Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing all of my life and writing romance since the early 1990’s. I sold my first book – a medieval romance – in 1992, and it was published under my pseudonym, Claire Delacroix. Since then, I’ve published over 50 romances, the historicals as Claire and the contemporary romances (mostly paranormals featuring dragon shape shifter heroes) as myself, Deborah Cooke. I’ve also written a Young Adult paranormal trilogy, which was a spin-off from Dragonfire, called The Dragon Diaries.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent release is The Warrior’s Prize by Claire Delacroix.
http://deborahcooke.com/claire-delacroix-books/the-true-love-brides/the-warriors-prize/
This is the final medieval Scottish romance in my True Love Brides series, which is linked to my Jewels of Kinfairlie series. Once upon a time, I created a family with eight kids, and have been telling their stories ever since. The Warrior’s Prize is the seventh directly linked book, although these books are also more loosely linked with my Rogues of Ravensmuir trilogy.
I’m taking a little break from Kinfairlie this year, but will return to a fictional holding introduced in The Warrior called Inverfyre to tell the eighth sibling’s story – as well as a few from the Inverfyre clan!
I love writing linked books, because they let me explore the continuing relationships of my characters. Readers can get updates on the characters’ evolving lives and relationships, and it also allows me to deepen our view of the world the characters occupy. Their lives feel more “real” to me as a result of my not needing to resolve every detail in 100,000 words. Some story elements can trail along longer or color other relationships and events. I really enjoy that.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I write in my office and drink tea while I do it. That’s not very unusual at all. 🙂
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was a very avid reader as a kid, and read pretty much everything I could get my hands on. You could find me in the library most of the time. I read a lot of fairy tales (and re-interpretations of them, particularly the Andrew Lang compilations) as well as high fantasy novels (like The Lord of the Rings), romantic suspense and gothic romances (authors like Phyllis. A. Whitney) and historical romances, too. Even when I read now, I look for books that will take me to another world, either a fictional one or another time and place, and usually a setting in which many things are possible – and not all are readily explained. I like history and some fantasy in my books. I also enjoy magical realism, which includes authors like Robertson Davies and Salmon Rushdie.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m finishing the final novel in my Dragonfire series. Firestorm Forever by Deborah Cooke will be published in March, and it’s the 11th book in that series of paranormal romances featuring dragon shape shifter heroes.
http://deborahcooke.com/deborah-cooke-books/dragonfire/firestorm-forever/
As much as I like writing linked series, keeping track of all the details does become a bit of a challenge when there are this many linked books. I’m planning for some shorter ones (three or four books in total) after this! There’s also a Dragonfire Companion in the works, which will be published later this year.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I keep in touch with my established audience on my website (which includes a blog), on Facebook and in my monthly newsletter. I look to expand my audience with special offers, like digital boxed sets that will introduce new readers to my work at a special price, and advertise those.
One of the challenges for me in finding new readers is that I already have a lot of audience in non-US markets (Australia, UK and Canada) who often have devices other than Kindles. I know there will be more readers there for my books, but it’s less easy to find sites that target those markets.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s most important to write the stories that you love – as opposed to writing what you think will sell best. If your heart isn’t in your work, it’s tough to carry on through the inevitable challenges. If you love what you do, though, nothing will ever set you back for long.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Follow your bliss” from Joseph Campbell.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a rather disappointing Apocalyptic story, so I won’t tell you the title.
I thought the premise was good and had high hopes but am finding it a bit of a slog. I’m reading a bit more before I abandon it (I doubt I’ll finish it) to see if I can learn anything from this (famous) writer’s choices.
Sometimes it’s equally instructive to analyze something you don’t like as something that you do. (It might even be easier to do, since your enthusiasm isn’t affecting the view.)
What’s next for you as a writer?
More books, more stories and more writing! I love what I do, and I love the opportunities that digital portals have created for writers.
In terms of the work itself, I have a new medieval romance series in the works called the Champions of St. Euphemia, with starts with The Crusader’s Bride in May.
http://deborahcooke.com/claire-delacroix-books/champions-of-st-euphemia/
I will be going back to Inverfyre in medieval Scotland, as mentioned above, and I’m also plotting out a trilogy of medieval romances featuring my dragon shape shifter heroes.
As a publisher, I’m in the midst of having audiobooks created from some of my historicals, which is a wonderful new adventure, too. It’s really exciting to hear my own work being performed.
And I’ve been exploring more social media, to find the balance that’s right for me. It’s awesome that social media have created the chance for writers and readers to connect so readily. I really like hearing back from my readers and finding new ways to connect with them.
One of the things I’m trying this year is making free downloads of first chapters of upcoming books available through my online store. Readers seem to be enjoying those a lot.
https://deborahcooke.selz.com/
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?
Hmm. That would be tough. The Lord of the Rings, definitely, because I just can’t read it enough times (and it’s long!) A collection of short stories by Neil Gaiman. I’ve read Smoke and Mirrors and love it, but it would be best to take one I hadn’t read before. I think he writes brilliant short stories. I’d take my biggest dictionary, because that would give me lots to read and I do like reading dictionaries.
Then I’d be torn between grabbing another work of fiction from my TBR or a work of non-fiction from my medieval history survey volumes. Or maybe the latest from Minette Walters. I like her mysteries a lot because I can never solve them before the protagonist does.
Can I take six books? Or maybe a fully-loaded e-reader? Please? 🙂
Author Websites and Profiles
Claire Delacroix Website
Claire Delacroix Amazon Profile
Claire Delacroix Author Profile on Smashwords
Claire Delacroix’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account