Here’s a (semi) updated list of questions I often get asked.
Have a question that isn’t answered? Send me a message on my Contact page.
Can I receive an ARC (Advanced reader copy)/Review copy?
I sometimes open my ARC team to new members, and if you’re passionate about being a reader and interested in learning more, please reach out to me.
That said, the more I grow, the more selective I am forced to be about who I give my books away to. As someone who loves telling stories, but also needs to make a living, I do this to not only to respect the value of my work, but to honor the valuable time of readers who choose to be on the team, and those who purchase my books.
If you’re a reviewer interested in getting a copy of my book, please send me an email or message with all relevant information, including platforms you’re on, follower count, if you’ve reviewed any of my books before, preferences, etc. Unfortunately, I can’t honor every request, but I’d love to see if we’d be a good fit!
What order should I read your books in?
I’ve been asked this so much that I made an entire page about it!
Are your books available on any store other than Amazon? Can I buy them directly from you if they’re not offered in my country?
At the moment, I am mostly an Amazon-exclusive author, with most my books enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited Program where participants can read them for free. I am, however, transitioning many of my titles to wide platforms such as Kobo, Apple, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, and more. To see which book is available on which platform, please check the individual book’s page.
If you’d like one of my books that isn’t available in your country or on your device, please contact me about other potential options.
Do you have any audiobooks? Translations?
As I continue to grow, I am actively working to produce my books in the audiobook format. Be sure to check an individual book’s page, Audible, and/or your favorite audio retailer to see if an audio format of your favorite book has been made yet. And as always, feel free to contact me if you’re still not sure!
Do your books have any swear words? How steamy/sexy are they?
Some of my books do have some swearing (no F-bombs), though I try to keep the vulgarity to a minimum to make them accessible to all readers. Most contain made up swear words that matches the worlds the characters inhabit, but all are dictated by the background of the characters, world, and “grittiness” of what I’m writing. I will always strive to not be unnecessarily vulgar or crass, but if you’re curious about a book, feel free to reach out to me.
I prefer writing romance that’s slow-burn, witty, angsty, filled with banter and tension. There are heavy make-out scenes, but no gratuitous sex on the page. I don’t foresee that changing, but I’m not an oracle!
Hope you’re not reading this, mom!
Are your books appropriate for my child/teen/young adult at heart :)?
This is difficult to answer because it varies by reading level, the reader, the parent, and many other factors. As always, if you’re curious, reach out to me.
All my books fall around the category of Young Adult, however this doesn’t mean there aren’t dark elements and more adult situations.
In general, all my series are suitable from tweens to tweens-at-heart, though like any YA there might be some scenes that need some parental guidance, or touch on sensitive, potentially triggering, issues. Though they’re fantasies, my books encompass elements of real-world trauma and difficult, realistic situations that can be distressing to some readers.
In the future I may write titles that I list in the Adult category, however those will most likely contain similar levels of content you’d find in my Young Adult, simply with older characters.
What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
I’ve made (and will make) so, so many mistakes in my writing journey, but will offer at least a little advice:
Read a lot and write a lot. Make it a habit and it’ll become easier.
You have to read good books to see what they’re doing that works, and write to apply that learning to your own…well, writing.
When you write, write with the intention to improve your craft in some small way, be it the dialogue, tension, pacing, character, plotting, whatever. Try to make each book better than the last, even if it’s only a little better. That’s still progress. It's better to have ten years of slow growth than twenty years of doing the same thing.
And don’t be afraid to try new techniques, write outside of what you think is your genre, and in general attempt something new. Writing is a journey, never a mastery or destination, so don’t limit yourself.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
I've never actually had what I'd consider 'writer's block'. I have moments where I struggle with fitting all the pieces of the story together in just the right place, but usually the solution lies in earlier parts of the story, be it missing plot elements, lack of strong characters, etc, and can be fixed in editing. My first drafts are often quick and terribly, horribly messy, but I try not to worry about how the book reads in this stage.
Another piece of advice (I think it was Hemingway?) that stuck with me: even if the words are coming easily, always leave a bit of what you want to write for the next day. In that way, I'll always have an idea waiting for me when I return.
What’s the best thing about being a writer?
The existential angst and copious amounts of self-doubt!
But seriously (though…seriously).
The freedom of creativity. As a child I used to tell myself stories. Stories about random passersby. Stories while I waited at the doctor's. Stories in class when I should have been paying attention (that's actually how I got a lot of my first book written). Stories to help me fall asleep. So, for me, translating these stories into writing was pretty simple. Writing can be as simple or complicated as you want. It leaves me free to explore infinite amounts of worlds, peoples, and situations.
The best part, though, is seeing how these insane, crazy ideas I came up with in near-total isolation radiate outward and affect readers. It will never cease to astound me that readers, many of whom I’ve never, and likely will never, meet want to read my books, and are willing to pay for something I have such fun doing. Neil Gaiman once feared that the fraud police would come to his door and demand that the jig was up, that he’d have to get a real job, but I’m fortunate that has yet to happen to me.
How did you become a professional writer? How did you start?
I’m a believer that most writers start as readers, and most readers start writing for one of two reasons:
They read a book that’s so good they’re inspired to write their own
They read a book that’s so bad they know they can do better
I was the latter, though an early and continued love of reading, along with an overactive imagination, certainly helped. I wrote my first book around 15 (when I should have been paying attention in school), and after many, many mistakes and ever-continuous learning I’m fortunate enough to be making a chunk of my living from my own books.
That’s the shortened version of my origin story, but maybe if enough people are interested I’ll tell the whole thing one day :)
Can you look over my book/short story/poem, etc?
I wish I could! Unfortunately my own books and other professional obligations means I simply don’t have the time. I will, of course, wish you luck on your writing journey!
What are you planning to write next?
Good question! Heck if I know.
It’s difficult to say where I get ideas, though I suspect it’s a collection of what I read, my past works and worlds, and other outside influences I get from simply existing.
When I do finally decide on a new book or series idea, I keep my fans updated. If you’d like to be in the know, be sure to follow me on Facebook, or sign up for my newsletter.
Do you have any merchandise?
At the moment I occasionally open up orders for signed paperbacks and hardcovers. In the future I hope to open up an online store with more signed books, bookmarks, artwork, pins, all that fun stuff.
Where will you be signing/traveling next?
This varies from year to year. To find out where I’ll be next, reach out to me.