D.A. Murray is an emerging voice in feminist speculative fiction who masterfully balances her roles as a tech executive, debut novelist, and influential digital content creator.
Her debut novel, “Dominion: Ascension,” introduces a bold new narrative that reimagines gender dynamics in a post-apocalyptic world, challenging traditional power structures and exploring themes of female leadership and resilience.
Murray’s work resonates with readers seeking stories that champion feminine strength, autonomy, and societal transformation.
Part 1 – You and your book
Q. One word that best describes you:
Relentless.
Q. What makes your book a must-read?
Dominion: Ascension holds a mirror to where technology, power, and gender politics are quietly headed. It’s not just speculative fiction—it feels uncomfortably plausible. Readers don’t just follow a story; they wrestle with the ethical future of humanity.
Q. What is your advice for balancing high-demand careers and creativity?
Stop waiting for “free time.” Creativity survives in stolen moments. I wrote between meetings, during flights, late at night, and early mornings. Discipline, not inspiration, is what allows creativity to coexist with a demanding career.
Q. Any ritual, like a specific scented candle, preferred writing place, or drink that you kept through writing?
A quiet room, low light, and tea. I wrote most of *Dominion* at night and in the early mornings when the world was still. The silence helped me hear the characters clearly.
Q. You’ve called AI “a Frankenstein.” Why?
Because we are building something incredibly powerful without fully understanding the ethical, social, and human cost. Like Frankenstein’s creation, AI is born from brilliance but carries the risk of outgrowing our control and our moral preparedness.
Q. Why did you create a world where the most revered male role is reproductive?
To flip power structures we’ve accepted for centuries. When you reverse who is valued for reproduction, readers are forced to confront how deeply society ties worth to biology, control, and utility.
Q. If there is a movie adaptation of your book, who do you think would be perfect for the lead roles?
I envision a leading and supporting cast with emotional depth —actors like Zendaya, Keke Palmer, Tessa Thompson, John Boyega, Michael B. Jordan or Aaron Pierre who can portray intelligence, quiet resistance, and moral conflict without needing to say much.
Q. You’ve said Dominion is built “on the back of technology.” What do you mean?
Every system of control in Dominion is enabled by technology—data tracking, reproductive science, surveillance, and AI governance. The dystopia doesn’t happen despite technology; it happens because of it.
Q. Can you see Dominion as a film or series?
Absolutely. The world-building, political tension, and character arcs lend themselves perfectly to a limited series or movie trilogy where viewers can sit with the moral weight of each decision.
Q. What can this teach to a motivated and mission-driven population of writers?
Write the story that scares you. The one that feels too bold or too real. That’s usually the story that needs to be told.
Part 2 – Are you ready for our rapid-fire questions? Let’s go.
Coffee or tea? Tea
What’s your favorite word? Agency
Pen or keyboard? Keyboard
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Favorite childhood book? Tale of the Body Thief by Anne Rice
One thing you can’t live without. Quiet
What’s your go-to snack while writing? Chex mix (Bold Flavor)
Fame or Fortune? Impact
Laptop or phone? Laptop
Baking or Cooking? Cooking
Find out more DA Murray
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