Melanie Bokstad Horev Author Interview: Tennis, Star Wars, Dystopian Inspiration and More

Melanie Bokstad Horev is the author of The Female Breeders and other thrilling dystopian works. In this interview, Melanie talks Star Wars, finding dystopian inspiration in the world around us, and why naps, chocolate, and volleyball are all part of her perfect weekend…

What’s a typical weekend like for you when you’re not writing?

Lots of playing tennis and volleyball, napping (when I can sneak one in), family time, food, chocolate, and space documentaries. It’s equal parts movement, laughter, chaos, and curiosity.

What book has stayed with you the longest, and why?

Wool by Hugh Howey. It was so intense and beautifully written—I carried it with me everywhere: lunch breaks, walks to the store… The suspense and worldbuilding completely blew me away. I love that feeling of being completely immersed in a fictional world.

What’s a favourite or comfort TV show or film you always go back to?

Star Wars—the original trilogy—and The Office (US version). Both are pure comfort in totally different ways.

Do you collect anything / have any collections?

Just memories—mostly from our family trips. That’s the collection I treasure most. Cheesy but true.

How long have you been writing, and what attracts you to the dystopian genre?

I started writing seriously about 2–3 years ago. It began with the Texas abortion laws of 2022—I was furious and thought, “Someone should write a book about women getting angry and fighting back.” And just like that, The Female Breeders was born.

Since then, dystopian themes have stuck with me. Between AI, climate change, surveillance, and the shifting global landscape, there’s so much to explore. I’ve always devoured dystopian fiction—from Scythe, The Hunger Games, and The Maze Runner to classics like 1984, Brave New World, The Handmaid’s Tale, and of course, Silo.

Where do you get your ideas from?

Sadly… the world we live in. Reality is a better dystopia writer than I’ll ever be.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?

I wake up, get the kids to school and kindergarten, drive to work, and work until lunch. During my break, I eat and write. Then it’s school pickups, activities, dinner-making, bedtime routines. After all that—if my brain is still awake—I sit down with my husband for a show, then write into the night until midnight or later. Rinse and repeat!

Are you a planner or a ‘see where it goes’ kind of writer?

A mix of both. I started off as a total pantser, but I’ve learned to appreciate a bit of structure. Outlines help me stay focused—but I still leave space for surprises along the way.

If one of your novels or stories were to be adapted into a TV series or film, who would you cast as the leads?

Ben Barnes for sure. Meryl Streep (because, of course), and maybe Emilia Clarke or Gal Gadot. Can I cast them all?

Do you ever struggle with creative blocks? How do you push through them?

Honestly, not really. I usually have more ideas than time. But if I do feel stuck, I take a few days off—no screens, no pressure—and suddenly the ideas start multiplying like crazy. Breaks are magic.

Which book of yours do you think new readers should start with?

Twilight Divide. I absolutely love Nour and Malik, and poured so much heart and time into that book. It’s cross-genre (sci-fi and fantasy), which makes it harder to find its audience, but those who do find it tend to really love it. Or so I’ve heard… 😉  

What writing project are you currently working on?

Fracture—a near-future dystopian novel set in a society ruled by an all-seeing AI. The story follows a grieving scientist who tries to erase the part of her brain that holds the sorrow of losing her daughter—but instead, she accidentally splits her mind in two. One version of her wakes up in the outlawed analog zone, where everything is dangerous—but free.

You can explore Melanie’s work here: https://www.melaniebokstadhorev.com/