Where are some places in your hometown you liked to visit a lot as a child?
My hometown is small and there wasn't usually much going on there. My favorite place to be growing up was out in my grandparents' woods, riding my horse, swimming in the ponds/river/creek, finding allt he hidden places and talking to the fairies.
What hobbies did you have as a child?
I loved to write stories and awful poetry, horseback riding (very informally) and being outside as much as possible.
Where did you get your degree in education? What was the most memorable part of college for you?
I am one of those millenials who was pressured to go to college and get a "real" career that I ultimately regretted. I got my undergraduate degreein Biology/Pre-med in Michigian, then I moved to Florida where I completed my Master's degree in Occupational Therapy.
What are some great books you've read recently and who wrote them?
The Path of Tempation series by Auryn Hadley, The Vale Chronicles by Joel Abernathy, and anything by Megan Derr.
According to you, what is the perfect recipe for an amazing story?
Magic (or something "other" even if it's more sci-fi etc.) and romance--the more inclusive and outside the box the better! I hate stories that use the same old tropes over, and over. (Like all alpha-male cardboard cut-outs all the time, for example).
What is a common theme that follows all the books in Kraken's Cult series?
Some people might think that at a glance something so quirky, steamy, and ridiculous wouldn't have much in the way of a big overarching theme--but my stories always do, even in their absurdity. The theme of this series, I would say, is that EVERYONE is deserving of love. That it is okay to embrace those things you think make you unworthy or unloveable. That your differences are absolutely your STRENGTHS, and that it's okay to let the right people in--people who will embrace your uniquness and love you all the more for it. My books are also usually big on found family, and this series is no different ;)
Would you like to have a faithful robotic assistant, Toto like Daniel did?
I think the way Daniel made his boring old computer assistant into the world's weirdest, ugliest companion just to annoy his uptight co-workers and peers is absolutely something I would do. But if I had to choose a faithful metallic companion, I think I'd want one who was a bit more connected to me (and flashier) like Sparrow the dragon from my book Clockwork Dragon.
How did you come up with the title of your book, Don't Go Kraken My Heart?
By throwing around puns with everyone I met until one stuck :)
If there was anything you could say to your younger self, what would you say?
I would tell my younger self, first and foremost, you are beautiful, perfect, loveable and worthy of respect, just the way you are. Secondly--Don't go to college!!! It'll be the worst mistake you ever made. If you do get a degree, go ahead and get it something you love, like music. Follow your passion, absolutely do NOT chase a well paying career (or one you THINK will be well-paying), all the people who keep telling you "studen loan debt is good debt" are liars. And most importantly of all: Whatever comes your way--be it school, career, friends, romantic partners, where you chose to live, or any other life opportunities--IF IT DOESN'T EXCITE YOU AND MAKE YOU FEEL ALIVE, WALK AWAY! You are worth taking a stand.
What're the most eye opening lines you have read in a novel?
I can't think of one off the top of my head
What do you think of the television adaptation of your books?
Ha! There isn't one. For most of my books, a lot of people would have to get WAY more open minded before that could ever happen (poly or open relationships, gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, trans characters and relationships, etc.)
What is the most outrageous thing you've done to write or publish one of your books?
I've done all the weird research any kinky romance/paranormal/sci-fi writer does. But I think the most "outrageous" thing is the fact that I've done this all my self, every step of the way, even when everyone wanted to tell me "can't," "shouldn't," and quote a bunch of made-up rules at me.
Do you think someone can be an author without having discipline? Why or why not?
Sure. Anyone can be an author. By definition, the moment you put words on a page, you're an author. But to be a SUCCESSFUL author is a whole other can of worms. You absolutely have to have discipline--though what that looks like for me may look completely different than what it looks like for you, my "discipline" may just be to look at pictures every day. Or to not completely give up on a project even if it takes a few years to finish. Or it might look like writing 10,000 words every day. I think what's more important than discipline is a combination of desire, hope, and stubborness. That turns into a commitment that will eventually get you some sort of results, but of course every author's level of success varies. And people will hate to hear this, but there really IS a lot of luck and "right place, right time" involved in every success story.
Which is the next book you are working on? Give us an insight into it.
I just finished the final book in the Kraken's Cult series and am still writing ongoing episodes of my Kindle Vella serial, The Bestiary. My next novel will be the first in a paranormal poly romance series where I'm going to focus on writing an older female main character than what you usually see (I haven't decided on an age yet, but definitely over 40), and I'm going to give her some significant mental health issues to work through--issues that she will eventually come to realize are not illness at all, but gifts. I am also planning to write a poly romance series with a blind main character. That is always where I start--who is this character and what makes them tick.
Before AllAuthor, what other websites did you use for featuring and promoting your books? Has AllAuthor been better than some of these sites?
I haven't done a lot with promotion other than facebook ads, amazon ads, and free book giveaways. I do like the features AllAuthor has, but am still learning about them and how to put it all to best use.
