Hollie Smurthwaite Writes Romance
Hollie Smurthwaite writes romantic suspense with a touch of paranormal. She is here to share her writing life and some fantastic marketing tips for fellow writers.
Welcome Hollie,
How did you come up with the title?
I had a line in my first book that went something like, “If Kiera ever wrote a memoir, which she would never do, she’d title it The Color of Trauma is Pink.” It’s a reference to the way her psychic ability works. She sees memories as strands, and traumatic memories are always a shade of pink. Someone in my critique group read that section and told me that should be the name of the book, and I had to agree. Later, I got advice to cut off the “is Pink” portion, and I had my title. Once I had that, then it became my naming device for subsequent books. The second was The Color of Betrayal (red), and my latest is The Color of Shame (yellow). Titling is really hard for me, so I’m quite grateful for my critique group!
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I started writing fiction in 2013. I’d had an idea that had been brewing since 2008 and I turned it into two books of a trilogy before I realized that it didn’t work. I’d wanted to do too many things and it made the manuscript a mess. I shelved that project. Maybe one day I’ll get back to it. It helps to tell myself that. I started what I consider my first book, The Color of Trauma in 2017 and ended up indie publishing it in 2021 after a few rounds of professional editing.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I actually didn’t choose a genre but wrote the story I wanted to tell. That sounds very creative and romantic, but if I had to do it again, I think I would have picked a solid Amazon category, because having a book that’s a bit paranormal and a dash romantic suspense makes it harder to market. Not that I’m displeased with the finished product, because it was very fun to write, but a real pain to market.
How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?
One of the best things I’ve learned about marketing is to see what bestsellers in my genre are doing. It wasn’t until my second book had been out for a while that I realized that 98% of the bestsellers in Kindle were in KU (Kindle Unlimited). I switched my books over and immediately started making more money. I run Amazon ads, use Instagram and Facebook for social media, and attend any panels or signings that I can.
Do you have a writing tip or advice for other authors?
Never stop learning. Take classes, attend seminars, catch a few webinars. Writing is a craft and you can always improve and find nuances and new practices that will make your work better. Sometimes, at least for me, it’s the fourth time going over a concept when it finally clicks. I also think that repetition helps embed writing skills underneath your consciousness so you don’t have to think about them so much. It is also a great way to find a tribe or writer community to help you on your writing journey.
The Color of Shame
by Hollie Smurthwaite
When her immunity to psychics is discovered, Sara is sucked back into spying for the criminal organization she was poised to escape.
For years, Sara served the shadowy Agency, until a mission gone wrong left her physically and emotionally wounded. Haunted by these scars, Sara is counting down the days to her reconstructive surgery, the final step towards freedom from the Agency’s clutches.
Just as she’s close to escaping, Sara’s path crosses with Beckett, an uptight English professor with the uncanny ability to delve into people’s minds with a mere touch.
Anyone’s mind except Sara’s.
Unbeknownst to her, Beckett is a member of a clandestine society of memory magicians, and he sees in Sara the perfect instrument to catapult his career within their ranks.
Sara and Beckett clash fiercely, both determined to follow their own paths. But the Agency’s grip on Sara is tighter than she realized, and they give her one more assignment: work for Beckett and his program to help budding memory magicians. And report back all the details.
While forced to work side by side, Sara and Beckett soon discover that first impressions can be misleading, and animosity can transform into an intoxicating mix of frustration and fascination.
As the lines blur between loyalty and self-preservation, Sara finds herself torn between protecting Beckett and his students and safeguarding her own precarious freedom.
Will Sara’s immunity be her salvation or her downfall? Can she navigate the treacherous landscape of spies and memory magic while protecting her heart?
Releasing November 14, 2023
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Learn more about Hollie Swurthwaite
Hollie Smurthwaite is the author of The Psychic Colors Series. The first book, The Color of Trauma, was the winner of the 2020 Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project contest for adult fiction. She lives in Chicago with her husband, son, and too few pets. In past lives, she’s been a checkout clerk, massage therapist, office manager, recruiter, magazine staff writer, pepper spray hawker, and belly dancer.
Website: https://holliesmurthwaite.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/hollie_smurthwaite
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/75834809-hollie-smurthwaite
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsmurthwaite/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollieSmurthwaiteAuthor/
If anyone wants to talk about anything, I’d love to have a conversation!