Author Bio

Hi, I’m Jennifer Tirrell—a dark romance and horror author with a deep love for twisted stories, morally grey characters, and the kind of emotional chaos that stays with you long after the last page. I’ve been writing since I was six years old (my first story was a horror tale about a man-eating alligator—yes, really), and I’ve never stopped chasing the thrill of a good plot twist.

I currently live in Fort Dodge, Iowa, with my husband, our mischievous cat Bandit, a chill turtle, and the memories of our late pets, Editor Cat Stimpy and Sasami the German Shorthair. When I'm not working in a local factory, you’ll probably find me scribbling plot ideas at odd hours, rewatching my favorite K-dramas, listening to K-pop, or expanding my model horse collection.

I write across multiple genres—horror, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, thrillers—and I love mixing them together in unexpected ways. My books often explore the darker side of love, obsession, and survival, with characters who are beautifully flawed and often morally complex. A lot of my inspiration comes from Korean pop culture, video games, and the kind of real-life emotions that cut deep.

Writing isn’t just a passion for me—it’s a way to process the chaos in my head. Each story I create helps clear the static, and if it resonates with readers along the way, that’s the real magic. I’m proudly self-published, constantly learning, and always working on the next wild idea that refuses to let me sleep.

“Jennifer, thank you so much for sitting down with me today. Let’s jump right in — how much research do you actually do for your books?”

It depends on the book. Some require little to none, others ask that I delve deep into tanks and machine gunnery along with air travel in the 1930s. (I'm looking at you, Syndicates series!) Oh, and trauma. Lots of trauma!

“That’s intense — sounds like your writing process is a wild ride! Speaking of which, what’s your favorite genre to write in, and why?”

While I love my dark romances and thrillers, right now, it's horror. Sometimes with smut, but I'm really getting into the terrifying side of writing: ghosts, Fear Incarnate, deadly deities, malicious cryptids. This era is just beginning!

“I love that energy. Alright, describe yourself in one word — go!”

Dorky (Just ask my husband!)

“Haha, noted! Now, during the creative process, what’s something that totally surprised you?”

How much fun formatting and cover design can be! While I absolutely LOVE writing itself, the challenge of a well put together book is satisfying. And I'm learning new techniques with each book!

“I hear that. Okay, does writing energize you or wear you out?”

Neither. It discharges the anxiety that builds inside me and gives me relief. All these stories stay stuck in my head until I write them. Even ideas from decades ago!

“That’s such a beautiful release. Now be honest — how do you handle writer’s block?”

If I can't write, I don't force it. Like, this year has been rough. I've done more reading than writing to recharge my brain. I only write when the urge becomes unbearable. OTOH, if I'm having trouble with a scene, like it's not what I want it to be, then I look at it at different angles and act it out in my head until the right actions and dialogue click.

“Gotta love those mental rehearsals! Quick switch — favorite 90s or early 2000s song?”

Slipknot's "Purity."

“That tracks. Where do you usually draw inspiration from?”

Most of my books are inspired by my favorite K-pop idols and drama stars, also video games.

“That K-pop influence is strong — we’ll get into that! But first, how do you personally handle criticism?”

Not very well. Haha! I try to avoid bad reviews unless I want to destroy my peace.

“Totally fair. So what originally inspired you to start writing?”

I wrote my first story at age 6 because I've always had an overactive imagination. It was based on the horror movie Alligator. And I've been writing ever since! Entertainment has always played a big role in my inspiration.

“Amazing origin story! Now let's talk reviews — how important are they to you?”

Everyone says, "Reviews are for readers," so I do my best to avoid them in reader spaces. Instead, I love and focus on the ones people tell me themselves through posts, DMs, or in person. The positive reviews keep me going, and I made a Praise Board that hangs on my wall as a reminder of how many people enjoy my work.

“That’s such a wholesome way to stay grounded. What’s your writing routine like?”

A lot of planning is done at work. I keep notes of the important ideas and eureka moments. Writing itself is done in the morning before work, on breaks at work, and in the evening, if I feel like it. I handwrite my first drafts. Then I type them up on my days off. I go through several specific rounds of editing before I publish.

“A real pen-and-paper warrior! Okay — animal time. If you could be any animal, what would you be?”

A Great White Shark. They're my favorite and I wanna cruise the ocean like a badass! Stay away from me, orca!

“That is the most metal answer I’ve heard all week. Favorite motivational quote?”

Do whatcha like. Love whatcha do. — Bang YongGuk

“That’s a vibe. Any advice for aspiring writers out there?”

Write. That's the most important thing. You'll go nowhere just dreaming. Get that story out! Once it's written, then the fun begins. But it won't happen unless you write it!

“Let’s talk about self-publishing — what have been the most rewarding and challenging parts for you?”

I do everything myself, except book covers sometimes. And it's rewarding that people read and love my books even though I use no outside help or influences with the writing aspect. It can be a challenge, but I love it! I've come a long way since my first book in 2017. Twenty-one titles and several genres later, and I have my routine down!

“It's an impressive hustle. Now the big question — what made you think, ‘Yep, I’m gonna write K-pop books, and it’s gonna be awesome?”

Ask my biases, Zico and Bang YongGuk. They made me do it!
(For those unfamiliar with the term: a bias is one's favorite K-Pop idol in a group. Zico is from Block B and YongGuk is from B.A.P.)

“Haha! I love that they’re basically your muses. So how do you keep the K-pop vibes authentic without it feeling like fanfiction overload?”

I focus on the relationships and the issues rather than, "OMG, he is so hot I could die! Here's us having sex." LOL. I treat them like real people and not some object to fangirl over. I like to explore relationships and put them to the test.

“Respect. Do your characters ever… take over the story?”

OMG, so this bastard over here... waves hands at Dion from Syndicates Book Two: Ruthless ...he offed a main character so he could be the main in Book 2. Dion, why did you DO that?!

To be fair, though, lots of my morally grey MMCs tend to go off-script and mess everything up.

“I feel like Dion needs his own interview. Okay, spill it — how many K-drama or idol crushes have “accidentally” made it into your books?”

Accidentally? Ha! It's no secret that all of my Asian MMCs are inspired by someone I've crushed on. Zico and YongGuk appear a lot, and even together in my Candy-Coated duet. Myung Jae in Even If There's No Tomorrow was inspired by Kim Gun Woo's character in The Glory. And Kim Ji Hoon inspired Thanatos's look in Death's Kiss. Just to name a few...

“That’s such a fun blend of reality and fiction. So when you’re mixing soulmates, romance, and K-pop chaos — do you ever sit back and think, “What have I done?”

Mmm... more like "Did I just write that?" In awe. Soulmates, especially. That one started off as a palate cleanser. A little scene to clear my thoughts for the next book. Instead, it grew a life of its own and snowballed into the masterpiece that it is. (And, yes, YongGuk inspired Go Yoo Joon in that one!) It's still my favorite of all my stories.

“That’s the magic of writing, right? Let’s go darker — when writing dark romance, how dark is too dark for you?”

I tend to write men who would do anything to protect their women rather than men who hurt their women. And if I do write an abusive MMC, he gets what he deserves. (For example, Myung Jae in Even If There's No Tomorrow. I destroyed him for Chelsea!)

“Poetic justice. Have you ever creeped yourself out while writing?”

Fear Stalks the Shadows is my first novella-length horror, and it is full of creepy scenes. Like, I couldn't write it while alone or else I'd have nightmares... and one of the scenes actually features a nightmare I had!

“That’s the sign of real horror! Which is harder to write — a believable monster or a believable bad boyfriend?”

Hmm... I enjoy both. I wouldn't say one is harder than the other. They each have their own challenges. Like, I can't make the bad boy too bad. And the monsters shouldn't be good at all. Haha!

“Love that contrast. So what usually comes first — the horror or the love story?”

The twisted love story. I'm all about those relationships!

“Now for the fun stuff — do you have a favorite villain you secretly love a little too much?”

Two, actually. My favorite walking red flag is Niragi from the Japanese drama Alice in Borderland. He's a horrible person, absolutely horrid! And I love him. The other is Meong Oh from The Glory. Another horrid person, but not as bad as Niragi. I would marry that man! (Don't tell my husband! Haha!)

“Your secret is safe with us! What if your characters had therapy — would it ruin the plot or make it even weirder?”

I think Dion from Syndicates would just kill the therapist. Haha!

Some of my characters do have therapy sessions. Chelsea and Myung Jae from Even If There's No Tomorrow. I think therapy plays a big role in their story. Emma and Vance in Love in Dangerous Doses both had therapy in their past. It helped Emma. Vance is another story!

“That kind of nuance is so important. Speaking of tropes — what’s one horror or dark romance cliché you secretly love, and one you wish would vanish?”

Is weather as a mood setter cliché? Because I love rainy, stormy days for setting the mood of a scene. And I'm too easy-going to hate on any. Gimme all the clichés!

“Rainy romance and creepy vibes — classic. If you dropped one of your dark romance couples into a horror movie, who’d survive?”

Kota and Sophie from The Red Devil of Tokyo. He's called The Red Devil for a reason. There would be a lot of blood. And he'd protect her with his life.

“That’s the horror couple I’d bet on! Alright, haunted mansion or abandoned hospital?”

Ooh. Both have interesting possibilities! I'm a big Silent Hill fan, so an abandoned hospital would be fun to write about!

“Chilling! Villain you'd date: vampire, demon, or cursed prince?”

Let's see... I'm already married to the devil, so probably a vampire, like Jory in Amethyst Kiss!

“Respect the loyalty. Candlelight or full-blast LED horror lighting while you write?”

Neither. Candlelight is too dark for me to see or concentrate by, and LED horror lighting would wreak havoc on my autistic self! I need a nice, steady light. Not too dark and not overly bright, either.

“Sensory balance — got it. What’s more terrifying to you: heartbreak or ghosts?”

Heartbreak. I've been there, and I'd take a ghost over that any day!

“Oof, same. Dream collab — if you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be?”

I would have loved to have written a Japanese historical novel with James Clavell!

“That would’ve been epic. Which of your characters do you relate to the most?”

Of my own, Emma in Love in Dangerous Doses. She's shy, autistic, and how I see the world.

“Thank you for sharing that. Last one — if your nightmares had a soundtrack, what song would be playing?”

Something by Slipknot, surely! Maybe "Purity."

“You’ve got the most rock ‘n’ roll subconscious ever. Bonus time — what genres do you write in?”

Dark romance, thrillers, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. Sometimes I do light and fluffy romances. And I've been known to mix genres, like horror romance, sci-fantasy, and romantic thrillers.

“Thank you for joining me and sharing your writing journey with us.

To our readers:

If Jennifer's story moved you, don’t stop here—download her books, leave a review, and follow her on social media to stay connected with her journey. Every review, follow, and share helps amplify her voice and support independent authors.

Loved this interview? Share it with your friends and fellow readers.

Until next time!”