AS Miyasaki writes Young Adult science fiction and is currently working on Book 2 of the Farodun Down series. You can find her at ASMiyasaki.com or @ASMiyasaki on social media. 

Tell us about your book.
Moon, Have Mercy is the coming-of-age story of Farodun Down, an adolescent human boy growing up on the unequivocally worst of the Gynthan moons, Ilex. It begins when Farodun wakes, dumped in a dangerous sinkhole and left for dead. He wants revenge against the ones that put him there, but first, he’ll have to survive the pit. That alone is something that seems unlikely at best, until he’s rescued by a stranger whose motivations are as opaque as their armor. Is this newcomer going to help him in his quest for revenge, or has his situation only taken a turn for the worse? He may dream of payback, but is it what he needs?
 
What made you decide to write a novel?
I started writing this series as a way to keep myself occupied will I was naptrapped with my kids. Often, my left arm would be stuck so I couldn’t do much besides noodle around on my phone. I wound up typing the first half of what’s now probably the fifth book in this series into google docs with my thumb. My original desire was to make a detailed, expansive, and coherent universe, that I could then move a much smaller story through, without having to worry about retconning or continuity issues.
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you?
I tend to have specific scenes I want to see, right from the inception of the story. But, sometimes getting to that spot means abandoning them. It’s just sort of sad to let them go. Besides that, and specific to Moon, Have Mercy, keeping track of the lore became a pretty big task. I wound up editing and organizing my notes for it into a 40,000 word glossary!
 
What is something you've learned along the way that might have changed how you wrote your first book?
I should’ve outlined the actual story in greater detail. And on physically moveable objects— like Post-its or something.
 
What do you need to set the mood for writing?
I do pretty well with settling in to write as long as I’m by myself. Quiet and at the computer, or maybe with some lo-fi playing, is great, but I also write a lot on the stationary bike. I don’t usually want snacks, because constantly wiping my hands so I don’t make my keyboard or my phone sticky is too disruptive, but I’ll take a drink any time— coffee, tea, water, scotch— as long as it isn’t a sticky drink. But if anyone else is around, my attention is too much on them to do anything particularly sensible, writing-wise.
 
How do you get past writer’s block or being stuck?
Well, my training is in music composition, but I’ve always thought this applies well here, too. If you get well and truly stuck at a blank page, just put anything there. It doesn’t have to be complete sentences or even coherent thoughts. Just destroy the blankness. It helped me more than once in grad school— might be worth a try.
 
What are you working on right now?
Currently, I’m working on three writing projects. The next Farodun Down book, a surreal dramedy, and a short dystopian sci-fi story about a fictionalized version of our recently-added-to-the-family cat, Harvey.

Emily Finhill writes Cyberpunk Sci-Fi. Her first book is Meltdown, which you can find on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bwXUSMp
You can find her on Instagram @EmilyFinhillBooks or her blog https://emilyfinhillwrites.blogspot.com.
​For all her links, try https://linktr.ee/emilyfinhill

Tell us about your book.
This book is about facing insurmountable odds as a young woman, about trying to survive when you're not even sure who you are or if you actually want to live in the first place. But you have to keep trying, even when you fail over and over again. It's about the unlikeliest of heroes, and about what it's like to be just one person in the midst of overwhelming societal turmoil. I wrote this book while dealing with intense depression and memory loss and finished it while quarantining in a global pandemic. It's a story about trying to make peace with your past, and how to reconcile the person you used to be with who you would like to become.
 
Share a favorite line from your book.
I close my eyes and pull the blanket over my head. I can't escape, can't be freed, can't fight. I have to protect the world. I have to save it from me.
 
What’s a core memory that made you want to be a writer?
I spent most of my childhood inside of books. The worlds there were more real to me than reality. As soon as I realized I could write stories, I wanted to be the one creating those worlds!
 
What was your favorite book as a child?
As a child I loved bittersweet books, especially Anne of Green Gables and this book called The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt. I think these books drove home that even when life is very painful, you can find beauty. That simply being human is a beautiful thing. I love characters with rich inner lives, and villains that are never half as scary as the battle happening within the protagonist.
 
What was your last five-star read?
The Cruel Prince trilogy by Holly Black. I love her worldbuilding, and Jude is exactly the kind of feisty, prickly, occasionally infuriating, heroine that I love.
 
What made you decide to write a novel?
I've actually been writing novels since I was 12, this was just the first one I thought might be fit for human consumption. Whether that was true or not remains to be seen!
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author?
Promoting myself. Like my protagonist, I have a lot of self-doubt and some self-hatred, so putting myself out there and trying to convince people to read my book is extremely difficult for me. Half the time I end up convincing myself that no one should read it!
 
What is something you’ve learned along the way that might have changed how you wrote your first book?
If you're thinking about the writing, it's too flowery. Just tell the story and try not to overwrite.
 
What piece of advice do you have for a new author?
Don't use editor brain in writer mode! Let the creativity flow and don't judge it as it's taking shape. There will be time to refine it and shape it later, but you can't edit words you never wrote down.
 
What do you need to set the mood for writing?
Music is a must for sure! I'm a Pandora girl, and I have my carefully curated stations that can immediately get me into writing mode. I also like having a snack on hand and candles burning, but music is the #1. Also, it helps if my keyboard is lying flat and unobstructed, and not, for example, balancing on my toddler's head. Picky, picky, I know!
 
How do you get past writer’s block or being stuck?
Listening to music helps. Checking out other writers, what they're up to and how they're doing. Sometimes seeing a really cool new book release on social media gets me writing out of pure FOMO! If all else fails, I read fanfic. Nothing in the world is written with more passion and less selfishness than fanfic.
 
What are you working on right now?
Currently I'm working on Breakthrough, book 3 of the Aurelia series (Meltdown is book 1).
 
When is your next book coming out?
Hopefully later this year. Fallout is the sequel to Meltdown, where we will see our zany crew navigate the crumbling wreckage of the last city on Earth. We'll finally meet the notorious Abner Robledo and get a better look at what the Institute was all about. It's in its second round of edits at the moment, one more to go!

TM Mayfield writes romantasy. Her most recent release is The Fae's Deceit. For more information, follow on Instagram @seetaylorwrite or visit https://linktr.ee/tmmayfield_author

Tell us about The Fae’s Deceit.
This is the next book in my romantasy series, The Stonemaw Chronicles. In a lot of ways, it was easier to write than The River Queen. The MCs were already established, as is their relationship. But it was also a lot harder than I expected! There are so many more things that go with a second book in a series as far as consistency in details, not veering too far from the OG plot while not repeating yourself… things like that. 

Share a favorite line from The Fae’s Deceit.  www.goodreads.com/book/show/218141074
Next to them, Vefa looks at the large beast standing next to the king. “An Almerian leopard? Amazing! Can I pet it?” 
I sigh, shaking my head. 
“No, Vefa. That’s stupid,” Atalia says next to him with a roll of her eyes. 
“But Vines! If it’s not a friend, then why is it friend shaped?” 
“You’re a fucking moron, Vefa. You know that? That thing will eat you if it gets the chance.” 
“Ouch, Atalia. I’m wounded.” 
The sound of a boot scuffing the floor squeaks behind me and the Almerian groans a moment after there’s a thud.
 
What’s a core memory that made you want to be a writer?
I remember being 7-8 years old and writing books with ridiculously terrible illustrations. I always had so many ideas that I wanted to make into books and both of my grandmothers always encouraged me to keep going if that’s what I wanted. 
 
What was your favorite book as a child?
My favorite was actually Little Women! My Mema had me read it and I think it’s my most read book even now. I actually took home the copy she had when she passed away so I can always have it. 
 
What was your last five-star read?
Vampboozled by E. F. Watson! It was such a fun bite-sized read with accurate ADHD representation and the connection between the MCs was sizzling! 
 
What finally made you decide to write a novel?
I was on Booksta last year and decided to go for it after some of my fave indie authors turn friends highly encouraged me to take the leap. 
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you?
The addiction to character art while having tiny indie authors royalties is a big one! But honestly, I think it may be the fact that I have so many ideas floating around in my head and only such much time in a day!
 
What is something you've learned along the way that might have changed how you wrote your first book?
Just because you can do something in a short time and on your own doesn’t necessarily mean you should. My first novella was Buried in Friendship and I literally wrote it and published it in 3 months. Knowing what I know a year later, I don’t think I was actually ready to publish so quickly even though it’s my book most people pick up! 
 
What piece of advice do you have for a new author?
Write the book. You hear that from everyone, but it’s true. Write the book. Write it for yourself if you need to. But you can’t edit a blank page and even a story that takes multiple drafts is better than one left off of paper to begin with. 
 
What do you need to set the mood for writing?
Music - the playlist for the book I’m writing. Snack - junk food. Idk why. But that’s what I need. Drink - a route 44 sonic drink. 
 
What is something you'd like readers to know about you as a person?
I promise you I really am as weird and awkward as I seem. I’m neurospicy and it shows in my interactions. 
 
How do you get past writer's block or being "stuck"?
I move projects if I can. If not, I set it down until the next day. 
 
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on two different projects. One is a rivals to lovers novella called Relics, Rivals, and Rage and the other is Happily Ella After, which a standalone romantasy loosely inspired by Cinderella with themes from Jungle Cruise and The Mummy. 
 
When is your next book coming out?
My next book is projected to come out mid-Spring 2025. It’s Happily Ella After. Think Stabby Cinderella x The Mummy x Jungle Cruise with he falls first, a damsel who isn’t in distress, and dragons. 
 
When did your last book come out?
My last book was The River Queen, which is the book before The Fae’s Deceit. If The Little Mermaid and Atlantis: the Lost Empire clashed with mermaids & fae, with a side of “he falls first” and fated mates, you’d have The River Queen. 

Leya Layne writes spicy romance featuring characters in their thirties or older! You can find her on social media @LeyaLayne_Romance or visit her LinkTree https://linktr.ee/LeyaLayneAuthor

Her book, You've Got Bookmail, is available on Amazon, Kindle, and KU. https://a.co/d/3a1GXMZ
And she has several other books out. Carol’s Christmas Awakening, Shar’s Story, Falling in Cole County: A Cozy Romance Anthology. I read Carol's Christmas Awakening last year and enjoyed this sweet with heat novella.

Tell us about You’ve Got Bookmail.
Kassandra is a reclusive author of spicy romance and romantasy. She writes strong FMCs who represent who she wishes she could be. Asher is a small town mailman who wonders about the stranger living in the big house who hasn’t ever been seen. One day, he decides to knock on the door rather than just drop off all the small packages on the porch. I actually wrote the book in response to a TT video I saw a couple months earlier asking why all men in uniform romances are cops or military. One of themes I kept in my head is that we all deserve to live a life in which we’re the main characters of our own stories. Tropes: *Story within a story *Over 40 FMC *Plus-size rep *Dual POV *Man in Uniform *Reverse age gap *Fake dating *Instalust *🌶️🌶️🌶️
 
Share a favorite line from You’ve Got Bookmail.
What in the world is happening? In one moment, I’m trying to distract her from the embarrassment of my ill-timed one-liner. In the next, she is staring into my eyes and putting her lips around my meat, or rather the piece of steak I’m holding out for her. 
 
What is a core memory that made you want to be a writer?
I actually never thought I could write creatively. It took someone asking me to partner with them on a project that opened the floodgates.
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you?
Marketing, especially since I have two pen names. It’s like a second full-time job.
 
How do you get past writer's block or being "stuck"?
I genre hop and usually fall back on poetry when a story isn’t flowing.
 
What are you working on right now?
I have a couple of anthology novellas and the follow-up to Carol’s Christmas Awakening that a couple readers have asked for. I’m also working on a secret project that may quick release for Halloween.
 
When is your next book coming out?
My next scheduled book is Clarissa and the Wallflower planned for February 2025.

When did your last book come out?
Shar’s Story came out in May. Shar is a mid-size model with only one major life rule—No fraternizing at work. Mack is a tech CEO in need of a spokesperson who only has one relationship rule—Don’t get involved. When chance finds them on the same beaches, on opposite shores, at the same time, they each must decide if the other is worth breaking the rules. Tropes: billionaire romance, he falls first, workplace romance, age gap, playboy/girl

Robert writes science fiction and fantasy. He publishes something almost every month! His most recent book is a Cinderella retelling, so he is definitely my people!! Check out his books below and stay to learn a bit more about this fantastic author.

https://www.amazon.com/Clever-Cintha-Robert-Collins-ebook/dp/B0DBQ35DFF
 
http://robertlcollins.blogspot.com/p/home.html
  
Latest titles:
Ship Killer, Hilia’s Road Series, Basia and the Bots, Pirsa
 
Tell us about Clever Cintha.
This book is something of a retelling of the Cinderella story with parts of another legend added. It's also gender-flipped, focusing more on a smart young witch than on the put-upon princess. I haven't done that many retellings, so I thought it would be ideal to test myself and try another one.
 
What’s a core memory that made you want to be a writer?
Reading "Asimov On Science Fiction" around 1980 and realizing I could channel my imagination into writing and telling stories.
 
What was your last five-star read?
Gail Carriger's "The Heroine's Journey." It's an excellent analysis of the counter to the familiar "hero's journey." I suggest authors read it to help them find the story they want to tell.
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you?
Marketing
 
What piece of advice do you have for a new author?
Keep Writing
 
What do you need to set the mood for writing? 
Instrumental music, usually classical but sometimes soundtracks.
 
What is something you’d like readers to know about you as a person?
I'm also into model railroading and 3D printing.

#MeetTheAuthor

Isla writes hockey romance with spice. You can find her on TikTok @Isla.gregg and Instagram @Isla_gregg_author

Tell us about One Night of Fate. 
This book focuses on the MCs, Cameron and Astrid, who meet by chance when their paths cross in Las Vegas. They end up spending a wild night together with the mutual understanding that nothing is to come from their time together, however Cameron falls asleep plotting how he can convince Astrid to give him a chance at a real relationship with him and when he wakes up, she's gone. They both go back to their lives, Cameron as the captain of the NHL team in Boston, the Bears, and Astrid to her life as a graphic designer in, you guessed it, Boston. Our MCs paths cross once more when Astrid finally agrees to a date with a coworker and he takes her to a Boston Bears game. Cameron spots her in the crowd, and with the help of some sleuthing on the part of his teammates, is able to find Astrid after the game at a popular hangout spot for fans. 
 
I wrote this book which has now launched into a series because I couldn't find a book that quite scratched the itch I was looking for as a reader. I love romance books and hockey romance especially, and I kept finding books that held my interest with spice but the characters didn't have any growth, or the characters had that growth and arc through the story but there wasn't any spice. My goal with this book and with my writing in general was to write a book that I would enjoy as a reader myself, and I think I've accomplished that with One Night of Fate. 
 
Share a favorite line.
There's a part in the book where Cameron sends tickets to Astrid's office for a game that night and he sends a jersey for both her and her best friend, who just happens to be in Astrid's office when the package is delivered and Cameron calls and listens to Astrid open the gift box while on speaker and after her and Bailey thank him she's getting ready to hang up the phone and he tells her to take him off speaker, which she does, and he tells her that he can't wait to have sex with her while she wears that jersey with his name on it and when she hangs up, she realizes that Bailey overheard their entire exchange and is just like standing there fanning herself. 
 
Share a core memory that made you want to be a writer.
Again, it goes back to me wanting to write the kinds of books I enjoy reading and discovering a couple whose story has you giggling and kicking your feet over at 2am because you can't put down the book. 
 
What was your favorite book as a child? 
As a child, I really enjoyed The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Island of Blue Dolphins. As I got into high school I became a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks and closed-door romances. While I was in college I didn't really have any free time to read, I was a chemistry major so I had a really heavy academic load plus I worked, at times, three jobs. It wasn't until my husband gifted me a Kindle in 2018 that I really got back into reading for fun.
 
What was your last five-star read? What made it a five-star for you?
I want to preface this by saying that I hand out five-star ratings like it's candy on Halloween but that’s not to say this book didn't stand heads and shoulders above the rest: Pucking Around by Emily Rath. She does an amazing job of character development and in this book specifically, has four MCs who all have their own hurdles to overcome which concludes in this huge grand gesture at the end of the book and it's such a satisfying happily ever after.
 
What finally made you decide to write a novel?
I couldn't find one that satisfied me in terms of spice, comedy, and pacing. 
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you?
Remembering tiny details that don't have an impact on the overall story, like what day it is when the couple meets and then referencing a different day later in the story that they didn't have an interaction on
 
What is something you've learned along the way that might have changed how you wrote your first book?
Since I wrote this book I've learned alternative methods to developing the story and guiding my characters through their growth so this next project I'm working on is going to have much stronger character arcs than my first book did. 
 
What piece of advice do you have for a new author?
Hire an editor! Whether it's line and copy editing or developmental editing, you need someone else looking at your work because you never know that your words are being received in the way that you intend them to be. 
 
What do you need to set the mood for writing
Quiet is best but I do need some ambient background noise. Nothing that's going to interrupt my thoughts though because if I forget it it's gone forever. 
 
What is something you'd like readers to know about you as a person?
I use a pen name because I would be mortified if my mother-in-law ever read one of my books. Also, fun fact I was a competitive equestrian in college. 
 
What are you working on right now?
The next installment in the Boston Bears Hockey Series. 
 
When is your next book coming out?
It's titled One Night to Date, it's a childhood friends to lovers/ fake dating romance that follows Reid Charbonneau (rookie player for the Bears) and Jess McGrady (his personal assistant). They were friends in high school before Reid moved to live with his mom in Canada and they lost contact. Reid has always had the ability to pull Jess out of her shell because her tendency is to shy away from anything that puts her in a vulnerable position and Reid is able to get her to take risks in a way that she's comfortable with.
 
When did your last book come out?
One Night of Fate was released on April 24th. It's available in paperback on both Barns and Noble and Amazon and on Kindle Unlimited.

Rietta Boksha writes medium to spicy open door romance, including rom-coms and suspense romance. You can find her at www.RiettaBoksha.com
or @RiettaBoksha on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook

Tell us about Good Vibes Only
I was excited about this book before I even wrote it. As someone who struggles to reach satisfaction with just sex alone I thought it would give other readers with the same issue feel not so alone and seen. Most books we read with smut scenes climax always happens so easily. I wanted it show it's not always that way but with a lot of humor. I have always been told I'm funny so a RomCom just felt like the right choice. The choose your own ending came to me as I was writing. I accidentally fell in love with both the male characters I had so I thought what if I don't have to choose but the readers does!
 
Share a core memory that made you want to be a writer.
I've always told stories. I used to carry around a tape-recorded and would just record myself all day every day telling random stories. I think I went through like 4 tape recorders. My mom still has some of the tapes. 
 
What was your favorite book as a child?
Oh gosh. I didn't read a lot as a kid. I became more of a reader in college. I mean I read Little Golden Book and I loved those. I still have a lot of them, and they have been passed on to my son. The first book I truly remember reading and liking was Charlotte's Web. I loved all the friendship aspects and as someone who struggles to make friends, those characters felt like my friends too. I also really loved The Giving Tree, but I believe that is considered more of a poem. In HS I was obsessed with Romeo and Juliet, I memorized the whole thing.
 
What was your last five-star read?
First book that came to my mind was Code Name Helene. Which is funny because I don't read a ton of historical fiction, but I just loved it. It had everything. A strong independent FMC. Based on a true story. Love and it was absolutely beautifully written.
 
What finally made you decide to write a novel?
Everyone told me that my husband's and my love story was like a book and I had to share it. I thought for the longest time it was ridiculous until I finally was like no! It's not. My husband deployed and I spent the time he was away pounding out words.
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you?
Not getting pulled into the negative vortex. I know I was meant to be an author but sometimes you see the comments, or how disrespectful people can be, and it hurts. I have to remind myself daily I am a BA, that the world needs my stories and to keep going!
 
What is something you've learned along the way that might have changed how you wrote your first book?
That my first book wouldn't be my best book and that with every book I write, I get better and better. I have thought many times about going back and rewriting my first one because I feel like now it's not good enough but without that book, I wouldn't be able to see my progression.
 
What piece of advice do you have for a new author?
Just write. Don't listen to anyone else. Don't care about what anyone else thinks/say/does. The world needs your story. Even if you think it has been 'done before' it hasn't because it hasn't been done by you. 
 
What do you need to set the mood for writing? 
It varies on my mood. Sometimes I need to be at my desk with classical music. Sometimes I like to lay in bed with a movie or show in the background that is similar to what I am writing. So, if I am writing romance, I'll put on a romcom or sexy show. If I am writing fantasy, I'll put on something like Spartacus. Sometimes I will lay in my hammock and just listen to the rain! 
 
What is something you'd like readers to know about you as a person?
I've had anxiety since I was six, and there are still moments where I think the whole world hates me and why do I bother putting myself out there. I do it anyway because first off, it's not true and secondly, it makes me stronger every time I prove myself wrong. 
 
How do you get past writer's block or being "stuck"?
I don't really get writer's block per se. I do have moments where I'm not sure where the story is going because I'm a pantser, but I just sit in front of my computer and listen to what my characters want. 
 
What are you working on right now?
I'm working on my first fantasy which I am really excited about! 
 
When did your last book come out? 
My last book was The Operator. Parker Stone planned to retire from the Marine Corps but a near-fatal injury changed his trajectory. Now Parker not only has to battle his past but rescue someone he swore to protect. Will he be able to save the day, or will everything spill over and leave permanent damage?

Lizzie Brown writes erotic romance and romance serials. Her newest release is Obedience, Volume One, a spicy age gap romance where she is in charge. You can find her at https://www.lizziebbrown.com/

Tell us about Obedience, Volume One:
The gist of the plot is a college professor goes away for summer break to forget his ex. On the last night of the trip, he hooks up with a younger woman that he finds out later is a student at his college. The big thing that drove me to write this story, besides my love of age gap romances, was the idea that the younger woman would be the one in charge in the relationship. You occasionally see age gap romances where he is submissive in the bedroom, but I wanted to explore past that. What if she was the Domme in the day to day of the relationship, too? The characters, funny enough, draw inspiration from myself at their respective ages.
 
Favorite line from Obedience, Volume One
"On your knees, Professor."

What finally made you decide to write a novel?
My friend told me what I wanted to read didn't exist so I should just write it...so I did, but that one is still a work in progress. XD I ended up writing Obedience (the serial) instead.
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you?
Finding time to write uninterrupted. Also, the finer points of plotting. I am a big picture pantser.
 
What is something you've learned along the way that might have changed how you wrote your first book?
Taking your time is important.
 
What piece of advice do you have for a new author?
Building an audience takes time. Be patient and give yourself grace.
 
What do you need to set the mood for writing?
It varies, honestly. Sometimes lo-fi music, sometimes silence. I learned to hard way that wine hinders more than it helps.
 
What is something you'd like readers to know about you as a person?
I love live reactions when people read my stuff. I also love to hear theories.

When did your last book come out?
Friendsgiving with Benefits came out Thanksgiving of 2023. It's a short best-friends-with-benefits erotic story.
 
Fun fact: I have a discord. One of the bots is named after Max, from Janet's Story, so readers can interact with him.

Tay Rushing writes spicy shifter romance. You can find her book, Cursed to Submit, on Amazon. 
https://www.amazon.com/Cursed-Submit-Tay-Rushing-ebook/dp/B0C2L1622F
For more information, here is her LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/taylorsbook
Or you can follow @TayRushingAuthor on TikTok or Instagram

Tell us about Cursed to Submit.
When I started writing Tala's journey, it was a way to heal from my past and the traumas that had bled through my life and impacted every aspect of who I am and who I was wanting to become. Some of the traumas that Tala has gone through have been pulled from personal experience. Her story changed as my life changed, the inspiration for the initial love interest became the villain who shattered everything. I kept the name Tala because that is something he used to call me, he said it meant "story" and that my story was meant to be written. I don't believe he intended on being the villain when the words were finally published. I have always loved wolves, that has been one of the few constants in my life. The beauty of the pack and how they are so family oriented and taking care of one another through life. This book was hard to write, and it has been even harder to write the sequel because to put myself back in the mindset of when I was a victim and being controlled by others, it's something I don't wish on anyone. In the same way that it has been extremely difficult, it was also surprisingly enlightening to find that freedom with the words that came from the darkness in my heart and healed the cracks left forgotten.
 
What your favorite line from your book?
"I haven't seen her in four years, and even malnourished and covered in scars, she is the most beautiful female I have ever seen in my life."
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you?
The most challenging aspect of being an author has been the isolation. It's difficult trying to balance being an author, having another job to pay the bills, and trying to maintain a relationship with my family. Even friends I had at the beginning of my author journey have disappeared and gone into other directions. I have a couple friends who are here sporadically and only a few who have been there through it all with me. 
 
What is something you've learned along the way that might have changed how you wrote your first book?
I would have taken more time with my first book, to breathe more of my inner thoughts into the pages instead of holding back pieces of myself. I've been contemplating rewriting Cursed to Submit to bring about those thoughts that I wasn't strong enough to write the first time through.
 
What piece of advice do you have for a new author?
Take your time, find an editor who will work with you, find people who will go through your work and not rip it apart and tear it down. When you open your work to be edited, for that first reaction from others, make sure it is someone you absolutely trust to give you harsh criticism, but to also point out aspects that they love and that are strong. My biggest mistake was letting someone read my work, and they didn't say a single good thing about what I wrote, I almost quit writing when it was negative comment after negative comment. It took someone pointing out the things that they loved, characters that they connected to for me to feel comfortable to bring it to life. To feel like it wasn't dumb for me to put this into the world.
 
What do you need to set the mood for writing? 
I might be a little weird, but I like to listen to classical music while I write. The music lulls me in the moment and completely enraptures me. I usually have a cup of hot tea and a bottle of water along with whatever my latest candy craving is. I also have to keep my husband very far away from my writing space or I get nothing done.
 
What are you working on right now?
I am actively working on the prequel, An Alpha's Submission, as well as the next book in the Submission series, Submitting to the Dragon King. I have a couple small projects that I'm plotting and not ready to be shared with the public just yet but will hopefully have more details coming out soon.
#MeetTheAuthor

Krista Swanson writes college romance with spice. She just released a discreet cover of her first book, All My Firsts. You can find her at https://www.kristaswansonauthor.com/ or @KristaReadsAndWrites on Instagram and TikTok. You can get All My Firsts on Amazon. 
www.amazon.com/All-My-Firsts-College-University-ebook/dp/B0BT25ZWQN

​Tell us about All My Firsts:
I never have a good answer for this. First, one of my favorite genres to read is college romance, so that led to me wanting to write the series. I am 100% a pantser, so the loose idea took off on its own as I started writing. Something quite interesting about where the book is set is that it is based on a real university; but only a select few know which one. But it definitely made it more interesting writing it, especially when I would be visiting the campus during that time. And the theme of healing from trauma...I liked that being my first book. It lent itself to the FMC being vulnerable but strong at the same time.
 
Share a favorite line:
"Xander, your story is sad. It deserves tears."
 
What was your favorite book as a child?
Definitely Judy Blume, I'm too old for either of those two ;) Probably 'Are You There God, It's Me Margaret' And the funniest part is that, without even knowing, I now live only one town away from where she was born and grew up
 
What was your last five-star read?
"The Chase" by Elle Kennedy. I like her writing style, and it's college romance, so there's that. I enjoy the angst and the sex, I count it as research to help with my writing.
 
What finally made you decide to write a novel?
My husband was constantly encouraging me to make sure my 'second act' wasn't wasted. I was a teacher early on, but the betterment of our family, stayed home for the past fifteen years. Writing came to me one day as a possibility because from all of the reading I'd done over the years, I had ideas busting at the seams of my brain and imagination trying to get out.
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you?
Time management. Even though I don't work outside the home, I do have three children. 'But Krista, aren't they grown?' One would think that would allow me the time I need, but they need me still, which I don't mind, and they need to be visited when living away or at college. So travel takes up a lot of my time as well.
 
What is something you've learned along the way that might have changed how you wrote your first book?
The one thing I would do differently is not publish book 1 until I had a backlist written. It's been stressful trying to get books written, published, marketed, all at the same time.
 
What piece of advice do you have for a new author?
Start marketing yourself earlier than you would ever think necessary.
 
What do you need to set the mood for writing? 
Quiet. A candle doesn't hurt, but I need quiet.
 
How do you get past writer's block or being "stuck"?
Believe it or not, reaching out to my readers and my social media community helped me most recently. It hit while recovering from a surgery, and they were the biggest help.
 
What are you working on right now?
Book 3, Gage's book, in the Blue Ridge University Series.
 
When is your next book coming out?
No set date yet, or title. It's a WIP. Hoping for late summer
 
When did your last book come out?
Surviving Lies came out 10/25/23. It's a spicy, second chance college romance with a 'not' love triangle thrown in. It's a high heat story that has two guys fighting for her love and their way into Becca's bed. But there are secrets, so many secrets. Will they survive the lies being told?