Author Blog, Author Interview, Dark Romance, Reverse Harem

Interview with Arabella Black

As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!


What is the first thing people should know about you?
I’m obsessed with 90s power ballads. When I’m feeling down, they cheer me up! And I’m not even that romantic of a person (says the romance author!).

Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing.
Reverse Harem standalones. I love age gaps. Most of my books have an age gap. I also write unsafe scenarios where my heroes like to involve other people in their relationships/situationships.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?
When I was younger, I used to write very taboo books on Wattpad and got banned. It almost made me quit writing!

Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why.
Obsessed! It’s the third book in my debut series. This book came to me so naturally. I’m not sure it’s my best book, most likely because there was more passion than logic behind it. But anyone who has read my debut series ought to read Obsessed. Aris and Valentina’s story is not what it seems. They broke my heart. They’ll always own my heart.

What is your favourite book (not your own), and why?
Degradation by Stylo Fantôme and Monster in His Eyes by J. M. Darhower. I read these books every year. Their heroes, male and female, move me. One is kinky and super sexy. The other is broody, possessive. I love toxic stuff. Feel free to judge me LOL.

Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again?
Every book I write does that to me! That last part of a book breaks me every time.

Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write?
Music is everything to me, BUT I don’t like to connect the two crafts much these days. I curated a thorough playlist for my last book and believed that it would help me write it. I wrote a nice percentage of my book to this music, but in the end, I let the quiet back in and finished the book. It was hard to finish it, so now, I’ve decided not to write to music for the foreseeable future! Maybe that’ll change in the future.

Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
It’s somewhere in the middle! I want to keep a tidy space because it makes me happy to work in a tidy space, but I’ve also just moved. Or is that just an excuse… LOL

Who or what inspires you as a writer?
Anything and everything I come across in my life. Also, other books. Both of my degrees are literature-related, and I believe there is no better way to find inspiration, motivation, than to read great works. Something else that inspires me are the hard-working women in this industry. I’m a recluse, but when I read their posts, I know that great things are possible.

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
I’m an ambivert? It depends on the situation for me. I can be the shiest in the room, but there are also times where I shine without a worry!

The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes?
The drama, honey. Always the drama!

What is your advice to authors just starting out?
Just do it. I wish somebody had told me to just do it when I was starting out in college. I didn’t think becoming an author was viable back then! You live and you learn.

Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?
I love the South of France (and Monaco), but as a Greek girl, I’ll say the Peloponnese and Lefkada. I don’t even enjoy the beach much. I never swim. I just sit by the water and read!

If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be?
In a world where I’d meet my Jameson Kane!!! I don’t care about wizards or whatever. I just want to be the Tatum to somebody’s Jameson Kane! I love Stylo Fantôme.

Your favourite place to read and/or write?
I love to read in bed. At home, I only read in bed. I’m also rediscovering writing in bed?! I used to do that when I was younger. I read when I go to bed, and I write when I wake up. It gives me a great push to start off my day like that. But I also love writing at my office.

When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written?
Hopefully over a hundred books!

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Eddie Redmayne! Funny story. I was in London with my family, and I’d snuck away to check out a place that was selling DVDs. This happened near Covent Garden. I cross the street, and I see a guy talking to a woman about his haircut. I recognized him as an actor that I knew from the My Week With Marilyn movie. But this was before he got his big break. So, I didn’t know his name. I never spoke to him (because shame on me for not knowing his name LOL), but I always think back to that moment whenever I see his movies these days. (There’s even a tweet about this day & him getting a haircut. It’s my proof!)

What did you always want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to become an architect, but I’m horrible with numbers.

If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”?
It’s not my full-time job yet, but I still get this sentence thrown at me. It’s very triggering, to say the least! It makes you feel like you don’t do enough. It invalidates your efforts. People say that to authors these days because they don’t understand our current circumstances, the privileges that come with social media. I feel like anybody who works with the internet must get this sentence.


Thank you so much for your time, love! To find out more about the author click here

If you want to meet Arabella amongst others, click the graphic below! Authors at the Armouries is about inspiration for all!

Author Blog, Author Interview, Dark Romance

Interview with Lainey Delaroque

As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!


What is the first thing people should know about you?
I’m a daydreamer in love with stories. I’m never bored and always on the lookout for new things to learn or read about. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, watching, or gaming, because there are too many great stories in the world and too little time.

Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing.
I write dark romance with badass, fearless FMCs. Think danger, organised crime, gangs, sex clubs and kink, but also found family, would-die-for-you characters and overcoming trauma.

Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why.
Dark Ink (Dark Things #2), because it’s a personal story that weaves folklore and action together in a contemporary setting. It has a teenager who grew up in a cult discovering our world for the first time. I enjoyed writing it a lot and I think it has a lot of elements that readers love, together with some really intense action and romance. And it’s a standalone story so the series can be read out of order!

What is your favourite book (not your own), and why?
My favourite book is The Little Prince. I often stumble through life with no clue whatsoever if I’m doing okay or not, and when the stress gets too much, I just re-read it and everything is a bit better. My favourite quote is “It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.” Maybe that’s why I’m a romance author!!

Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
I wish I had a tidy desk! But I don’t have a tidy mind, so it’s an unreasonable expectation for my author surface to be anything but a manifestation of my inner world. I always have at least three plots fighting for attention in my head, and twenty-odd characters talking at once, so it’s no surprise there’s notebooks, pens and food scattered in front of me on a normal day.

Who or what inspires you as a writer?
Readers and other writers inspire me the most. I love stories, and the people who create and consume them are like little libraries – there’s always a recommendation on the tip of their tongues and they’re always excited to talk about made-up worlds. There’s no better inspiration than the shared love of fictional events and characters!

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
An introvert – but I love talking to people one on one. I struggle with big groups but once I have a person I can really connect to, you can’t shut me up!

The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes?
People’s love for stories – the formats and authors might change, but storytelling will always be there. It’s an intrinsic part of our culture and in many ways reading and writing is how we process the world.

What is your advice to authors just starting out?
Lower your expectations. Whatever they are, lower them. Hold off on publishing that first book and try to research your market and build a community around you if you can. Take it one step at a time because being a writer isn’t just about writing – and it can easily become overwhelming. Even if it feels like you don’t have time and you must grind yourself to the bone setting everything up and publishing ten books a year, it’s not true. You can take it slower, especially in the beginning. You will always have time to speed up later if you want after you have all the basics in place.

If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be?
The world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but only if I had bending powers. Or the world of Teyvat, but only if I had a Vision. Or in the Grishaverse, but only if I was Grisha. You get the idea, I crave elemental power!!

When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written?
If I manage to keep up my pace of three books per year, and we assume Gandalf is 24,000 years old (according to Google), then that’s 92,000 books. Not bad! But realistically, it would be nice if I reach a hundred before I go. It’s a nice, round number.

What did you always want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be a librarian – I would line up all my books and number them, and also create fake library records that I filled out diligently. I was very stern when one of my fictional visitors returned a book late and always fined them harshly! Around the same time, I started writing poetry but for some reason never thought I wanted to be an author, in my head, I was already a writer – for me, it’s never been a career or a job, it’s a calling, a vocation, and a craft.

Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My parents and my personal assistant. They support me in very different ways, but have always had my back when I was doubting myself or my writing. I know I’m very lucky to have a supportive family and to have found a PA who genuinely loves my books – and I’m thankful every day for both!


Keep in touch with Lainey:

Website: https://www.laineydelaroque.com/

Newsletter: https://www.laineydelaroque.com/newsletter-form/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08NZSL8P8

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lainey-delaroque

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/laineydelaroque

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaineyDelaroque/

Reader’s group: Lainey’s Lavender Readers Gang (https://www.facebook.com/groups/lavendergang)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlaineydelaroque/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laineydelaroque

Author Blog, Author Interview, Dark Romance, Steamy Romance

Interview with Toni Kelly

As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!


What is the first thing people should know about you?
I hate making decisions and I’m the queen of procrastination.

Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing.
I write dark romance.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?
I’d love to go live in a converted van for a while and travel the world.

Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why.
Ronan. He’s book 2 in the series, but I just don’t feel like he gets the love he so deserves. I loved writing his story (I loved them all) but I had to dig deep with Ronan.

What is your favourite book (not your own), and why?
I have too many favourite books (how can you pick just one).

Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again?
None of them made me feel like I’d never write again, but the book that broke me was Rory’s Last Act. I sobbed writing this book, literal tears. If you’ve read the series you’ll know why.

Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write?
Music is almost everything. I definitely can’t write unless there is noise. I find the silence deafening.

Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
It starts out tidy, everything has a place. But about an hour in it turns to complete carnage.

Who or what inspires you as a writer?
My readers. Knowing that for a few hundred pages they got an escape from their reality. Knowing that they love my characters as much as I do. 

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
Introvert. Until I’m comfortable, then you see the weird side of me.

The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes?
People’s desire to live in another world for a while.

What is your advice to authors just starting out?
I have 2 bits of advice.
1. Write the story you want to read. It is so tempting to write what you think others want to read, but it’s your story. Make sure you love it and the right people will find you.
2. Stay true to yourself, don’t be forced to follow the narrative. Forge your own path.

Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?
Barcelona and New York.

Your favourite place to read and/or write?
Read on the sofa, or in my bed. Writing: my office, or would you believe, on my sitting-room floor.

When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written?
Ha ha, when I’m his age I can only hope I’d have written my own mini library.

What did you always want to be when you were growing up?
A fighter pilot. Then an author.

If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”?
It’s not my full-time job (Sadly).

Who is your biggest cheerleader?
There are a few amazing ladies who cheer me on daily (sometimes hourly). Without them I’d still be procrastinating in front of the TV or with my kindle in my hand.

BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet!
Some of my characters are loosely based around a couple of people. And I’ll never tell you who!


Thank you so much for your time, Toni! Connect with the author…

Facebook

http://www.instagram.com/toni_kelly_author

If you want to meet Toni amongst others, click the graphic below! Authors at the Armouries is about inspiration for all!

Author Blog, Author Interview, Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Romantic Suspense, Steamy Romance

Interview with Zavi James/Naaz Spencer

As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!



What is your favourite book (not your own), and why?
Godblind by Anna Stephens. It’s an amazing book – the entire series is great. Dark and gritty with amazing world building and characters. I can’t recommend it enough.

Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again?
I haven’t written it yet, but I have an idea and every time I think about the characters and their journey it makes my heart ache. I know it’ll be a tough one to write.

Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write?
Definitely! I have to have a playlist on in the background otherwise I struggle to get words onto the page.

Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
A mess. I can’t find anything I need.

Who or what inspires you as a writer?
People and places. I find mannerisms and conversations tend to inspire my characters. Most of my main characters have traits that I’ve been around in my life. I also get inspired by places. Sometimes I see a location on a drive or a walk and I find myself thinking about how it would be the perfect place for a scene.

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
Introvert! It takes a lot to get me out of my shell. Writing was a way to be a little more extroverted and I feel like I’m getting better at being more out there but in my soul, I love being left in a cosy corner with a book. I’ll probably be under my table at the signing.

What is your advice to authors just starting out?
Write the story you want to read. Don’t worry about thinking that it might have been done a million times already. Your twist and take on it will be unique. Write and keep writing even if it’s just a sentence a day.

Your favourite place to read and/or write?
My favourite place to read is tucked up in bed, first thing in the morning. I get up super early so it’s still dark and the house is quiet. I find it easy to get carried away into a different world while still being cosy in the blankets.

If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”?
I left my job as a postdoctoral research assistant to write full time. That caused a lot of my friends to raise an eyebrow and ask some questions. But I’m happier doing what I do now and I think that’s what is most important.

Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My family. Without a doubt they have had more faith in me than I’ve had in myself at times. I can’t thank them enough for the amount of unwavering support they give me.


Thank you so much for your time, Zavi!

Author Blog, Author Interview, Dark Romance

Interview with Shanjida Nusrath Ali

As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!


What is the first thing people should know about you?
That I’m a tea addict. I’m a huge fan of Schitt’s Creek, Brooklyn 99 and FRIENDS. I’m mostly an introvert but if I find a common topic with you then nothing can stop me from talking for hours.

Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing.
Mafia romance and Gothic romance.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?
My age and I will keep it a secret forever. Lol.

Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why.
Cross My Heart. It was my debut mafia romance book and I tried to make it as unique as possible, with unexpected plot twists, heart-breaking moments, betrayal, revenge and intense sex scenes. It also has a realistic side of the mafia world where the lead characters truly suffer to get out of that darkness.

What is your favourite book (not your own), and why?
It’s an extremely long list that I could write a novel on, lol. But as for my top favourite I would say it’s gonna be The Button Series by Penelope Sky. If you like dark mafia romance with a badass FMC and broody and cold-hearted MMC, mixed with debt romance (don’t know if it’s a trope but you know what I mean), action, kinky and intense AF sex scenes, with some really swoon-worthy moments then READ THIS SERIES! Also, it was my first mafia series that I ever read and got inspired to write one.

Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again?
While writing Cross My Heart I felt broken for the pain I was putting my characters through, but it didn’t make me feel I would never write something like that again. Instead the tortures on my characters got more intensified with every new book.

Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write?
I’m in between. Sometimes I listen to it, sometimes I don’t. But I think music helps me to get in the right mindset for certain scenes.

Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
Don’t have a desk currently. My lap is my desk, lol.

Who or what inspires you as a writer?
Two things. First are my readers whose love and support for my books keeps me going. Second is Pinterest where I see any picture that gives a book vibe, I instantly feel inspired to write a story.

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
I’m an “exintrovert”.

What is your advice to authors just starting out?
Just write. If you want to be an author just do it. There will be a shit ton of hard work for it, but hey what thing doesn’t? Nothing is easy in life. Write whatever you feel comfortable with. Make sure to research everything properly before publishing. If your story is a hit, then great, start working on a new one. If not, then check what things might have not worked out so that your next story can be improved.

Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?
Definitely my hometown.

If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be?
One of Cora Reilley’s book worlds.

Your favourite place to read and/or write?
My bed.

When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written?
100? LOL

What did you always want to be when you were growing up?
I never had a fixed dream. I first wanted to be a princess. Then a teacher to ban homework. Later I wanted to be Queen Elizabeth, I really don’t know why. Then I wanted to be a doctor before I decided to be an author.

Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My mom.


Thank you so much for your time, Shanjida! To find out more, click the graphic:

Author Blog, Author Interview, Dark Romance, Steamy Romance

Interview with Lola King

As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!


What is the first thing people should know about you?
I love two things in life: kinky sex and books. That’s why I mixed both.

Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing.
I think I’m most known for writing dark romance, especially for my bully trilogy.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?
Not many people know I’m French!

Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why.
Queen of Broken Hearts, my FF novella. Because not enough people read FF!

What is your favourite book (not your own), and why?
One of my favourite books is Circe by Madeline Miller because I am a huge fan of Greek mythology and especially retold from a woman’s perspective.

Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again?
It did not make me feel like I’d never write again but it was really hard to write King of My Heart and Ace of All Hearts (they were one book before I split them in two.) It was a constant fight of writing what I truly wanted to write and what most readers want to read. I opted for what I wanted to write so I hope people don’t hate me…

Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write?
Yes! I don’t always write with music as I sometimes need to simply hear my thoughts, but I’m mostly inspired by music. Every single one of my chapters in every single one of my books has a song associated to it.

Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
Messy. I’m a messy mess.

Who or what inspires you as a writer?
What doesn’t inspire me would be quicker to answer! Practically everything inspires me. No one and nothing is safe…

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
I think I’m an introvert but I’m still trying to figure it out. I have bursts of social behaviours and then hide for months afterward.

What is your advice to authors just starting out?
Just write it, babe. Everything else can come after.

If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be?
I’ve always lived in Stoneview in my head, I’m not moving anywhere else.

Your favourite place to read and/or write?
Favourite place to read is by the fireplace. Favourite place to write is at my desk with no one else around.

When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written?
I’m going to aim for two to three books a year and Gandalf is a few thousand years old so…you do the maths !

If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”?
No! I have two jobs, writing and acting, and both are super unstable, so people around me are used to it.

Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My mum, of course.

BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet!
I’m going to be one of those authors who kills a character you love. Sorry. I can’t say which book though.


Thank you so much for your time, Lola! To find out more about the author, click the icon!

Author Blog, Author Interview, Dark Romance

Interview with Dani René


As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!


What is the first thing people should know about you?
I’m a super shy Gemini LOL!

Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing.
Dark Romance

What is one thing people don’t know about you?
I have a debilitating fear of spiders.

Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why.
Love Beyond Words. It’s a beautiful story about how two unlikely people find love without ever seeing each other.

What is your favourite book (not your own), and why?
This is extremely difficult. I have so many favorites, it’s hard to choose just one.

Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again?
Mmm, I have a book that broke me, but none of my books ever made me feel as if I’ll never write again. I think that if I didn’t write, I’d go crazy. LOL!

Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write?
It is everything to me, I always have music playing, but as my answer above, I would write regardless. I do have songs I tend to have on repeat while writing certain books/scenes.

Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
Messy!

Who or what inspires you as a writer?
The world around me, learning about others, music especially.

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
Introverted, very much so.

The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes?
The incredible readers!

What is your advice to authors just starting out?
Don’t focus on anything other than writing. Get the book done, then you can worry about everything else.

Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?
Usually a beach holiday is my choice.

If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be?
Mystic Falls.

Your favourite place to read and/or write?
On my sofa.

When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written?
Mmmm, I want to say 200, but I’m almost at 60 now, so who knows. LOL!

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Jared Leto

What did you always want to be when you were growing up?
My answers changed so much over the years, but I knew I wanted to always work for myself.

If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”?
Writing is my full-time job now, and I have had a ‘proper job’ so, not really been told to get one. Haha!

Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My readers are!

BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet!
One of my books has an actual scene written from a real life experience I had. 😉


Thank you so much for your time, Dani!

Please check out her stalker links:

FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/danisdeviants/
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/DaniVIPs
BookBub:  http://bit.ly/DaniBookBub
Facebook: http://bit.ly/DaniFBPage
Instagram: http://bit.ly/DaniIG
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/DaniGoodreads
Amazon: http://bit.ly/DaniAmazon
TikTok: https://bit.ly/DaniRTT

If you want to meet Dani amongst others, click the graphic below! Authors at the Armouries is about inspiration for all!

Author Blog, Author Interview, Dark Romance

Interview with K.L. Taylor-Lane

Over the next 11 and a half months, as we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!


Q. What is the first thing people should know about you?
I’m a daydreamer and I unapologetically use bad language, like, all the time. Sooo, just keep me away from impressionable young ears… I do try to behave, I swear!

Q. Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing.
Dark romance, mainly crime and horror/gore.

Q. What is one thing people don’t know about you?
I am madly squeamish! I write horror and heavy gore and violence, but I don’t even like bruises! I can’t even look at broken nails. The thought of a cut or a broken bone makes me nauseous and light-headed.

Q. Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again?
Penance, book two of my Swallows and Psychos series, absolutely killed me. I re-wrote that baby three times! And I died a little during the process, but it still has some of my most favourite scenes I’ve ever written in it.

Q. Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write?
To some extent, absolutely! I have headphones permanently locked around my neck whilst I’m in the writing process. Although, writing some of my upcoming book, Heron Mill, I had to have absolute silence! That’s never happened to me before, so it was definitely a new experience.

Q. Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
Tidy, if there’s mess around me, I can’t concentrate on anything but tidying it.

Q. Who or what inspires you as a writer?
I’m inspired mostly by real-life experiences, things that have happened to me personally or close around me. However, horror has a HUGE impact on me in everything I write. Films, books, theatre productions, horror/Halloween attractions and experiences, all have an impact on me. I like being scared…

Q. Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
Total Introvert! I never want to leave my house… but once you get me talking, you’ll never shut me up.

Q. The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes?
My love for writing. I think I’ll be passionate about my characters and their stories forever.

Q. What is your advice to authors just starting out?
Just do it! Take a deep breath and create your author page, write what you love and tell the story YOUR way. It doesn’t matter if your trope is trending or not right now, just enjoy it for you. And don’t rush, take your time and enjoy the experience, build relationships with people before diving in to work with them. And don’t be shy to reach out to your favourite authors, or authors that already write in your genre. We all started somewhere. I still consider myself a baby author and I’d be nowhere without the huge family of friends I’ve made.

Q. Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?
Anywhere there’s water.

Q. Your favourite place to read and/or write?
Read in bed and write outside.

Q. When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written?
Hopefully 100!

BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet!
There is a HUGE death in Persecution, book three of the Swallows and Psychos series.


Thank you so much for your time, K.L. Taylor-Lane! To find out more about this author’s work and pick up all those stalker links, click here.

If you want to meet K.L. amongst others, click the graphic below! Authors at the Armouries is about inspiration for all!