Interview With Author Kate Lexie
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Florida because I hate cold weather, but I love theme parks. My husband and I have been married for sixteen years. We have two sons and an extremely large, but quite personable cat. I have written two complete books so far, but I have several others in progress and plans for many more.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book (also my first!) is called Somewhat Alive. It’s about a teenage girl, Zoey, who has anxiety and is trying to survive a zombie apocalypse while living in her favorite theme park. The idea came to me one day while I was at Disney World. I remember thinking that if you could get rid of all the people, it would be the perfect place to ride out the zombie apocalypse, because you’d have plenty of supplies and lots of places to hide. Then Zoey just sort of popped into my head and I knew I wanted to tell her story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have any writing habits that are too unusual. I find it really hard to write in complete silence, so I always have some sort of music playing while I write. I also find writing comes more easily the more coffee I drink, but I have to believe that’s pretty common among writers. We’re a highly caffeinated bunch.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was a kid, I was the biggest Baby-sitters Club fan, so Ann M. Martin will always have my gratitude. Growing up reading her books played a big role in my dream of becoming an author myself someday. I actually still have all my BSC books. And I mean all of them. It takes three giant shelves, but it’s worth it!
As an adult, I read a lot of Brandon Sanderson books. I love his writing and the way he sprinkles so many small details in to all his books that pay off later. His books often inspire me. I was recently rereading Oathbringer and at the time I hadn’t yet published Somewhat Alive, and I kept thinking what if everyone hates it. I read the line from Wit that says, “The only way to create something that nobody hates is to ensure that it can’t be loved either.” And then I knew that it’d okay if some people hate my book, because maybe, just maybe, someone will love it.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on Somewhat Unreal, which is the sequel to Somewhat Alive. There will be four books in the Bookland series once it’s done. I’m also writing a middle grade novel called Hawthorne Heights that is about a neighborhood cat who takes on the evil HOA. I’m also working on a YA fantasy book about mermaids.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ll have to get back to you on that! I’m still learning the best ways to promote my books since I have more of a background in writing than in marketing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get a degree in marketing! Just kidding, but seriously, the publishing industry can be really tough, and imposter syndrome comes for us all. Believe in yourself, and in your books, and take the next step, whatever that may be.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The first draft doesn’t have to be good; it just has to exist. You can fix anything once it exists. And don’t edit until the whole first draft is done. Otherwise you’ll keep rewriting the same chapter and it’ll never be done.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer and I’m loving it. I fell in love with the book as soon as I saw the cover. Love at first sight is totally real, if you’re talking about books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My YA romcom, The Fiercest Chicken in the Bookstore will be released later this year. It’s a really fun book with fake dating, billionaires, and of course, chickens. Now, I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that in the Fiercest Chicken, no one gets eaten by zombies.
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?
I would bring a Nero Wolfe omnibus by Rex Stout and probably a couple of the Stormlight Archive books by Brandon Sanderson, and How to Survive on a Desert Island, because my wilderness skills are severely lacking. If my life depending on being able to catch a fish, I might just die.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kate Lexie’s Social Media Links