Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m just a writer living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the middle-of-nowhere Virginia. I have about 15 cats (16, if we count the neighbor’s fat cat who eats over here because he’s supposed to be on a diet at his house!) I’ve written ten books, but published only my historicals (5 so far,) and a short story.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lucky’s Lady is the last full novel I published, and my love for the ocean, sailing, and tall ships were the inspiration.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, I write from about midnight to five or six in the morning. That’s odd enough. When I’m writing love scenes, I a glass or two of wine before I settle in to write that night!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influence was probably the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen when I was much younger, and Bertrice Small, Judith McNaught, Stephanie Laurens, and Julia Quinn are the more current authors that I love. Their books are my most prized keepers!
What are you working on now?
A Valentine’s Day novella, What the Fates Decree, and Waltz with a Dark Lord. They’re all in production right now. I have been experimenting with writing more than one book at the same time. It’s slower, but it all works out. When I get stuck or have to stew over something in one book, I go work on another. Or if I have a vision of the next scene in another book, I switch over. It’s not something I recommend because there are times I think I might be nuts to do this.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Definitely BookBub works wonders, and Facebook is my second best method for promo.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure this is what you really want to do. Just because the market has opened up, making publication much easier, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s something you should do. If you do, make sure you put a professional product out. That means getting developmental edits, copy edits, and proofreading done. Then you need a professional cover that is appropriate for the genre you’re writing in. You only get one chance at a first impression, and while readers might be forgiving of the occasional typo, they’re less so when it comes to many, repeated errors and inaccuracies. Remember this is a profession, so be professional.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write drunk, edit sober. And it’s not necessarily what you think. I do have a glass of wine before writing love scenes because it tends to free-up the mind, and make me overcome the natural tendency to not use certain graphic words. Well, those words are an important part of the foreplay or love act, and depending on whose POV I’m in, they’re downright necessary.
What are you reading now?
Tessa Dare, When a Scot Ties the Knot
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a Valentine novella releasing on 2/14 as part of a boxed set with several friends, then I have What the Fates decree coming out in the summer, Waltz with a Dark Lord maybe Christmas-ish 2016. Christopher has a book coming (no title yet,) then Harry’s book (again, no title yet.) AND, as if that isn’t enough I’ve started making notes for a NEW series… I’m calling it Seven Grooms for Seven Sisters. So, I’ll be busy for a while! 😀
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?
the New American Bible
my prayer book
Pamela, Samuel Richardson
Whitney my Love, Judith McNaught
Author Websites and Profiles
Sandy Raven Website
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