Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m Cassandra Featherstone, though most people call me Cass (or Muppet).

I wrote my first short story at 3–my mom still has it–and I’ve been writing ever since.

Before the pandemic, I worked at an indie bookstore as Director of Educational Service/B2B, but my whole department got torpedoed by May of 2020. I’d started dipping my toe into self-publishing when they laid us all off in March, but I put myself in the wrong categories!

Once I figured out I belonged in whychoose romance, I really worked hard to learn as much about self-publishing as I knew about trad pub from my decade in the biz. I’m STILL learning and growing, but I’ve been busy!

I have five solo series and two co-write series in progress as of right now. The solo series all fall into one universe, which I love, and so I have an infinite playground to work in.(Plus, a really ridiculous writing schedule over the next few years.)

My five cats, puppy, long suffering husband, and my college aged goblin all live in the sweet spot between the South and the Midwest with me.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

Mmm. My PA says that I always write slower until I ‘de-virginize’ the characters. (ha!)

So probably first book, because my FMC will get spicy with the different love interests one by one (sometimes more), and after they do, I can really ‘hear’ all of their voices in my head clearly.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

Oh, well. I’m a panster. I often haven’t a clue what’s coming next, so it’s ALL a surprise.

As for readers, I try to make sure I’m not just rubber stamping the same things over and over–whether characters, plots, traits, appearances, etc. No shade to people who do well with a formula or enjoy it at all! I’m just a girl who loves to have variety–hence whychoose 😉

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

First of all, learn about BUSINESS. You will make mistakes, but don’t let them be ones you have to suffer with FOREVER. Covers matter. Some form of editing (even betas, etc) matter. Marketing on anything free–FB, TT, IG, NL, etc–matter. Vet your helpers–find out about PAs, editors, cons, book boxes, anthology runners, arc team members as best you can before committing. Use contracts for these people and especially for co-writers, even your friends. You have to protect yourself and your work from fraud, scams, and people who will take advantage of you. Doing this stuff from the beginning will help your stress immeasurably.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

I work part-time still, but I write full time as well. (Sounds counterintuitive, but stay with me.)

That means on non-office work days, I write/do admin junk/do marketing at different points in the day for about two-four hours.

On office days, I aim for throughout the day, on breaks, and after I get home. (I work by daily word count on writing, which varies depending on how far ahead/behind I am.)

Also, I’m trying to get better at not working 24/7. WISH ME LUCK.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

Man, I am bad at choosing. All us whychoose people are.

Delilah (from the Codename series) was most like me when I was younger and got back into writing more seriously. She was my first published FMC and very near to my heart.

Jolene (Hollow series) is most like me now and she’s so much fun to write. She’s sassy, smart, a little damaged, funny, and does everything by seat of her pants. Jolene doesn’t have control of her life, per se, but she’s learned to ride the waves well. And she doesn’t take anyone’s BS anymore.

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

I’m gonna go with the Hollow series because I think it’s got a good chance, but I’d prefer an HBO series. (Not Netflix they cancel everything.)

Jolene would be played by Zoey Deschanel
Teddy by Henry Cavill
Wolfie by Matt Later
Presley by Jared Padalecki
Doyle by Tom Hiddleston
Benjy by Donald Glover
Saoirse by Emma Watson

What is your definition of success?

I want to be able to go true full time as a writer and have readers adore my books.

Do you have anything you want to share that didn’t fit on one of these questions?

Don’t compare yourself or progress to others’. Stay on your path and do your thing. You’ll be happier for it.

What are your social links?

http://cfeatherstone.ctcin.bio/

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.