Interview With Author KP Roberson
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Funny story. While I have written two full novels, they are the equivalent to three books. The second book in my Between the Birches Trilogy has been completely rewritten. It was scheduled to be released this year, but my previous publisher went kablooey, so here I am back on the self-pub path. They say third time is a charm. I’m hoping it is! Outside of my obsession with this debut, I’ve partially written a handful of other books. They all contain some amount of romance or romantic elements. Apparently, I have difficulty writing a story without people smooshing faces.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The inspiration behind my Between the Birches Trilogy came after rewatching the Twilight movies with my spouse. Basically, the thought was, “If Stephanie Myer can write this stuff, so can I!” While my story doesn’t include vampires or the dense forest in the Pacific Northwest, it does have horror, which is my favorite genre, and takes place in the lower Appalachian mountains where I call home. As someone who lived a very reserved, very sheltered life until recently, my stepping outside the cage into a world of magic and other wonders played a large role in who my characters are. Basically, they are the stages of my own personal awakening.
Awakening and Harbinger are the first two books in the trilogy.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My most unusual writing habit would be the tendency to write chronologically and out of order at the same time. Meaning, I start at the beginning and record events in ‘real time,’ but sometimes a thought appears after I’ve already written a part. I’m constantly going back to copy and paste it at the beginning of the paragraph or rewriting it to fit. It’s annoying, really.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In high school, I read a ton of Edgar Allan Poe and R.L. Stine Fear street novels. Stephen King’s novels were too intimidating for my undiagnosed ADHD brain to handle, but I looked at them with awe after watching movie adaptations. Misery is still my absolute favorite King story. Much later, when dating my now-spouse, I consumed fantasy and sci-fi books like they were candy (I’ve always had a sweet tooth). He opened so many worlds to me, including Stephen R. Donaldson (Mirror of Her Dreams), Tolkein, Orson Scott Card (The Ender Series), Terry Goodkind (The Sword of Truth until the last 3 books…DNF), George R.R. Martin (he knows what he did), Anne McCaffrey (Dragonriders of Pern), Edgar Rice Burroughs (The Barsoom Series), and Robert E. Howard (Conan the Barbarian). These authors strongly inspired my love of people stories.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working to relaunch my Between the Birches trilogy. Once the first two books are back on shelves, I’m finally sitting down to finish the story. It’s been ruminating since day one back in 2020 and has evolved into a challenge to bring my readers the epic ending they deserve. After that? I have a few projects lined up.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting books is difficult on a good day, but the most success I’ve found is on Instagram. If I spent more time on TikTok, I’m sure my books would reach more readers, but I don’t know if I can spin anymore plates when I need my hands to write. With this relaunch, I’ve commissioned an author friend with mad marketing skills to work up a plan to maximize visibility. So far, it’s slow-going, but the world is on fire. People are busy.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up, write what you love, find your people. Your writing style is going to evolve over time. As long as you’re putting to paper something you love and enjoy, it’s gonna translate to your readers no matter how much it changes. Research the genre that fits your book, not what you WANT it to be. This will ensure you reach your target audience and receive the most positive reviews.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Have you heard of CritiqueMatch? In my early writing days, I used this site to find other authors to beta read my story. We’d swap the first six chapters and give each other feedback. This one guy told me that he hoped Beth (the FMC) got lost in the woods and eaten by a bear. While it wasn’t exactly advice, it was what I needed to hear. Beth wasn’t the only one with character growth since the third draft.
What are you reading now?
First of all, I’m in my ‘read all things cozy romance and smut’ phase because I’m hitting old-lady stride. Also, see previous footnote about ‘world on fire.’ Don’t judge. I’m currently reading ‘Prince of Wolves’ by Susan Krinard. Also, my hairdresser recommended ‘Keeper of Enchanted Rooms’ by Charlie N. Holmberg, so I’ve started it. Neither book has been read past 3% on my Kindle because my stubborn self insists on burning the candle at both ends.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I’ve completed my Between the Birches trilogy, I’m back to work on a contemporary spicy romance about a bookish nerd from the east coast who falls for a trans man who lives on the opposite coast. I’m consulting with a trans friend whom I met on TikTok on this project to bring authenticity to the LI. He’s very open and excited about the collaboration, so I can’t wait to restart after BtB. While this story won’t have the suspense or horror aspects I typically write, it incorporates two of my core beliefs: Love is love and happy endings exist. It’s going to be a fun book to write.
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?
No hesitation, my hardback copy of Stephen R. Donaldson’s “Mordant’s Need” because it has all 3 books in one; same goes for my copy of “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice because I haven’t read it yet, but I’ve watched the movie adaptation several times; random pick…”Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen because it was a helluva book; and my spouse’s copy of Frank Herbert’s “Dune.”
Author Websites and Profiles
KP Roberson’s Social Media Links
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