Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada so of course I wanted to go into a field that kept me near the ocean. I went into biology, and moved to Hawaii for college where I studied dolphins. Talk about being near the ocean, right? But after graduation I ended up back in Vegas where I took care of sharks and snakes at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. From there, I moved to Germany with my family and then took myself off to Ireland for my Ph.D. in animal behavior. I studied deer in Ireland, which was fun but the fieldwork was cold and exhausting. I lived in a house with a bunch of other people, including the man that eventually became my husband.
After graduation, I stayed in Ireland working and concentrating on writing. Then my husband decided he wanted to live in the US for awhile and we moved to New York. We’re a little settled in here now, with two boys and a dog, but we figure we’ll eventually go back to Ireland. (And no, I don’t have an accent. Though when I first moved back to the States, I kept getting asked by Americans where I was from because I had adopted so many Irish-isms). I am currently a stay-at-home mom and a full time writer. I’ve written a number of science fiction and fantasy romance books under a different pseudonym, but this is my first paranormal romance series. And also my first foray into self-publishing my own work!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
ONCE UPON A TIGER is the first book in my Tiger Shifter series–technically. I actually wrote a short story about the tiger world that was published in an anthology a few years ago. The short story was supposed to be a once off but as soon as I started thinking about the world I’d created, I knew there were a lot more stories to be told. So I wrote a novel set in the world, utilizing an aspect of the tigers’ background that didn’t come up in the short story. Then I set the novel aside and did some other things. When I decided to self publish the tiger series, I realized I wanted to go back in history a few years and start the series with another couple. And that’s how Once Upon a Tiger got started.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if they’re unusual. I do a lot of thinking about my books in the shower–I get some of my best ideas there, solve plot problems, figure out whole scenes! I even came up with the tiger short story in the shower. I think it’s the peaceful time when I don’t have to do anything else but wash my hair. Given the chaos of my normal life, I’m not terribly surprised the shower is such a good thinking space for me. 🙂 I write pretty fast now and almost always have to do my first drafting (which I do quickly) on a computer because I can’t keep up with my imagination otherwise. Also, I write by the seat of my pants. At least the first draft. But I do tend to spend a lot of time mulling stories over before I ever sit down to the computer to start typing, so I start with an opening scene and a pretty good idea of the direction I’m heading. Then I let the story tell itself.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh so many! I think at the moment some of my biggest influences are Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, Patricia Briggs, and Linnea Sinclair. Historically speaking, my biggest influences have been fantasy authors–Mercedes Lackey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, David Eddings, Ann McCaffery, Raymond Feist, Barbara Hambley… There are really too many to list. I try to take inspiration from every author I read.
What are you working on now?
The second Tiger book 🙂 I’m in the mulling stage as there’s a few details in the opening I’m working out. But I will be fast drafting the first draft in the next week. (I’m also in the middle of edits for two other books under my other name, so my schedule is a little crazy). I’m looking forward to this Tiger story. As a tease…well there’s a killer in the background and some stuff is set up here that will play out in later books. Is that too vague and mean teasing?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well the best method of promotion is to try and write a good book! I do make an effort to do that (sometimes more successfully than other times but I do try). Then I make an effort to at least get my cover art shown at as many Romance focused places as I can. Here, Goodreads, Facebook, (my other name uses Twitter), Night Owl Reviews, The Romance Reviews, etc…. Promotion is still a progressive learning curve on my part so I’m constantly reworking my marketing plan.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
A few bits I’ve learned over the years–that old yarn about perseverance is true. If you’re in this for the long haul, you will have ups and downs, good years and bad, successful books and ones that don’t quite find their audience. It’s a tough business because we love all our books, but sticking to it is the only way to move forward. You can always quit (I actually quit about once a year–then go back to writing an hour later), but if it’s in your blood to tell stories, don’t give up. Your readers are out there waiting for just the book you have to offer. The other bit of advice I’d give is to give yourself a break. Bad reviews happen. Rejections happen. Snark and scams and bad business all happen. Let it roll off you. Take a breather and some time to play with your writing and ignore the business occasionally. You’ll forget why you wanted to be a writer if you don’t occasionally remind yourself the process of producing a book can be fun.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve heard a lot of great advice over the years. The best depends entirely on the particular period of time in my career. But most recently, I was reminded to make the writing the thing I do most. All the other stuff–marketing, social media, conferences, the business–should come second to actually sitting down to write and edit my books. The books are what sell, create a readership, and feed your fans. Without those, you might as well get a job at a marketing firm and make a steady salary. It’s all about the books, so that needs to be the primary focus. I forget that sometimes, in the scramble to keep up with the changing business of publishing, so I need to be reminded every so often of this truth.
Also, a piece of advice that should be self-evident but apparently isn’t: Writers Read. A Lot. If you’re a writer, you should also be a reader. Reading is part of the job too. Read everything too, not just the genre you write in. Read as much as you can. It will only make you better at what you do.
What are you reading now?
Fiction is a Meljean Brook book: Demon Angel. It’s the first in her Guardian Series which she’s just wrapped up and I wanted to go back and read the first book. I somehow managed to miss reading it before in my zeal to read the rest of the series. On the non-fiction side, I’m about to start a book called The Autistic Brain by Temple Grandin. My oldest son is on the spectrum, so books on Autism tend to catch my interest. My mom recommended this one after she read it as it focuses on the science and my scientist brain likes that.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, I’m concentrating on the Tiger Shifter series for 2014 and 2015, to see how it goes. And under my other name I’m concentrating on a fantasy romance series going forward. A lot of what I do next will depend on how the next year goes. This ever changing industry means I find it difficult to plan more than two years out. Who knows what will happen in those years! So while I’m working on my current plan, I am also staying flexible to the changes.
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?
Oh I hate this kind of question because I want to take ALL THE BOOKS! Especially since I rarely re-read books, so finding ones I want to keep reading over and over is tough. I’d have to say Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie would be on the list. I actually liked that one so much I did re-read it a couple of times. Then maybe Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters. Hmmmm….. Oh Meljean Broook’s The Iron Duke. I could definitely re-read that a few times! Finally, maybe a historical romance to round out the library. Probably Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I. Tough choice though!
Author Websites and Profiles
Kat Simons Website
Kat Simons Amazon Profile
Kat Simons’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile