Interview With Author Amanda Linnemeyer
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey! At the time of writing this I’m 33, a mom of 2 (plus a dog), wife of an Air Force anesthesiologist, and an author. I’ve technically written 9 books plus two unfinished manuscripts, but so far only have book deals for two of them (both forthcoming). In general I’m really creative and love doing a variety of crafts, and my favorite “sport” to participate in is bowling. I once bowled a 199! I love watching sports as well, especially football. I love reading in a wide variety of genres, though fantasy is my favorite. My eclectic tastes are pretty obvious in my writing as bits of other genres always manage to worm their way into my stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Symbiotes is my book coming out this October(!!!). It, like a lot of my ideas, came from a small portion of a dream I had. My subconscious is highly creative, though chaotic, but my waking brain is highly organized and usually able to make the ideas make more logical sense.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Brandon Sanderson is a huge influence. His writing style, like mine, isn’t overly flowery, but his ideas are incredible (which I feel is my greatest strength as well). I also adore Marissa Meyer, Victoria Aveyard, Erin A. Craig, Lauren Oliver, Sara Hashem, and Adalyn Grace, to name a few. I can’t list all the books that have influenced me or I’d be here all day, but my most recent favorite read is The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem. I consumed that book and think about it frequently. And the book(s) that are most unlike what I usually read but have stuck with me long term is the Maddaddam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on an adult romantasy set on a prisoner’s ship with a romance between two high-profile prisoners who are forced into close proximity, but both have secrets that will deeply impact the other.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still figuring this out, in all honesty! I do most of my promoting on Insta and Twitter right now, but I hope to branch out to others with larger audiences soon.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It takes a lot of work to do this right, so be patient with yourself. Be willing to learn from others. Don’t discount any advice you’re given that you don’t initially agree with, but don’t take it as gospel, either, because what works for one person does not work for everyone. And don’t be bothered by negative reviews when you finally put your work out there, because writing is super subjective. Go look up your favorite book on goodreads, then read some of the bad reviews to remind yourself that work you’ve loved has been hated by others, and the same thing will happen to you. Just accept that now and move on.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
BE PATIENT. This industry is slower than a snail–until it isn’t. Be ready for the highs and celebrate every small achievement.
What are you reading now?
My husband and I read aloud together and are almost finished with All Better Now by Neal Shusterman. Next up is Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson. On my own I’m reading a physical copy of Elantris by Brandon Sanderson, and next up is my ARC of What Happened to Lucy Vale by Lauren Oliver. On my kindle I’m reading The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, and next up I have Wisteria by Adalyn Grace and an ARC of Fallen City by Adrienne Young. (I’ve also got 20 pending hold requests on Libby, 50+ unread books on my shelf (all my free time goes to writing now!), and a few I’ve pre-ordered… Does anyone have any spare time they can lend me?
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully a lot! I’m almost finished with my developmental edits with my publisher for my book coming out next year, then I’ll be focusing on marketing my book coming out this October. I’m also about to go on sub with my agent, then we will work on editing a recently finished book while I finish writing my WIP.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
… This is a horrible question. I hate it.
lol but seriously though, that’s so hard! Can I make it 5 books and say the Stormlight Archive? They’re long and detailed and would be a fun adventure to take over and over again.
If we’re talking standalone(ish) books, I’ll say Starling House by Alix E. Harrow, House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig, and the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo.
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