Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far, I’ve written one full-length novel, a couple of novellas, and published a collection of my short stories. I’m a little bit of a lot of things: a gamer (tabletop and RPG!), a runner, a voracious reader of ALL sorts of fiction and non-fiction, a gardener, and an outdoor adventurer, among other things.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Vale Sevin Versus the Darkholm Succubus. And honestly, it was inspired by about half a dozen different conversations with friends about the different videogames we were playing. Vale Sevin isn’t based on anything in particular, but I had this idea for a gritty fantasy world where this group of adventurers are just trying to earn some coin but also get laid a lot, and the world of Viridia was born.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t consistently stick with one writing tool. I have to shake it up from time to time–if I’m writing in Word and I get stuck, I switch to writing on pen and paper for a little bit. Or if I’m taking lots of notes and outlining on pen and paper and it’s just not coming together, I’ll move everything over to a whiteboard. I continually cycle between writing on paper, whiteboard, laptop, desktop PC, and my phone.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read a *lot* so it’s hard to pinpoint specific influences. I’d say Ursula K. LeGuin is a huge influence on me, though. And Patrick Rothfuss.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on the first book in a new series called Temptation Rock. The first book, Heart of Temptation, is about two sisters and their lifelong best friend and their fight against the forces of darkness. It doesn’t sound like a romance, but it absolutely is! Sort of a contemporary western romance-meets-Buffy the Vampire Slayer story, but the three women are all in their 30s, tired of everyone’s B.S., and fully in love with their own bodies. They do NOT mess around!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still trying to figure that out! Maybe Awesome Gang? 😉
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick with it, no matter what. Perseverance is the number one trait of any successful author out there. KEEP GOING!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard was to keep going.
What are you reading now?
I’m beta reading a couple of novels for friends and they are both DELIGHTFUL. I’m so excited for these books to be out there in the world.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more books! I plan to do a couple more Vale Sevin novellas this year, along with the second Temptation Rock 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?
Does a Kindle with a solar-powered rechargeable battery pack count?? No way I could pick only four!
Author Websites and Profiles
California Dawes Website
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