Interview With Author Angela Haas
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. My day job is a professor of communication and at night, I write novels about superheroes and spaceships. I love NOT camping, salty snacks, and soft blankets. I’ve been writing since I was a kid and I still have all the spiral-bound notebooks I filled with my early stories. First Strike, the first novel in my first series, was published June 13th, 2022.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My series Keepers of the Universe, features older women as the superheroes because I was tired of the standard entertainment tropes of older women being the evil queen, jilted first wife, or wise grandmother. I wanted to write a book where older women are suited in tactical gear and are kicking butt on the battlefield. I also wanted to explore ageing through the lens of superhero stories. How does a superhero handle hot flashes? She turns them into fire balls.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write at night from 9-1 am. This is only unusual because most writers I know are more morning people. I love writing at night because the house is quiet, the phone doesn’t ring and I can’t get distracted by other tasks. I also sometimes have to have music or a movie on while I write because the sounds or action on the screen, inspires me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
One of the first books that really inspired me was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’dell. I was so immersed in that novel and started to write my first story after that. Clive Cussler inspired my love for writing action/adventure stories, but my books also don’t take themselves too seriously. If you are looking for hard sci-fi, my books are not for you. Dave Barry, Carl Hiaasen, Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams were huge influences when I first started writing which is why my stories are more tongue in cheek.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m in the revision stage of Seconds to Oblivion: Keepers of the Universe Book 2. My series is similar to Avengers where each Avenger has their own origin story in a connected universe. Where First Strike follows the journey of Stella, a tough as nails woman who learns to trust the team around her, Seconds to Oblivion is about Marlene “Scout” Mason, a hot mess with a heart of gold, who must trust herself to find the strength to go it alone.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning so much about the best ways to markets your books, but building your email list for blog posts and newsletters is crucial. Having a social media presence is also beneficial, but don’t feel as though you have to be on every platform. Start with the site you like the best and be active there. Running promotions using Fussy Librarian, Freebooksy and Book Gorilla are also great ways to get your books in the hands of readers and to get reviews.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be cautious where you invest your time and money. When I first started writing, I gobbled up every class, every writing software, every workbook I could find. I thought I need to be the constant student of the craft, but it turns out, I knew more than I realized. I wish I would have taken a step back and thought more about signing up for certain certifications and classes. Becca Syme had great advice in that she said wait 24 hours before purchasing anything as it relates to your writing career. I should have done that and will do that now going forward.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I read an article by Joe Fassler where he wrote: It’s supposed to be difficult. Those words really stuck with me. There are so many times in the process of writing and publishing my first book that I wanted to quit; that I told myself: “I can’t do this.” “I’m not good at this.” But if this process were easy, every single person would do it. It is supposed to be difficult and when you understand that and you push through, you’ll find amazing rewards on the other side of every hurdle.
What are you reading now?
I just finished the Treadstone Transgression by Justin Hood and have now started The Cleaner by Mark Dawson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing and more writing! Networking and more networking! I’m an extroverted writer working on building my network and finding more in person events to participate in. I’m also slowly making peace with the idea that if I quit my day job as a professor (for me, teaching just isn’t what it used to be) I can submerge myself full time into my writing career. I plan on attending the 20to50k Writer’s Conference in Las Vegas in November and I will have an in person book launch in the summer once I publish my second book.
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?
Long, Dark Tea Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams, The SAS Survival Handbook by John Wiseman and The Silent Sea by Clive Cussler.
Author Websites and Profiles
Angela Haas’s Social Media Links