Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am originally from Wisconsin, but traveled around the Midwest with my husband for school and am currently in Nebraska. I earned both my B.A. and M.A. in Communication Studies and began writing shortly after. The Dark Angel series is my first adventure as an author. The Shadow’s Grasp was published in January 2021, but edited and released as a second edition with a new cover. Its sequel, The Guardian’s Deception, will be releasing on September 14, 2021. I am currently writing the sixth book of this series and plan to publish them all over the next three to four years with two releasing every year.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Dark Angel series has been something I created and expanded on over the years since 2012. I don’t remember what inspired it, but a lot of my ideas come from dreams or music.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I prefer to write in the mornings when I wake up since that is usually when I’m more active. Other than that, I can sit down and write for hours straight when the story is figured out. In order to make that happen, I spend time listening to certain music that sets the tone for that point in the story. That’s usually how I come up with specific plot points or action scenes.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Before I became an author and started doing ARC and BETA reading, I mainly read Mercedes Lackey and the classics, like The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Tale of Two Cities, etc. I also enjoyed Eragon and think my writing is most reflective of that series. Now, I’ve expanded my view of fiction and fantasy books and find that reading helps me develop more as an author.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am at the beginning of the sixth book in The Dark Angel series. There may or may not end up being a seventh, but once this is complete I would like to start on something new that I’ve had in mind to write for a while. I’m also learning how to get online ads and market myself as an author since nowadays that’s what you sort of have to do.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My secret for finding new ways to promote my books is to sign up for newsletters like Pretty-Hot and AwesomeGang, then go to this question and see what others are doing. I keep a list of online author profiles to complete and update whenever I release a new book and a list of sites for book submission, both for promotion and reviews. In addition to this, I actively post on Facebook and Instagram, keep a blog on Goodreads, and offer to read and review other author’s work in exchange for honest reviews. It’s difficult to get someone to read your work without something in it for them, so I find the most successful method is to make connections with other authors and help support each other first.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for yourself, first and foremost. In any art form, there will be people who don’t like or don’t understand your work. That’s okay! If everybody liked everything, there wouldn’t be any variety. Because of this, it’s important for authors to know who they are and what they want to create. You’re not going to please anybody and you only have control over yourself. Write the story that you want to write above all else instead of caving into what’s popular, what gets readers, and what pleases the majority of people.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Motivation is sparked by action. If you want to write, write. Once you get started, you’ll find it easier to continue than if you remain lying down wondering how productive you could be later.
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?
My favorite book is Jurassic Park, followed by A Tale of Two Cities, then Magic’s Pawn by Mercedes Lackey. It’s a weird trio, but I have fond memories associated with each one.
Author Websites and Profiles
Courtney Lillard Website
Courtney Lillard Amazon Profile
Courtney Lillard’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile