Q1: When did you start writing and whom influenced you the most now and currently?
Laci: The first story I distinctly remember writing was in third grade, and I posted my first ever “book,” if you can call it that, on Quotev, where one friend read it. The author that first inspired me, who I loved, was Jordan Sonnenblick. He was recommended to me by the school librarian in middle school, and I think I read all of his books over a few weeks. Now, I would have to say that quite a few authors inspire me, like Cassandra Clare, Kerri Maniscalco, Laini Taylor, and Katherine Arden.
Q2: Any pivotal moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
Laci: I don’t know that there was ever a distinct “I want to be a writer” moment for me. I read a lot growing up and always wrote in various notebooks. I wrote a lot of poems in the margins of my school papers. I had more and more ideas when I got into high school, but it wasn’t until I decided to become an English major that I decided that writing could be something I really did.
Q3: Who has helped you most with your writing and career?
Laci: My friends and partner have always been very supportive. There is a stigma when deciding that you’re going to major in humanities, especially English, but if it wasn’t for the support of those around me, I don’t think I would be where I am today.
Q4: Where did you grow up and how did that influence you? Have any travels influenced your work?
Laci: For most of my life, I grew up in a little town called Pride, Louisiana. I spent over a decade in a little shotgun house that my mom paid just over a hundred dollars a month for, and I was ashamed of it. I told myself I would do my best with what I was given because I never wanted to live in a house like that again. Looking back, I realize I should have been more grateful for having a roof over my head and a mother who would do anything in the world for me. Still, without living there, I don’t think I would have had the drive to go to college and be the first person in my immediate family to get a college degree.
Q5: What do you consider your most meaningful work creatively to you?
Laci: Oh, this is a tricky question. I think the most meaningful work to me is “Recipe for My Mother,” which was published in The Elpis Pages: A Collective. As you can probably guess, it’s about my mom, and I wrote it for my capstone class for my English degree. I owe all the credit to my professor, Brenna Womer, for pushing us to create a “recipe” one day in class. I think it’s my favorite poem I’ve written so far.
Q6: What are your favorite activities to relax?
Laci: Like any writer, I love reading and watching movies. I also do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which is a lot of fun.
Q7: What is a favorite line/stanza/lyric from your writing?
Laci: Since it’s getting close to Halloween, there’s a line from my poem, “only a night,” in Issue 2 of Hallowzine: “in the autumn / when the veil drops / and the black cats call.” I think it sums up my view of Halloween very well.
Q8: What kind of music inspires you the most? What is a song or song that always comes back to you as an inspiration?
Laci: I listen to a lot of different music, but I love the songs that have a bit of a magical feel to them. One song I’ve been playing on repeat is “Bury” by Unions since it’s somewhat inspired the book I’m working on.
Q9: Do you have any recent upcoming books, music, events, etc that you would like to promote?
Laci: One thing coming up is Issue 2 of my literary magazine, Livina Press, which will be published early to mid-October! It’s been a lot of fun watching my idea come to life, and I’m excited to share it with everyone.
Bio: Laci Felker is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and recently moved to Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Louisiana State University in 2021, and has had a few stories and poems published in various literary magazines. You can find her on Twitter @lacifelker or Instagram @laci.felker where she is trying to document her journey to finishing her first ever novel.
Fevers of the Mind 