Awesome Romance Author Michelle Libby

Today contemporary romance author Michelle Libby visits my blog and shares her interests, her books, and gives some good advice to young writers. Take it away Michelle…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?  

Being from Maine, I’m mostly friendly, am very loyal (Go Pats!) and I like to be in the outdoors, especially if I’m in one of the many lakes and rivers. I started writing on New Year’s Eve 1999. I wrote my first 300 word chapter and was so proud of myself. (That was a little over a page, not enough for a chapter.)

I knew I wanted to write romance novels because they made me happy when I read them in college. I was one of those college kids who subscribed to a reader service and when the four books would come, I would spend the weekend reading. I didn’t leave my dorm room. Well, those days are past, but I still love to stay up late reading an engrossing book.

I am married and have two children who are nearing adulthood.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I’m a serial volunteer. I can’t say “no” although I have tried. I have spent the last 11 years volunteering for Boy Scouts as a leader, committee chair and more. This year I joined the executive board for the council as the marketing guru. Before that I spent 12 years as a Girl Scout leader for my daughter.

I am involved in my local writing chapter, am involved in civic organizations to help keep kids off drugs. I am on the Board of Directors for the local chamber of commerce.

What interesting jobs have you had? How have those jobs affected your writing?

I have had a multitude of jobs from working at McDonalds and Sears to working in elder care and teaching. Each job I’ve had had helped my writing grow. Working as an editor for the local weekly paper has been the only thing that hindered my fiction writing, because I was writing so much for the paper, I didn’t have the energy to sit back at the computer in the evening. Having a flexible schedule has been crucial for my family. I did daycare for five years when my son was young. All of these experiences provide fodder for my writing. I’m working on a story now with a wise-assed grandfather who is loosely based on one of the men I worked with.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

I just signed a book with Soul Mate Publishing about a police officer who is accused of murdering a criminal in the town he patrols. There is no title yet or release date, but you can find more information on my website at www.michellelibby.com as more info gets release.

What project are you working on now or what book will be next?

The book I am working on now is about a competitive shooter. I love a strong female character who surprises the reader with her saucy attitude and unique skills.

Will you have a new book coming out soon?

I am also in the process of releasing my backlist now that I have the rights back. Watch for those in the coming months, starting with “Kidnapped,” about a billionaire playboy who wants to win back the heart of his high school love by any means possible.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

I have found myself speaking to groups of kids and individuals who want to go to school for creative writing to become the great American novelist. I try to be realistic with them. They are unlikely to make a million dollars out of the gate. Write a good book, but have a job to fall back on in case you need rent money or food.

However, there is nothing quite like the thrill you get every time you open your email and find the cover of a new book. Or when you see your book in print, knowing that you did that. My absolute favorite thing is when readers say “You kept me up all night reading your book.” I think, “You want me to say sorry? I’m not…I think that’s awesome.”

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“Breaking the Story”

in the anthology Welcome to Serenity Harbor.

By Michelle Libby

Everyone wants something from the editor of The Serenity Harbor Gazette Erin Ridge. Lucky for her this time it’s the hot firefighters in town. However, they are incredibly busy with a large number of fires on the island. Despite that she finds time to meet with hunky firefighter Seth Greenway for all of the details of the fires and the firefighters.

Seth knows he’s being set up with the darling of Serenity Harbor when he’s asked to be the subject of a story on the fire department. He can’t help but want to get to know Erin as long as they can keep things professional. Hurting her would mean being blackballed from the department, but saving her life becomes a daily habit and he finds himself being drawn to her magnetic personality.

When Erin accuses someone Seth knows of setting all of the fires in town trouble brews between the couple. She is determined to break the story without Seth’s support causing a rift between them. Erin wants to do what’s right and Seth has to determine what is more important, the firefighter brotherhood or love?

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Buy Links

AMAZON  |  BARNES & NOBLE  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO

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Learn more about Michelle Libby

WEBSITE www.michellelibby.com

BLOG http://www.michellelibby.com/saucy-women-packing-heat-blog

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/authorMichelleLibby

TWITTER @mclibby

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If you have any questions or comments for Michelle Libby, please post them below, and she will get back to you.