Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Reader, writer, and wrangler of cats (domestic not wild) living in central Pennsylvania. Author of three books with two published: Hope Rising, a young adult novel, and Summer Unbroken, an adult fiction.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Summer Unbroken is coming of age story, but set a little older. I felt like my own, personal coming-of-age story happened in college, during 9/11. It was a lot for me to process as college freshman. I remember staring at the television in complete shock, knowing very deep within me that life was never going to be the same again. Reflecting back on that time gave me the idea to write a girl’s coming-of-age story while she was in college, rather than high school, because I believe we never really stop “coming-of-age”. The story of Claire in Summer Unbroken is fiction, but inspired by the wide range of emotions I felt back then.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like a hardcore solo dance party at the end of my writing day. Other than that, I’m as mundane as a Monday morning.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Curtis Sittenfeld, Jerry Spinelli, Sara Dessen, Laura Moriarty. I like a little bit of everything and a good, bittersweet ending. Unless I’m at the beach. Then give me a Julia Quinn romance.
What are you working on now?
I’m editing my third novel The Way We Weren’t, that follows the will they/won’t they friendship of Jenna and Gage, starting in college and spanning fifteen years. I’m also working on my fourth novel, Undefeated, a young adult novel following the story of a high school female football player recruited to a Big Ten university.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Book Signings tend to generate the most interest for me, personally. KDP Select Free Promotion was great for promoting Hope Rising. I distributed about 7,000 free books with that. My sales tanked after that though, so use with caution.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Rest when you need to. It’s okay to take a breather. Writing is the type of job you can quit on a whim and rehire yourself seventy-two hours later. Just don’t forget to rehire yourself!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You’re a writer. Own it. Don’t be afraid to say it.
What are you reading now?
Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld, which is awesome, btw.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing up editing The Way We Weren’t, and slowly working through Undefeated.
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?
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld for when I’m feeling angsty; A Julia Quinn romance – Romancing Mister Bridgerton, I’m thinking (so I can pretend the desert is a beach); a great memoir recommended to me that I didn’t read yet but somehow managed to buy right before being stranded; and I’ll trade the last book for a laptop with a solar battery (please?)
Author Websites and Profiles
Amy Spade Amazon Profile
Amy Spade Author Profile on Smashwords
Amy Spade’s Social Media Links
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