I think a past traumatic past is a solid horror trope, and her obsession with mixed martial arts separates her from other characters I’ve encountered in the genre.
Dan Rice 22 October 2025
The Back Flap
Zuri and her mother settle in Pinedale, North Carolina, to start over. For years, they ve been on the run from Zuri s father, a retired boxer and full-time gangland enforcer. In Pinedale, Zuri finds a gym where she can train in mixed martial arts to pursue her dream of becoming a champion fighter. At Pinedale High, she discovers friends among the outcasts, academic challenges, and something unexpected ghosts. When Zuri encounters a tween phantom haunting the library, her life is turned upside down and inside out as she attempts to help the spirit. This incurs the wrath of devils, living and dead. Zuri will need her martial arts prowess, heart, and the aid of friends to protect everyone she loves.
About the book
What is the book about?
Phantom Algebra blends the grit of Fight Like a Girl with the paranormal frights of Goosebumps. Zuri Williams dreams of being a mixed martial arts fighter, and her first instinct is to problem-solve with her fists. When she attends a haunted high school in quaint Pinedale, North Carolina, she will discover that, just like gnarly algebraic equations, not all monsters can be dispatched with a high kick alone.
When did you start writing the book?
I started seriously planning Phantom Algebra in September 2024.
How long did it take you to write it?
Gosh. Ballpark figure here, six to eight months from planning to manuscript. The idea probably started percolating through the back of my mind a year and a half ago.
Where did you get the idea from?
The idea for a haunted high school in the fictional town of Pinedale, North Carolina, came from my publisher. Phantom Algebra is part of the series The Haunting of Pinedale High.
To differentiate my tale from others in the series, I gave Zuri, the protagonist, a traumatic past and an obsession with becoming a mixed martial arts champion. I think a past traumatic past is a solid horror trope, and her obsession with mixed martial arts separates her from other characters I’ve encountered in the genre.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I worried a lot about my story being constrained, since it was part of a shared universe. In the end, this didn’t turn out to be an issue, but it was always in the back of my mind, especially while writing the rough draft.
What came easily?
Overall, the characters came easily—Zuri, the ghosts, Zuri’s estranged father, and others.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The characters are entirely fictitious. I will say that I modeled Zuri’s drive and obsession to become a mixed martial arts champion after my observations of my elder son, who dreams of playing Division One soccer in college and going pro. He is extremely good, having played for the ID2 National Selection Team, and practices daily for hours with his teams and on his own. His drive is single-minded, and his mentality is to grind nonstop just like Zuri.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Reading the EXO series by Fonda Lee and the Seraphina series by Rachel Hartman helped teach me how to develop my characters. Both authors create unforgettable, believable characters who confront challenges that young people face in the real world. The only difference is that their stories are set in fantastical worlds full of dragons and aliens.
As I began to explore horror, I found Stephen King to be inspirational. I love how he leverages the paranormal to create suspense while still keeping the story grounded enough to make his tales super compelling.
Do you have a target reader?
My target audience is YA readers in the young adult age bracket. Still, anyone who enjoys a good YA tale with supernatural elements and plenty of heart will love Phantom Algebra.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I am a planner. I start with the concept, which is a one-page document that outlines the plot from start to finish. The concept is expanded into a detailed, chapter-by-chapter outline. Additionally, I have character bios and other relevant materials.
Once I have the outline done, I know the story pretty darn well. So well that I’ve written novels without referring back to the outline very often. That typically leads to me producing rough drafts that are way too long. For Phantom Algebra, I had a deadline: I needed to complete the novel within about a year. Usually, that takes me about 18 months. To cut that time down and to hit my word count goal of about 75,000 (instead of 100,000 or more!), I referred to the outline constantly and stuck to it assiduously. This worked out marvelously! I completed the book in 6 to 8 months, and the rough draft was about 77,000 words.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Yes! I find that a more detailed outline is better. I think it reduces my cognitive load while I am banging out the rough draft, allowing me to concentrate on characterization, wordsmithing, and the like instead of worrying about what comes next.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I do some light editing as I go, but I reserve the major revisions for the end.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No, I do not listen to music. In fact, the quieter the better because I dictate a good deal of my prose.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I submitted Phantom Algebra directly to my editor at The Wild Rose Press. I have submitted other work to agents in the past and plan to do so again in the future.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I decided to go the small press route for a couple of reasons. First, I get to work with reputable editors at no out-of-pocket cost. I like that. Additionally, the press handles all the publishing aspects of the business, allowing me to focus on writing. Of course, I still have to market my work, but all authors have to do some amount of marketing.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
The book cover is handled by my publisher. That’s one of the reasons I went with a small press—they handle the cover art, and I get to work with great editors. This allows me to spend more time focusing on what I genuinely enjoy, which is writing.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
A little of both, honestly. Most of my marketing plan focuses on growing my newsletter subscribers and exploring influencer marketing opportunities. Essentially, influencer marketing involves leveraging someone else’s audience to promote your product. A good example of this is sci-fi author John Scalzi’s Big Idea series on his popular blog, whatever.scalzi.com.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Expect marketing your stories to be hard. To avoid burnout, remember to enjoy the journey rather than fixate on a predetermined destination.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Where do you live now?
I still live in the Pacific Northwest. The hiking is so fantastic, I’ve never left!
What would you like readers to know about you?
If you enjoy young adult speculative fiction, I have a nearly complete YA urban fantasy series for you called The Allison Lee Chronicles. Kirkus Review said the second book in the series, The Blood of Faeries, is “A fun and ferocious adventure.”
What are you working on now?
I am currently editing the fourth and final volume in The Allison Lee Chronicles, which I hope to release in the summer of 2026.
End of Interview:
For more from Dan Rice visit his website and follow him on Bluesky.
Get your copy of Phantom Algebra from Amazon US or Amazon UK.