Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.
I am a married mom of three adults, three fur-babies, one granddog, and one grandkitty. I was a teacher for over 27 years. I had to leave the profession due to health issues, but I still find ways to sneak teaching into my life. I joined The Purcell Agency when I signed with my agent, Cathie Hedrick Armstrong in 2017, then became an agent myself with the agency in January of 2020. (A great time to start a new career!) I think my background in teaching had a lot to do with me becoming an agent. I love helping my clients polish their manuscripts and then finding the perfect editor to help them develop further on their path to publication. My pen name is BB Swann, but my real name is Bonnie Swanson. Some authors choose a pen name because they want to use something that fits their genre or maybe want to hide who they are so their families don’t read it and wonder how they might know so much about hiding murder or–ahem–bedroom activities. I had to change mine because if you Google my real name, the first thing you will see is a perpetually pregnant cartoon character from the show Family Guy! Not exactly the brand I am going for as a picture book/young adult fantasy author.
When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?
Great question! It depends on the series, I think. I have written two complete series so far. The Breakin’ in the 80s series is romance, but the stories pretty much stand-alone but have connected worlds. However, the final book does sort of end the series as it is the redemption story of the antagonist from book one. My Spellbound Chronicles series is a true urban fantasy series though. I feel like book three was the mot difficult to write. I’m not sure though if it was because it was the final book, or if my health issues were more to blame. I had to write it during a rough time (health wise) and it took a lot out of me. The hardest thing is making sure I tick off all the boxes and close up all the storylines. I knew where the story was going to end, but sometimes getting there takes me on a curvy path.
When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I love introducing new characters! Even if the mains stay the same, throwing the proverbial wrench at them with a fresh face and fresh problems to fix, or maybe a fresh ally really breathes life into the story.
Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Find your writing squad and support each other! Whether its with critique, beta reading, brainstorming, or just venting, a good writing group will make all the difference! Bounce ideas off each other. Share your writing. Ask questions and find the answers together. Writing is itself a solitary event, but you don’t have to do everything alone.
On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?
I know a lot of people say, “write every day,” but sometimes that’s not possible. I tend to go in spurts as an idea hits me. Some days I will write 10,000 words and others 100. Unless you have a deadline, as long as the story gets on the page, it doesn’t matter how you get it there.
Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.
This is like asking me to pick a favorite kid. I don’t. Whichever character I am writing is my favorite at the time. They have to be.
What is your definition of success?
Being successful to me, means someone reads my story and enjoys themselves. I love to hear from readers about how my book affected them. Reviews are for readers, but authors like to see them, too. But hearing from a reader through social media, a reply to my newsletter, or even face-to-face is the best.
What are your social links?
https://www.facebook.com/BBSWANN
https://www.instagram.com/bbswannauthor/
@bbswannauthor
https://www.bbswann.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16421626.B_B_Swann
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/b-b-swann
https://www.amazon.com/stores/B.-B.-Swann/author/B01MRD2KDQ
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://books2read.com/u/3GpZaL
https://books2read.com/u/31VAa6
https://books2read.com/u/bzBJ5G
https://books2read.com/u/mg1oB6
https://books2read.com/u/4jgPXk
https://books2read.com/u/4DWrYr
https://books2read.com/u/4jWAj2
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.