Welcome back to Authors & Allies, the interview series where we explore the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and art. Today, we are shining the spotlight on K.V. Write, a journalist, human rights advocate, indie game developer, and speculative fiction author who writes stories that refuse to remain silent.
K.V.’s debut novelette, When the Candle Went Out, is an emotionally intense and deeply atmospheric thriller that explores themes of justice, capital punishment, and compassion. Before we jump into his incredible creative journey, K.V. has two special offers for our readers. If you’d like to experience his published work, you can download the opening chapters of When the Candle Went Out free here.
If you’d rather watch a novel come to life in real time, you can also receive the raw, unedited Prologue and Chapter One of The Keeper of Snow before the book is finished, here.
So, grab a warm beverage, light a candle of your own, and let’s step into the quiet, powerful world of K.V. Write.
Interview with K.V. Write
A Story That Refused to Stay Silent
Willy: Let’s dive right into the good stuff. Your debut novel, When the Candle Went Out, has such an evocative and chilling title. What was the initial spark or “eureka” moment that inspired this story, and how did it evolve from that first idea into a published book?
K.V.: I don’t think there ever was a single eureka moment. If anything, the story felt like it had been building up inside of me until I couldn’t ignore it anymore. Usually, my projects take a long time—I’ll write, rewrite, leave a manuscript alone for months, and then come back to it. But this was different.
I wrote When the Candle Went Out in just three days. It wasn’t because it was easy, but because I knew exactly what I wanted to say and it felt wrong to sit on it any longer. A lot of that drive came from my work outside of fiction. I am a journalist and a human rights advocate working toward the abolition of capital punishment. The introduction of nitrogen hypoxia as the newest method of execution particularly stayed with me. It raised questions I couldn’t stop thinking about, and eventually those questions found their way into fiction.
I’ve spent years reading about executions and studying how people’s complex lives are quickly boiled down to single, comfortable labels like murderer, victim, monster, or guilty.
There was also a specific quote someone said to me years ago that I never forgot: “I am already dead. I just haven’t stopped breathing yet.” Because of confidentiality agreements, I can’t speak on who they were, but those words were spoken so matter-of-factly, without drama or self-pity.
When I sat down to write, I knew those words belonged in this story. I didn’t write this book because I thought there was a gap in the market; I wrote it because I had something I desperately wanted to say, and fiction was the only way I could say it.
If you’re ready to be seen, heard, and celebrated—this is your moment for an author spotlight.
Inside the White Room
Willy: The title alone suggests themes of darkness, isolation, and a sudden shift in reality. How do you approach building tension and atmosphere in your writing, and what central themes were you most excited to explore in this novel?
K.V.: For me, atmosphere always comes before action. In When the Candle Went Out, I wanted the white room to feel almost completely empty—just my protagonist Kellan, a candle, and the crushing knowledge that time is running out. There is nowhere for him or the reader to hide. The tension in this book actually comes from restraint. I wasn’t interested in shocking people every few pages. I wanted readers to feel a quiet, pressing sense of anxiety, slowly unraveling the mystery of who Kellan is, what he did, and why he is there.
Through his journey, I wanted readers to wrestle with the concept of compassion. Is compassion something we only offer to people we like, or can it exist even when someone has done something truly terrible?
I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but fiction is the perfect space to ask those hard questions.
Read the raw Prologue & Chapter One of The Keeper of Snow:
https://equalmythpress.com/keeper-of-snow
Overcoming the Slump with Restraint
Willy: Every writer hits a wall now and then. When you are in the thick of drafting or editing and hit a creative slump, what is your secret weapon for blasting through it and keeping your authentic voice intact?
K.V.: Usually, I just step away. I’ve learned that if I’m forcing words onto the page, they are probably the wrong words. I’ll go for a walk, play a game, read, or work on something completely unrelated. It’s amazing how often the solution shows up when you stop chasing it.
Keeping my voice comes down to honesty. I don’t write stories because they are popular or trendy. I write stories that keep tapping me on the shoulder until I pay attention. If I ever write just to please everyone, that is the day my voice will disappear.
Running a Press and Finding Passion
Willy: Our series is all about where stories meet strategy, and our readers love hearing about the business side of the craft. With your book available through Equal Myth Press and Amazon, what has your experience been like navigating the publishing and marketing landscape for this launch? Do you have a golden nugget of advice for emerging writers?
K.V.: It’s definitely been a learning experience! Writing has always felt natural to me, but publishing is a completely different skill set. When I started Equal Myth Press, I quickly realized that writing the book was only one piece of the puzzle. Suddenly, I had to learn formatting, cover design, web management, SEO, and social media.
If I could give new writers one piece of advice, it would be to stop waiting for permission. Don’t wait for someone to tell you you’re good enough, and don’t let fear keep your story locked in a drawer. Algorithms and publishing trends will always change, but if you write something that genuinely matters to you, that passion will find its way onto the page and connect with readers.
Slow-Burns and “Hurt/Comfort” in The Keeper of Snow
Willy: Our readers always love to know what’s on the horizon. Now that When the Candle Went Out is out in the wild, what is cooking in your writerly brain for the future?
K.V.: Right now, my heart belongs to The Keeper of Snow. It is a full-length urban fantasy, but it takes a very different, character-driven approach to the genre. At the heart of the story are two men, Sedrick Snow and Edwyn. Although Sedrick is the leading character, Edwyn is
the secondary protagonist, and their relationship is really the soul of the story. They begin as lifelong friends, and instead of rushing into a quick fantasy romance, I wanted readers to experience a genuine, slow-burn transition from friendship to romantic love. One early
reader described it as, “It’s refreshing to read about two male characters being both strong and vulnerable at the same time.” I don’t think I could have asked for a better compliment. Edwyn has a habit of filling every room with humor, but underneath that is a
deep vulnerability and a fierce care for the people around him.
The fantasy elements of the book are a slow-burn too. There are hints from the very first chapter that something is wrong, and readers get to experience that uncertainty alongside Sedrick.
I am also incredibly passionate about the concept of “hurt/comfort” in original fiction. I love stories where caring for another person is just as important as defeating the villain, and where emotional healing matters just as much as physical survival. The magic in The Keeper of Snow might draw readers in, but it’s Sedrick and Edwyn’s relationship that I hope they’ll remember.
Fun Facts You Might Not Know About K.V. Write
A Name Born by Accident: K.V. Write originally started as a pen name while I was rearranging letters to name one of the villains in The Keeper of Snow. One combination unexpectedly became Karri Vet Write, and when I saw the word “Write,” I knew I couldn’t let it go. In 2024, I legally changed my name to Karri Vale Write, making the pen name part of my real identity.
Sedrick Is More Personal Than Readers Might Realize: K.V. is a transgender man (FtM). Parts of his own personality found their way into Sedrick Snow, especially his dry sense of humour, quiet nature, and tendency to keep everything bottled up. Even the way Sedrick is physically described reflects what K.V. hopes to achieve after his transition, although he’d like to be a little leaner than his protagonist.
An Unexpected Creative Detour:
In 2025, K.V. released a hand-drawn LGBTQ+ dress-up game with BL themes called Dressing4Love (purrfectpalsstudios.itch.io/dressing4love-the-lgbtq-dress-up-game). Watching it steadily grow has been a reminder that stories can
bring people together in many different forms—not just books.
A Slightly Out-of-Control Collection: K.V. has been collecting rare The Lion King figures and plushies for years. The plush side of the collection has grown so much that it nearly reaches his ceiling. At this point, he’s not entirely sure whether he owns the collection,
or the collection owns him.
Ruled by Ezra: His home is ruled by a ten-year-old rescue cat named Ezra who, despite his stunted growth and sweet nature, sports paws that K.V. jokingly calls his “murder mittens.”
Willy: K.V., thank you for stepping out of the writer’s room and sharing your beautiful, courageous work with us today! Readers can download the opening chapters of When the Candle Went Out here:
Or, if you’d like to experience a novel as it’s being written, read the raw Prologue and Chapter One of The Keeper of Snow here.
Already convinced? You can also purchase the complete When the Candle Went Out ebook or paperback here.
See you next time on Authors & Allies, where the ideas keep sparking!
Thank you for visiting with us. For more Reviews or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual. Copyright Mind on Fire Books.
Leave a Reply