Be Wary of Wishes Gone Awry by M. Ainihi

4/25/2026

Tales of Horror and Dark Fantasy

Whether navigating the open seas, settling in the quiet suburbs, or working deep within a lab, we all yearn for things that feel just beyond our grasp. These tales twist reality into nightmares—from seemingly miraculous births to mythic monstrosities lurking in shadows and bio-engineered terrors, each desire is granted with a sinister price, a brutal reminder to be wary of wishes gone awry…

I loved this collection of short stories! It gave me some wonderful chills. Some of the stories had a surprising twist!
The author is quite good at building suspense. If you like a few goosebumps now and again, get this book.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Be-Wary-Wishes-Gone-Awry-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-be-wary-of-wishes-gone-awry

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/m_ainihi
https://mainihi.wordpress.com
https://ConcealedRealms.com
bsky.app/profile/m-ainihi.bsky.social

I have reviewed the four books in the series, another book and a collection of short stories in the horror genre. Here are the links:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/rise-a-blood-inheritance-novel-by-m-ainihi
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/lost-a-blood-inheritance-novel-by-m-ainihi
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/endow-a-blood-inheritance-novel-the-blood-inheritance-quartet-book-3-by-m-ainihi
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/resist
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/patchwork-by-mary-ainihi

A collection of her short stories:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-warning-signs-by-m-ainihi

Tags: Teen, Young Adult, Sword and Sorcery, Fantasy, dark, Horror
Copyright © 2026 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction.

60 Comments

Mary link

5/11/2026 11:16:28 am

Thanks for the awesome review, Mark. I am very grateful.

Mark

5/11/2026 11:28:57 am

You are welcome, Mary. I am grateful to have you join me for the interview once again. I enjoyed those short stories quite a bit.

First question.

Please tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

Mary link

5/11/2026 11:42:44 am

I grew up in the wilds of upstate New York and now live in the Chicagoland area with my husband, our two grown sons, and a pair of energetic rat terriers. I’ve always been drawn to stories, to travel, and to the quiet pull of writing.
Our most recent journey took us to New Zealand, where the landscapes felt almost otherworldly, leaving me both inspired and quietly restless for whatever distant horizon calls next.

Life here is fairly quiet, and perhaps not all that exciting on the surface, but it is filled with the things I value most: family, stories, and the lingering sense that there is always another path waiting just beyond sight.

Mark

5/11/2026 02:54:39 pm

The path continues around the corner or over the next hill.

New Zealand is so beautiful. The vistas and sights in the movie adaptations of Tolkien's Hobbit and LOTR testify to that! How wonderful that you got to witness the stark beauty in person!

New question.

Are you a full-time or part-time writer or retired from the working world?

Mary link

5/11/2026 03:25:15 pm

I do my best to write full-time, though that path involves far more than just the act of writing itself. Alongside my work on the page, I run my website, concealedrealms.com, and navigate the many necessary pieces of independent publishing, including marketing, which I admit I approach with a certain reluctance.

I’m especially drawn to in-person events and regularly attend a range of conventions, where stories feel a little less like solitary things and more like living, shared experiences. There’s something uniquely energizing about stepping out from behind the page and into those spaces.

So while “full-time writer” may not always fit into a neat definition, it is very much the life I am shaping, one story at a time, following the thread wherever it chooses to lead.

Mark

5/11/2026 04:19:18 pm

A full-time writer does involve more than writing for nearly all indie writers, full-time or part-time. An indie writer wears many hats, as the owner of a small business. Marketing and promoting books is a complex process with many moving parts. It never ends because it is so hard to get noticed. More than a million books are published yearly by Amazon, plus there are other platforms that an indie author is wise to use. A wise person once said don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Conventions and other in-person events provide wonderful opportunities for authors and readers alike. I love talking about books at these events.

New questions.

What are your three favorite genres to read for pleasure?

Has writing changed the pleasure of reading for you?

Mary link

5/11/2026 04:49:09 pm

My favorite genres tend to circle back to the same shadows I like to write in. I’m especially drawn to dark fantasy, gothic horror, and folklore-inspired fiction. I love stories that feel slightly unmoored from reality, where beauty and unease exist side by side, and where there’s a sense that something older and stranger is just beneath the surface.

Writing has definitely changed the way I read, though not in a negative way. I’m more aware of structure, language, and the choices an author makes, so part of my mind is always quietly studying the work as I go. That said, the sense of wonder is still there. If anything, I appreciate it more when a story fully pulls me in, because I understand just how much craft it takes to create that kind of immersion.

Mark

5/11/2026 06:25:17 pm

I am glad you still enjoy reading; many authors do, though many admit to analyzing nearly everything they read as you do also. I love to read also. Though I get jolted out of the author's magic whenever I trip over a spelling error. I don't have to hunt them down, they jump off the page at me. I am able to re-enter the world created by the author readily.

New questions.

Why do you write?

Do you also journal?

Mary link

5/11/2026 10:32:50 pm

I write because I’ve never really known how not to. It’s been a constant for as long as I can remember, a way of making sense of things that don’t always fit neatly into the world as it is. Turning fragments of thought and feeling into something whole feels both grounding and necessary.

Over time, it’s also become a way to give shape to the ideas that linger. A single image or question can stay with me until I follow it onto the page.

I don’t keep a journal, though. That impulse tends to find its way into my fiction instead.

Mark

5/12/2026 12:09:02 pm

Many writers have expressed similar thoughts. The writing demands to be done. One author said she writes to give an outlet to the voices in her head. If she doesn't write, they get loud.

Giving shape to the ideas that linger is a poetic thought.

New questions.

Does your work, past or present, have any influence on your writing?

What did you believe about writing in the past that you now know is false?

Mary link

5/12/2026 12:26:06 pm

I do think life experience inevitably finds its way into writing. Every job, every phase, every challenge adds to that internal reservoir we draw from. Even when I’m not writing directly from memory, those experiences shape how I see characters, conflict, and the world itself. It all filters in, whether I intend it to or not.

One thing I used to believe was that writing had to be perfect the first time, or at least close to it. I’ve since learned that’s simply not true. Writing is rewriting. The real work often begins after the first draft, in the shaping and refining, where the story becomes what it was meant to be.

Mark

5/12/2026 03:40:49 pm

Life experiences are necessary to understand life. Since each person's experiences are different from others, that person will have a different understanding, and the filters will be different also.

The mirage of the perfect first draft has demotivated many who wanted to be writers. They didn't understand how much rewriting goes into an easy-to-read book. Comparing a first draft to a published book can discourage most. A few will recognize the gap and seek to educate themselves to overcome the hindrance of ignorance. I have told many beginning writers that the first draft is supposed to be a dumpster fire. The real fun begins with rewriting.

New questions.

Who was the first person to inspire you to write something to publish?

What inspired you to write this book?

Mary link

5/12/2026 04:19:00 pm

My husband was the first person to truly inspire me to take my writing beyond my own private enjoyment. For a long time, I wrote just for myself, but he believed in my work and encouraged me to share it more seriously. His support gave me the push I needed to begin pursuing publication.

Be Wary of Wishes Gone Awry: Tales of Horror and Dark Fantasy grew out of my love for dark, unsettling stories and the idea that wishes often come with a price. Some of the stories in the collection were written years ago, or at least began years ago, so putting them together felt a little like gathering up pieces that had stayed with me over time. I’ve always been drawn to stories where something familiar can turn strange, and that tension between desire and consequence is what helped shape the collection.

Mark

5/12/2026 04:56:02 pm

Your husband is a good man. Some authors get little to no support from their families. You already know how blessed you are.

Wishes that come with a price. Nice phrasing. I have been telling the granddaughters to remember that every choice has a consequence. At 10.5 and 12.5 years old, they still don't grasp that very well, especially the younger one. I hope it will stick with them when they get older.

I read this book several months ago, and the story about the rabbit comes back to me pretty often. That story illustrated consequences following choices ever so well.

New questions.

Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?

Will you keep writing in the genre or will you branch out?

Mary link

5/12/2026 06:29:58 pm

It sounds like you're giving your granddaughters a wonderful gift. Understanding that every choice carries its own weight is such a vital perspective to have.

Regarding the genre, I don’t think I consciously chose it so much as I found myself returning to it again and again. My process is very much led by the characters… they lead, and I follow. Over time, I realized that this darker, more speculative storytelling was simply where my characters felt most at home and where my voice felt most natural. Having the unwavering support of my husband and family makes it that much easier to keep pursuing this work and following where those voices take me.

Mary link

5/12/2026 06:40:31 pm

I’ll definitely keep writing in this genre, since it feels like home to me, but I don’t see myself staying in only one lane forever.
I’m open to whatever story insists on being told. If a character nudges me in a slightly different direction or a new project demands a different shape, I’ll follow it. For me, staying honest to the work and letting each story find its own authentic path is important.

Mark

5/13/2026 10:53:40 am

You have thought about your genre a great deal. The place where you and your characters are most comfortable. Many authors follow the characters. I think it's quite interesting and a bit mysterious to me, since I'm not an author. I have great respect for an author's voice when it comes to proofreading. Every word matters. I don't suggest changes lightly.

Having the support of your family is wonderful.

New questions.

Does everyone in your family enjoy reading your writing?

Have you ever seen a UFO or UAP, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena?

Mary link

5/13/2026 11:59:04 am

Some of my family and friends enjoy my writing, but not everyone in my circle shares a taste for the dark and visceral. I’ve found that there is a distinct difference between supporting an author and enjoying the shadows they choose to explore. My stories often focus on forcing complex emotions like guilt and grief out into the open, which can be an intense experience for a reader. I actually value the fact that some of my loved ones prefer to stay in the light; it provides a necessary anchor for me while I’m busy unravelling more unsettling truths.
I haven’t seen a UFO or OAP myself, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. In my writing, I often explore the idea that perception is a choice and that what we see is rarely the whole truth. To me, these phenomena represent the tension between what we can explain and the things that operate just outside our peripheral vision. I am much more interested in the lingering mystery of the “unidentified” than I am in a definitive answer.

Mark

5/13/2026 02:30:02 pm

I didn't think all of your family and friends would enjoy the darker aspects. Balance and a strong foundation are important, especially when you follow a character into dark shadows of one kind or another.

Your Blood Inheritance series was interesting for me because I knew very little about Jinn mythology. You hit a few dark spots in that series, also. For our visitors, links for the Blood Inheritance series are in the review above.

UFOs are very curious to me. Some seem benign, and others seem quite malevolent. My sisters tell me we saw one when we were children; however, I have no memory of that event. Maybe I was abducted, though I think it unlikely.

New questions.

Have you ever seen a cryptid, an animal unknown to modern zoologists, or found evidence of one?

Have you ever seen a ghost or had some other type of supernatural experience?

Mary link

5/13/2026 05:20:05 pm

It's fascinating that your sisters remember the UFO while you don't. They say the mind protects us from the things we aren't ready to categorize, and that sense of "missing time" or "unseen evidence" is exactly what draws me to these questions about cryptids and ghosts. It’s that thin veil between what we know and what we feel.

I haven't had a face-to-face encounter with a cryptid, but that doesn’t mean they never existed. I like to think that many of these creatures are remnants of a history we’ve simply forgotten how to read. Just because they aren't cataloged in a modern textbook doesn't mean they didn't once walk the earth, leaving behind the footprints that formed our oldest legends.

I did live in a “historic” house in my youth that many people insisted was haunted. Did strange things happen? You bet. But with five children living under one roof, who’s to say for sure? I like to keep it as a “maybe.” Some of the most unsettling experiences aren't the ones you can prove with a photograph, but the ones that leave you wondering long after the lights go out. That ambiguity is the heart of good horror… in fact, one of the short stories in The Warning Signs collection was inspired by the happenings in that house.

Mark

5/13/2026 06:13:35 pm

Our minds can protect us in many ways. A lot of unusual things don't neatly fit into a box or category. There certainly is a lot on this earth that we have incomplete knowledge about.

Nowadays, a photograph or video is not to be trusted. Such a good line: "That ambiguity is the heart of good horror." Plant a seed in the reader's mind and give just enough information to bring growth and a full-blooming horror.

Old houses can be so interesting and scary sometimes; the creaks and groans can cause your imagination to travel to new heights or lows.

New questions.

How did you decide the order of the stories?

How many drafts did your book go through before publishing?

Mary link

5/13/2026 06:44:03 pm

I love the way you put that. I hope that I plant that seed in the reader's mind. Sometimes what we imagine in the dark is far more terrifying than anything an author can describe, and finding that balance of information and ambiguity is something I really strive for.

Because that atmosphere is so important, deciding the order of the collection was a deliberate, collaborative process. My main editor was instrumental in helping me see how the stories could build on one another to create a specific emotional arc. I also reached out to a few people who had read the stories individually and their feedback helped me understand which pieces worked best as an introduction and which ones left the kind of lasting impact needed for a finale.

As for the drafts, that’s a hard number to pinpoint because my short story collections didn’t follow the more linear paths of my full-length novels. Since these stories were written at different times, they each had their own unique development. My approach was much more fluid, I didn't send the full manuscript at once. In fact, I was still getting the kinks out of one or two stories even when the first stages of professional editing had started.

Mark

5/13/2026 09:00:04 pm

Planting good seed is critical, then watering and weeding contribute to growth.

Working with smart people is important. Most of us work best in small groups after the initial draft is done. I think you have chosen your squad wisely.

New questions.

Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a copy-and-paste link if appropriate.

How many drafts did the cover go through?

Mary link

5/13/2026 09:28:37 pm

This projects cover was designed by Rebecacovers. They did a fantastic job of capturing the tone of the stories visually.

Actually, the process was pretty smooth. Upon reviewing our collaboration, it looks like I only requested one revision. Rebecacovers really seemed to understand the aesthetic I was aiming for right from the start. When you have a clear vision and find the right artist to execute it, you don't necessarily need a dozen drafts to find the right look.

Mark

5/14/2026 11:13:17 am

Congratulations! Finding the right cover maker is very important. Despite the adage of not judging a book by its cover, we all do exactly that. If the cover doesn't pique my interest, I will likely move on, unless the title is a real grabber.

New question.

At first glance, the cover seems obvious, but I frequently miss a detail or two. What do the elements on the cover represent?

Mary link

5/14/2026 11:55:04 am

The elements on the cover represent different aspects of some of the stories inside. They’re meant to reflect the emotional and thematic core of the book, while also giving readers a sense of the genre at a glance.

Mark

5/14/2026 02:39:48 pm

The theme is dark and haunting without a doubt.

New questions.

Was it hard to come up with the title?

What was the process?

Mary link

5/14/2026 02:58:34 pm

The title, Be Wary of Wishes Gone Awry, came from wanting to express a familiar warning in a more atmospheric and unsettling way. I aimed for something less direct than “be careful what you wish for,” something that carried a slightly older, more ominous tone without being too obvious. I ended up drafting a list of possible titles and asking for opinions, and this one stood out because it captured both the theme and the mood I was aiming for.

Mark

5/14/2026 04:51:51 pm

I think you met your objective quite well. I love the title. When I realized that wary and awry have the same letters in a different order, I loved it even more.

New questions.

Were the character names difficult to develop?

How did you choose them?

Mary link

5/14/2026 06:10:04 pm

Character names are something I usually put a fair amount of thought into. Since the stories in this collection were written at different times, the naming process varied from one piece to another, and I do not always remember every decision behind them.
In some cases, the names were chosen with intention and meaning. For example, Beatrice stood out because of its meaning, often associated with bringing joy or happiness. Other times, I chose names for subtle associations or tone, such as Bridget and Rebecca, which carry a slightly historical or atmospheric weight that fits well within darker themes.
There are also moments where I allowed myself a bit of playfulness. Dr. Francine Stein, whose name appears in more than one story, is a light nod to Dr. Frankenstein. It was less about deep symbolism and more about creating a familiar echo.
Overall, the process was a mix of intention, instinct, and sometimes simply choosing what felt right for the character and the world they inhabit.

Mark

5/14/2026 08:37:04 pm

Character names can do a lot of work in a story.

Francine Stein? I love that! I don't think I noticed the nod to Mary Shelley's classic. I finally read it and Stoker's Dracula a few years ago. I loved Frankenstein! For my money, Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" is the best adaptation of the story. "Dracula" was an incredibly boring story. I could barely get through it.

New question.

Do you sing or play a musical instrument?

Mary link

5/14/2026 09:53:37 pm

It has been many years since I read those classics, but I remember enjoying Frankenstein more as well. As for music, I do not sing or play an instrument, at least not well enough to claim any real talent there. The same goes for drawing. While I enjoy visual storytelling, I would not consider myself particularly skilled as an artist.

That said, I have been fortunate to work with some very talented artists who help bring my ideas to life when I have a specific vision for an illustration. It has become a collaborative way to expand on the worlds I create in my writing.

Mark

5/15/2026 09:57:59 am

We have musical talent in common; I play the stereo. I took guitar lessons when I was in the 4th grade and quit after the recital was over. I didn't practice well.

Finding the artists who can bring your vision into a visual medium is wonderful.

New question.

Any musical family members?

Mary link

5/15/2026 10:21:27 am

My grandmother could play the piano, but I’m afraid I am much better at listening to music than playing it. That said, music often serves as a vital, atmospheric inspiration for my writing.
As for creativity in a broader sense, there are a few other writers in my family, though.

Mark

5/15/2026 02:30:59 pm

Sometimes things skip a generation, but not this time in your case. My wife is pretty good at playing the piano when she is in practice. Her sister was a child musical prodigy. She could hear a song played once and play it back perfectly.

That must have been nice to have other writers in the family. I bet they encouraged you.

New question.

Which famous person’s death shocked you the most?

Mary link

5/15/2026 04:39:00 pm

Yes, those extended family members were and are encouraging. It is a family of many readers, which is the best kind of fuel for a writer’s imagination.
On a more somber note, I was genuinely surprised and saddened to learn of Koji Suzuki’s passing just as I finished Ring. It felt strange to come across his name like that, right after his work had been in my hands.

Mark

5/15/2026 06:07:13 pm

You are blessed in many ways. Some writers are the lone writer in their family.

That certainly would have been a strange feeling, learning that Suzuki died right after you had read his book.

New question.

Which did you publish first, short stories or novels?

Mary link

5/15/2026 07:39:10 pm

My first publication was Rise: A Blood Inheritance Novel. It was the debut of the Blood Inheritance Quartet, a dark fantasy series that is now completed.

Mark

5/15/2026 08:45:05 pm

Good series! I didn't realize that Rise was your first published work. I have read and promoted all four of those books plus more. Links for those reviews are above the interview.

New question.

How long had you been writing before first publishing something?

Mary link

5/15/2026 09:21:16 pm

I’ve been writing since I was quite young. It’s always felt more like a compulsion than a hobby, and I’ve found the act of writing very therapeutic. Until a few years before I published Rise, I only wrote for my own pleasure.

Mark

5/16/2026 09:51:13 am

Quite a few writers have mentioned that they need to write. Not just for pleasure, but it feels like they will burst if the story doesn't get out! Some have said that writing quiets the voices in their head. Those characters have a story they want to tell.

New question.

Have you done any marketing of your book before deciding to work with me?

Mary link

5/16/2026 07:52:14 pm

In short, yes. Prior to working with you, I had undertaken a range of marketing efforts for the book, both online and in person. These efforts included editorial reviews, promotional outreach, and other activities intended to increase visibility and reach the appropriate readership.

Mark

5/16/2026 08:06:18 pm

Well done. It's important for an author to pursue every possible venue when marketing and promoting their books. Amazon has sold two million books a year since 2022. It takes a lot of effort for any particular book to get seen by very many people. An author needs to think wide and local at the same time.
One of my favorite blogs is about pursuing the local author angle. How to be a marketing star right where you live. A copy-and-paste link or search the title in the search box below: https://annerallen.com/2019/08/hometown-book-marketing/

I would add a few tips: seek out literature teachers at the high school and college level to share in their class and there might be a club in the school. Local newspapers are a good resource for an interview as well as local cable access. There might also be a broadcast arts curriculum and/or a club at the high school and college level. Have some questions ready to hand the interviewer if they seem uncertain.

Senior centers are another good possibility and they usually welcome any sort of activity like that. Contact the events director.

If there are tourist destinations try and place your books with the local author angle. Museums, gift stores, motels, hotels, tourist attractions are all possibilities. Keep a box of books in your trunk. Get a counter-top holder for a few books, paste a picture of the cover on the holder behind the books and put re-ordering information on the back of the holder.

Some restaurants or bars have an open mic time.

Consider renting a table at a comic convention, county fair, farmer's market or a flea market. Have free swag to hand out such as a bookmark and sell mugs or posters. There are so many ways to be the 'local author' I doubt I have exhausted the list of possibilities. Always have copies of your books in your trunk or car boot.

It takes steady effort regardless of the venues or platforms you choose.

New questions.

What marketing strategy, if any, has had an impact on your daily sales?

Will that strategy work again?

Mary link

5/16/2026 09:05:49 pm

Participating in events such as comic cons, book fairs, and other conventions has had the biggest and most reliable impact on my sales so far. While these events are usually enjoyable to take part in, they also involve a fair amount of preparation and follow up. In the end, they’ve helped me make meaningful connections, not only with readers but also with other creatives, which has strengthened my overall presence as an author. Even though every event may not seem to have an immediate impact, I tend to see an uptick in online sales and website traffic after most of them.

Mark

5/17/2026 09:51:06 am

You are one among many authors who have discovered that in-person events are enjoyable and profitable. I know it's fun for readers to meet authors. The readers feel like they are in an inner circle.

New questions.

Is there a marketing strategy you have tried that failed?

Do you know why it failed?

Mary link

5/17/2026 10:43:36 am

I tried Facebook ads, but I didn’t see much benefit from them. I don’t think they reached the right readers.

Mark

5/17/2026 04:08:29 pm

You tried your luck at the Advertisements Casino. As in all gambling, the house always wins.

Facebook, Amazon, and other platforms love it when you buy ads! It is a lot like gambling because you're paying for clicks on your ads, on Amazon at least. It is tricky and seems very mysterious. Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur.com has been studying Ads on the 'Zon for years and has a lot of good advice. David Gaughran of davidgaughran.com knows a lot about ads on Facebook. Both have regular emails and offer advice. You may find one or both useful.

Neither is a set it and forget it proposition. They require regular monitoring and adjustments because the platforms change the algorithms frequently.

New questions.

Have you done any ghostwriting?

If not, would you try it if someone wanted to hire you?

Mary link

5/17/2026 06:36:45 pm

I’ve only ghostwritten a few short pieces so far, but I’d be open to it again if the right project came along and my schedule allowed.

Mark

5/17/2026 08:32:19 pm

I think that is wise. There are a number of ways to earn money with writing. Here is a copy-and-paste link: https://www.writingforward.com/creative-writing/creative-writing-careers

For those visitors who might be wondering if ghostwriting might be for them, here is another copy-and-paste link or use the search block below: https://www.wordrefiner.com/guest-blogs/how-to-become-a-ghostwriter

New questions:

Did you get credit in the book, using a phrase like: “As told to …”?

How does an author create a ghostwriting business?

How hard is it to find clients?

Mary link

5/18/2026 07:50:04 am

No, I wasn’t credited for my contributions, which is fairly typical for ghostwriting. I was sought out for the pieces I worked on, and while I didn’t set out to build a business in it, I did enjoy the projects I’ve done and have thought about doing more of that kind of work.

Mark

5/18/2026 10:24:25 am

It's true that many ghostwriters don't get credit in the book. I think it's a little bit sad.

New questions.

Why did those people contact you for ghostwriting?

Was it because they liked your voice as a writer?

Mary link

5/18/2026 10:58:32 am

I think they were drawn to my writing voice, yes. I also suspect they may have needed help bringing the projects to completion, whether that meant time, inspiration, or just another writer’s perspective. I was happy to help with that.

Mark

5/18/2026 12:52:09 pm

Many people want to write a book without knowing anything about how to accomplish that. Only a small percentage actually write and publish. Good for you for helping them across the finish line.

New question.

If you will be writing more books, what can you tell us about them?

Mary link

5/18/2026 01:41:18 pm

As you know, I have a novella coming out soon, Patchwork: An Ozian Tale of Dark Fantasy. Inspired by L. Frank Baum’s Oz stories, Patchwork blends dark fantasy and gothic atmosphere into a haunting reimagining of Oz.
Another one of my WIPs is The Dreamer, a full-length novel about Maddie, a young woman haunted by prophetic dreams and ghostly visions tied to a dark legacy in her bloodline.

Mark

5/18/2026 03:27:35 pm

Patchwork is cute. Not a book for young children, but neither was the original story. The Dreamer sounds like an interesting read.

New question.

What do you think of the current controversy regarding AI, Artificial Intelligence and books?

Mary link

5/18/2026 04:30:57 pm

It is a massive conversation right now. Because my significant other has to work with AI almost daily, I get a front-row seat to how the technology actually functions and where its limits are.
My view on it comes down to the difference between finding inspiration and making choices. Using AI in everyday life to help organize data or to spark an unexpected bit of creative inspiration can be beneficial. But it should never be making the actual decisions for you, especially when it comes to creative work.
As an author, the biggest issue is reliability and authenticity. You can never be entirely sure if the facts an AI gives you are accurate or just hallucinations, which is highly problematic if you care about the truth of a story. Beyond the factual errors, a machine simply cannot replicate real human experience. A book needs to sit in genuine human feelings, choices, and consequences. AI can shuffle data, but it cannot capture the actual weight of the human heart.

Mark

5/18/2026 05:59:23 pm

Massive is a good word to describe the issue. It has polarized people around the world. I agree with your assessment.

Quite a few writers are using AI to write their books. In September 2023, Amazon limited authors to 3 book uploads a day. Authors are also supposed to disclose their use of AI in writing books as of September 2023. I have looked several times for novels written with AI and haven't found any. It seems that authors are not disclosing their use of AI.

Last question.

Did you use AI in any of your planning, writing or editing for your books? I am not including research in this question because most of the major search engines have embedded AI in the browser.

Mary link

5/18/2026 06:21:13 pm

I use standard tools for research and basic grammar cleanup, but the actual storytelling, the character arcs, and the prose come entirely from my own mind. For me, a major part of the joy of being a writer is exploring the messy reality of human emotion.

Mark

5/18/2026 06:29:20 pm

That makes a lot of sense. I wish all authors were as smart as you.

I want to thank you for being a fabulous guest and patiently answering my questions. I enjoyed our chat a lot.

Until next time, keep on writing.

Mary link

5/18/2026 06:41:27 pm

Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate them, even if I don’t always feel quite as “smart” as you say.

I had a great time chatting with you. Your questions made the whole experience really enjoyable. Thanks again for having me.

Be Wary of Wishes Gone Awry by M. Ainihi

Tales of Horror and Dark Fantasy

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