberty University.
One of the unique features of Matthew's writing is his pledge to create family-friendly novels that will entertain teens and young adults without offending their parents. His writing is free of reasonably objectionable language and unnecessary sexual references. Violence is sometimes incorporated in the struggle between good and evil, but Matthew does not like to see it glorified. Matthew says, "Though I try to be 'clean' with my writing, it's more than that. It's about conveying a worldview that believes that every life is sacred and deserving of salvation."
Could
you tell us a little bit about yourself?
As a writer, I'm
pretty shy in reality, even though I love to be an outspoken storyteller in my
writing. I'm an observer - I love to watch people and their
interactions. Professionally, I have a degree in Biblical studies and
pastoral ministries, which I've chosen to apply to my writing rather than
pursue a path as a professional clergy. I teach Bible and History to high
schoolers to help pay the bills.
My favorite work
is my son, Michael Landis. He's 17 months old right now and learning more by
the day - and of course he loves books. I've been married to my wife Martha for
14 years and we've had adventures from
Describe
your book ‘ShadowLight’ in 30 words or less.
A deaf college
student is thrust into a trans-millennial war between supernatural beings. He
learns to use his swords, friends, and talents to save his girlfriend and
protect his brother.
What
was the hardest part of writing your book?
I actually wrote
ShadowLight originally as a vampire novel. I finished it and hated
it. It didn't stand out and seemed just bland. I just shelved it for several
years before I came up with the concept of the Night Walkers as swashbucklers
fighting in the shadows of our world.
What
books have had the greatest influence on you?
I have always loved C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia - even before I
understood their allegorical nature. I loved the idea of a hidden world where
more was possible than the mundane life. I also love Frank Peretti's Piercing
the Darkness with the idea of angelic combat.
Briefly
share with us what you do to market your book?
ShadowLight was
turned down by more publishers than I care to count. Virtually all the ones who
gave me more than a form letter rejection did so on the idea that ShadowLight
was a niche market and not widely marketable. When it was picked up by a small
publisher (Misanthrope Press), we worked together to promote word-of-mouth
advertising. The result has been a slow but steady building of
readership.
How do
you spend your time when you are not writing?
Working as a
teacher, parenting a toddler, husbanding, working a masters degree in marriage
and family counseling, continually maintaining an older home ... there's not
much spare time. I do enjoy amateur woodworking and gardening to take me away
from the computer when I need a break.
What
are you working on next?
I have several
works in progress that I need to focus and finish. Currently I'm working on the
sequel to ShadowLight, Errant Night, which continues where ShadowLight ended
and follows Jonah's brother through some serious decisions. I have finished a
middle grade time-travel novel, now called Through the Wells in Time that needs
some editing done. I have also begun a pirate novel and I'm about halfway
through writing that.
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