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