Category Archives: Author Interviews

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – Megan Kelly

Megan Kelly

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Megan Kelly

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

I love writing series books. It’s quite a bit of organization, which I geek out over.

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

I have characters’ stories developed that could take place in other settings but are enhanced by living in my fictional town and interacting with known characters (or lead characters to come).

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

Work on something you love to read, that gives you joy. Celebrate the milestones. Believe in yourself.

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

I’m a purge/rest writer—words spill out in huge amounts, then nothing for a few days. Nothing typical here.

What is your definition of success?

I’m proud of what I write. I love what I do. It’s thrilling when someone has read one of my books.

What are your social links?

Facebook.com/MeganKelly-Author

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 #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – Jessie Lane

Jessie Lane

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi there! My name is Jessie Lane and I write both Contemporary and Paranormal Romance. I published my first book in 2012, which was an upper YA Teen Fantasy titled The Burning Star featuring the fae. After that I made my way into the romance genre with my first paranormal, Big Bad Bite. From there I branched off into contemporary romance with my angst ridden and action packed Secret Maneuvers. I’ve gone on to write bikers with my best friend Chelsea Camaron, an alien prince exiled from his home planet with Abbie Zanders, a lion shifter with Chasity Bowlin, broody vampires, hot military men, vikings and shifters of every shape and size in between.

I’ve taken a 4-5 year break from publishing to finish raise my kids and run a small town newspaper. Now my kids are adults (SOBS -> I FEEL SO OLD), and I have stepped away from managing the newspaper so that I can reinvest myself, and my career, back into writing. I can’t tell you how much I missed the book world while I was gone, but I can tell you I promise to bust my ass to give you new stories to read. Who’s ready for some shenanigans?

In the future I would also like to branch out into both Urban Fantasy and Thrillers. In case anyone was wondering, YES, I have writer’s ADHD like I’ve been on crack cocaine for half my life. I don’t foresee outgrowing that trait.

Besides that, I live in Kentucky with the love of my life, the Grizzly, my crazy ass dad, and my two adult children (because I’m not ready to be an empty nester dammit!). We have two doggy fur babies named Sophie and Luna. My husband is both a former firefighter and former law enforcement. He now runs a 911 Emergency Dispatch Center and I believe in all things First Responder, who prove daily that superheroes don’t wear capes. Both of my parents are Army veterans, and my respect for the Armed Forces is so high, you’ll never see the peak of that mountain.

By the time this interview publishes I will have just turned 41 and I love tattoos, caffeine and smokin’ hot broody fictional men. Books are life, music is soul, tattoos are therapeutic and art of all forms is what keeps us meager human beings from reversing back to Neanderthals.

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

The others after. The first book is a breath of fresh air. A whole new world where I can do anything I want to do. Follow-up books are harder because you have to keep track of details and sometimes that drives me a little crazy. Or, as my children might tell you, crazier than I have already been diagnosed.

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

I am a perpetual writing “pantser”. Every time I try to “plot” a book, my character laughs at me, takes my well meaning plot, and then throws it in their trash can. So, this might be hard for some to believe, but my best writing is done when I sit down with just a loose concept in my head, and I start typing. If I know I want to write something funny, I might watch a comedy or read one of my favorite comedic authors. Same concept goes for intense emotions on the opposite end of the scale. But while I’m writing, I love to play the game “what if”, to keep things fresh for my readers. What if my character did this? What if this happened? Putting twists into my plotline is one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done. Just don’t tell my husband that. It might hurt his feelings… LMAO. I’m gonna be in so much trouble if he ever reads that part.

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

Just keep writing. I know that’s been preached by other authors until you think it can’t possibly be preached anymore, but it’s the truth. Writing is like exercising. If you work out everyday, it’s easier on your body because your body is use to that exertion. Same concept for writing. Write every day. Even if it’s only 500 words. That way, both your mind and your mental stamina, are used to sitting down and getting those words out. Practice may not make perfect, contrary to the phrase, but it does make you better.

And anyone who writes, shouldn’t be sitting down to a keyboard thinking they’re going to make a million dollars. Your intent should be to make art, in whatever way those words speak to your soul. And if you’re wanting to publish, your goal should be that those words you lay down, they make others feel to the bottoms of their soul. Writing every day, even if it’s to short writing prompts, will help you in that endeavor.

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

I used to write, on the minimum, two thousand words a day. My life got overly chaotic for a while with kids, schedules, and medical problems and I fell off that practice. I am now actively working my way back to that practice, even though I work a full time day job with county government. But I have written in excess of ten thousand words in a day a time or two. I also cried those two times because I was like a cranky toddler, but I got it done dammit.

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

I don’t have favorites per se, but I do have certain things about some of my characters that I love. For instance, I love how bad-ass Jenna from Big Bad Bite is. She’s the definitive in girl power. She may “work” in a man’s world, but she’s doing it her way and daring anyone else to tell her otherwise. I love how Adam from Big Bad Bite is the steady constant Jenna never knew she needed. He’s an Alpha with a capital A, but he’s also going to stand beside his woman and not in front of her like she’s weak.

On the other end of the spectrum is Ginny from the three “Sweet Series”, featuring Lucas Young from Ex Ops. I truly love how Ginny sees the world in colors. How her artist’s brain paints emotions like brush strokes or splatters on canvas. She’s the sweet soul a dominant man like Lucas Young knows has to be protected at all costs.

I love the real life turbulence between Bobby and Belle in Secret Maneuvers and Riley and his wife in Stripping Her Defenses. The ups, downs, and emotional rollercoasters of their journeys together.

Most of all though, I love writing the comedy in my stories. Whether it’s Declan from Ex Ops acting like an insane idiot, or Kinks in Lone Wolf Wanted knocking out her shifter mate with a frying pan because he left her. I love making people laugh. It’s the best feeling in the world to make someone else happy, if even for a moment. I’m addicted to that feeling.

What is your definition of success?

For me, success is when a reader tells me that something I wrote made them laugh out loud or cry because it touched their heart. I don’t want to just write a story. I want to write something that moves you. Hopefully, it just won’t “move you” off the couch and on your way to find me because you want to strangle me. Most importantly, if I can help that person disappear from their everyday life, getting lost into a book, then I accomplished my goal.

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

I love meeting and hearing from readers! Feel free to email me at:
jessie_lane@jessielanebooks.com
OR come meet me in person at Writers on the River 2024!
Then you can see I’m just as neurotic and awkward in person as I appear on paper. 🙂

What are your social links?

Website ⟾ https://jessielanebooks.com/
Facebook Reader Group ⟾ https://www.facebook.com/groups/JessieLanesBookJunkies
Facebook ⟾ https://www.facebook.com/JessieLaneBooks/
Bookbub ⟾ https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jessie-lane
Twitter ⟾ https://twitter.com/JessieLaneBooks
Instagram ⟾ https://www.instagram.com/authorjessielane/
Goodreads Author Page ⟾ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6150577.Jessie_Lane

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.)

Website ⟾ https://jessielanebooks.com/
Bookbub Author Page ⟾ https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jessie-lane
Amazon Author Page ⟾ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jessie-Lane/author/B00CN02LZM?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Goodreads Author Page ⟾ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6150577.Jessie_Lane

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – H. D’Agostino

Heather D'Agostino

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I write under the name H. D’Agostino. I’ve been attending WOTR since year 1. I write contemporary romance, romantic suspense, new adult, rom com, and military. I just celebrated 10 years published this past April.

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

What comes after. You can make up whatever you want in book 1. When you start the rest of the series, you have to remember what you had so everything flows together.

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

I skip around in the sub generes. I try to keep things as realistic as I can, but also have a bit of that fantasy that expect from romance. I’m also very diligent about not using the same subject matter in more than one book.

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

Just write. Whatever it is, no matter what, just write. Pick it apart later during the editing process.

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

On a good day, about an hour. I work a full time job and have kiddos to take care of. Writing usually happens in the early morning before leaving for work, or on the weekends if I’m not at a track meet or something else.

What is your definition of success?

Finishing a project and being proud of it.

What are your social links?

www.facebook.com/H.DAgostino.author
www.instagram.com/hdagostino001
http://hdagostinobooks.weebly.com

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 #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight -Annabelle Anders

Annabelle Anders

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

My name is Ann, but I write under Annabelle Anders. I began publishing in 2017 and left my day job a year later. Since then, I’ve published over fifty full length Regency Romance novels, with one of them receiving the distinguished RITA nomination in 2019. I write at her home in the small town of Grand Junction, Colorado with the “help” of my two miniature dachshunds and husband of thirty years. I am happy to have finally found my place in life.

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

The first (when I do it right). All the others if I don’t LOL

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

I try to come up with original scenes… something that I haven’t read or heard of anywhere else.

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

Decide if you want it to be a business or a hobby. Because the business side takes twice as much time as the writing…

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

From anywhere between 1-12 hours. Depending on how close I am to my next deadline. (I have ADHD and so… yeah…)

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

Miss Emily Goodnight. She is the quintessential Annabelle Anders heroine and I love her because she’s confident in some areas of her life, but when it comes to romance, never feels good enough. But when her hero finally pulls his head out of his behind, he realizes how awesome she really is. By the end of the book, she’s more self-assured, and he’s realized how badly he needed this very woman. 🙂

What is your definition of success?

I think you’ll get a million different answers to this question. I’ll say it’s balance. I am more than just a writer, I am a wife, mother, sister and daughter too and I need to make sure I’m healthy enough to fill all these roles. So selling books, oh yea. Staying sane while I do it? That’s success.

What are your social links?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Annabelle-Anders/e/B073ZLRB3F
Newsletter Subscribe: https://www.annabelleanders.com/newsletter-subscribe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Annabelle.Anders1/
The Devilish Debutantes’ Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AnnabellesReaderGroup/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/annabelle-anders
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabelle.anders/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@annabelle_anders_author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16889537.Annabelle_Anders

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.)

DEVILISH DEBUTANTES
Hell Hath No Fury
https://books2read.com/Hell-Hath-No-Fury
Hell in a Hand Basket
https://books2read.com/Hell-in-a-Hand-Basket
Hell’s Belle
https://books2read.com/Hells-Belle
Hell of a Lady
https://books2read.com/Hell-of-a-Lady
Hell hath Frozen Over
https://books2read.com/Hell-Hath-Frozen-Over
To Hell and Back
https://books2read.com/To-Hell-and-Back
Hell’s Wedding Bells
https://books2read.com/Hells-Wedding-Bells
Devilish Debutantes Part One
https://books2read.com/SETDevilishDebutantes-Part1
Devilish Debutantes Part Two
https://books2read.com/SETDevilishDebutantes-Part2

THE PERFECT REGENCY
The Perfect Debutante
books2read.com/ThePerfectDebutante
The Perfect Spinster
books2read.com/ThePerfectSpinster
The Perfect Christmas
https://books2read.com/ThePerfectChristmas
The Perfect Arrangement
https://books2read.com/ThePerfectArrangement

MISS PRIM’S SECRET SCHOOL FOR BUDDING BLUESTOCKINGS
Trapped With the Duke
https://books2read.com/trapped-with-the-duke-Annabelle-Anders
Educated by the Earl
https://books2read.com/edudatedbytheearl
Pretending to be a Debutante
https://books2read.com/PretendingToBeADebutante
Rescued by the Rake
https://books2read.com/RescuedByTheRake
Advising The Viscount
https://books2read.com/advisingtheviscount
Make Believe With The Marquess
https://books2read.com/makebelievewiththemarquess
Schooled By The Bastard
https://books2read.com/schooledbythebastard

OTHER BOOKS
Miss Fortune’s First Kiss
https://books2read.com/MissFortunesFirstKiss

The Debutante of Drury Lane
https://books2read.com/debutanteofdrurylane

THE RAKES OF ROTTEN ROW
Hanover Square Spare
https://books2read.com/hanoversquarespare
Piccadilly Player
https://books2read.com/PiccadillyPlayer
Fleet Street Scoundrel
https://books2read.com/FleetStreetScoundrel
Pall Mall Peer
https://books2read.com/u/bpYlWg

Find more books at https://www.annabelleanders.com

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – Jenna Jacob

Jenna Jacob

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi gang! I’m Jenna Jacob. I write steamy BDSM, Rockstar, Cowboy, and sinful contemporary romance. I live in Kansas with my hunky husband (who’s somehow put up with me for 31 years). I love music, cooking, writing (of course), and coffee! I hate bell peppers, anchovies, and winter! LOL

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

it’s not so much the book, but always the first chapter. You have to set the scene, create the world, and introduce the key players without it turning into an info dump. It’s like dancing through a mine field sometimes!

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

Tapping into the character’s quirks helps a lot. I mean, nobody is perfect, right? I like discovering why – for instance – the hero hates bell peppers. (Because his mom always put them on pizza when he was growing up and it tainted the whole damn pie.) Or why the heroine doesn’t trust men. (Insert a million and one reasons some smooth-talking jerk hurt her in the past.)

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

Let the emotions flow through you. Laugh. Scream. Cry. Squirm. Pant. Then grab your partner or toys, Kleenex, and chocolate when you’re finished writing the scene.

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

Writing? Not nearly as much as I need to. Administrative tasks? More than you can imagine.

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

OMG, that’s like trying to pick a favorite child – impossible. I love them ALL!!!

What is your definition of success?

Someone telling me they love my stories.

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.)

Website: www.jennajacob.com
E Mail: jenna@jennajacob.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorjennajacob
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_jacob_author/
TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennawriteshawtromance
Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/1GvwNnn
Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/3qBBJGm
Google Play Author page: http://bit.ly/3CqN0wq
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/JennaNewsletter
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenna-jacob
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2lZagNE
Jezebels Party Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jennajacobsjezebels

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight #eventsponsor -Kimberly Readnour

Kimberly Readnour

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hello! I’m Kimberly Readnour writer of sports and small town romances. I flippin’ love romance and getting lost into fictional worlds. But did you know I first started in young adult? I wrote my first series for my daughter and never thought anyone else would read them. If you read any of my work and hate it, you can blame her for pushing me to publish. She kept after me for four years before I took the plunge. But my heart was always with romance, so after I completed the series for her, I switched genres and never looked back.

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

For me, it’s harder to write the last book of the series. By the time I get to the last one, I’ve grown attached to the characters and hate letting go.

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

All the books in my series are standalones at the moment, so each couple has their own story. Then I try to mix it up with different tropes and such. I also bounce between sports and small town romances, so I don’t get burned out on one category.

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

There is so much advice out there. You really need to find what works for you and not try to do everything that is told to you. Not all advice will work for you, except ending a romance book with a HEA. That’s a must.

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

I still work full time, so my time is limited. I steal time in the morning before I leave for work and try to work on the story whenever there is downtime. And yes, I’m always late to work. lol. But I’m too drained by the time I come home to work during the evening, so morning it is!

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

I have so many, but I always fall back to Jax Carrigan from Swing for the Fences. He’s so patient with Jocelyn and takes her kids into consideration with every decision. They are perfect for each other despite the rough road it took to get there.

What is your definition of success?

Success to me means putting out books that people enjoy. If I can bring joy to people or make them feel, then I’ve done my job.

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

Thanks for having me join this year! I’m looking forward to this signing.

What are your social links?

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734619093516871

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.)

https://linktr.ee/kimberlyreadnour

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight #eventsponsor – Cheryl Brooks

Cheryl Brooks

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Cheryl Brooks I was born in Louisville, KY, and am married with two sons. We moved to a farm in Indiana in 1989, where I raised horses for a while. I still have my first foal, who is now 24 years old. I was a critical care nurse for about 35 years, and have been writing off and on for most of my life. I was first published in 2008 and now have 38 published works. I am currently working on #39.

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

They’re all hard. In the first book, you have to establish a world, then you have to be consistent with it in the subsequent books.

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

Because each book was written during a different time in my life, my focus changed with the times and my ever increasing age.

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

For the most part, you get out of writing what you put into it.

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

Not nearly as much as I used to. It tends to come in spurts, and for some strange reason, I seem to have less time to write than when I was younger and working full time.

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

Onca in Rebel. He’s perhaps the only one of my characters who demanded that their story be told.

What is your definition of success?

Getting published (traditionally) was the biggie. Finding my book in Barnes & Noble was pretty awesome!

What are your social links?

Website https://www.cherylbrooksonline.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.brooks.963
Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/cherylbrooksauthor/
Twitter https://twitter.com/CherylCatMaster
Blog http://cherylbrooksauthor.blogspot.com/
Email cheryl.brooks52@yahoo.com
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/752898.Cheryl_Brooks
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cheryl-brooks
Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-brooks-73664158/
Author Central https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JS6XN0

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.)

Buy links for most platforms are listed on my website, www.cherylbrooksonline.com

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – J.E. Mueller

J.E. Mueller

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

J.E.Mueller -Hello all! I go by Reya and I am your local Happily Ever After author! When not writing or reading, I love gaming and stream a variety of games that vary from chill Stardew Valley, and spooky Phasmophobia. If there was any other profession I could have in the world, it would be a penguin wrangler! I’d love to be at the zoo, helping the waddly birds with their day.

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

The hardest for me is the others in the series. Making sure everything is consistent is always an interesting nightmare, and sometimes a hilarious fail. You would think remembering someone’s eye color across a series wouldn’t be too difficult, and yet… I also did accidentally re-name a side character and none of my betas noticed once. Oooops!

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

New problems, building on old problems, and angst. If I find I am struggling with a scene, I love asking for help, specifically “what can go wrong here” and that always adds to the fun.

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

Finding a community you can write and vibe with helps a ton. They are great for the bad days, the hard scenes, and when your brain is sloshing around with no ideas and only vibes. Sometimes you have to push yourself, and sometimes you need a little push. A great community can help so much with all of that.

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

Honestly, I’m all over the place. If I’m hyper-fixating on an idea, I can spend hours writing. Some days, it’s only a half hour.

What is your definition of success?

That is constantly changing! It started out with selling ten copies of my first book, then being able to pay myself back for the cover design, and steadily built up to what events I’ve attended. Right now, success for me is whenever someone comes up and excitedly wants to chat about something of mine that they read. I get fan girl squeals and so much delight hearing everything readers have to say.

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

I might secretly be two penguins in a trench coat, which explains more writing mishaps than not.

What are your social links?

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/391014962198368

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16958250.J_E_Mueller

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-e-mueller

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.)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/J.E.-Mueller/e/B074V9YJWG/

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – Shannyn Schroeder

Shannyn Schroeder

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi – I’m Shannyn Schroeder (but I also write under the name Sloane Steele). I write steamy contemporary romance set in Chicago. That’s where I grew up and I now live in the ‘burbs. I’m mom to 3 awesome mostly adult kids. In addition to being an author, I’m an executive functions coach, English teacher, and curriculum writer.

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

The first is the most fun to write. I get to dive into a whole new world. I just make shit up as I go. Details aren’t important. Well…the details become important in later books. If you tell readers something about a character, you need to incorporate that into the later book. And truly, I suck at that. If I were smart, I’d create a series bible of all those details as I go, but I never do.

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

For me, there’s comfort in returning to the world of a series. It’s like hanging out with old friends or watching a comfort TV show. It doesn’t all have to be new and exciting, just some twists and turns.

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

Find your process. Listen to what other people do, what works for them, but don’t try to be them. Take the advice that resonates with you and dump the rest.

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

Lately, not a whole hell of a lot. I’ve been sitting on a mostly finished book for a year. Granted, in that time I did launch a whole new business (unrelated to writing), so I’ve been busy.
When I’m in the thick of drafting or revising, I typically write about an hour a day during the week and maybe 2-3 each day on the weekends.

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

Jimmy! If you’ve seen me at a signing, you might’ve seen my “Fuckin’ Jimmy” shirt. Jimmy is the hero of the 4th book I wrote – Catch Your Breath. He’s the stereotypical big brother who’s bossy, but he always has your best interest at heart. He was my first grumpy hero (I didn’t set out to write one, but there he was – and then I realized how much I LOVE them!)

What is your definition of success?

As an author being someone’s autobuy is a dream goal. They don’t have to read what the book is about. They’re just going to one-click because they know I’ll deliver.

What are your social links?

https://www.facebook.com/shannyn.schroeder

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.)

https://shannynschroeder.com/index.php/books/

https://shannynschroeder.com/index.php/books/

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight #eventsponsor – Molly McLain

Molly McLain

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Molly McLain. I write steamy small-town romance with blue collar book boyfriends. I also live in a little town in Wisconsin with my husband of 22 years. Our three kiddos are all adults now, but I’m still in denial about that.

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

The ones that come after! I like to change things up, so sticking in the same series, town, family, etc. is sometimes a struggle for my ever-bouncing brain!

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

I try to incorporate tropes or situations that I haven’t written before.

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

Just keep writing. Stay off social media and make writing the words your number one priority ALWAYS. Do I do this myself? No. But I should, and not doing so is my biggest regret as an author.

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

An hour or so. I have a day job, too, so writing isn’t always my number one priority.

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

Right now, no. I love them all, especially as I’m writing them, but I can’t say that I favor one over the others at the moment. They’re all special in their own ways.

What is your definition of success?

For me, it’s living a simple, comfortable life with peace of mind and a full heart. I want to know I’ve accomplished my goals and that I’ve done a good job as a mom, a wife, a friend, and an author.

What are your social links?

FB: https://www.facebook.com/mollymclainbooks 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mollymclainbooks/

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 #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$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. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$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.