Beyond The Pages Author Interview: Holly May Cormier, Author of Memphis
I recently sat down with Beyond the Pages Blog for an interview about my debut novel, Memphis. Here’s a brief glimpse into what we discussed.
A woman on the run. A family steeped in secrets. A past that refuses to stay buried. Read the full article here.
Can you explain why you chose the late 1970s as the period for your story?
“I’ve always had a deep fascination with the 1970s—the fashion, the cars, the roller rinks, and especially the music. Although I’m an ’80s baby, I’ve long felt drawn to that decade. For Memphis, setting the story in the late ’70s allowed me to authentically highlight the social realities women faced at that time.
Domestic violence was often ignored or minimized, divorce was far more difficult to obtain, access to abortion was limited, and women had fewer financial and community supports—especially single mothers. Placing Memphis in this era allowed me to portray the extremity of her situation more honestly and dramatically, while also celebrating the style, culture, and music that made the decade so iconic.”
Is Memphis a reflection of who you are? How did you develop her character and personality?
“I love how direct this question is—and no one has ever asked me this so plainly. In many ways, YES, Memphis is a reflection of me. While I didn’t live in the 1970s, don’t have a son (girl mom), and wasn’t subjected to the same brutal forms of violence Memphis endured, I am a survivor of emotional warfare at the hands of a narcissistic partner. Like Memphis, I was made to feel small, isolated, and convinced I would crumble without him. But like her, I got back up. I survived. I rebuilt. I made my daughters proud and created a life for us despite the hate, manipulation, and torment. Memphis reflects my personality, my compassion, my love of children and animals, and my tendency to give people too much grace—until I find my footing and learn to set boundaries. She’s a singer; I’m a writer (and I promise you, I cannot sing to save my life). In Book Two, you’ll see her begin to push back even more.”
Why is the subject of narcissistic relationships and domestic violence so important to you?
“Because I was raised in it. I am Michael—Memphis’s son—in many ways. Witnessing my mother experience physical abuse as a child profoundly shaped me socially and emotionally. This book is dedicated not only to survivors but to the children who grow up watching violence unfold behind closed doors. As an adult, I spent five years trapped in a narcissistic relationship. I was gaslit, isolated, smeared, and made to doubt my own reality. I remember googling, “Why am I recording my boyfriend’s conversations just to keep my sanity?” That’s when I learned about narcissistic personality disorder and the cycle they all follow: love-bomb, devalue, discard. I also learned what trauma bonding was—and that I had to break it. Narcissists abuse privately and erode your self-esteem slowly. As empaths—people who are deeply compassionate, emotionally intuitive, and harmony-seeking—we often attract them. They sense our loose boundaries and our willingness to care, even at our own expense. Now, my mission is awareness. I want people to recognize the red flags early. Love-bombing is one of the biggest ones—when someone moves too fast, idealizes you instantly, and overwhelms you with attention before truly knowing you. That isn’t love; it’s control. Beyond my book, I’ve also started a YouTube channel dedicated to narcissistic abuse awareness to help others avoid the same traps.”
