1. How has the rise of digital platforms, self-publishing, or social media changed the way you connect with readers and promote your books? A: I’ve noticed that readers are less apprehensive about my work. Before, when- ever I would say that I’m an indie author, I would get a lot of hesitation or peo- ple saying they would look up my books before committing. But now that social media and readers have pulled off the shroud of taboo that used to hang over self-publishing, I’ve found that people are excited, if not seeking me out be- cause I am an indie author. I get to share in the excitement of this little world of mine instead of begging for them to give me a chance. I mean, I still am beg- ging, but now it’s not into the void of social media hoping for a reader to bite. I now get to ask them directly. What I love most about social media, is that read- ers from all over can reach out directly to me. I’m not this distant figure floating off in the distance. We can talk about the books and swap theories or discuss characters and plot points. I get to be a fangirl with them about this little world I created. 2. Many authors treat their writing as both art and entrepreneurship—how do you approach the business side of being an author? A: Honestly, I am still trying to figure that out. My love of writing and storytell- ing is why I do what I do. Selling and promoting my writing makes me want to crawl under my bed and never come out. But unfortunately, you can’t make a living selling books without promoting said book. 2025 was my first year as a full-time author with no other job to fall back on. I packed my calendar full of in-person book events and book signings. I posted every day on my social media, and when I got burned out from that, I took a break and created more focused posts. I opened my TikTok shop and started selling on there instead of just on my website. I tried messaging and sending my book directly to bookstores and book reviewers. I tried so many different things that I am physically exhausted and I hardly got any writing done, which impacted me a lot more than I was willing to admit to myself. My approach is completely different than when I started in January, and maybe that’s the point, you know? Don’t be afraid if it doesn’t work. Just pivote and try something new. My plan for 2026 is so different I had to create a spreadsheet to keep it all straight. I’m really excited to see how it all plays out and to see what I learn in the process. On top of that, I’ve taken something from my 9 - 5 days, and that’s work life bal- ance. In order to do this and do it well, I know I need to keep myself from burn- ing out. So while I want promote and talk about my book all day long, I have a hard end time each day. That way I can write, read, start/finish an art project-- something that breathes life back into my soul so I can do it all again the next day, bright eyed and tail wagging. It’s all about balance.
3. What strategies have you found most effective for building and sustaining a loyal readership in such a competitive genre? I think it’s interacting with readers-- in comments, DMs, or in person at live events. Even if I’m not posting content every week, it’s just enough of a touch point to keep the relationship alive. Even if it’s not about my book! I had a com- ment thread going with a reader about another series we both loved. It was fun! And that now that reader comments on most of my videos or posts, which I love! It actually feels like I have a new horde of friends.
4. How do you approach developing characters throughout multiple books?
I love this question. I think of every character as a chunk of clay and every in- teraction with another character, an emotional event, the main climax of the story, whatever-- all impacts that chunk of clay in a different way, shaping it into something different by the end of each book, or even sometimes at the end of a scene. I mean think about it, us as real people aren’t the same at the end of every calendar year, right? Something over the 365 days has changed us, may- be not dramatically, but in small noticeable ways that when you look back, you can see the differences. I think the same should be for characters of a book. The main character, or re- ally any character in the cast, should not be the same person you have met on page one. So after different points in the story, I ask myself “How did this change the character? Was it for good? Or was it bad?” Think of it like this-- if you throw your character into a dark hole for a week with no light, when they get out do they hate darkness? Do they sleep with a nightlight from then on or do they just sleep with the lights on? Or maybe, darkness is now a comfort. They seek out shadows and tuck themselves inside them. I am a huge fan of consequences in stories, so I love getting to play with the cause and effect on a character’s mental state or how they approach the world in the aftermath.
5. Any suggestions for how new authors can get started writing their stories?
My favorite quote is by Shannon Hale. “I’m writing a first draft and reminding my- self that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” Give yourself permission to be bad. All of the books you love and see on the shelves are the products of hours upon hours of work. Your first draft isn’t going to be winning any prizes, and that shouldn’t be the goal of it. Get the story out, by any means necessary, and that means writing garbage. My first drafts make me phys- ically ill, but they also bring me to my favorite stage of the process which is build- ing castles. What’s been growing in my head, I can finally shape and draw out. It’s the closest thing to real life magic there is, at least in my opinion. You can always go back and fix it later, but you have to have something in order to do that.
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