Interview With Author April Berry
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in Georgia and still live there with my big, bearded, hubby and our two kids. I love to bake, cook, and eat. I also occasionally enjoy a margarita at my fav Mexican restaurant. I currently have a FT job on top of writing, as well as being a Band Mom which in itself can be a FT job! I didn’t start publishing until I was 39 years old and have twelve published as of 2/8/24 with one on preorder set to release on 3/25/24!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book about to release in March 2024, Blood of The Daughter, is a wolf shifter romance with a bit of suspense. I love reading shifter books, and the idea just popped in my head one day while I was driving to band practice and a song was on the radio. Which is the case for most of my ideas! I love RomComs and Contemporary as well but when the characters speak, I have to listen!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to listen to music, not just instrumental. And I always must have a piece a gum and a full tumbler of ice water. Also, even though I have a really nice desk, I always write on the couch. My hubby gets onto me about it being terrible for my back, but I just don’t feel as inspired unless I’m comfy and cozy!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Gosh. That’s a tough one. Saam King played a huge role in my recent wolf shifter idea because I found her wolf shifter series and became obsessed! But PS Nail also has a lovely writing style that I really enjoy and find to be similar to mine, even though we write different genres. Also, I have been variations of Harlequin books since I was entirely too young to be reading them, but I love the emotional aspect of those stories. I do enjoy steamy, but I need to feel the emotion behind it as well.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a new small town romcom series but also book two of my wolf shifter series. I usually have multiple WIPs going!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still testing a lot, but recently found the paid newsletters to be very useful! Ads can be hit or miss and require a lot of research to know what’s hitting the best. Social media was great for me when I started over two years ago because I didn’t have money to throw at marketing, so I had to learn to build an audience. Over time, I added in author events which I love, and now dipping my toes into new things! We shall see!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the book. But edit the crap out of it, then find beta readers that are not your friends or hire good editors if you can afford it. Be willing to listen to the constructive criticism and learn to discard the ugly comments. Not everyone is trying to help, and a good editor will not cut you down but will help you better your craft. Also, research a ton! Don’t go with the first book designer/editor/formatter. I saved myself so much money and probably a lot of headaches by really digging in to find folks to work with that were a good fit.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t read your reviews. We are told to get a thick skin, but even the toughest of us can let one bad review outweigh 100 good ones. Just don’t do it! SAVE YOURSELF!
What are you reading now?
I’m between books because I’m writing pretty intensely in my downtime, but I was recently in a charity anthology and read each entry for it! It was XOXO: A Steamy Valentine’s Romance Anthology and 100% of the proceeds are going to NAMI. I love anthos because I always find new authors to love!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing, writing, more writing, and a couple of author events this year. I hope to have three releases in 2024!
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?
The End of Hatred by Rebecca Hefner, Violet Flames by PS Nail, Midnight Inferno by Saam King, and Hungry for Love by Liz Zerkel.
Author Websites and Profiles
April Berry’s Social Media Links
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.