Nerys McCabe - Sweet with Heat Romance as a sub-genre

Nerys McCabe, Author

Genre: Contemporary Romance. Sweet With Heat Romance

Publishing Type: Self-Published

Latest Book: The One

Upcoming Book: Call This Love (WORKING title)

As a romance writer, I have choices to make on how steamy or sweet my book will be. There are definite preferences by readers about how much steam they want in their books. But what about the books that fall somewhere in the middle? Author Nerys McCabe started a conversation and a Facebook group about these types of books. She referred to them as “sweet with heat.” Below is our conversation about it.

As an author or a reader, where does your preference fall?

Jennifer Franz Griffith: How would you describe "sweet with heat" as a romance sub-genre?

Nerys McCabe: Sweet With Heat Romance is basically the space between clean and erotic romance, which is a huge area and one I felt needed to be defined more. There is still quite a lot of grey area but I wanted to create a subgenre that allows for a little steam (so mostly sweet with basic sexual descriptions) or a lot of steam (so still a sweet story but with more detailed sexual descriptions but it never crosses over into erotica.)

JFG: What is your goal with your Facebook group?

Nerys: The Facebook group is a place where authors and readers can discuss 'sweet with heat romance' and what they expect from it and what they want it to become. In a way, it is the foundation of the subgenre, where like-minded readers and writers are starting to define that subgenre. There have already been some great discussions on the subject.

The group came about because myself and a few other writers were frustrated with our novels being in this grey area between sweet and erotic. I feel the romance genre has swung heavily towards erotica, particularly with indie writers, and I found myself at one point almost apologising for my novel not being explicit enough. This is when I decided that we need to define this middle ground and try to create a subgenre so that readers know exactly what they are getting and the expectations are clear from the start. I don't want my readers to be disappointed if they were expecting more sex but I equally don't want to shock readers who thought they were picking up a clean read. It will also help writers define their books as when we are marketing and promoting we need to have a clearly defined subgenre - this way we all know what we're getting.

JFG: In your opinion, how far can an author take their characters and still be considered a clean romance?

Nerys: All the way, is the simple answer but it's HOW you take the characters there that makes it sweet, sweet with heat or erotica.

In my opinion, in a clean romance, everything is implied - they might still do the deed but it is done behind closed doors, the reader never gets to witness them having sex. In many clean romances, the story finishes before it even gets to the characters having sex.

In 'sweet with heat' you get a bit more. For example, in my novel, It's Just Sex...Isn't It? One girl makes another girl reach her climax but the language that is used is very different from an erotic scene. I think that is one of the main points to make: there is still sex in 'sweet with heat' but it is the language that is used that makes it different - it can still be 'hot' with loads of sexual tension without being erotically explicit.

JFG: When do you think romance crosses into erotica?

Nerys: Again, I believe this comes down to the language that the author uses. There are certain words that take a book into erotica that wouldn't be used in 'sweet with heat'. Some of the group members might disagree with me here (I do love a good debate) but I wouldn't use words like 'pussy', 'dick', or even 'fuck' in a sexual context in a sweet with heat story. The language used would be more subtle - e.g. "he gently guided himself inside her"

JFG: Have you ever written a graphic scene in your books?

Nerys: The most graphic scene I've written was probably the one I mentioned above in, It's Just Sex...Isn't It?, and again I think the level of 'heat' is really hard to define. Some readers have told me that scene was more 'fade to black' writing whereas others commented that it made them blush. The point for me is that it's all about the characters and how their relationship develops. If they are a couple who are only 'physically' attracted to one another then the descriptions will be more explicit but without using the language of erotic fiction. If a couple has got to know one another first, and the sexual tension has built up steadily, then the descriptions will reflect that relationship. The 'heat' in 'sweet with heat' will be more or less explicit depending on the characters and their relationship. So, I guess the truth is, I will never write erotica (even though I love to read it) but my characters will definitely be having sex - Any sex can be hot, it doesn't always have to have whips and nipple clamps to make it appealing :)

Anything else you would like to share?

I have also written a Short Story which is 'sweet' in the sense that there are no descriptions of the couple having sex but plenty of sexual tension and suggestive language. This, though, I would consider sweet and clean rather than 'sweet with heat romance'. I think we will be bottoming out this exciting sub-genre for a while as more readers and writers join us.

Join the Sweet with Heat Facebook Group!

Follow Nerys:

Amazon

Website

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Amanda Jaeger - Writing as a career

Amanda Jaeger, Author, Copywriter

Genre: suspense/thriller

Publishing Type: Self

Latest Book: The Fallen in Soura Heights

Upcoming Book: WIP- Amy’s Tree (working title)

Jennifer Franz Griffith: How have you been able to make your career as a full-time writer?

Amanda Jaeger: As a copywriter, I seem to never run out of work to do! There is never a shortage of businesses who need a helping hand to do the piece they don’t wanna do (writing their websites, emails, ads, etc) so they can focus on the part of their business they thrive on!

I feel like focusing on writing for others, I’m able to make it a full-time job. I just happen to be able to write for myself in the “free” time I have. (Ha! Free time. I crack myself up)

JFG: Why did you choose writing as your career path?

Amanda: In a word? Stories.
Stories are what draw people in and make connections. There's a certain magic in language and wordplay. Through novel writing, I can pull people's emotions and make them see themselves through characters. Through long-stranded metaphors and similes playing alongside my fictional characters and fictional settings, I can link a reader's experience to my views of social constructs and relationships.

In my copywriting, I'm able to do the same...only it's in someone else's voice and putting their own visions front and center. Whether it's a sales page, a series of nurturing emails, or even on ad copy... I can pull a string to tell a story that connects directly with their ideal client. The more connection there is, the more sales they're likely to see.

So maybe I used the wrong word to answer this in the beginning. Maybe I didn't choose writing because of "stories." Maybe I chose it because of "connection."

JFG: Why did you decide to write a book?

Amanda: I like to say that 2020 gave me the gift of time to write a book. But honestly, that's not why I decided to sit down and pound out 70k (ish) words and throw them between a front and back cover. Writing has always been a part of me. So has true crime.

So before 2020, I found a goldmine of true crime podcasts and spent my entire alone time listening to them - in the elementary school pickup lane, driving to and from the grocery store, during the time I was clumsily putting together dinner. The more I listened, the more I saw themes that showed up over and over. For example, Charm is a veil for evil. The more I listened, the more I collected these themes.

Pretty soon, a fictional character showed up in my thoughts and started telling me her story based on these themes. 2020 simply gave me the time to get that story down.

JFG: What would you say is an author's best marketing tool and how important is well-written content?

Amanda: Oh wow, that is a loaded question, isn't it? I think today, social media is pretty tough to beat in importance. I say that because everyone has access to it and anyone who is on there has the possibility to "accidentally" find you. It seems these happy accidents are a lot easier to come by on social media than a website.

That being said, I think there is a trifecta of necessities to make social media (or really, any marketing) work for you:
1) Consistency. There's no end to what you can share or HOW you can share it or even on WHAT platform to share it on. But you have to be consistent. Otherwise, the ever-changing algorithms aren't going to favor you, ever.

2) Authenticity. I'm big on connection. I'll never outright tell someone "Buy my book!" Because that feels sleazy and gross. But I'll comment on their post about needing a 3rd cup of coffee ("Hey, me too!") I'll ask them about their current work in progress ("This sounds amazing, I can't wait to see what happens to your main character!") and anything I share is absolutely 100% true. There's no reason to embellish or trick people into checking out your work. Have the information available and share it when appropriate, but for goodness sake, extend a little courtesy of not banging down their virtual doors like a high school selling magazines.

3) Yes, well-written content is mandatory. But, that doesn't necessarily mean it has to be pristine and perfect (I'll often say you can't chase perfectionism. It doesn't exist anyway). Well-written content goes a little deeper than that. It draws in interest and gives value. It makes your readers want to know more rather than push them off by coming off like a robot. Essentially...good content is good copywriting... it all invites connection, and without that, people aren't going to want to check out your book.

JFG: What common mistakes do authors/businesses make with their content?

Amanda: I think one of the biggest things authors struggle with is what to post in general. I know at first, I was confused as to how much information I could safely share. I was afraid I was going to give out spoilers. But the truth is, You need to give out specific details to show potential readers why your book is different from bajillion other books that exist in this universe.

Here are some ideas I've played with (Note: I'm no guru, and I don't do this perfectly, either. But hey, it might help someone get jump-started)

- A "mood" board of what your character is like. Include things like a typical outfit, something they like to do, where they might live, etc.

- A playlist of what you believe sounds like the mood of your book.

- Interesting quotes from your book.

- An "Ask me anything" post- but through the lens of a specific character.

- Behind the scenes of what it's like for you to write.

- Share whatever you're reading now- hype up another author!

- Reviews of your book (the good AND bad... laugh off the bad)

- A peek inside your life as you (vs life as an author)

Just keep in mind, these things can be done in photos, copy (words), video, memes, etc. And if you still don't get it? Follow other authors on the platforms you're on and see what they're doing. Then do that... only in your style with your own content. ;)

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Amanda: If you want a career in writing, look at several avenues. Your gut might say you want to be a best-seller author. And you know what? Anything is possible, but it's a difficult way to "make it." There are tons of other writing opportunities out there (such as copywriting) that can still feel fulfilling while paying the bills.

Find out more about Amanda:

If anyone would like to connect (my favorite thing ever) I'm open to conversations over on:

Instagram

Facebook

My website: www.amandabjaeger.com (You can also get the first 3 chapters of my book free if you sign up for my newsletter)

And you can find my book (available as paperback, ebook, and audiobook) here.

Astrid V.J. - USA Today Bestselling Author

Name: Astrid V.J., Author

Genre: Fantasy (multiple subgenres)

Publishing Type: Self-published

Publisher: my imprint: New Wings Press

Latest Book: The Last Warrior

Upcoming Book: The Companion's Tale

What does it take to become a USA Today Best Selling author? I’m sure that’s a question on many author’s minds. Whether you are trying to make a career out of writing books or just publishing for the joy of it, I’m sure you thought about what it would be like to be a best-selling author. I know I have. For me step one is publishing a second book!

I interviewed Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author, Astrid V.J. on the topic.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: What qualifications does an author have to meet in order to be considered a USA Today best seller?

Astrid V.J.: A book they've published has to sell the most books within any given week (Monday-Sunday) on at least three book sites in the United States. The USA Today Best-seller listing has 150 books every week. The easiest way to get the listing is during release week with a long pre-order period in advance. As mentioned, it's sales in the US on multiple platforms, not just Amazon.

JFG: How many books did you write before achieving this accomplishment?

Astrid: I'd published four novels and a novella as part of an anthology, but I'd already written way more, several of which published in the four months since hitting the list.

JFG: How did USA Today discover you?

Astrid: USA Today looks exclusively at sales from US outlets, including online sites that sell in the United States, like Amazon.com; Barnes and Nobles Nook and iBooks (the US site specifically). They get the numbers of sales every week and list the top-selling 150 books in the United States. The print version of the list in the USA Today print newspaper only lists the top 100 books every week.

JFG: How do you think you have achieved this level of success as an author?

Astrid: Hard work, dedication to my craft, having the right connections, believing in myself, and with a good measure of luck.

JFG: What advice do you have for other authors striving to be considered best selling authors?

Astrid: Keep on believing in yourself and be willing to put yourself out there. Also, be willing to take a chance. If I'd hesitated or decided to wait for a "better time", I wouldn't be where I am today at 34, only 2 years into my journey as a published author.

I managed to get my book, Naiyas Wish, accepted into a boxed set of books in the same genre. We wanted to raise money for a charity and also try for the USA Today listing together because as an independent author it is very difficult to get the number of sales required in the US on one's own. Enchanted Kingdoms wasn't simply a set of novel-length fairytale retellings. It became a community and I have become friends with many of the authors who were on the set with me. The buy-in for advertising purposes was a lot of money for me ($500) and it was a risk to invest that much money into a dream more than a year before it came to fruition, but with hard work and hustling like I've never done before, we managed to pull it off together and since the set made it onto the listing during its release week, all participating authors have received the USA Today Bestseller tag. It is a huge undertaking and I learned so much from all of the authors participating on Enchanted Kingdoms. Additionally, through this boxed set, I was able to give back to a cause that's very important to me. The limited-edition set in the three months it was available commercially raised over $5 500 for Puzzle Peace United, a charity for children with autism.

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Astrid: My debut novel also won two International Literary Classics Awards in 2019. Silver in the Young Adult Fantasy category and gold in the Fairytales category.

I've learned so much from my fellow authors and could not have achieved these milestones as quickly as I have without the support of my family, friends, and the indie author community. I am truly grateful for all my personal angels who've helped me achieve all of this.

Find out more about Astrid V.J. :

Facebook page

 Instagram

 YouTube

Blog/website

Newsletter

Join my street team

 Amazon Author page

Facebook fairytales group

Author Bio:

Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author, Astrid V.J. was born in South Africa. She is a trained social anthropologist and certified transformational life coach. She currently resides in Sweden with her husband and their two children. In early childhood, she showed an interest in reading and languages--interests which her family encouraged. Astrid started writing her first novel at age 12 and now writes fantasy in a variety of genres, exploring her passion for cultures and languages. When she isn't writing, Astrid likes to read, take walks in nature, play silly games with her children, do embroidery, and play music.

Astrid writes transformation fiction: incorporating transformation principles in novels, rather than writing another self-help book. She loves exploring the human capacity for transformation and potential to achieve success in the face of adversity.

A E Faulkner - Creating an Audiobook

A E Faulkner, Author

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Publishing Type: Self

Publisher: Self

Latest Book: Allegiance Unravels (Book 4 of the Nature's Fury series)

Upcoming Book: Hope Emerges (Book 5 - the final - of the Nature's Fury series)

So far this year I have read 45 books and more than half of them have been audiobooks. I love listening to a book in my car while commuting to work or while I’m exercising (not before bed though because 10 out of 10 times I will fall asleep and have to rewind back to about five minutes after I turned it on that night).

I have thought about turning my book and future books into audiobooks. I asked AE Faulkner questions about how she uses the platform for her books. Read more below.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: Why did you decide to turn your books into audiobooks?

A E Faulkner: Although I'm not an audiobook listener, I know so many people who are. I thought it was a great way to reach people who would rather plug in earbuds than flip pages.

JFG: How did you choose the narrator?

A E: I met my narrator, Katie Hagaman, through the Twitter writing community. She is also an indie author. When she started offering narration services, I listened to her audio samples and was blown away. Her voice is amazing and I was really excited to work with someone who could give each of my characters an authentic voice and personality.

JFG: What was the process like?

A E: Katie made the process so easy and smooth. She recorded chapters, I reviewed them, we made any needed edits, and then uploaded them to ACX (for Amazon distribution). The Amazon review took the most time. They listen to your audiobook and check for any issues before approving it for sale. It took months for my first book to work through the approval process and go live.

JFG: Was it worth the cost to create it?

A E: Not yet. I've got to sell a lot more audiobooks just to break even! I am hoping that happens eventually.

JFG: Are you planning to turn any more of your books into audiobooks?

A E: Yes. I've had the first two books in my series turned into audiobooks and I plan to have the whole series narrated. Book 3, Devastation Erupts, is scheduled for this fall. My plan is to have the last two books narrated in 2022.

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

A E: If you read the books, check out my website for some fun stuff like quizzes, character profiles and book club questions.

Website: authoraefaulkner.com

Linktree: linktr.ee/authoraefaulkner

Carla R - Creating playlists for your books

Carla R., Author

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing Type: Self published

Latest Book: Sweet Ass, Book Two in the Bombshells Series

Upcoming Book: Jackass, Book Three in the Bombshells Series (Release date: August 10, 2021)

I love music and soundtracks in particular. When I discovered that authors created playlists to go with their books, I wanted to be all in. Unfortunately, pairing the right music with anything is not in my skill set (check out my TikTok videos if you don’t believe me).

Author Carla R is one who does create playlists to go with her books. I asked her some questions about how she does it. Read more below.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: How do you think making a playlist enhances the reader's experience?

Carla R: In the beginning I made the playlists for myself, but I had a few readers ask if I had one. I think much like a fantastic score for a movie can really make a scene, it works for a book too.

Click to go to Jackass Playlist

JFG: How do you decide what songs to include?

Carla: I try to bring the feel of the book into the Playlist. Sometimes it might be a song I listened to while writing, sometimes its a song I mention in the book.

JFG: Do you make them for each book or each character?

Carla: Just books so far.

JFG: What's the best platform, in your opinion to use for playlists?

Carla: I don't know if its the best, but I use Prime music. Its something I already had and its pretty user friendly.

JFG: What's your favorite kind of music?

Carla: I listen to almost everything.

Find more about Carla here:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

Twitter

Click images to find Carla R’s books on Amazon

Shantel Brunton - Creating other worlds in novels

Shantel Brunton, Author

Genre: Horror

Publishing Type: Self-published

Latest Book: Tortured innocence

I have to admit the horror genre is not my typical go-to when I chose the books I want to read. Although my last two interviews have been with horror writers, I might have changed my mind about that.

I am fascinated by how authors create whole other worlds in their books. It’s one thing to describe a town similar to other towns that readers are familiar with, but when an author is describing a world they have created it’s up to the author to draw in the reader.

Shantel Brunton is one of those authors who has created a world called the Shadowlands and I wanted to find out more about the process of creating that world.

SIDE NOTE: I am also fascinated by Shantel’s two boa constrictors Eden and Snakespeare who also seem to share her love of books.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: How did you come up with the Shadowlands “world?”

Shantel Brunton: The Shadowlands was born from a general fear of darkness. I had severe nightmares as a child and I always thought there was something lurking in the darkness. I began to imagine there was something lurking in the shadows, and I tried to think about what this world might look like. It came from this place of fear and fascination. 

JFG: Do you draw out or diagram what the world is like?

Shantel: I don’t usually do a lot of drawing of my worlds, but it is something I’m starting to do more as I write more fantasy. 

JFG: What comes first the characters or the place where they dwell?

Shantel: The characters always come first. Twenty came first and then I made a world for him. 

JFG: How do you come up with names of characters and places?

Shantel: When I came up with the character Twenty’s name I’d written down a bunch of ideas and I had this numbered list going. I wrote the number 20 and when I said it out loud, all the pieces fell into place. I love names and I love historical names. I’m often searching for names on Nameberry, or I’m making up random names. I often find inspiration strikes in the shower. I like to combine words or names together and make up fictional names. 

JFG: What advice do you have for others who are trying to create their own realms/worlds?

Shantel: Open your eyes wide, and absorb everything around you. What do you like in the fictional worlds you read about or see on T.V. Are there things you don’t like? What would you do differently? When you ask yourself these questions, it fuels brainstorming. Look for inspiration everywhere, and really try to get to know the world you’re creating. You don’t have to tell the reader every little detail because it can get boring, but I think the better you know your fictional world the more easily you’ll be able to write about it. 

Talented authors such as George RR Martin, and JRR Tolkien have been inspired by history, and I think looking back on the past is a great way to start. This can help you get an idea for a timeline of important events and battles. Writing historical fiction can really help with world-building, but be sure to do your research.

Try to do a little writing every day. This will really help you improve, and in the end, to be a writer, all you have to do is write.

Find out more about Shantel:

Website

Instagram

Christine M. Germain - Diversity in fiction

Name Christine M. Germain, Author

Christine M. Germain, Author

Genre: Horror, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural

Publishing Type: Self-publishing

Publisher: Christine M Germain

Latest Book: The Brother's Curse (The Brother's Curse Saga Book 1)

Upcoming Book: The Stone the Curse of Mastema (The Brother's Curse Saga Book 2)

I recently met author Christine M Germain through Instagram. She advocates for diversity in fiction and I wanted to explore this idea with her further.

I always try to be kind and respectful to all people, but as a white female, I know that I have no idea what struggles people who are not like me go through. The best I can do is try to pay attention and learn about it.

When I sent these interview questions to Christine, I was worried about unintentionally asking a question that might offend her, and I told her so. She was so gracious and answered my questions truthfully.

Maybe coming out of my comfort zone helped both of us. She was able to write about an important message and I got a different perspective on the topic.

After reading her answers, I wondered what I was so afraid of in the first place. People just want to be seen and heard, especially those who have been overlooked or worse, purposely dismissed.

Check out the interview below to read about Christine’s view on diversity in fiction.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: Why is it important to have diversity in fiction?

Christine M. Germain: I think it's important because all people of different ethnicities should be acknowledged. When we read or watch movies, the majority of the time the character is either a caucasian male or female and as a woman of color, I would like to read about a character that looks like me. And that also goes for Hispanics, Asians, Indians, and other multicultural groups. The most important reason is to include all races and different genders. We are in the 21st century and fictional novels should include more diversity. We all should be able to see ourselves in the characters we read.

JFG: Do you think authors should stick to writing what they know or should they create characters who aren't like them?

Christine: In my opinion, I feel that authors should get out of their comfort zone and explore other cultures. Most non-colored writers are too afraid that they will overstep boundaries and offend another group of people. I think they should be opened up to writing characters they are not accustomed to writing.

JFG: What advice do you have for white authors, like myself, who may want to include a character who is a POC in their books?

Christine: Well first and foremost. To me, I don't see color in a character and neither should a white author if they decide to write about a POC. Create a character with personality, flaws, struggles, and also with love. Don't use the typical stereotype such as the character living in the ghetto or speaking slang. I love reading about POC that have knowledge and strength and perseverance but that can be written in any character with a different skin tone.

JFG: Do you think some authors are including diverse characters because they feel like it's the "trendy" thing to do in the hope of selling more books? Does motive matter?

Christine: Well, unfortunately, I don’t think most authors include diversity as much as they should unless they are part of a diverse community. I don't think there is a motive behind writing about diverse characters to sell more books. You can write as many different ethnic people in your story but if the story isn't good and there's no plot, then it doesn't matter. You sell books because readers love the tale you tell and the meaning behind it.

JFG: What is the best way for all authors to support each other?

Christine: Share each other's work, Spread the word to other people who might be interested in the genre and story that the author writes. Buy the author's book and share it on your social media site. Authors should support one another, especially in the Indie community. We are all self-published writers who are on the same path to share our stories with the world. It's all about showing love and building a positive community. There is no room to be competitive. We are all Winners in this game.

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Christine: As a woman of color who has just published two novels and writes diversity in books, I would like to see people be more open to supporting diversity in stories and also supporting POC in the Horror genre.

When I was a young girl, I was accustomed to reading books that didn't portray someone like me and I thought it was normal; that maybe we were not cut out to be in these scary books or movies. But as I got older I saw that something wasn't right and that's when I thought to myself if I wanted to let this be known, then I should write a book that showcases people like me and from all over the world. Readers should never judge a book by who wrote it and what color they are because you could be missing out on something great.

I want to thank you Jennifer for allowing me to share my thoughts. I hope that people read this and take into consideration how important this is and how we need to change the way novels exclude certain groups. If we can support more books with diverse stories then will make a difference in the future.

Find out more about Christine here.

Julia Vellucci - Published author at 17

Julia Vellucci, Author

Genre: Romance with a variety of subgenres (fantasy, teen fiction, adventure, mystery)

Publishing Type: Traditional

Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing

Latest Book: "Woman by the Penthouse" (book 3 in The Love Tetralogy)

Upcoming Book: If the publishing company agrees to take it on, then "Man by the Oil" (book 4 in The Love Tetralogy)

I’ve wanted to be an author since I was a pre-teen. Back then self-publishing was not a thing and the closest you could get was vanity publishing. I didn’t have the money of course and my parents thought it sounded like a scam. I’m not sure, as a teen, if I would have had the confidence to self-publish anyway.

I was so impressed with Julia Vellucci when I discovered she was a published author at just 17 years old. Actually, we had several interactions before I found out her age and I was very surprised. Julia is a mature confident young woman who has published her fifth book.

Read the interview below to find out more about her.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: How did you get started writing books?

Julia Vellucci: At the age of 15, I discovered my love for creative writing in a high school book and writing club that I joined for the book aspect.  After a failed attempt at creating a comic using the app, Episode, I found such a love and passion for creative writing that I began to write my own books. I knew there was much more to the story that was beginning to formulate in my mind while trying to create the comic. I was also terrible at coding so I decided to put all the details into a book. This was my trial book. It was terribly written, but the plot was great, so I do plan on rewriting it in the future as I have grown so much as a writer since then. I noticed this when I was comfortable and happy with my writing style in my published books. But that club helped me find my passion for the written craft, creating unique worlds with wholesome themes and voices that reflect my own to some extent, so I wouldn't have it any other way.

JFG: What made you decide to publish them?

Julia: My instant passion for creative writing instigated my goal of having my books published as I immediately knew writing one book would never be enough for me, let alone keeping all of those powerful themes and relatable characters to myself.

JFG: What do your friends think about you being a published author already?

Julia: My friends are ecstatic for me and super supportive as they know that it has been a dream of mine to become a published author for two years now. I could only envision having at least one of my books published by the age of 20 if I was lucky, not five when I'm almost 18. It is definitely super surreal. I am beyond thankful for everything and they could not be any happier for me. They know how much work, determination, perseverance, rude comments, and rejections it took for me to get where I am today.

JFG: Do you plan to continue writing as a career or do you have aspirations as well?

Julia: I plan to study journalism in college next year and get into a career involving writing with that degree, possibly being an editor, reporter, content writer, copywriter, or journalist, the possibilities are endless. I'll still be writing fiction novels on the side of course as that will always be a big part of my life which I couldn't be any more grateful for.

JFG: What advice do you have for other young authors?

Julia: Many book ideas have been done, it's difficult to find something original, but it has yet to be written by you. Find a way to make it truly speak to you and to readers. Find your own way to make it unique. When it comes to traditionally publishing your book, if you choose to go down that route, it can be tedious, time-consuming, and torturing to some extent. However, once you find the right publishing company for your books, it will all be worth it in the end. If you are a young writer such as myself, age doesn't equal passion or good writing and messages, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I knew a 14-year-old with 15 published children's books, that could be you. Also, if you're like me and have a passion for creative writing, never lose that. Hold onto it and why you enjoy writing so much and any writing-related obstacle suddenly doesn't appear to be as terrible.

Find out more about Julia:

Author Website

Amazon US Link to View All Books:

Also available on Amazon of all countries

Instagram
Goodreads
AllAuthor
Bookbub
Tiktok

V.B. Emanuele - Writing in Multiple Genres

Name: V.B. Emanuele, Author

Genre: Dark Erotic Romance & Paranormal Romance

Publishing Type: Self- however, I actually opened my own publishing and editing company.

Publisher: Cerulean Publishing

Latest Book: Hollywood Comes Home (Club Euphoria Novels #2)

Upcoming Book: War Within (Italian Billionaire Series #1) and Rovati Family (#2) They will be released back to back.

Many writers chose a pen name or a nom de plume if you want to sound fancy, for various reasons. One reason is that they write in more than one genre.

The first author I can remember learning about who used a pen name was Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain. To me, it seemed like calling himself by another name was like being one of his characters come to life.

I’m still interested to know why authors choose to use pen names and how they come up with them. I interviewed author, V.B. Emanuele about writing in multiple genres and why she uses pen names.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: In what genres do you write?

V.B. Emanuele: As V.B. Emanuele, I write Dark Erotic Romance. A lot of Mafia vibes. Very heavy plots with lots of spice!

 I have an alter ego named Naomi Russo. Under that name, I write YA/New Adult Paranormal Romance / Fantasy. I have not published under this name yet, but I do have a book that has been in the works for a couple of years. Finding the time when the VBE name is so busy, is the tough part.

JFG: Do you use pen names? Why or why not?

V.B.: I do. My real last name is Emanuele. But I use pen names to protect my family and my privacy. When I started writing, I did not know how far my career would go. I always felt, no matter what, I had a form of normalcy in my life when I needed it. You just also never know who has ill intentions. I think it falls under bringing work home with you. At the end of the day, I’m just a mom who wants to say goodnight to my characters (co-workers) then see them in the office again the next day. Haha

JFG: How did you decide on your pen names?

V.B.: From 2017-2019, I wrote for a “choice” based, visual story app. I was trying to decide on a nickname/username for the app. I chose “VioletBlue”. My V.B. Emanuele pen name is a nod to those days. I left the app entirely to write novels full-time. To pay tribute to my past and the readers who still follow my work to this day, I shortened it from VioletBlue to V.B.

Naomi means pleasant and was the name of a stuffed animal I had as a child. Russo is a nod to my southern Italian roots and the last name of someone close to me.

JFG: Why did you decide to write in multiple genres instead of just sticking to one? 

V.B.: There is no easy answer to this. To simplify it, I write what I am inspired by, and both inspire me in different ways. Also, I have an obsession with vampires. I can’t wait to show the world my crazy YA/New Adult projects too. 2022 maybe!

JFG: Do you have a favorite genre to write?

V.B.: Hmmm, I think Dark Erotic Romance. It just seems to come so easily. Not sure if that’s a good thing. Haha

JFG: Anything else you would like to share? 

V.B.: I think everyone will either love or hate the next series. It’s very deep and plot-driven, with many twists and turns. It shows the good, bad, and ugly sides of the mob. The muse who inspired Don Giovanni Rovati, so graciously agreed to be my cover model for the books. He is incredible!

You can find V.B. here:

Website  (She is also an editor and proofreader as well.)

Instagram

Facebook 

TikTok

 V.B. Emanuele’s books can all be found on Barnes & Noble or Amazon and read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

JJ Grice - Writing a book series

JJ Grice, Author

Genre: Romance, All kinds of romance. My current series is Contemporary Romance. But I have a series I will be releasing next that is Romantic suspense.

Publishing Type: Self Published

Latest Book: Beautiful Ghosts, The Maine Stay Series Book 4. I am also a part of Resisting You, An Anthology for Charity to help raise funds for Stop AAPI hate.

Upcoming Book: My next book is Breathless, The Maine Stay Series Book 5. It will be released on July 9th.

I started reading JJ Grice’s The Mainstay Series with book four because that is when I discovered her. I was intrigued how the book worked well as a stand-alone, but also developed the other characters so well that I wanted to go back and read from the beginning and at the same time I can’t wait to read the next book.

Currently, I am working on a five book series that I am both excited and nervous about! I know that a lot of authors write in series and I had some questions some questions for JJ. Read below to find out what she had to say.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: Do you plan your whole series before the first book or do you write where the stories take you?

JJ Grice: I am a pantser when it comes to writing. So I don't necessarily plot or plan out completely. However, I usually do have somewhat of an idea of where the whole series will go. I usually just let my characters talk to me and lead the way through the series.

JFG: Are your books cliffhangers or stand-alone?

JJ: They can be read as Stand-alone's. However, in order to get the full experience of the stories, I highly recommend reading in order to get the complete backstory for each character.

JFG: What is your favorite trope? Do you mix them up within your series?

JJ: I honestly don't have a favorite trope. I just love a good story. I like the characters to have depth and history that truly defines who they are. So I do my best to keep my characters from being one-dimensional. I don't want my readers to think they have them figured out so easily.

JFG: In your opinion, what makes a series successful?

JJ: It's all about the characters and their relationships with each other. In the romance genre, of course the relationship between the Hero and heroine is important, but in order to keep the story going for multiple books (whether it's focused on the same couple or different couples), there has to be more to focus on than just the main character. That's why with The Maine Stay series, I focused it around a group of lifelong friends. They clash, support each other and help each other through life's challenges.

JFG: How long do you typically wait in between books to publish the next in the series?

JJ: It depends. I try to put at least a month between each book in order to give each book the proper attention it deserves. However, as a reader I hate waiting for books to be released when I'm looking forward to them, so I try not to do that to my readers.

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

JJ: I've dreamed of being a writer for as long as I can remember. I always dreamed that I would create these beautiful worlds that would pull people in and create these characters that were lovable and relatable at the same time. I feel incredibly blessed that I get to live out that dream now.

Find JJ Grice here:

www.jjgriceromance.com

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/jjgrice

FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJJGrice

FB Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/223706055737769

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjgrice_author/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jjgriceauthor?lang=en

Torri Heat - Traditional vs Self-Publishing Experience

Name: Torri Heat

Author

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Publishing type: Traditional and Self-Published

Publisher: Changeling Press

There are two major ways to publish. Traditional publishing where you query a publishing house and hope that you get a book deal. Self-Publishing is just as the name implies - you are the publisher of your own books typically through Amazon or IngramSpark. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.

I interviewed Torri Heat who has been both traditionally published and is currently self-publishing for the first time. Below are her experiences with both sides of the publishing world.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: How did you end up working with a publisher?

Torri Heat: I knew I wanted to write, and I knew I wanted to be published, so I just started looking up different romance publishers who I thought might be a good fit for my completed manuscript -- at that time it was called Darkling (what is now Nyctophilia and Caligo, as my publisher does novellas.) I actually got a couple of different offers for Darkling from different publishing houses, but Changeling was the best fit for me. Don't be afraid to say no if something doesn't feel right.

JFG: What are the benefits of working with a publisher? drawbacks?

Torri: All of the money I make off of my books is mine to keep. I'm not paying out of pocket for editors, cover design, proofreading because all of that is paid for. I also have the backing of a company to help me promote my books, and to help me along. As a new author, that alone was priceless, because I would have been absolutely lost. I've also learned a TON from the Changeling community, so making the leap to self pubbing for Blood Crown wasn't as scary. Drawbacks? My royalties are less, and I have less control over my cover, which for me is a big deal. I'm kind of picky. I also work under deadlines! With Changeling I have a novella due every two months.

JFG: What are the benefits of self-publishing? Drawbacks?

Torri: Lots more control. Beth (my co-author) and I were able to set our own deadlines for Blood Crown, and have all of our ideas come to life. It's been REALLY cool seeing it all come together from start to finish, and I'm excited to have those skills tucked away in my back pocket. Downside? It's all on you. I have no one to tell me "hey, maybe that DOESN'T work there..." (we used an editor, but self-pubbing editors seem a lot more leery to hurt your feelings hahahaha) so I've found myself stressing a lot more, and constantly scouring my manuscript to make sure it's perfect.

JFG: Do you have a preference between working with a publisher and self-publishing? Why?

Torri: Honestly, I love both for different reasons, and I think I'll keep doing both! The structure and support from traditional publishing are really great to have for my own personal mindset and goals, as well as everything I get to learn from authors 5, 10, 20 years in the business. Self pubbing has been great for my creative side, and for my own personal development independently. Combining the two has been wonderful.

JFG: What advice do you have for those who want to work with a publisher?

Torri: Don't get yourself stressed out about all the stories you read online. Traditional publishers are NOT all bad and scary, and if you truly want to be traditionally published it'll happen. It just takes trial and error to find the right publisher for you. When you research, do the right research. Just because "Jane Doe" from Reddit is mad that a publisher passed her up, doesn't mean it's going to happen to you. Stick to the web pages that tell you who might be interested in your manuscript, and how to apply it properly. JUST DON'T GIVE UP!

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Torri: My query letter was a disaster. My daughter stepped on my keyboard sending a half-finished email. Literally, half-finished. I frantically resent the email but never expected to hear back. Lo and behold, my publisher sent me back an email that night. What I had thought was a disaster turned out to be that little detail that made me stand out of the proverbial "slush pile." Don't discount your mistakes.

Here’s how to find Torri Heat:

linktr.ee/torriheat -- it's got it all!!

Blood Crown is live today! Order your copy now on Amazon.

Katie Frey - Author and Mom

Name: Katie Frey

Author:

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing Type: Traditional or Self - I took the jump to self-publishing!

Latest Book: Nearly Wed

Upcoming Book: Nearly Her

Last summer, I decided that I would start writing again. Writing has always been my passion and I have written off and one forever. Early this year, I decided I was going to self-publish. Now I have the writing bug and all I want to do is write.

I am fortunate to have a son, a husband, and a full-time job, but all of that makes it challenging to find the time to write. I end up writing early in the morning and late at night. Who needs sleep? I know I am not the only author in this situation.

I reached out to Katie Frey to ask her about being an author and a mom and the challenges that brings. Katie is a mom to two girls, Lucy (age 4.5) and Matilda (2), and the stepmom to Tim (17). She has a “day job” working in her family’s business, Great Pretenders. The business was started and run by her mom and she has worked there for 14 years. She designs dress-up for kids and all the fun stuff that goes along with that. She is also wife to Francois.

If you are an author (or anyone trying to do “all the things”). Read our interview below.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: What made you decide to become an indie author?

Katie: As of two weeks ago, Nearly Wed was still in consideration with a big publisher. But I self-published anyway. I was spending all my time reading about it, and learning about it. I loved the challenge of trying something new (I'm an entrepreneur at heart). But the biggest reason? Control.

I have really poured so much of myself into this book. Nearly Wed is about Ellie, who survived multiple brain surgeries (as have I). Nearly Late, the prequel (which I wrote afterward), is about Jenny Dune, a character I saw even more of myself in. The thought of handing over these stories and having no control over the pricing/market, position/marketing plan, cover/blurb, distribution was too much for me. I'd rather be on a small scale and be authentic to exactly how I want the story told.

I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy.

JFG: As a mom with two small children and a day job, how do you find the time to write?

Katie: Finding the time to write is hard, but I'm quite sure this is something a lot of people face. I love my "day job" and I'm not trying to make writing a full-time money-making proposition, which I feel removes a lot of pressure from the work itself. So I'm grateful to be in that position, but I am faced with one reality: the more I write, the more I want to write. I'm driving my family crazy!

I am NOT a morning person, so waking up at the crack of dawn is not really something I have tried, although I haven't ruled it out. So far, I write with sprints and blitzes, kind of on a "reward basis". (Example: I'm going to fold and put away two loads of laundry, then I'm going to do a 20-minute sprint.)

I try and write an hour before lunch, spend about 30 minutes honing my newsletter (it's new so I'm really excited about it), then work on my "real job". Then at 17:30, I do another 30-45 minutes of writing if I can manage, depending on the kids.

On the weekend, I carve out at least 2 hrs to write (usually during Matilda's nap time). It doesn't seem like a lot when I write it all here, but if you add in the soccer games (I write while my husband watches soccer at night), it does add up. I've never been so excited for a Eurocup or whatever they are called, with matches all the time! I have to watch myself to make sure I'm still leaving time for Francois and my other "real person" friends. Otherwise, I could fall down the rabbit hole of talking to critique partners and friends I've met on bookstagram for hours.

Lastly, it feels weird to say it, but the lockdown has really helped my writing. We can't go anywhere or do anything, so I have more time to write!

JFG: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors who have children?

Katie: It was May 2020 when I made the decision to make writing a priority. I've wanted to be a writer since I was a kid. I'm an overachiever, so it was a goal I was afraid to say aloud. The chances of success were low, really low, and I knew it. If I didn't try, I couldn't fail. So the dream of writing was a dream just for me, tied up pretty in a bow.

Then I had a milestone birthday. I reread a few pages that I found on my laptop (saved down when I turned 30 omg). It was pretty good. I decided I'd had enough of "talking about being a writer". I gave myself one year to "be" a writer.

Until this point, I had a lot of reasons I couldn't write. I'm too busy. My job is hectic. I couldn't possibly take on one more thing (especially something frivolous). I was worried writing would be an expensive hobby (which so far it kinda is). But I had to try.

My biggest tip for people with kids who want to write? The one thing I did right from the start since making the decision to try?

ASK FOR HELP.

I couldn't have written and edited Nearly Wed (or the 3 other books I've written in the space of the year) without the support of my mom and husband. Francois is the one who takes the kids for a weekend so I can have a writing retreat. The one who steps up and cooks dinner more often than not so I can have a shot at living the dream. Doing this alone would be really hard.

The second tip?

GET AS MANY EYES ON YOUR WORK AS YOU CAN. I have had tremendous luck with an awesome team of Beta Readers, and I'm putting together an ARC team. I'm just starting on this journey, so I'm not too concerned with actually selling books. Right now, I'm concerned with making the best book I can, which means getting as many eyes on it as possible. Superfans of the genre. Avid readers. Professional Beta readers. I've done it all with no regrets.

Last Tip;

JUST START. Don't edit your first draft. I have a few writing partners that suffer from impostor syndrome. Worse, I have a few more that never get past the first three chapters because they polish every sentence to death. Get your first draft down. Find a partner. Workshop it. But remember, you can't polish what isn't there. No one needs to read your first draft but you. Just get it down.

JFG: How do you deal with the mom guilt we all feel sometimes?

Katie: This is a hard one. My kids are the light of my life (as I'm sure many of you would say). The girls are at such a cute age, it's hard to pull myself away. But I have to try. I have to believe in myself enough to make writing a priority. How can I expect my kids to believe in themselves if I can't do the same? So I'm writing. FOR my kids.

I also think I am a better mom because I'm happier. Every time a person sends me an email or Facebook message or IG dm, even with just a few lines (even something simple like "I almost finished your book sooo good), I'm excited. When "Mia" left her review on Goodreads I smiled so hard I nearly broke my face. I was so happy! I think when we are being our truest self we can be the best iteration of a parent, and for me, that means writing.

I can't feel guilty about being who I really am.

JFG: With all the momming, wifeing, working, and writing, what do you do for self-care?

This is a big question. I do not like exercise. I have done a fair bit of it, but I don't like it. I've run a LOT. Half Marathons. Marathons. You name it. I even did the Marathon de Sables a few years ago (before I have kids). In all this time exercising, I never once felt the elusive "runner's high".

I've decided I don't even like people who say they've felt it. Those people are the worst. Seriously. Keep that shit to yourself, some of us are SUFFERING.

Since moving to Switzerland from central Canada (where things are more or less flat), my running has been an easy thing to take off the to-do list. But around the same time I started writing (May) I took up "runwalking" *yes, not a term, but my running is so slow I feel I need to add an asterisk. I try and go out 3 times a week, walking/running. I listen to the Outlander Audiobooks as I go (which are AHMAZING BTW). About 2 weeks ago I signed up for the conqueror challenges (they were spamming my IG feed), and I'm having fun with the "great ocean road" challenge. So who knows. Maybe I will also add "get mildly fitter" to the list of things to do this year.

I also spend a night a month singing karaoke with my neighbor (and by karaoke I mean sitting outside freezing on our terrace with youtube karaoke) and by once a month I mean I've done it once in the last 3 months but it was heaps and heaps of fun, and I plan to do it more to give my brain a break.

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Katie: What I write about?

It's not a secret that I write romance. But I find now, having written 3 books and 1 novella, that a massive theme in my writing is identity. It's funny when you write, how much of yourself can come out on the page. I find that I'm fascinated with lying. With love. With how honesty plays into love, and the things we do to justify desire. Central themes in my work are: 1) If you lie about who you are, when you assume your new persona are you actually giving yourself permission to be more yourself than you'd ever otherwise dare to be? When you remove your name from your identity, are you in fact more yourself? If you fall in love with someone while pretending to be someone else, and the love is reciprocated, is it real?

I find that when I add these same questions into different characters, the stories are so different, but it's a question I'm obsessed with.

Find me on IG: @romancceinthealps

Find me on Facebook: kate.freywrites

Follow me on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Katie-Frey/e/B08XZNS6RB/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Katie-Frey/e/B08XZNS6RB/

https://www.amazon.ca/Katie-Frey/e/B08XZNS6RB/

Nearly Late Novella:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X1716HY

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08X1716HY

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08X1716HY/

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08X1716HY/

Nearly Wed:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y5C82YR/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08Y5C82YR/
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08Y5C82YR/
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08Y5C82YR/

Pat Goldys - Writing during the pandemic

Name: Pat Goldys
Author
Genre: Children's Books Publishing type: Self
Latest book: If Grandma Were President

I wonder how many of us started writing or decided it was time to pursue getting our work published in the midst of the pandemic. I have been writing for a long time, but it wasn’t until this past year I decided to move forward with writing and accomplishing the dream of holding my own book in my hand.

I interviewed Pat Goldys who wrote an astonishing 15 books during the pandemic. She was an educator for 39+ years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, but she started her writing career at 64 years old. Even after 15 books, she still has many more ideas for future children’s books.

Read our interview below as we discuss writing books during the pandemic.

JFG: What got you started writing during the pandemic?

Pat: I have always wanted to write books. I thought I would write educational books about teaching strategies because I was a teacher and principal for many years.
But when the pandemic came, grandparents were told to stay at home. I couldn’t see my granddaughter, Mila! So sad and scary. I started telling Mila stories that started to blossom in my mind. The stories were written on my phone. Then these stories were made into children’s books once I found some great illustrators. It was such a joyful and invigorating process and I was productive and fulfilled.
The quarantine brought boredom and writing books brought enjoyment.

JFG: Had you ever written a book prior?

Pat: I wrote all the time, journaling, letters, and poems for special occasions. When I was a principal, the teachers and I would collaborate on learning manuals, presentations, and even wrote a chapter book about restorative practices that never got published.

JFG: What were some of the inspirations to your stories?

Pat: The quarantine, stay at home, and isolation actually gave me the time to write and write and write. My creative juices were flowing and I dove right in the deep end and learned the process of authoring a children’s book! To date, I wrote 15 books.

Mila, my granddaughter, inspired me to write about things she liked such as mermaids, fairies, birthday parties, and playing with grandma. I decided to have Grandma as a character in as many books as I could.

I expressed my ideas about current issues in my books as they were happening—the quarantine, racial unrest, jobs needed, first female vice president, community, and unity—in kid-friendly, relatable stories.

I wanted to develop stories about places where kids could visit during the quarantine so I wrote Zootiful Art, Park Prints and BFF Forever, Best Farm Friends to encourage outside adventures as a family.

I love storytelling and chose some real experiences to help children learn some valuable life lessons.
My son and I saved a dying baby dolphin which became Goldy: A Dolphin Rescue.
My friend had 3 sons like me and the middle son has Down Syndrome. The Three Brothers’ Discovery is about the normalcy of their lives, as well as the special strengths the middle son brought to the family.
I co-authored a book with a high school friend about a Signing Grandma, which incorporated sign language in the story for kids and parents to learn. We decided this will now be a series of signing stories.

I welcome and look for inspiration all around me, hoping to find meaningful topics that kids would be interested in reading.

JFG: How has the pandemic changed the way you get your books out into the world?

Pat: My goal was to read my books in schools, libraries, and book stores. Well, that couldn’t happen. So, I went in another direction and did virtual readings, Facebook lives, reading on a tractor outside on a farm, and taping video book writing lessons for teachers to use in their remote teaching.
I went to farmers’ markets, artisan fairs, and small boutiques to expose the world to my books. It was tough and still is tough marketing the books. Social media helps but it is a challenge building an emailing list of interested readers. I continue to learn about the book writing and publishing process through webinars, online sessions, and how-to books, as well as joining groups on social media that bond writers together to learn from each other, author to author.

JFG: Now that things are slowly going back to normal, will you continue writing?

Pat: I will never stop writing. It is in my heart and soul. It is now a part of who I am.

Find Pat on social media:

Instagram: @authorpatgoldys

Facebook: @authorpatgoldys

Twitter: @authorpatgoldys

Buy her books on Amazon.

Mary Louise Reed - Cover Model

Mary Louise Reed is literally the face of my book, The Legacy of Sterling Manor.

I have known Mary since elementary school. We lost touch over the years, but with the help of Facebook, we were able to keep up with what was going on in each other’s lives.

While I was in the process of writing The Legacy of Sterling Manor, I scrolled through my newsfeed and saw the photo Mary posted of herself in a hat covered in roses. The photo was so striking and captured what I was writing about so perfectly that I knew I wanted it to be the cover of my book.

The thing is that I wrote the book and just put it aside, not sure of what I wanted to do with it. Six months later, I decided that I was going to publish it. Little did I know how much I had to learn, but as a graphic designer, the cover was the thing I wanted to do first.

I remembered that photo of Mary and scrolled and scrolled and scrolled on her feed to find it. When I did I immediately emailed her to ask if I could use the photo as the cover of my upcoming book. I was nervous that she was going to say no and then I wasn’t sure what I would do because I already had the vision of the cover in my head. Lucky for me, Mary is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside and she agreed. I was beyond thrilled.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: What inspired you to take the picture?

Mary: I enjoy taking random photos. This happened to be one of those days and the photo turned out great.

JFG: Have you done any modeling in the past?

Mary: Yes. I was 4th Runner Up in a Miss MD Pageant as well as Overall Miss Photogenic in that same pageant. I have appeared in a movie, tv commercials, and tv shows. I was a runway model for Fashion Bug. I also modeled in the Miss Full-Figured Metropolitan Pageant.

JFG: How do you feel about being on the cover of a book?

Mary: I am excited and very honored.

JFG: What are you passionate about?

Mary: #1 is being the best role model I can for my son. I am also passionate about animals, especially my cats, and traveling as well.

JFG: Do you have a favorite book or author?

Mary: Of course this will now be my favorite book and Jennifer, my new favorite author. :-) Before that Dean Koontz was my favorite author. My favorite book is called VOX.

Check out Mary on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Full-Figured-ModelActress-Mary-Reed-Swain-194950870562297/

Nicole Dixon - Writing Steamy Love Scenes

Name: Nicole Dixon

Author

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing Type: Self

Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing

Latest Book: Carlton Harbor Series: Mirror Image, Surprise Reflections, For Always

Upcoming Book: Starting Over

As a writer in the romance genre, I know the importance of a great love scene in a novel. A reader wants to feel the chemistry between your main characters. They want to feel the tension build and they want a Happily Ever After (HEA) or at least a Happy For Now (HFN) ending.

Romance novels differ in the details of a love scene. There are clean romances where there aren’t explicit sex scenes. There are closed door romances where the sex scene takes place off-page, but is implied. Then there are steamy romances which go into greater detail when describing a sex scene.

I interviewed romance author Nicole Dixon about writing a steamy love scene. Read it below.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: What makes a great love scene in a book?

Nicole: I like to believe that it has less to do with the words that you say and more to do with the emotions that you evoke from the reader. I want you to feel what I feel when I write the scene. I want you to be able to see it, like a movie but better because you’re actually there. If I’ve written the scene the way I intended to write it then you’re right there with me.

The butterflies are churning in the pit of your stomach in anticipation of what’s about to happen. You’re locked in, turning the pages but you don’t even realize you’re reading because you’re so tied up with the words that you’re breathing them.

JFG: How long do you make your readers wait before your couples get together?

Nicole: I develop a love story. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good steamy scene, but I am about relationships. Lust is easy, sex is easy, but love – love takes time. I set the foundation for you, and yeah, maybe I tease you a little along the way, but it takes me to about fifty percent in to get you all the way there.

JFG: What is your favorite trope? Why?

Nicole: Soul Mates, hands down. I’ve written different romance tropes but soul mates is by far my favorite. I think a lot of that comes from my personal experiences in life. I met my husband in high school, he was the handsome jock baseball star athlete, and I was the nerdy, Valedictorian.

We were best friends. He was actually the first writer in our duo. He would write me poetry and slip it to me in notes. It’s funny, he still writes me poetry even today, over fifteen years later. I find love letters in his car, the laundry, on his desk, everywhere. Little pieces of his heart he leaves for me, it’s adorable.

One of my favorite quotes is from Flora and Ulysses, “She wrote about love because she had love.”

I write about love because I feel love every single day, my husband is still my very best friend. Doesn’t hurt that he’s amazing in bed and has made it his life’s mission to keep me rolling in new material for my books. He likes to take credit for a lot of my steam, and honestly, he’s got rights – the man knows what he’s doing.

JFG: How do you make sure the couples in each of your novels are unique?

Nicole: This isn’t something that I have to think about, it just kind of happens. I don’t plot out my novels, my characters are alive to me. In my mind my couples are just as real as you or me, and maybe that makes me a little bit crazy, but all the best people are – right?

Each couple that I write grows and develops every time I sit down at my laptop to type. They like to speak to me when I’m driving down the road, or on the treadmill. They have different personalities and form their own relationships. Half the time I’m surprised with a twist or turn my book takes. I fall in love with each and every one of my couples just like you do.

JFG: Do you ever feel nervous when you think about other people (especially people you

know) reading your steamy love scenes?

Nicole: Like most writers, I’ve been writing much longer than I’ve actually been published. Initially, I was nervous about publishing my work, and if a writer tells you that they weren’t they are lying. Putting yourself out there to be judged by others, no matter what you’re doing takes bravery. Throw in explicit scenes and men with filthy mouths and you can multiply that times ten.

I made the decision to publish my work when I decided that it meant more to me that I showed my children to never give up on their dreams than what people might think about me or the things that I write. At this point in my career, I’m confident in my work, and when my children grow up and recover from the shock of finding out their mother writes romance and not “scary” books, I think they will be proud of me. I followed my dreams, and no matter what challenges I face I refuse to give up.

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Nicole: Follow your dreams. Be weird. Do your thing. No matter what that is. The only thing holding you back is YOU. Feel free to include your website, social media, links to buy your books, etc.

Website: www.nicoledixonauthor.com

Follow me on Instagram: @nicoledixonauthor

Facebook: nicoledixonauthor

Amazon Author Page: Nicole Dixon

Carlton Harbor Series:

Book 1: Mirror Image

Book 2: Surprise Reflections

Book 3: For Always

Book 4: Starting Over

My books are available on Amazon and Kindle. Paperbacks can be purchased through Amazon.

Reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram to purchase signed copies.

Brey War - Indie Author Support Group Founder

Name: Brey War

Indie Author Support Group Founder

Recently I came across a post on Instagram inviting indie authors to join a new group. I was intrigued, but not sure what to expect.

I sent a DM to the group as suggested with the genre I write, which is Romance. Brey immediately got back to me and asked if I would be ok with being placed into a chat group. I agreed and found myself in a group of romance writers and book reviewers.

I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but once I started chatting with other authors and reviewers I realized how amazing the group is.

Chatting with others, asking questions, and getting answers based on their experiences has been so helpful. Not to mention the support and joy we all share when something good happens to one of us.

I did a cover reveal that I shared with my group and they all were so excited that they posted the cover to their own Instagram stories and I have done the same with them. I have read ARCs for members and written reviews.

This group might be the best thing I have found on Instagram as an author. There is only positivity in my group and that is something everyone can use more of.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNdJntfLgGI/idea to start the Indie Author Support group?

Brey: I got the idea for the Indie Author Support group after I had asked authors to reach out to me to share any posts, upcoming releases, or deals they needed me to share. I’m just one person, and I wanted that to be more widespread. The more circulation a post or an announcement gets, the more people will check it out. I have a lot of indie friends, and I know how hard it is to market your books if you don’t have a backing. I wanted to make it affordable (free) for authors to get that backing.

JFG: What is the main goal of the group?

Brey: The main goal of the group is to get indie author books out there. Get people interested in them who normally wouldn’t know they exist.

JFG: How is the group organized?

Brey: The group is organized into genres, with the option of a hashtag specifically for the group, and tagging options. We push for equal engagement so that we can all grow together. Behind the scenes, I have an amazing team of admins who help me make sure everything runs smoothly. @webreakforbooks, @authoramymichellecarpenter, @pavlovsdogparty, @_bookish.me_, @davidscottt1984, @susieq_reviews, and @queenbeesbookhive. They are all incredible and go out of their way to help make the group better!

JFG: Is it only on Instagram?

Brey: As of right now, it is only a group on Instagram, but I have had a lot of people request a Facebook group, and I’m very highly considering it!

JFG: How can others join or support the group?

Brey: To join the group, give us a follow @indieauthorsupport and send us a dm with your preferred genres!

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Brey: This group was started by me, but so many other people have put so much effort and support into it that it is completely beyond me. I’ve gotten so much great feedback on how big of a difference it’s making, and I’m so proud and grateful! My insta is @breysreviews if you’d like to give me a follow!

Lexi Evans - Audiobook Narrator

Lexi Evans

Audiobook Narrator

Favorite Genre: Romance (Everything from dark, to fairy tale, to BDSM, to paranormal shifters, I love it!)

Latest Books: (They are in processing with Audible right now)

Piper's Price by D.A. Maddox

Paranormal Dating Agency Series: Born with a Silver Moon by Milly Taiden (I narrate quite a few of her books)

Upcoming Project: A Beast So Cold: A Dark Revenge Mafia Captive Romance: A Modern Day Beauty & The Beast Billionaire Fairytale by Beena Khan

I love audiobooks. They have been my saving grace in long commutes, while exercising and sometimes just laying in bed. Last year I listened to 48 audiobooks. I mean I really love audiobooks.

I had the chance to interview Lexi Evans who is an audiobook narrator. She has a hauntingly beautiful voice and creates a wide range of characters. I had lots of questions about the process. Read more about it in the interview below.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: How did you get started narrating books?

Lexi: Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved to read. Being an only child, I would frequently read aloud to my stuffed animals and dolls. My mom always enjoyed listening to me as well. I was very involved in the arts throughout high school and college, specifically music and theater. Fast forward quite a few years, I started listening to audiobooks while recovering from surgery. My husband is also a voice actor and I told him how I was very interested in learning how to become an audiobook narrator. After much research and ongoing coaching from some of the very best acting and voice coaches in the business, I began auditioning and forming relationships with Indie authors. I have been narrating for over 2 years now and love it!

JFG: With multiple characters in a book, how do you keep track of the changes in voice inflection to make sure they always sound the same?

Lexi: To keep track of multiple voices/characters in a book, it all starts before I ever step foot in my recording studio. Prep is the main ingredient for success. I read the book from cover to cover and have an annotation software that I use on my iPad where I highlight every character that speaks. I assign a color to each character. I take notes on any clues the author gives as to what this person is like. Everything from their personality, to any way they speak, age, accent, you name it. If it's there in the book, it's part of my notes. When I start production, I have the book with all my highlighting and notes while I'm reading.

JFG: How long does it typically take to record an audiobook?

Lexi: Typically, it takes me double the time of the finished audio. For example, if the book is 12 hours finished, it has taken me at least 24 hours of work to complete the audio.

JFG: Would you turn down narrating a book if you didn't like it?

Lexi: There are certain topics that I won't narrate. Topics that I would be extremely uncomfortable to do, or that I feel would not be a positive decision for my career. Other than a few very specific topics, I will narrate. One of my coaches tells her students, that it’s not our job to like the book, the characters, the plot, etc. It's our job as a performer to bring forth the author's truth and let their story come to life through our voice. All personal opinions aside. :)

JFG: What is your process for working with an author? Do you send samples as you go?

Lexi: I love working with Indie authors! I have a welcome packet that I send to all of my authors that explains the whole process from start to finish. I also have a fun character sheet for them to fill out for me. Questions about the characters like if their book were made into a movie who would be their dream cast? I also LOVE LOVE LOVE it when an author has a playlist for their book! I will download all the songs and create my own playlist for the book to listen to in the morning when getting ready and in the car. I submerge myself in it before I record. It really helps me get into the mood of the book. Authors get a 15-minute sample of the book at the very beginning of production. After they approve that, I have the green light to move forward. I go into detail in my welcome packet about that. As a thank you to my authors, I create an audio back cover book teaser. I put together a graphic that has the cover of their book along with the 1-minute audio sample (what is written on the back of their book cover) and post it to Instagram and FB. They can share with their fans and it also gets the word out about the audiobook.

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Lexi: The last thing I would like to share is that if you love audiobooks, please leave a written review. I, along with many narrators and authors read each and every one of them. The ones that are positive and the listener has expressed just how much they loved the book, bring a HUGE smile to my face every time! Even a short sentence saying they loved it is awesome! To every listener, thank you!

You can check out her website with voice samples at www.lexievansvoice.com

Jensen Kristyne - Using Patreon

Jensen Kristyne, Author

Genre: Romance

Latest Book: With You

Publishing Type:

Self-Published

Publisher: Messy Modern Press

I recently had the chance to interview Jensen Kristyne, a romance novelist. While I love her books, I wanted to know more about the Patreon platform that authors are using to connect with their readers.

On its website, Patreon describes itself , “On Patreon, you can let your fans become active participants in the work they love by offering them a monthly membership. You give them access to exclusive content, community, and insight into your creative process. In exchange, you get the freedom to do your best work, and the stability you need to build an independent creative career.”

I wanted to know how that works for authors and their communities. See the interview below to find out more.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: As an author, what benefits does Patreon provide?

Jensen: Patreon provides me the opportunity to focus on a select group of writers/authors looking for a coach to help them through their journey to becoming published.

JFG: What do you offer your patrons with their membership plans?

Jensen: I have two different tiers I offer to my Patrons.

Tier One:

Grants them access to my patron-only writing community. (A Discord Channel called the Writing Room) There they can connect with me and other members, find help, and share their own tips and tricks! They get exclusive sneak peeks at behind-the-scenes information, cover reveals, new merchandise, and more!! And all members get ARC copies of my books before they’re published.

Tier Two:

Grants them access to my patron-exclusive WRITING RESOURCE LIBRARY, where they’ll find helpful print-ready resources and videos that outline each step in your publishing journey—from writing your first words to the day your book launches and what comes next! :) They will gain early access to all my authortube videos before their published! Be able to join in on our monthly live streams where I teach tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way through my own journey in publishing With You! Gain elite access to a private Author Club channel in The Writing Room community, where you can connect with potential cp’s and beta-readers, learn from other talented members, find tips on growing your author platform, social media support, and SO much more! And, of course, they’ll have access to all the previous tier’s benefits.

JFG: In your experience, what is the best way to build an audience?

Jensen: In my experience, the best way to build an audience is by being sincere and finding your own niche that sets you apart. Being original and using your experiences are important. Your followers want to few as if they can trust you and what you say, otherwise, they’ll go elsewhere.

JFG: Do you like writing or teaching about writing better?

Jensen: I love coaching others and helping them succeed, but my passion for writing is where it all started. I love creating a story that makes the reader feel for my characters, and I love seeing my little ideas come to life. There’s no feeling like the first time you hold your own book in your hands.

JFG: What projects are you currently working on?

Jensen: Currently I am working on finishing up book two in The Taken Series, For You. It follows Detective Matthew Hart and Logan Evans as they find love during his investigation. (Each book in this series covers a different view over the takedown of The Russo Crime Family)

If anyone ever has any questions about becoming a member of my Patreon account, my inbox is always open. I love helping others!

Connect with me on social!
Instagram: @authorjensenkristyne
TikTok: @authorjensenkristyne
Facebook: @authorjensenkristyne
YouTube: @authorjensenkristyne
Twitter: @authorjensenkristyne

Website: www.JensenKristyne.com
Patreon: Go to www.patreon.com then use @authorjensenkristyne to find me!

Arash Jahani - Illustrator

Arash Jahani

Illustrator, Children's book illustrator, Book Cover Designer, Book Formatter

Genre: All the genres

As a graphic designer in my day job, I love art and illustration. I found Arash’s Instagram and was fascinated by his different styles. Many illustrator I have worked with have a particular style and that is what they stick with. Arash is very versatile which tells me he strives to create illustrations that are within the author’s vision of their book.

Read our interview below to find out more.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: How did you get into illustrating children's books?

Arash: My interest in drawing and illustration from my childhood drew me to this direction because the books can show art and creativity.

JFG: What is your process when working with an author?

Arash: I deal with writers very flexibly and that is why all the services I provide include unlimited revises. I try my best to deliver the work on time and I use all my creativity.

JFG: How long does it take to illustrate a children's book?

Arash: For example, a children's book with 24 pages takes one month.

JFG: How do you deal with picky clients and revisions?
Arash: I include unlimited revising to satisfy all types of my clients.

JFG: What advice do you have for an author who is looking for an illustrator?

Arash: To find an illustrator for a book that you have spent months writing, do not think about the cost of the illustrator's work and just choose the best one.

Visit Arah’s website: https://arashjahani.com

Instagram: childsbook.illustrator

Michelle Angelle - Writing as a team

Michelle and Angelle, writing duo.

Michelle Angelle (pen name of two good friends: Michelle and Angelle.)

Genre: We write contemporary romance with rom-com laughs.

Publishing type: Indie published

Latest book: Wrong Guy, Right Room

Next book: Dear Pink release date April 2021

I wanted to explore what it’s like to write as a team this week. As a writer, I love to bounce ideas off my best friend (who is also my editor) so I sort of know what it is to write with someone else, but at the end of the day, my book is mine.

I asked Michelle Angelle what it was like to write as a team. See their answers below.

Jennifer Franz Griffith: What is your process for writing as a team?

Michelle Angelle: First, we begin with an ancient chant, and then do an incense ritual to clear our space. Totally JOKING! Between juggling kids, husbands, and part-time jobs, the writing time happens when it can. Luckily, we have one another on speed dial and chat often about crazy ideas. There is rarely a hello, just diving into work the moment we answer the phone. Since we write together, we share docs and emails constantly. While there is no specific process, there might be a little mind-reading.

JFG: How do you decide what stories to write?

Michelle Angelle: Twenty years ago, we started a book club and fell in love with the romance novels our group read. Inspired, and wanting to work together, we immediately started dreaming up characters. Unlike traditional rom-coms on the market, we wanted side characters that had agency and strong voices. Together, we imagined scenarios involving two lost loves forced together in impossible situations. We all have a “WHAT IF” person from our past and it's fun to fantasize scenarios. We keep a running google doc of story ideas to dip into for our next book. Luckily, we both have a lot of "WHAT IFs".

JFG: Do you write at the same time or take turns?

Michelle Angelle: We write at the same time. Sounds crazy but we work our book like an onion layering on top of one another using a shared document. Just like an onion sometimes there are tears.

JFG: What made you decide to write as a team instead of individually?

Michelle Angelle: It was an easy decision that happened over a morning brunch. Who wouldn't want to work with their best friend?

JFG: How do you settle a difference in the vision of a story you are working on if you have one?

Michelle Angelle: If there's a severe disagreement, we do the smart thing and consult our magic eight ball.

JFG: Anything else you would like to share?

Michelle Angelle: We often get asked questions from new writers. Our advice is read a ton. Write when you can without putting pressure on yourself. Be true to who you are in the process. Don’t get distracted by the outside world and what you should do instead of what you want. Listen and trust yourself.

Website: michelleangellebooks.com
Instagram: @michelleangellebooks

To purchase: www.amazon.com/Wrong-Guy-Right-Room-Romantic-ebook/dp/B08GV37QVR