Interview With Author Kerry Evelyn
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’ve been writing since my Nana went to heaven when I was a toddler. After two decades teaching elementary students, I decided to start that novel I’d always wanted to write. Being from New England, my Crane’s Cove series was the cure for seasonal homesickness. Cat’s Paw Cove provided the space for creative magical creatures and talking cats I wished existed. And my Palmer City Voltage hockey romances are a just-keep-flipping one-sitting coaster of fun! Between the novels, I like to write novellas and short stories featuring the series side characters. I’ve also published nonfiction, including two focus journals and workbook, How to Binge-Write Your Novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Swan and the Phoenix: A Once Upon Academy Duet. Three years ago, some author friends and I got together to design a new world called Once Upon Academy, a college for the children of magicals and fairy tale characters for an anthology. My character, Nettie, is the daughter of the Swan Princess. She’s all set to observe a meteor shower in the Astronomy Tower when her crush enters and the two become trapped. He’s ill, and doesn’t know that soon he’ll be shifting into a Phoenix. She helps him survive the change. In the Duet, I’ve included that story, plus the continuation, which is Reggie’s story. It is is the only book that exists in a realm outside of my main series collections, but there IS a tie to my Cat’s Paw Cove book, The Beachcomber’s Buccaneer Bounty. You’ll have to read both to learn what that is! Fans have their theories–if you guess it, send me an email and I’ll tell you if you’re right!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really unusual, but when I’m stuck I drink Port with ice (Nightjar from Cooper’s Hawk is my favorite) and eat Nerds or chocolate or gummy cherries.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to list! I love authors who write series and connect all their characters from one book or series to the next, and so I’ve done that as well!
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m writing Book 3 in my Palmer City Voltage series. It’s titled Celebration on Ice. My critique partners and Facebook VIP group wouldn’t let me call it Celly on Ice, so I’m a little sore about that! You can check it out (and the rest of the series) at Goodreads.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love doing Facebook takeovers and reader conferences. Meeting readers is so fun! Book people are my favorite! I also find success with newsletter promotions and ads.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Best advice: Pay an experienced editor in your genre to edit your books. This is SO important. Readers can tell a book that is edited from a book that is just proofed. A genre-specific editor will let you know what your book is missing, when your pacing is off, and help you avoid the common pitfalls that scream “inexperienced author.”
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Lately, my mantra is just keep writing. I think it was Nora Roberts who said you can’t edit a blank page, and that is the truth! My best lines usually come to me during the second, third and something eighth read-through!
What are you reading now?
I’m working my way through Kristen Ethridge’s Port Provident books! Set in Texas, they have all the things I love in a romance!
What’s next for you as a writer?
With summer here (it’s June 1st!) I am prepping for summer book conferences! At the end of this month I’ll be in Port Canveral, Florida at Space Coast Book Lovers, and at the end of August I’ll be at Orlando Reads Books. Come see me there!
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 love this question! If I’m stranded on a desert island, I will need some Jesus to survive, ha! So, I’d bring my bible, my Anne of Green Gables hardcover that my Memere gave me for Christmas in 6th grade (it includes of the Anne books–is that cheating?). I’d also bring the hardback journal my other grandmother, Evelyn, filled out for me in her last years, and a photobook of my hubby and kids.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kerry Evelyn’s Social Media Links