Interview With Author Amelia Elliot
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an author, trial lawyer, business owner, and copywriter. ‘Amelia Elliot’ is my pen name for my works in women’s literary fiction and romance. I also publishes on topics of law, business, and politics. I live and write from a sailboat with my husband and three big dogs. It’s very crowded.
I have published two books as Amelia Elliot, with my third scheduled to come out in September 2023.
I’m also disabled with chronic illness. I read and write romances because they help me stay optimistic through pain and exhaustion. I hope that my books help struggling people find solace. Because my stories will always have a happily ever after!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My second romance novel is titled Conduct Unbecoming a Judge.
My main female protagonist has female infertility–the permanent kind because she had uterine cancer. It’s experimental, because I have not personally read any contemporary romances where infertility is a fact of life for the woman, and I’ve looked. Because this is something I’ve personally experienced, I wanted to feel represented and seen. If I feel that way, I presume other women do too. The story really grew from there.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have narcolepsy, and one of the aspects of that condition is that you slip into REM suddenly throughout the day. I was already lucid dreaming; but now I see my characters acting out scenes like in a movie. I watch; and sometimes they do or say things that I don’t expect. Then I have to write it down quickly!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I decided to write romance novels, I went to the Amazon lists and ready widely across genres. I read at least fifty books in a few months. When I was in college (*cough* twenty-five years ago *cough*), I had read all the old school romance writers. I wanted to see what creative things authors were doing now. I’m inspired by many of them. There isn’t just one or two that I could point to.
What are you working on now?
I’m completing revisions to my third novel in my Thunderstruck series titled All the Ways We’re Wrong. Ava Blum is a successful romcom actress coming to terms with being divorced and turning forty. Killian Kelly lives alone in a mountain cabin while on assignment for the forestry service. When Ava decides to spend a few days alone in the mountains, she gets caught in a mudslide. Killian saves her, and they have to survive the mountain together without killing each other.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, free book promotions has had the greatest impact on read through and Kindle Unlimited activity.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to sell books, treating your writing like a business. Set goals and deadlines, and learn how to do more than craft. Craft is important; but you need both skill sets to be successful at this.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I was ever told was to practice “radical self-acceptance.” I’m doing the best, I can, and there’s nothing more that I can do than that.
What are you reading now?
Since I read several books a week, the answer to this changes almost daily. I typically read both business books and romance novels.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m currently working on a schedule of publishing four books per year. I’m planning a fourth book in my Thunderstruck series for January. That’s in its infancy, so that’ll be my next obsession.
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?
There’s a good chance that I would choose my own books first. I know that sounds weird or narcissistic, but I like to read parts of my past books here and there. It’s like catching up with a family member or a friend. I remember writing it, of course; but it’s an entirely different experience to just sit and enjoy reading the book after completion, especially after some time has passed and I don’t remember every word as intimately.
Author Websites and Profiles
Amelia Elliot’s Social Media Links