In this engaging Q&A, we sit down with Evelyn Skye, a celebrated New York Times bestselling author whose captivating stories have enchanted readers around the world. From her unexpected journey from law into literature to overcoming personal challenges like imposter syndrome and aphantasia, Evelyn’s story is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Known for her vivid, magical worlds and heartfelt themes of human connection and kindness, Evelyn shares insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her latest novel, The Incredible Kindness of Paper, and the importance of resilience in a competitive industry. Beyond writing, she dedicates herself to community work and fostering creativity through her podcasts and charitable endeavors.
As Evelyn reveals her path to success, we discuss the lessons she’s learned along the way and her hopes for the future—illuminating the quiet magic that can be found in small acts of kindness and the stories we share.
Q1. Journey to Success: Your path from studying Russian literature and practicing law to becoming a bestselling author is truly inspiring. Could you share some pivotal moments in your journey that reinforced your perseverance and ultimately led to your success?
I never felt the same passion for legal work that I do for writing. I spent six years practicing mergers and acquisitions and intellectual property licensing, and while I was good at it, something was missing. The pivotal moment came when I was on maternity leave with my daughter. I fell back in love with reading during that time, which reminded me how much I'd enjoyed writing as a child. I decided to try my hand at writing again, and the moment I started, I realized I had never loved any work as much as I loved this. That recognition—that this was what I was meant to do—gave me the courage to persist through what came next, which was five years of many, many rejections before I finally got my first book deal.
Q2. Overcoming Challenges: You’ve publicly spoken about facing imposter syndrome and having aphantasia. How have these unique challenges shaped your approach to writing, and what strategies have helped you overcome them?
The imposter syndrome was brutal in those early years, because it feels difficult to call yourself a writer when you don't have an agent or a book deal. But now, having published ten books, I feel confident that I've earned my place in this industry, even if I can't predict how any individual book will be received—that part remains wonderfully unpredictable.
As for aphantasia, learning that I process visual information differently was actually liberating. Instead of fighting against my brain's natural tendencies, I've learned to lean into my strengths—focusing on emotional authenticity, dialogue, and the internal experiences of my characters rather than elaborate visual descriptions.
Q3. Writing Process: Your stories are renowned for their vivid, magical quality, even though you don’t visualize images internally due to aphantasia. How do you approach creating such immersive worlds and memorable characters?
Since I can't "see" my characters and settings in the traditional sense, I've developed what I think of as an emotion-first approach to storytelling. I focus intensely on how scenes feel, like the emotional temperature between characters or the sensory details that create atmosphere without relying on visual imagery. I spend a lot of time thinking about what drives my characters internally—their fears, desires, and contradictions. When readers tell me they can vividly picture my characters, I think what they're really responding to is how emotionally real those characters feel.
Q4. Inspiration for The Incredible Kindness of Paper: This latest novel explores themes of kindness and human connection. What inspired you to write this story, and what message do you hope readers take away from it?
This story came from noticing a disconnect in our current moment. Everywhere I looked, people were talking about how divided our society had become, yet in my daily life, I kept witnessing these beautiful, spontaneous acts of kindness—someone leaving a $20 bill in the tip cup at my coffee shop, another one helping a kid who fell off her skateboard, and readers buying an extra book at the bookstore to donate to a local school. Chloe's story emerged from wondering what would happen if someone deliberately chose to tip the scales toward hope through the smallest possible gesture—folding paper roses filled with encouraging messages for strangers to find. I want readers to finish this book with renewed faith in their own ability to brighten someone else's day and to understand that these small acts of kindness create connections and ripple effects we often never see.
Q5. Industry Insights: Having secured a six-figure publishing deal and having your work adapted into a Netflix film, what advice would you give to aspiring authors who face rejection and setbacks in their journey?
The most important thing I learned through hundreds of rejections is that persistence doesn't mean doing the same thing over and over; it means being willing to evolve and improve while staying committed to your core dream. Every rejection taught me something about my craft or helped me understand the market better. So my advice is to keep writing the next book instead of putting all your hopes into one manuscript. Build a body of work, not just one perfect project. Also, learn to separate your identity from your career's ups and downs. The publishing industry is unpredictable, but your value as a storyteller doesn't fluctuate with market trends.
Q6. Balancing Passions: Beyond writing, you dedicate time to baking birthday cakes for at-risk children and hosting your own podcast. How do these pursuits influence your creative process and overall well-being?
There's something deeply satisfying about creating something tangible that brings immediate joy to a child—it's the physical embodiment of what I try to do emotionally with my stories. My daughter and I bake for Cake4Kids together (she is incredibly talented at cake decorating), so it's become this meaningful activity we share while contributing to our community.
My CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY Substack and podcast serve a different but equally important function. They keep me connected to other writers and readers, and having conversations about the creative life helps me process my own thoughts about what it means to live artistically. These activities also provide necessary breaks from the solitary work of writing. When I'm stuck on a difficult scene, working with my hands or engaging in meaningful conversations often unlocks whatever was blocking me.
Q7. Future Directions: What new projects or themes excite you the most as you look ahead? How do you see your role evolving as both an author and an influencer in the literary world?
I’m excited to keep exploring the quiet power of human connection—on and off the page. As a novelist, I’m leaning into stories that blend emotional depth with a touch of wonder, while also thinking about how those themes can expand into other creative projects, from essays to visual storytelling. I see value in shaping conversations about what it means to live meaningfully and make art that lasts. If my work helps readers feel seen or inspired, that’s the kind of influence I’m proud to have.
You can find the Korean version of this article here.
