Morgan LaChance ’25 Releases Debut Novel: Belladonna-Laced Glories

We are thrilled to congratulate one of our very own students, Morgan LaChance ’25 for publishing her debut novel, Belladonna-Laced Glories. 

It’s an achievement to publish a book at any age, but it is particularly noteworthy when the author hasn’t yet graduated high school. With its intricate plot twists, complex characters, and spine-tingling suspense, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers.

Join us in congratulating Morgan ’25 on this extraordinary achievement! 

We spoke with Morgan about her new status as a published author. Here’s what she had to say:

I have had a love of writing since I was a kid, and in December of 2022, I had a lot of time to myself. I decided it would be a fun project to take up, not knowing it would get as far as it did.

It took me up until August 2023 to have it published. In total, it was about 6 months to finish writing. Writing is no problem, it’s the editing that gets gruelling. I had a wonderful team to help me though, which made it all less stressful!

Things won’t just come to you. Once published, I put all of my time and energy into LCS and then recharging from it once I got home. This meant little to no time to promote my novel. Of course, because of this, big steps must still be made because once you are in charge of something, you are also in charge of the success that comes with it.

I love Donna Tartt, Thomas Harris, and Dostoyevsky. Although not all influencers for my work, they were the writers who pushed me into my love for literature/creating it. 

Any form of writing is good writing. One day, write 200 words of nonsense. Another day, write 1400 words of amazing value. Maybe another day you will only pump out a sentence. All of this is progress, even if it’s not perfection. Perfection can be created over time, but progress is needed in order to achieve this. Don’t let disappointment stop you from continuing a project you feel optimistic about.

“What is greatness without madness? Criminal profiler Matthew Moore wouldn’t know. To him there’s no difference. Cursed with the perfection of a sharp mind but a heart void of feelings, finding an outlet for his unique abilities proves to be difficult until he discovers the wonders of psychiatry—that is, the joy of driving a number of his psychiatrists to suicide. Soon growing bored of that, however, he yearns for a new challenge: the chance to face off against someone with the same abilities and savage desires that he harbours. In this regard, his next target, Anthony Gallo turns out to be a dream come true. A renowned psychiatrist, Anthony secretly shares Matthew’s abilities and his terrifying lack of empathy, which he uses to drive his patients to self-destruction, just as Matthew does with those who attempt to treat him. Recognizing each other in a way that only two people cursed with the same “gifts” can, the two predators are soon locked into a lethal battle of wits that is equal parts bloodlust and adoration. How deeply will their lives and carnal impulses mesh before one of them emerges victorious, and if that happens, what will be left for the last man standing?” (aprildavis.ca).