Mike Reid, known creatively as Mikelz, is a poet, novelist, screenwriter, and the Director of Fabled Publishing. With a passion for storytelling that began in his youth, he has built a diverse career spanning emotional poetry, romantic fiction, and crime thrillers. His poetry has even been transformed into music, showcasing his ability to connect across different art forms. Beyond writing, Mikelz is also a teacher, business graduate, and branding enthusiast. In this interview, he shares insights into his creative process, upcoming projects, and advice for aspiring writers.
HELLO MIKELZ, WELCOME TO WORLDAUTHORS.ORG! CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR JOURNEY INTO WRITING?
My name’s Michael Reid, though I go by Mike Reid—and creatively, I’m known as Mikelz. I’m a poet, novelist, screenwriter, and the Director of Fabled Publishing. Writing has always been my outlet, a way to express deep emotions, lived experiences, and imagined worlds where reality and emotion collide.
My journey began in my youth. I taught myself screenwriting before I was even 21, and those early experiences helped shape the voice I carry into everything I write today. What started as a passion project has grown into a career—I’ve released several books, had my poetry turned into music, and built a creative brand that’s gaining momentum. I now have over 20,000 followers on LinkedIn and a growing audience across multiple platforms.
WHAT GENRES OR THEMES DO YOU USUALLY WRITE ABOUT?
I write across multiple genres—from emotional poetry and romantic fiction to adventure, political drama, and crime thrillers. At the heart of it all is emotion—raw, honest, and real. I love exploring the “what ifs” in life, building characters that reflect parts of ourselves, and crafting stories that make people think.
One exciting project I’m working on is a new novel titled Crimelords—a big, secret release based on a seven-part film series I wrote in my teens. It’s a full-circle moment and something I’m really proud of.
TELL US ABOUT ONE OF YOUR MOST NOTABLE WORKS.
One of my most personal works is Verses of Desire: All I Ever Wanted Now You’re Gone. It’s a poetry collection filled with heartache, longing, and reflection. The title comes from one of the most emotional lines I’ve ever written and sets the tone for the book. It’s deeply personal and resonates with anyone who’s experienced love and loss.
A highlight of the collection is the poem True Connection, which inspired a music collaboration with Denisse Ferrara. That track, also titled True Connection, is now available on all major streaming platforms.
ASIDE FROM WRITING, WHAT ELSE ARE YOU INVOLVED IN?
I’m a qualified teacher, a business graduate, and an HR professional—with two HR diplomas and a diploma in counselling. I also designed the Fabled Publishing logo myself using my GFX design skills. Branding and visual identity are a big part of my creative process.
I speak Ukrainian and Swedish (and a bit of German), and when I’m not working, I love mountain biking or checking out great food spots—whether it’s hidden gems or big chains. Now that most of my studies are complete, I also plan to get back into gaming—Call of Duty and Assassin’s Creed are calling my name again.
Q5: HOW CAN READERS CONNECT WITH YOU OR EXPLORE YOUR WORK?
I’ve made it easy—everything is in one place. You can find my books, music, social media, and updates on new releases here:
👉 linktr.ee/mikelzar
ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?
Be prepared for criticism—some people will love your work, others won’t. That’s part of the journey. The most important thing is to write bravely and release it proudly. Do it because you love it. If you’re like me and writing is your passion—even just as a hobbyist—keep going. Everyone has different tastes, and that’s okay.
WHAT SORT OF SUCCESS HAVE YOU HAD?
My books are available on every continent, in softcover, hardcover, and eBook formats—on sale in over 10,000 stores worldwide. My music is out on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer. So far, I’ve earned over £2,000 in royalties—a modest success, but one I’m proud of as a self-published writer building his own label and brand through Fabled Publishing.