Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing since I was a kid. I’ve done everything from poetry to non-fiction, short stories to novels. I do write under several names, and Lina is the name I write my naughty stuff under. I have had articles, essays and short stories published in 7 anthologies, 3 magazines, 2 websites, and a newspaper. I have also published three non-fiction self-help books, an urban fantasy novel, and a children’s picture book. My first erotica/romance publication, and my first under the name Lina Greyce, is Her Favorite Mistake.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Her Favorite Mistake is the first of a four-book series based on the legendary and tragic loves of Arthurian legend. Each story takes place partially in the past, giving details of “what happened”, and partially in the present, as they reconnect and get a second chance at love. While I stick pretty closely to the original tales, with details like names, relations, even hair color, there are plenty of steamy scenes throughout. Some of the characters are fae and nearly immortal, while some are reincarnated. Most of the characters have magic, and there are cameos by monstrous fae, such as trolls and goblins.
Her Favorite Mistake is the story of Merlin and Nimue, the mage of Camelot and the Lady of the Lake. Nimue got Merlin killed before, and she doesn’t want to make the same mistake again.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I like to spend some time not writing before each story. I take the time to really mull over the characters and the plot (I’m a plotter), before I start committing words to screen. I do most of my writing in a program that doesn’t have spell check, so I don’t get the distraction of the little green and red underlines telling me I’m doing something wrong. I do love deadlines, though, so I’m always trying to set deadlines for myself.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Pretty much everything I’ve ever read. I tend to notice how stories are written, so even a bad one will teach me at least what not to do. I remember scenes from books I can’t even recall the titles to, and those scenes, because I remember them, influence me. I hope what I write can be as memorable to someone.
Specific authors include Robert Jordan, Anne McCaffrey, Jim Butcher, Christine Feehan… just to name a few. Mostly, I love these guys because of how they write epic series with over-arching plots. I want my series to be just as awesome.
What are you working on now?
I’m waiting to hear back from my publisher on the second book in my 9-book urban fantasy series. I’ve also started the second book in this series, the Hot Fae Knights. This one is starring Lancelot, everyone’s favorite First Knight of the realm. I have about 15 works-in-progress in a variety of fantasy genres and non-fiction topics, so I tend to have more trouble deciding which to focus on rather than not having anything at all.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m a social media person, so I’m big on promoting through mostly facebook and twitter. I also have a newsletter, and I’m always looking for another opportunity to promo my works.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s harder than you think, and it’s easier than you hope. Writing is a lot of work, and a lot of research into methods of publishing and marketing. But the information is out there and it’s pretty intuitive once you get into it. It is time consuming, though. No bon-bons for Lina.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep writing.
What are you reading now?
I am actually between books, right now. I’ve finished several novels already this year, and I didn’t start any up because I was helping some friends do editing and beta reads. I’ve also been travelling a lot for book signings, conventions & conferences, and even a radio interview. So, I’ve been busy recently. This is probably the first time in a long time that I haven’t been in the midst of two or three books at a time.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Onward and upward. I’m going to keep writing, then I’ll write some more. Then a bit more after that, with plenty of marketing in between. That is my plan.
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?
1 – A well-illustrated book on edible plants and animals for the region.
2 – Poe’s collected works
3 – Shakespeare’s collected works
4 – Tiger Eye by Marjorie Liu (haven’t read it in a while)
Author Websites and Profiles
Lina Greyce Website
Lina Greyce Amazon Profile
Lina Greyce’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account