All posts by Angie J

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – K.L. Kreig

K.L. Kreig

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

KL Kreig: Mother, Nana, Entrepreneur, Love Lover

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

First, definitely. It sets everything else in the series up so you don’t want to write yourself into a corner in the first book!

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

Introducing new characters throughout the series helps the reader stay invested. Building the backstories slowly of other critical characters is important to create interest in them and where their individual stories may lead to next. Honestly, the hardest part of writing romance is, oddly, the sex scenes. Keeping those fresh and exciting is challenging.

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

As with anything else in life, build your tribe. Surround yourself with people who you can TRUST, who want you to succeed and find and befriend (not insincerely) seasoned authors who know the ins and outs of the business. Understand that building a loyal readership takes time and tremendous effort on your part. Your work needs to be quality, not quantity. Finally, writing is the easy part. After your story is done, the real hard part begins (packaging it correctly and marketing it appropriately). You are the CEO and, at least initially, the sole employee of your own business, and as such, you need to understand all aspects of business: marketing, finance, social media management, analytics, taxes, etc, etc. Writing and publishing a book is not for the faint of heart! 🙂

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

Completely varies by my schedule. Many days, none. Others, 2-3 hours. I have a full time job and another online side business that I also manage.

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

Wow. This is like asking if I have a favorite child. I’m going to take the cop out and say no. Every character I write is special and unique in their own way, even the side characters who never get their own stories!

What is your definition of success?

My personal definition is the accomplishment of finishing what I think is a story that will stay with the reader long after they finish the last page. Every book can’t be that to all readers, but every book is that to at least one reader.

 What are your social links?

Website: http://klkreig.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KL-Kreig/808927362462053
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/klkreig
Instagram: http://instagram.com/klkreig/
Kreig’s Babes (Private Fan page): https://www.facebook.com/groups/646655825434751/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-l-kreig
TikTok: @klkreig_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.)

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/klkreig
Black Swan Affair audible: https://amzn.to/46IqZXa
Forsaking Gray audible: https://amzn.to/495UCDf

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 – Laura A. Barnes

Image for Laura A. Barnes, click to learn more.

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Laura A. Barnes – I’m addicted to reading as much as I am to writing stories with a happily ever after. If I’m not writing, I’m binge watching shows on Netflix or spending time with my children and grandchildren. My husband & I got the traveling bug a few years ago and we’re planning a trip to somewhere in Europe next fall. I write historical romances and just started this year writing contemporary romances. I love to write enemies to lovers story with feisty female characters who bring the gentlemen to their knees.

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

The first book is harder, because I’m trying to introduce the other characters in the series without taking away from the main couple. Also, I’m trying to establish a link that will connect all the books together.

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

By trying to come up with scenarios I’ve never used before. Sometimes it’s a matter of writing a common every day activity but adding a twist that makes the scene unique.

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

Don’t feel guilty for carving out time for yourself. Allow yourself the freedom of doing something for yourself and most of relax and have fun.

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

When I’ve started a project, I usually will send about three hours writing. Some days are more productive than others.

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

Graham Worthington of The Siren’s Gentleman. I introduced this character in another series, and got such wonderful feedback from readers about how they wanted him to have his own book. He was a passionate soul who loved deeply. His character held a depth that inspired me to write a series around him.

What is your definition of success?

To accomplish a goal I set for myself. With every book I write I set out to write a story that my readers will enjoy.

What are your social links?


Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraA.Barnes/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/labarnesauthor/
Twitter https://twitter.com/labarnesauthor
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@labarnesauthor

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://www.lauraabarnes.com/

https://amazon.com/author/lauraabarnes

https://books2read.com/Laura-A-Barnes

https://books.apple.com/us/author/laura-a-barnes/id1194175494

https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Laura+A.+Barnes

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.

#NewRelease – Brie’s Bonus Bites, Brie’s Submission series by Red Phoenix

Not to be missed!Ultimate collection of all the bonus chapters, special POVs, and extra content Red Phoenix has written for the Brie Series over the last twelve years compiled into one beautiful book.Brie’s Bonus Bites is the definitive collection of Brie extras and includes a brand-new short story only found here!Includes personal introductions by Red before each story.*For fans who love Brie & readers who are curious.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

I don’t think any fan of the series will miss out on this book with some many yummy and fun scenes.  The book is full of fun memories of the series told to us before by Red.  We see our favorite characters interacting and we remember scenes from the series.  It was a great walk down memory lane for me for sure.

I was so happy to get this ARC so I can drift back in to one of my favorite series and see my old friends.

USA Today Bestselling Author

Red Phoenix is an award-winning romance author who gained popularity with her series, Brie’s Submission.

To join in the Brie experience begin with the 1st Boxed Set (Books 1-3) and start your journey into a sensual world…

✤Red’s Books: RedPhoenixAuthor.com

✤Join my Newsletter: RedPhoenixAuthor.com/newsletter-signup

✤Goodreads Group: goodreads.com/group/show/116428-fans-of-red-phoenix

✤Twitter: twitter.com/redphoenix69

✤Facebook: facebook.com/redphoenix69/

“I believe, based on personal experience, that love conquers all. It is a running theme in all of my writing. ” ~Red

Brie’s Submission Reading Order

* Available in eBook, audio book and paperback

RedPhoenixAuthor.com/reds-books/brie-series/

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – Melonie Johnson

Melonie Johnson

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Melonie Johnson – I’m a lifelong Star Wars fan, my dining room has been converted to the “Star Wars bar” and I decoratre entire trees devoted to Star Wars every Christmas. I’m a former high school English and Theatre teacher who started writing as a new mom in search of something to stimulate my brain. Always loved reading romance, gobbled up the classic bodice rippers starting around age 12 even though the local librarian would give me the stink-eye whenever I checked out a stack of Johanna Lindsey books. I write rom-coms and contemporary romance under my real name, and am launching a new romantasy series under the pen name Emoline Thorne (fun fact – Emoline is an anagram of Melonie). I met my husband when we were both teens working across the hall from each other at the local mall, we’ve now been married 20+ years and have two lovely redheaded daughters. My favorite drink is pretty much any cocktail that starts with the letter M. Cheers!

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

I think the first book in a series is definitely the hardest, still getting to know the characters, getting a feel for the world.

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

The characters keep things fresh! They are always surprising me with what they decide to do, ha. But also, feeding my brain by reading, listening to music, researching odd things that spark my curiosity all help to keep new ideas and scenes coming.

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

Create a space that helps trigger a “time to write” response in your brain, a specific spot in your home, a playlist, a candle, a drink – all things that help create a habit and signal your mind it’s time to write. Another important thing to do is to stock up on energy pennies, you may think you have no time to do anything else but write, but that mindset is the fastest way to burnout. Taking time to rest, to move your body (like a walk), to enjoy other hobbies – these all feed your soul and enrich your life and will make your writing better and the time you do spend BICHOK (butt in chair, hands on keyboard) more productive.

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

In a perfect world, I’d spend about 4 hours on writing… in the real world, many days I spend zero, and others I spend 20.

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

So hard to answer! I’m going to go with a fan favorite, Theo Wharton, the hero of Smitten by the Brit. He is my “Prince Eric” as I like to say. And he can still make me swoon.

What is your definition of success?

Frankly, I’m still figuring that out. Unfortunately, whenever I think I’ve hit a milestone I thought would make me feel like a success, the bar moved and I was convinced the next thing and the next would mean success. I’m trying to change that mindset, but it’s not easy. I will say, one thing that ALWAYS makes me feel like a “real” author is when a reader reaches out, either in person or on-line, to share how much they enjoyed one of my books. THAT feels like success every time.

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

I’m an avid audiobook listener who also narrates audiobooks under a pseudonym. I have a fun series on YouTube called Kiss List Confessions where I talk with other authors about all things kissing! I als have an interview series on Instagram called Mad About Meet Cutes where I chat with other romance authors about their their favorite meet cutes in books, movies, and TV, as well as hear about their real life meet stories!

What are your social links?

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MelonieWrites
Facebook Reader Group THE READING LUSHES: https://www.facebook.com/groups/141817033159064
TikTok: @thewritinglush https://www.tiktok.com/@thewritinglush
TikTok: @melonie_johnson https://www.tiktok.com/@melonie_johnson
Instagram: @MelonieJohnson https://www.instagram.com/meloniejohnson/
Instagram: @thewritinglush https://www.instagram.com/thewritinglush/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCRo7jtdZ83ASTaHSrhIq5OQ
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MelonieFJohnson/_saved/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18305208.Melonie_Johnson

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 Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/meloniejohnson
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melonie-johnson
Audible Author Page: https://www.audible.com/author/Melonie-Johnson/B07GTF5CFL
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/contributors/melonie-johnson

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 – Michele Shriver

Author Logo

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Michele Shriver. By day, I’m an attorney practicing primarily in criminal defense and juvenile law. Evenings and weekends, I am an author of contemporary and sports romance and women’s fiction. I don’t have nearly as much time for writing as I’d like, but I do it because I have stories in my head that demand to be told, and because it’s cheaper than therapy. I love doing books signings and meeting new readers, especially because it gives me the opportunity to visit new cities and states.

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

The ones after. With the first book in a series, everything is fresh and new and with endless possibilities, and you don’t have to worry about keep track of previous events in the series or character traits and descriptions, etc.

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

Unfortunately my schedule doesn’t allow for writing every day. I’m more of a weekend writer these days and aim for a few hours each day of the weekend.

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

That’s a hard one. All of my characters are special to me in their own way. If I had to name a favorite right now (and since I chose to answer this question, I guess I do), I have to go with Myriah in Tranquil Harbor. She’s only in a supporting role, non POV character in that book, because she is the catalyst of of so many things and changes the life of the MC forever. She’s a beautiful, tortured soul who has survived so much in her young life, and I can’t wait to write more for her and tap further into her enormous potential. Readers have definitely not seen the last of Myriah Banks.

What is your definition of success?

Knowing that in some way, I have connected with a reader, whether it’s a particular story or character they identify with, or even a single line of dialogue that might make them smile or laugh.

What are your social links?

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMicheleShriver/,

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5303070.Michele_Shriver,

Street Team/ Reader’s club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/721292531291721/.

Website: http://www.micheleshriver.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.)

Authror Page: https://tinyurl.com/9r67dpej

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 – Sara Whitney

Sara Whitney

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Sara Whitney, author of unforgettable, unputdownable rom-coms and contemporary romance

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

First book! Even though I write contemporary romance, it takes time to build that new fictional world. True, nobody in my books use magic or fight bad guys in spaceships but I still have to create the town, the routines, the characters, the business, the backstories, the fears and hopes and dreams and grudges and challenges and successes that my readers are going to fall for. It’s an incredible challenge each time, and I love rising to the occasion.

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

It varies so much! On a good day, I can manage four hours before I get too squirrely to sit still anymore, but it’s usually closer to two hours—and that’s on the days I manage to write at all. In addition to my romance writing, I work as a college professor. On days that I teach, I have a little less gas in the tank to be creative that night. I do a little dictation on my commute when I’m in a place in my writing where I have a firm grasp on what need to happen next. That’s been a lifesaver in terms of getting books done and published!

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

My character Leo from Tempting Fate is such a dreamboat. He’s gruff but romantic, and he’s a mix of sexy, badass competence and emotional upheaval over the woman who’s turning his world upside—again. Who doesn’t love a hero in a second-chance romance leaning to open himself back up again and finding out that love’s even deeper the second time?

What is your definition of success?

Did I make you laugh? Did I make you give a happy sigh? Did I give you a little escape into a sunny, happy, sexy fictional world? Then I’ve succeeded!

What are your social links?

https://www.instagram.com/sarawhitneyauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/SaraWhitneyAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/groups/saras.squad

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://books.apple.com/us/author/sara-whitney/id1463165311

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Sara%20Whitney%22

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=sara%20whitney&ac=1&acp=sara%20whitney&ac.author=sara%20whitney&sort=Temperature

https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Sara+Whitney

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 – Sarah Zolton Arthur

Sarah Zolton Arthur

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

My name is Sarah Zolton Arthur and this will be my second year at WOTR. I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces after getting to meet so many wonderful people this year. I live in Michigan where I’m constantly busy writing steamy romance with sass and always an HEA. I love to go on adventures. Trips are planned. Adventures are spontaneous. Since I work from home, it’s not uncommon for me to pack up my laptop and just go to see what kind of trouble I can get into. Typically I would bring one or both of my sons with me, but my baby is away at college now so now it’s me and my older son who keeps his mama company. It’s a pretty great life.

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

I think for me it’s the consecutive books in a series. The first book is a free-for-all. I’m building the world and the characters, but in consecutive books I have to be mindful of time lapses, character descriptions, world descriptions and that I didn’t already use specific elements in the book before. No one wants to read the same book over and over again just with different character names.

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

I step away from that series. I finish one book, and then I start a book from a different series to cleanse my mind. Then I can go back to that other series fresh. This method might not work for every author, but it works for me.

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

Yes. Step back when you need to, but don’t quit. And please don’t ever compare your career to other authors. You are not them and they are not you. You are walking your own path. Comparing yourself to others will only make you sad when you don’t feel like you’ve acheived enough. I get imposter syndrome. We all suffer from it. But you decided to walk this path because most likely you were drawn into it. I like to say, I didn’t choose the writer life, the writer life chose me. And you will read other authors who are brilliant storytellers and write the most beautiful prose. Remember, they most likely didn’t start out as brilliant storytellers writing beautiful prose. They honed their skills by writing. You’ll get there too!

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

I don’t have a PA so my 8-10 hour work day I spend 3-4 hours doing the non-writing aspects of the job and the rest of the time I spend writing. I try to keep it to 8 hours a day, but sometimes you get in the zone and have to finish.

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

That’s like asking me to choose my favorite child. Each one of my characters is my favorite from one day to the next for different reasons. Right now, I guess it’s Gloria Parker from Marriage (Red, White, and) Blues. She’s smart, sassy and has a good sense of humor, but she feels invisible a lot of times and I can relate to that. But next week my answer might change.

What is your definition of success?

Success isn’t material for me. Success is feeling content in my home and in my work. It’s knowing my family is happy because I’ve done all I could to help them acheive that. It’s feeling proud of the books I’ve put out. It’s getting feedback from a reader telling me how much they enjoyed a story I wrote. Success is looking at the catalog of books I’ve published and thinking, “Wow! I seriously wrote all these!” A lot of people say they want to write a book but not many of us actually do it, when you think about it.

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

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that we need to not get so caught up in the day-to-day of life that we forget to enjoy it. I tell my loved ones that I love them every single day. You might think they know it, they don’t always know. Tell them. And lastly, when you have a chance to be kind, take it. You never know how your words might change someone’s day.

What are your social links?


TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorsarahzoltonarthur
Newsletter: https://sarahzoltonarthur.myflodesk.com/sassmatesnewsletter
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sarah-zolton-arthur
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahzoltonarthur/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/…/13989100.Sarah_Zolton_Arthur
Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1549815968397766

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/…/Sarah-Zolton…/author/B01202KU0U
Website: https://www.sarahzoltonarthur.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 #eventsponsor – Lacey Black

Lacey Black

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

My name is Lacey Black, and I’m from a small town in central Illinois. My husband and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary and we have two high-school aged kids, which keeps us on our toes. I’ve been writing since 2014 and had the privilege of being a full-time author since 2020.

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

The first book is always the hardest for me, though keeping a timeline for ages is probably the most challenging aspect to manage as the series progresses.

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

I do a lot of plotting with my writing partner, Kaylee Ryan. We’re always discussing ways to change things up or try something new. We’re constantly bouncing plot ideas off each other and trying to determine how/where it would work for our projects.

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

Kristen Proby told me back when I started to write every day. Even if it’s just a few hundred words, I developed a system and schedule that works for me. Currently, I don’t write every day like I used to, trying to give myself weekends off, but I was able to develop a solid writing plan back then and stuck to it.

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

I shoot for a minimum of three hours, and when the words are flowing, can spend as much as seven or eight hours on my computer.

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

My most challenging character was Meghan Summer. Talk about emotionally draining. Her journey through loss, grieving, and finding love again is probably some of my favorite writing, spanning over four books before she gets her own HEA. I also love to write kids, which is why I tend to write a lot in the single parent trope. Usually, at least one book in every series I’ve written is a single parent.

What is your definition of success?

A smile at the end of the day and a sense of accomplishment. This industry is so much more than writing. You can spend HOURS a day on all the “other” stuff that can pile on a to-do list pretty fast, and it can quickly become stressful. So I do what I can throughout the day and leave the rest for the next day. If I’m still smiling at the end of it, I consider that a success.

What are your social links?

Website: www.laceyblackbooks.com
Email: laceyblackwrites@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaceyblack
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laceyblackwrites/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lacey-black
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lacey-Black/e/B00MW2UGZI
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthLaceyBlack
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laceyblackauthor?lang=en
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8414783.Lacey_Black

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.

#TrueCrime – The Ultimate Serial Killer Trivia Book: A Collection Of Fascinating Facts And Disturbing Details About Infamous Serial Killers And Their Horrific Crimes by Jack Rosewood

Have you ever wanted to know everything there is to know about serial killers? Ever pondered the differences between psychopaths and sociopaths? Want to know exactly why cannibals eat human flesh? Want to read about the most downright bizarre serial killer motivations of all time? What jobs attract the most serial killers? How many uncaptured murderers are walking our streets right this second? How do female killers differ from males? What deluded maniac killed people because he thought it would stop earthquakes? What movie franchise has inspired the most copycat murders? The Ultimate Serial Killer Trivia Book answers all these questions and much, much more! The public’s obsession with serial killers and weird murders is growing by the day, with more TV shows, movies and books now detailing the crimes of these human monsters. There’s no denying that we’re all fascinated by serial murder – it’s part of the human experience. Whether you’re fanatical about true crime or brand new to the genre, The Ultimate Serial Killer Trivia Book has something for everyone. Even the most hardened true crime buff will find some new information here! Are you ready?

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I received this book for a gift and jumped right in.  I was thinking based off the name there would be “Trivia” but not really  There were little bits on “extra information” to give to all true crimers.  I did enjoy the way the book was an easy read.  It was not graphic in any way IMO.  It broke down different characteristics of serial killers/spree killers.

I enjoyed the look at some people we know like the fact only Ed Gein successfully plead insanity where others tried (Bianca from the Hillside Strangers case) did not win successfully in that bid.

It is more a bunch of small sections about different aspects of true crime and the people who committed them,

Its a super fast read to quench a thirst for all the true crime people I know.

I live in one of the most beautiful places in Florida, Jupiter, with my wife, two kids and our golden retriever, Vincent. I’ve been a full time author for the last 15 years and I wouldn’t trade it against anything in the world!

My father was a journalist and wrote about some of the worst crimes you could ever imagine, and that’s where my big interest from serial killers and other horrible crimes comes from. Just to hear my father talk about the evil acts of Ted Bundy as we were out fishing as a kid are some of my best memories.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – Leigh Taylor

Leigh  Taylor

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hey y’all! My name is Leigh Taylor and I write romance with southern charm. I am a proud native Texan and my love of all things Texas, cowboys and true southern gentlemen shines through in my novels. When I’m not at my day job or writing, I enjoy spending time with my rescue pup and attending Kpop concerts.

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

The others after it! I enjoy writing serial stand-alones so that readers can pick and chose titles if they want. I actually really love the first book because it sparks all the spin off storylines in my head. But keeping up with important details, leaving fun easter eggs for full series readers and the balance of making sure new readers understand the storyline thread without boring the series readers can be a real balancing act. You have to develop good timelines and take lots of notes to go back and study even though you created the story.

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

For me, being able to explore different characters in the same world keeps it fresh. It’s fun for my to explore how the same events could be seen through multiple characters’ perspectives. I think as a writer it’s very refreshing to be able to envision what a small town, for instance, feels like across an entire group. People have such different experiences that shape them and I like seeing where characters take me during those types of world building exercises. I think readers are also drawn to being comfortable in a familiar world or storyline but with new insights or ideas. I also really love hiding little secrets or fun tidbits for readers as well. I hope they enjoy it too!

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

Don’t be afraid to work at your own pace. It can be difficult to see some authors releasing a book every 2-3 months and feeling like there’s no way you can keep up. It’s hard to write a book and it’s really hard to write a good book while also working, raising kids, caring for family. There may be times that you don’t have the time or emotional bandwidth to write and that’s okay. Do what you can on a schedule that heals your heart rather than breaks it. We’ll all reach our goals when it’s the right time!

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

Weekdays are harder for me because I work a full time job. I try to devote my lunch hour to things like rough edits for grammar or refining scenes. When i’m in a good writing mode, I try to devote 2-4 hours on weekend days to just get chapters built out. Sometimes I’m lucky and can get 1 or sometimes 2 chapters finished on a weekend and then clean them up during the week.

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

Beatrice Remington, hands down. Bea is a central character in my Worth the Wait series. She’s actually an important link between a lot of the characters in the series. The more time I spent on Bea’s character development, the more I realized I had reflected a lot of myself in her. As a writer, you leave a bit if yourself in every character but I left huge pieces of my heart to Bea. I really hope that any reader who struggles with anxiety and balancing their mental health will read Bea’s story and find a lot of strength in her character.

What is your definition of success?

This writing gig is hard so I try not to dream too big. I know we’re supposed to say we want to make best sellers’ lists and have our books turned into movies. But for me, knowing readers are experiencing my books and interacting with my characters is really fulfilling. My biggest success is when a reader reaches out to let me know they loved a book and are looking forward to my next release.

What are your social links?

https://www.instagram.com/leightaylorbooks/

https://www.facebook.com/LeighTaylorBooks/

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://www.amazon.com/author/leightaylorbooks

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.