This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with fantasy author Imani Erriu to talk folklore, fairytales, and the creation of her celestial universe. Imani shares how growing up in the English countryside shaped her imagination, the moment Heavenly Bodies first formed, and how TikTok helped launch her story to a wider audience.

We chat about her shift from indie to traditional publishing, the evolution of her writing process, the collaborative work behind her maps and covers, and what readers can expect from Holy Monsters and the expanding five-book saga.

CHAPTERS: 

0:00 - Introduction

2:07 - Early life & Growing Up

6:04 - How Imani Started Writing Heavenly Bodies

10:40 - How Imani Came Up With The Names of the Characters

12:32 - How Mythology Influenced Her Writing

14:50 - Creating The Map

16:05 - Indie Publishing to Traditional Publishing

18:23 - Imani’s TikTok Account

25:32 - Writing Career Timeline

20:20 - Olivia Rose Darling

32:25 - Book Covers

34:21 - Knowing It Was Going To Be A Series

38:18 - Imani’s Day to Day Life

42:20 - Holy Monsters

45:45 - What’s Next

FOLLOW US:

Morgann Book

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Imani Erriu

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorimanierriu

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorimanierriu

Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/imani-erriu/

Find her book at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Imani%20Erriu%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

Off The Shelf

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Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston 

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston 

Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

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