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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?
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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? Robert Collins is a prolific sci-fi and fantasy author. His current project is the Hilia's Road series, releasing one a month through the spring and summer! You can find the series on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/Hilias-Words-Road-Book-ebook/dp/B0CQKLMWSM And Robert has a LinkTree for all the ways to contact him here: https://linktr.ee/RobertLCollins Tell us about "Hilia's Road" series This current series was partly inspired by revisiting the "Lisa Herbert" series, my early SF series. Instead of SF this series is fantasy. Another inspiration was all the books I've recently written in Roman and posts-Roman fantasy worlds. That's all I can think of for now, but I'm always happy to answer more questions about this or any of my books. Share a favorite line: From book 1: I remember the first time I saw magic. Not the results of magic, as some of you might be familiar with. No, I mean the first time I actually saw it. Share a core memory that made you want to be a writer: I read "Asimov on Science Fiction" around 1980. I realize now that it gave me the idea of channeling my imagination into something productive, writing fiction. What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you? Marketing. I'm always trying to figure out how to promote my books & find readers. What piece of advice do you have for a new author? Make your process sustainable, and have fun. What do you need to set the mood for writing? Music, either classical or instrumental soundtracks. How do you get past writer's block? Pause. Think. Do other things. When is your next book coming out? The other books in the Hilia's Road series. I release all my books on the First of each month. #MeetTheAuthor In my opinion, obviously. But they are probably worth trying out. Most have a free trial, and for those that don't, they are often subscription services that you can pay for one month, then cancel.
Scrivener This is a word processor application that can also format your book into an ePub and paperback. The basics are pretty intuitive, like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but the more advanced options (like the formatting) usually require using the in-app tutorials or finding YouTube videos to show you how it's done. I love how easy it is to leave notes to yourself while drafting and editing, move scenes and chapters around, and generally navigate compared to most other word processors. Cost: One-time fee of $60 for Mac or PC. $24 for iOS app. Free trial (at least for computer-based version). ProWriting Aid I prefer the paid version of PWA to all the others I've tried. It's more intuitive, offers fewer suggestions that ruin the voice of your writing, and has lots of handy features that can help you learn grammar and improve your overall writing. It is NOT a magic bullet, and will best serve you if you have a strong foundation in grammar, but the same can be said for most grammar apps. Cost: $30/month, $120/year, $400 lifetime. They usually offer a 25-40% discount on the annual subscription in the spring and in the summer, and a 50% discount on the lifetime license at the end of November. StoryOrigin StoryOrigin is an author services site, helping authors distribute reader magnets for newsletter signups, ARCs, and finding newsletter swaps (kinda like free advertising among authors). The big name in this realm is BookFunnel, but I prefer StoryOrigin. I will have an entire post soon on why and give you the pros and cons to each so you can pick which you prefer. In addition to the above, StoryOrigin also offers custom links, basic website builds, a LinkTree type service, direct sales, an interface to get feedback on beta copies without sending your document directly, and a free goal tracker. Cost: There's a free option with limited services (goal tracker, universal book link, and unlimited file delivery) and a paid version for $10/month or $100/year. Canva This is an online graphic design app that you can use to create almost anything you need for your author business. Book covers, bookmarks, ads, social media posts, book trailers, banners, stickers, chapter header art, signs, merch. It's intuitive and everything comes with a commercial license, so if you design using the elements Canva provides, you shouldn't run afoul of copyright laws. You can upload your own pictures and pictures you've licensed from other sites, as well. Cost: You can use Canva for free with limited elements (but there's a lot you can do within those limits). CanvaPro ($120/year) gives you access to their entire library of elements, including templates, auto-resizes, allows scheduling, more storage, and brand kits, where you can pick out colors and fonts for your brand. For a middle-of-the-road option, you can purchase credits that you can use on a single element for one project. Fall in love with a premium font that's perfect for a design – you can unlock it for one project for a minimal amount (1 credit = $1). #WritingTipWednesday Selena is a prolific author with several adult novels and some kids books out! Her next book, Cousins - All We Got Is Us! comes out April 16, 2024. It's a compelling young adult novel set in the DC area in the 1980s following a family of cousins who always have each other's backs. You can find Selena at www.booksbyselena.com and on most social media @BooksBySelena, including YouTube. https://www.amazon.com/Cousins-All-We-Got-Us-ebook/dp/B0CZZGQMRW
Tell us about Cousins – All We Got Is Us! Cousins is a story about five cousins who grow up in Washington, DC during the 80s and 90s. A tragic event happens that ultimately reveals a dark family secret. The idea was loosely-based on my time growing up on Capitol Hill with my cousins. I chose the setting of Washington, DC because that's my hometown. I delve into what used to be present throughout the city before the gentrification took place. Readers will be able to relate to the different landmarks I mention in the book as well as historical events that took place during that time. No book is easy to write. The ideas are easy to come up with, but bringing those ideas to fruition takes a lot of effort, at least for me. This particular book project was fun overall because it sparked nostalgia and took me back to a moment in time. On the other hand, it challenged me because of the different characters and sensitive topics I tried to address. What's a favorite line? "Go and get yourself a life." What's a core memory that made you want to be a writer? I always had a vivid imagination. I didn't know what it was, but I realize it was my gift from God. I was also drawn to books at a very early age. By the time I got to high school and I read, Judy Blume's books, especially "Forever," I knew I wanted to be a writer. What was your favorite book as a child? Judy Blume's "Forever." There were so many layers to this story, but the overall theme was that when you're young you think love will last forever. Your emotions are very strong, and the bond you form with the one you love feels unbreakable. The book sparked me to write romantic themes in my books. What was your last five-star read? Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby. I felt like I was watching an action-packed movie. The characters were well-developed. The story was suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was also funny at times, and it helped to lighten things up a bit. What finally made you decide to write a novel? I have been writing stories since junior high school. I started taking it seriously by high school, when my English teacher Mr. Sutton said I had creative talent. What is something you'd like readers to know about you as a person? Although I write fiction, I read a lot of non-fiction. I love history, memoirs, and I watch documentaries. I'm also a huge basketball fan. I love the Boston Celtics even though I'm from DC. What are you working on right now? Cousins Part 2 when the characters become adults. When did your last book come out? My last book was a children's book, She Can Dance. https://www.amazon.com/She-Can-Dance-Selena-Haskins-ebook/dp/B0BPR5NQYG #MeetTheAuthor Julie Caldwell published her first book in the summer of 2023, Of Witches and Ruin, a YA fantasy with 90s Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibes. Her next book is the sequel, Of War and Magic, and releases in May.
Tell us about Of Witches and Ruin. Of Witches and Ruin is a Young Adult Fantasy centered around sixteen-year-old witch Ebony Amberwood who has been banished from her home world of Amethystia and now has to live in the human world. Her two human best friends, Sam and Melissa, help Ebony when an unknowable force threatens to destroy both realms, and they go an adventure filled with magic, mystery, mayhem, and even some romance! What's your favorite line from that book? "You are a force to be reckoned with. I pity anyone who goes against you.” Share a core memory that made you want to be a writer. My mom used to read to me every night when I was a child, and she would do these silly voices for the characters and I remember being so enthralled I wouldn't sleep. What was your favorite book as a child? Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I loved the humor in it and the message that even if you're different you are still wonderful and important. What finally made you decide to write a novel? I've wanted to write a novel for as long as I can remember but I've never had the discipline to do it. I finally told myself that if I didn't get it done at that moment, it would never get done. What piece of advice do you have for a new author? Give yourself grace. Writing is a skill that takes work, and no one is perfect. What is something you'd like readers to know about you as a person? I am very excitable. Especially if it is about a subject I am passionate about. What are you working on right now? I'm working on Book One in my next series. This series will be based on the daughter of a certain figure from Greek Mythology. You can find all of Julie's links at https://linktr.ee/authorjuliecaldwell She is @AuthorJulieCaldwell on YouTube, Threads, Instagram, and TikTok #MeetTheAuthor Merriam-Webster.com
Listen, Merriam-Webster has some issues, though it's gotten a bit better with slang and "vulgar" words in the past few years. But it's the industry standard and should be your first stop to see what the conventional spelling, hyphenation, etc. are. WordHippo.com I love this thesaurus. It's easy to use, includes all kinds of slang, vulgar words, and idiomatic/phrasal synonyms. It's easy to switch to antonyms, shows UK vs. US spellings, and has a dictionary, too, in case MW comes up empty. Grammarly.com I personally prefer the paid version of ProWriting Aid, but for free, Grammarly is much better for basic grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Behind the Name Random Name Generator Behindthename.com/random Lots of options to choose from. I come up with lists and then chuck them into the doc as needed. If you click on the name, it will tell you the origin and meaning, too, so you don't accidentally name your princess Buttercup. Speaking for a "friend" (it's me, I was trying to be too clever). Other Name Generator FantasyNameGenerators.com is great for everything else. Like, literally everything else. Ships, taverns, hotels, companies, planets, parks, castle, dragons, angels, pirates, drinks, brands, plagues… The Writing with Color Blog WritingWithColor.tumblr.com If you're trying to write people who are not white in a conscious and conscientious manner, this is a great resource. Writer Beware https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/ The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association provides this site for free to help writers avoid scams and shady businesses. Plus, it offers basic information on some basics, like copyright, editors, agents, and the like. The Editorial Freelancers Association The-efa.org Under their resources list is a free "New Author Guide." Lots of great basic information about the different kinds of editing and how to find reputable editors. Jane Friedman JaneFriedman.com Lots of great free business and writing advice for all writers, whether you're self-published or go the traditional route. There's also a paid newsletter and courses you can take. CritiqueMatch.com A free resource for finding critique partners and beta readers. Free to join, then you have an option to find free partners or search through their vetted editing professionals if you're looking to pay for certain services. David Gaughran His Starting From Zero class is so helpful for wrapping your head around marketing a book. It's free if you sign up for his newsletter, which is another fantastic resource. He talks building a platform, cover design, deals newsletters, and ads. It's a great overview that you can return to when you're ready to tackle each step. (just google David Gaughran Starting From Zero and you'll find it. He also has a wonderful YouTube channel) Google Docs Listen, there are better word processors out there, but few free ones are as good and intuitive as Google Docs. If you have no money for anything else, this will get the job done. You can even create EPUBs using Google Docs, so if money is super tight, you can still put out a decent book. #Writing Tips New year, new feature
Yes, I know it's March. I've been swamped. Authoring and Editing are hard and take a lot of brain stuff. Energy, yeah, that's the word I was looking for. Anyhoo... Author Interviews are coming soon. I've been doing this gig for five years now and have made tons of author friends. I think you might like their books. Here's their chance to convince you. I'll go first. What finally made you decide to write a novel? My husband was deployed for something like the fifth time. My kids were both in school. Army Wife things were okay, but mostly unfulfilling. I got bored and decided to write down the stories I told myself to help get to sleep at night. It took me almost seven years, but Witch Hazel & Wolfsbane was published in February 2019. What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you? When I started, it was finishing a story. Now, hands down, it's marketing. I understand the concepts but seem to have a disconnect between the understanding and the implementation. What piece of advice do you have for a new author? Find a way to make writing a long-term, sustainable habit. That includes all the other authoring stuff like revising, editing, marketing, and business. This will differ from person to person based on care obligations, disability, jobs, strengths, personality, finances, and many, many other factors. And what works for one author won't work for another. Even if your very favorite author in the whole wide world swears by getting up at 4:30 every morning to write for an hour doesn't mean it will work for you. Some things you will know right away won't (or will) work for you. Detailed outlines have *never* worked for me. I either get bored or frustrated or both and only complete the project if required (hello college essays). There will be quite a bit of trial and error. And that's fine! If something isn't working for you, it's okay to stop and try something else. That thing might come in handy when you're at a different point in your story or career. Or maybe never. Keep what works, discard what doesn't. Don't feel guilty about either. What do you need to set the mood for writing? I have multicolor fairy lights on a soothing blinking pattern, a scented candle (which depends on mood and time of year, but often a woodsy smell), and the playlist for my book. That playlist can be very eclectic. When I'm in the throes of editing, I often switch to instrumental or spa-type music. I don't eat while writing. I like coffee in the morning and non-caffeinated hot tea (winter) or cold beverages (summer) in the afternoon. What was your favorite book as a child? I have a much beloved copy of Grimms' Fairy Tales. It's over 40 years old now and I remember reading it over and over as a kid. #MeetTheAuthor |
Emily Michel, Speculative Romance Author9 books, 3 cats, 2 kids, 1 husband. I listened to the voices in my head and transcribed them onto paper Archives
August 2024
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