Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Shannon Donnelly is the author of fourteen novels, four novellas, and several short stories,a nd computer games. Her writing has won numerous awards, including a RITA nomination for Best Regency, the Grand Prize in the “Minute Maid Sensational Romance Writer” contest, judged by Nora Roberts, RWA’s Golden Heart, and others. Her writing has repeatedly earned 4½ Star Top Pick reviews from Romantic Times magazine, as well as praise from Booklist and other reviewers, who note: “simply superb”…”wonderfully uplifting”….and “beautifully written.”
Her Regency romances can be found as ebooks on all formats, and with Cool Gus Publishing, and include a series of four novellas.
She also has out the Mackenzie Solomon, Demon/Warders Urban Fantasy series, Burn Baby Burn and Riding in on a Burning Tire, and the Urban Fantasy, Edge Walkers. Her work has been on the top seller list of Amazon.com and includes Paths of Desire, a Historical Regency romance.
She is the author of several young adult horror stories, and computer games. She lives in New Mexico with two horses, two donkeys, two dogs, and only one love of her life. Shannon can be found online at sd-writer.com, facebook.com/sdwriter, and twitter/sdwriter.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lady Scandal is set in 1803, when the peace broke down between England and France, and the English were forced to flee Paris or be imprisoned by Emperor Bonaparte. The idea came from thinking about a different setting for the “usual” Regency romance–something that would lend a dash of adventure to the story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ll write whenever I can–even five minutes is better than no minutes writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Numerous authors including, of course, Georgette Heyer, and other greats such as Dorothy Sayers, Jo Beverley, Mary Balogh, Ray Bradbury, and a few more less well known, too.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to Lady Scandal–Lady Chance (Diana’s story).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Nothing beats word of mouth—getting one reader to recommend the book to other readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn your craft so you can forget about the technical stuff and concentrate on great characters in a great story.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From Neil Gaiman: When someone tells you something is wrong with a story, they are almost always right; when someone tells you how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.
What are you reading now?
A few non-fiction books on Paris and history, and some mysteries–I love Anne Charles’ Deadwood series.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After Diana’s story, I have an Urban Fantasy to get done (the next in the Burn series).
What is your favorite book of all time?
That is the toughest question–there are books I adore and read over and over, and then there are books that hit me at certain moments. But I always think of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 where people chose to memorize one book to keep that book alive–if I had to memorize one book, I think it might be Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles. It’s really connected short stories, but they are so beautiful, so poetic, so perfect–like gems set in an amazing necklace.
Author Websites and Profiles
Shannon Donnelly Website
Shannon Donnelly Amazon Profile
Shannon Donnelly Author Profile on Smashwords
Shannon Donnelly’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account