Author Interviews

Author Spotlight Interview: Max Watson

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 12, 2023

Today’s interview is with author Max Watson. Watson write new adult romances with notably strong women. It was an honor getting to know more about her writing process and life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? MW: I write new adult romances and I specialize in deep first person POV. I love to develop my characters and really focus on the aspects of the human struggles we each face and handle differently. Cinnamon roll type men and strong women are my personal character type favorites to write! HG: Love it! When did you know you were ready to take on the title of author? MW: I have always been an avid reader. In fact, my first ever job I was paid in books because books are more valuable than money to me. But even though I devoured a book… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Bethany Maines

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on August 29, 2023

Today’s interview is with author Bethany Maines. According to her official bio, Bethany is the author of romantic action-adventure and fantasy tales that focus on women who know when to apply lipstick and when to apply a foot to someone’s hind end. It was an pleasure getting to know more about her writing process and life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? BM: I generally say that I write Women’s Action-Adventure. It’s feminist, funny, romantic and action-packed. I’ve gotten a few eye rolls from industry “insiders” because that’s not a BISAC genre category. On the other hand, readers all know exactly what I mean and since readers are who I care about… 🤷‍♀️ I’ve tried out a fairly wide variety of genres – mystery, crime, paranormal romance, sci-fi, romantic suspense – but the through-line is that my heroines… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Deborah L. King

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on August 15, 2023

Today’s interview is with women’s fiction author Deborah L. King. Deborah shares with us her journey to publication and details about her writing process. We are thrilled that we got to learn more about her, and her life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? DK: Hi, I’m Deborah and I write women’s literary fiction. It’s also been called historical, but I refuse to believe that the 1980s are historical. I’ve been a writer and storyteller my whole life, and I published my first short story when I was seven years old. It was a melodrama about a church closing (spoiler: it didn’t close). For years, I wrote poetry, songs, and nonsensical adult stories for my own entertainment. It was only after attending a women’s writing class and reading my stories out loud that I started calling myself a… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Densie Webb

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on August 1, 2023

Today’s interview is with author Densie Webb. According to her official bio, Densie (not Denise) Webb has spent a long career as a freelance nonfiction writer and editor, specializing in health and nutrition and has published several books and tons of articles on the topic over the years. She transitioned into fiction several years ago and is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. It was an honor getting to know more about her writing process and life outside of writing. HG: You’ve long had a career as a freelance nonfiction writer and editor. Tell us a bit about your fiction publishing journey. When did you know you were ready to take on the “fiction author” role? DW: I would venture a guess that no writer feels “ready” to take on fiction. I know I wasn’t, but a long-time friend encouraged me to “go for it.” For me, it… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Ellis L. Knox

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on July 18, 2023

Today’s interview is with author and medieval historian, Ellis L. Knox. According to his official bio, he is the creator of the fantasy world called Altearth, a place where magic is real, monsters roam the land, and the Roman Empire never fell. We were honored to learn more about Knox’s journey to publication, writing style and life outside of writing! HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? ELK: I’m obsessed with stories. Whether it’s television, games, or text, it’s the story that I like best. When it comes to telling stories myself, I try hard to make them as interesting as I expect to hear from others. I’m a medieval historian by training. I’ve always enjoyed SF and fantasy. After many years of fooling about with SF ideas and some fantasy, I decided there was potential in taking what I knew about… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Jane Harvey-Berrick

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on July 4, 2023

Today’s interview is with award winning, multi-genre author Jane Harvey-Berrick. Jane has been publishing for years and it was an honor getting to know more about her writing process and life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? JHB: The short answer is contemporary romance and women’s fiction – but I don’t really like to categorise like that (even when I have to!). I write stories about people with all their flaws and failings, but people who haven’t given up, people who perhaps just need to meet the right person to find the next steps on their journey through life, their place in the world. HG: Beautiful. Tell us a bit about your publishing journey. When did you know you were ready to take on the “author” role? JHB: Oh, I’m still working on that! I never want to… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Brian Sachetta

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on June 20, 2023

Today’s interview is with author, blogger and software developer, Brian Sachetta. Brian is passionate about using his skills to positively influence the lives of others, and much of his writing is focused on health, wellness, and personal development. It was a pleasure to get to know more about Brian’s publishing journey, mission and life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? BS: By trade, I’m an engineer, so that definitely comes through in my content: I enjoy figuring out how things work (or at least trying to), testing out different solutions, and presenting my findings to my audience. I used that same engineering-oriented approach with my own anxiety and depression, so, in some ways, my books are really just an extension of that philosophy. My writing style and tone are mostly formal / serious (to reflect the weight of… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Deryn Pittar

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on June 6, 2023

Today’s interview is with award winning romance author Deryn Pittar. Deryn writes across multiple genres, and today she shares her journey to publication and the challenges she has overcome. It was a pleasure getting to know more about Deryn’s writing style, and life outside of writing! HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? DP: I write over a range of genre; sci.fi/paranormal/fantasy, contemporary fiction, romance, a cozy mystery and a dash of horror.  I also dabble in poetry and particularly like the challenge of haiku which requires few words to convey a moment in time.   HG: Wow! How fantastic. Tell us a bit about your publishing journey. When did you know you were ready to take on the “author” role? DP: About twenty years ago I decided to get serious about my desire to write. Research told me that romance was… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Rebecca Hunter

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on May 2, 2023

Today’s interview is with award winning romance author Rebecca Hunter. According to her official bio, Rebecca writes witty, sexy stories about complex characters and intriguing destinations. Her books have won the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA) and the HOLT Medallion contest, and her debut with the Harlequin Dare line earned a starred review from Library Journal. In 2021, she won Romance Writers of America’s VIVIAN Award. She shared with us her journey to publication and the challenges she has overcome. It was a pleasure getting to know more about Rebecca’s writing style, and life outside of writing! HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? RH: I write what I call destination romance, where my characters explore a new place as they fall in love. Because I love to travel, many of my books take place in international settings, often Sweden,… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Brighton Walsh

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on April 18, 2023

Today’s interview is with Award-winning USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brighton Walsh. Brighton is a seasoned contemporary romance author and she shared with us details about her writing style, upcoming projects and life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? BW: I’m a sucker for a hero who’s all in, so that’s who I tend to write about. Strong willed heroines and the heroes who are completely gone for them. All the better if the heroes fall first and then have to work hard to win the heroines over. I love a swoony book boyfriend. HG: So good. You recently released Fearless Heart, and it’s available in Kindle Unlimited. Tell us a bit about this story and what readers can expect. BW: This is the third book in the Starlight Cove series, but all the books… Read More >