The following is an interview with author Kalla Harris regarding the upcoming release of the YA novel, The Ground That Devours Us, through Entangled Teen. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Harris about her creative process in bringing the story and its characters to life on the page, the themes that she hopes will resonate with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of The Ground That Devours Us! What are you most excited for readers to experience with this paranormal thriller?
Kalla Harris: Thank you so much! I’m so excited to chat with you. Gosh, I can think of a million things, but I’m most excited for readers to experience the world-building. While The Ground That Devours Us is set in a near-future version of our world, the book’s post-apocalyptic and harsh environment gave me a lot of room to flesh out the new mechanics of how society functions (or doesn’t function) in a dystopian setting overrun by vampires and how that ultimately affects Ruby’s narrative.
BD: How would you describe your creative approach to bringing this story and characters to life on the page, especially in light of your deft work in weaving fantasy, romance, and vampires into your narrative?
KH: The idea for The Ground That Devours Us came in a random snapshot at first: a post-apocalyptic setting with a teenage human fighting an irresistibly attractive paranormal creature in the parking lot of an abandoned school. From there, I started analyzing the scene layer by layer, asking who these two characters were, why they hated each other, and what kind of world they lived in. As I dug deeper, the magic system, enemies-to-lovers romance, and vampire elements came to light over time, but they were always centered around that first initial spark.
BD: What makes Entangled Teen the perfect home for this story?
KH: I grew up reading books published by Entangled Teen! As a teen, I spent more hours than I can count in libraries and bookstores scouring the shelves for voicey, witty characters, angsty romance, and high-stakes plots interwoven with paranormal and fantasy elements. Entangled Teen delivered on every front. Most recently, I’ve loved the Talons series by Sophie Kim, Witty in Pink by Erica George, and the Soul of the Slayer series by Sharina Harris—all published by Entangled Teen. As the team shared their enthusiasm for The Ground That Devours Us and I began conversing with my editor, whose ideas aligned with mine, I felt confident that Entangled Teen would be a perfect home for Ruby.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Ruby’s story may connect with and impact today’s readers?
KH: The Ground That Devours Us will always be the hardest book I’ve ever written. The idea for Ruby’s story came while I battled anxiety and depression. I desperately wanted to escape from my reality into a creative one. Years later, this very book became a place of solace for me as I navigated a new world with chronic illness. Both times, Ruby’s story has been a guiding light for me. The Ground That Devours Us deals with heavier themes, but at the end of the day, it’s a story about finding hope in darkness and never losing faith that you will find your way back home, wherever that is. I hope readers who feel lost can grab hold of Ruby’s hand, just like I did, and find comfort in knowing they were never truly alone.
BD: Are there any other projects that you would like to highlight for our readers?
KH: I have several projects in the works! I can’t say much about them, but expect supernatural elements, romance, and lots of banter. In the meantime, there are a lot of incredible books on my radar: Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis, House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt, Soulmatch by Rebecca Danzenbaker, A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena, and An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about The Ground That Devours Us and your other work?
KH: I’m always happy to chat with readers! I’m most active on Instagram, and my handle is @kallanharris. Readers can also reach me at my website: www.kallaharris.com.
