The Author
Under the pen name, N. von Wolf, the author delves into the shadows of dark, psychological romance set in worlds where myth bleeds into obsession and love walks a razor’s edge. Her stories explore the intimate territories of power, trauma, and fate – whether in vampire courts, ancient battlegrounds, or dystopian futures.
Rooted in the Balkans and shaped by years in Ireland and Scandinavia, she draws on haunted history, folklore, and cultural echoes to craft emotionally charged tales where the past never sleeps and the heart is never safe. Her favourite playgrounds are epic fantasy, historical and paranormal fiction – but she loves to dip her toes into sci-fi waters, as well.
By night, she writes of forbidden desires and fractured worlds; by day, she thrives as a Technical Engineering Team Lead, a wife, and a mother of two.
Q&A
Who are you really?
I am a nerd, a reader, a gamer, and a dreamer. Stories have always been my favourite escape hatch, and eventually I started building my own. I’m an indie author who thrives on dark, psychological romance — tales where obsession, desire, and danger intertwine.
Off the page, I’m just passionate about a number of things like tech, history, psychology, music and art.
What made you start writing?
I’ve been writing for so long, I don’t remember ever not doing it. By now, it’s second nature — like brushing my teeth, moisturising, slipping into my Star Wars pyjamas... and cracking open the laptop until the stupid hours of the night. But my love for literature was sparked by my grandfather, who used to tell me stories when I was little — some of which, I’m convinced, he made up on the spot.
Why indie publishing?
Freedom, for the most part. Indie gives me full control — from covers to edits to release dates — and lets me connect directly with readers without waiting for anyone’s permission. The few times I did speak with traditional publishers, they tried to box me in — word counts, character constraints, world-building rules. I don’t like chains... even if I write about them.
Hardest part of being an indie author?
Wearing all the hats. Writing is only one piece of the puzzle — then comes editing, formatting, marketing, and praying to the algorithm gods. Sometimes I feel I'm more of a marketing agent than a writer, but it makes it so worth it when I have people on social media or other platforms message me about my book.
And the most rewarding?
Waking up to DMs like, “I screamed!” or “You crazy woman!” - that’s the best part. I live for those raw reactions. I also genuinely appreciate constructive criticism, especially when readers ask about my grammar or writing style. That helps me grow. But above all, knowing that someone chose to step into my universe - that they wanted to stay there - that’s endlessly fulfilling.
How much of you ends up in your characters?
There’s always a fine — blurred — line between an author and their characters. But overall, I don’t write myself into them. I write post-apocalyptic worlds, dystopias, paranormal landscapes — dark, twisted places that shape the wretched psychology of the people inside them. Some fall as victims. Some twist into monsters. But all of them are products of their environment — some hypothesised, some experienced, some purely speculated.
At the end of the day, everything we create comes from our own minds — and writing is no different. But the point is, I let them talk to me, not me to them. I want to hate a character, love them, be annoyed by them — just like a reader would. That’s the experience I’m chasing.
Is there a line you won’t cross in fiction - or do you just like erasing them slowly?
Knowing myself, it would be the latter, but there are certainly some thing I wouldn't write about, just like I wouldn't read about them.
I write fiction that disturbs, seduces, unsettles, and lingers. It’s not about shock for shock’s sake - it’s about pulling apart the parts of ourselves we’re conditioned to keep hidden, or hate.
That said, I do have boundaries: real trauma deserves respect. I will write uncomfortable truths and broken characters, but never without purpose. If I cross a line, it’s to show what’s there, not to glorify it. Consent, for instance, may be twisted or blurred in the narrative, but I always want the reader to feel the emotional weight of it.
So no - I don’t cross lines blindly or with intent to look down upon someone. I dismantle them, examine them, and decide what the truth really is - and how to slay the dragon guarding it. Usually with blood, grit, and the occasional psychotic episode.
What inspires your stories?
That’s a wildcard, really - anything can spark a story. From Valhalla was born from a scientific article speculating what might happen to the human brain if we lived for 400 years. The Seer was inspired by the history and beauty of the Republic of Ireland - and its incredible people. The Chain Loop grew out of my tech background, mixed with real-life AI controversies that made me realise how often these tools are misused, for all the wrong reasons.
Sometimes, it’s as small as an overheard sentence. But no matter where the spark comes from, my stories often share a few key themes: breaking out of the shell, being your own worst enemy, and surviving control or oppression - and its aftermath.
Writing process?
It depends on the format. For novellas, it’s a little more controlled since I’m trying to squeeze my vision under 50K words. But generally, once the idea sparks, I like to think of myself as the book’s first reader. I let the creativity flow until I’m about 70% in — then I reread, make notes, tweak what needs fixing, and write the final stretch, tying off loose ends.
With novellas, I add an extra step: I go full ‘90s kid and break out the post-its. I dissect chapters and jot down key events so I don’t lose track. I do have a soft spot for descriptions — which From Valhalla makes painfully obvious (sowwy).
What's the plan?
The plan is, certainly, to keep writing. I've started a few series that will certainly keep me busy in the next few years Ancient Legacy has five books planned already, three and a half written). I try to have an annual plan transparently set on my website, but sometimes these things depend on a number of factors.
Once Obsidian Duet is finished, I'm popping in the Nightshade Daughter trilogy, which is an epic dark romance fantasy - and yes, it will have fae, shifters, wizards, elves and mythical creatures - as well as dieties messing with all that chaos.
In the interrim, I have the Sovereign series of novellas that will pop in once in a while. They're so easy to write as I type 98 wpm so I'm able to produce a 50K manuscript within two weeks. It's the blasted editing that agitates the timeline, as well as marketing norms.