~ Fun, Passion, and Fairy Tales ~

Today romance writer Jessica Collins talks about her fairy-tale inspired books, the first romance she ever read, and her current projects – there are a lot of them including Choose-Your-Own-Ending romances. Welcome Jessica…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Of course! My name is Jessica Collins, and I write super steamy romance.

A little bit about me first… I’m born and raised in New Jersey and as much as I hate the cost of living here, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. No, we aren’t all like Jersey Shore or RHONJ. Although, I do live near most of them, lol. I live with my husband and our amazingly sweet pitbull, Nala. She’s my mush! I’m currently a pescatarian which—not gonna lie—isn’t always easy. I gave up meat last year for Lent and lasted almost all the way through summer. I started eating meat again and began getting migraines all over again. So, for 2019 I’ve decided to try and give up meat again as well as gluten, hoping this will help not only my migraines, but also fertility issues my husband and I have struggled with for the past 4 years. I’ve written a little about this on my blog, and that’s another resolution I have—to actually blog more than just once every few months. I love Nintendo and play pretty consistently still. Especially Legend of Zelda.

As for my writing, I started with the idea for Stealing Beauty about five or six years ago. I wanted to take favorite fairy tales, add some steamy content and remove the paranormal elements for an adult version of my favorite stories. I never in a million years dreamed my small idea of an adult Beauty and the Beast would morph into writing as a second career! While I’m not able to write full-time, I have added a number of books to my catalog.

Fairy Tales After Dark so far has Stealing Beauty, the retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and Finders Keepers, the retelling of Aladdin. I’m currently working on the third in the series, Hunting Red, which is the retelling of Red Riding Hood. The series it written so each novel is a stand-alone HEA, but characters are featured in all books—their world is connected. I’ve also written sweet romance, PNR, took part in a few anthologies, and have some ideas in the darker realm. In total, I currently have seven publications with two pending for early 2019. My most recent release was a Christmas -Themed Interactive Romance called Your Merry Little Christmas. It’s part of my new series, the Choose Your Own Destiny series. These novellas allow the reader to take the story in a number of different directions—all based on personal choices. Want to end up with the sexy chef? Go for it. Prefer the hot cop…a number of scenarios will get you there. (Sound fun? It’s currently on sale on Amazon through Valentine’s Day!!)

I’d say my writing style is sexy and fun. I want readers to feel connected to the characters. Alpha males, confident heroines, amazing friendships, and fan-worthy sex combined with enough tension to keep you on the edge of your panty-soaked seat all night long is what I strive for in every story I write.

That’s a lot about me so far. I could keep going, I am a writer after all, but let me jump into a few other questions!

Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?

Yes and no. I find I have a lot…and I mean a LOT of ideas on a daily basis. When I’m “in the zone” at least. I’ve gone weeks, maybe even months, without writing one word. Not because I didn’t have a general idea, but because the characters just wouldn’t speak to me. For instance, I planned on having each book in the FTAD series released every 6 months. It took me about 9 months after Stealing Beauty was released just to start Finders Keepers. I had the general idea, but every time I sat down to write, it just didn’t seem “right”. So, I had to put it on the back burner until the story was ready. Then, all of a sudden, I had a full scene of Jayla. She started talking to me and just wouldn’t stop. I finished the book in 2 months after that, working on it a little bit every day after work and on weekends. It just came so naturally.

One thing which happens is I’ll have a whole scene come to me when I’m lying in bed about to sleep. I’ll jump up and take a voice note of what I’ve just imagined in order not to forget it, but when I go to actually write it, the sentences won’t come together. Other times, I’ll sit to check my email, get a random idea, and write like 2,000 words. So, I’m very hit-or-miss.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I write what I love—romance. I mean, I am a passionate Scorpio and all. I’ve been a huge fan of this genre since college when I read my first romance ever, Bet Me by Jennifer Cruise. I became obsessed. I’ve always been a big reader, but before that book I was more into horror/suspense. From there, I read a number of her books and then gathered the courage to walk into the “steamier” section of Barnes and Noble. I think Maya Banks may have been my first erotica and from there, hooked.

Now, what inspired me to write were actually some really bad romance books. I would get so frustrated with scenarios that were so utterly unrealistic I couldn’t continue to read (like college-aged virgins who are so clumsy they can barely function yet somehow get the elusive billionaire into “BDSM” which in actuality is just abuse). Or decisions the heroine would make that just make me cringe. I wanted to try and write sexy books where the characters were real. Where friends would put you in your place and talk to you like friends—and if you made a stupid decision the reader could empathize instead of being turned off. I wanted men who were respectful of women while still being a bit domineering. For Finders Keepers, I especially wanted to show what BDSM is—love and respect—over what some people think it is (cough, cough).

I’m not saying my books are written so amazingly well I deserve a Pulitzer. I mean, I’m still a *new* author, and have a lot to learn. But, I will say I love all of my characters, especially for their flaws. And I still love reading all romance. One of the coolest things about writing it is meeting fellow authors, some I never heard of before. I now have so many books on my TBR I honestly might never get to them…and to me that’s amazing.

How did you come up with the title?

They strangely just come to me! I always say I don’t write the books, my characters do. Likewise, as I’m writing, my characters end up telling me the title. My titles aren’t featured in the book—no “roll credits”—but there always seems to be a point while I’m writing that the title name just pops into my head. Once it’s there, it’s usually perfect. I’ve (to date) never changed a book title once the name popped into my head.

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

My next big project is Hunting Red, the third novel in the FTAD series. This is based on Red Riding Hood. The main character, Scarlett, is actually the younger sister of the Snow White character. Nikolai is the cousin to the “Beast” character, Aleksandr, from Stealing Beauty.

Nikolai is one bad boy. He and Scarlett actually don’t like each other. At all. Their story is slowly being told to me in bursts of ideas! It is full of lust and hatred and passion all rolled into one action packed story. This is the closest to “dark” romance I’ve written so far, and I’m loving it. I’m looking at a late 2019 release date as long as they keep talking. Maybe November?

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

I enjoy criticism, actually. I know I’m a new author, and not having writing in my background, I’m aware I have a lot to learn. I want to grow as an author. Even now, looking back at Stealing Beauty, there are scenes, even sentences, I would change/rewrite. I’ve learned that much in just a few short years. Most of it has come from critique partners and other authors, people who were willing to read and give me truthful critique. I cannot express how important those people are—the ones who are LOOKING for faults, who are looking to help you make changes, so this way you can look at your work objectively and say, “yeah. I get it. This needs to change.”

As for the best, it came from my editor, VJ. I found her through a friend to edit my novel before submitting for publication. She read the first three chapters and, in her email, wrote back to me she couldn’t believe this was a first novel, that it was written so well she could really focus on the developmental stuff rather than the proofreading, and would love to edit for me. I couldn’t believe it. I think I read that part twice to my husband—after reading it to myself like six times! She was the first one (outside my family) who really make me “feel” like an author.

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

Marketing is one aspect I was clueless on when I first became published. I naively thought publishers take care of all marketing and I need to do is write. Then I learned, finishing the book is actually only the first real step!

Marketing is hard…and I still struggle with what methods are best. I don’t have the income to spend thousands of dollars on advertisements like some authors do, so I try and find cheaper ways to get my name and books out there. Sources like you, Zara, are invaluable! Ways for authors to meet new readers through interviews and blog tours. I have a pretty decent Facebook following and have a group where I share a lot—Fairy Tales After Dark, which is searchable. I host other authors there on “takeovers” and I will be a featured takeover author for their blogs/pages as well.

I have a newsletter and try to do newsletter swaps with other writers. This is where I’m featured on their newsletter and vice versa. I do warn authors to be careful here, though. There is a subset of romance writers who are…less than ethical. Luckily, Amazon has cracked down, but “bookstuffers” were well known for a number of years, and a lot of them are friendly with each other. I hate to say it this way, but I’m wary of any author who can write, edit, get cover art, etc, a full-length book in a few weeks. In my experience, if they have more than like 4 books a year, they’re likely a stuffer or an ex-stuffer, and I choose not to work with them.

I’ve also tried Facebook ads, which didn’t seem worth the cost. I have a website which is more about readers getting to know me (and that I promise 2019 is my year to keep up with it more). Mostly, I think word of mouth is the most important. I have a number of amazing fans who help share my book releases on social media just because they like my series so much.

Is there anything special that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I love you all! Thank you, THANK YOU, for taking the time to read my books. Seriously. There are so many amazing authors out there, and the fact you chose to read my stories is humbling. I adore and appreciate every single one of you!

Since I’ve mentioned the Fairy Tales After Dark series a number of times, here’s the blurb for the first novel in the series, Stealing Beauty. Enjoy!

Stealing Beauty by Jessica Collins

A stubborn beauty….
Anabelle Lehala just wants to spend time with her best friend, finish law school, and provide a good life for her and her father. Her world is knocked upside down when she meets a mysterious, captivating stranger who tempts her like no one before. Refusing to be just another notch in his belt, Belle forces herself to stay away from him at all costs.

An egotistical beast….
Rich, powerful, and handsome, Aleksandr Wolfe has been accustomed to getting whatever he desires. That is, until he meets Belle. Immediately captivated by her, Aleks can’t understand why she won’t give in to the obvious mutual desire between them. Helpless to stay away from her, Aleks wonders if she’ll be the one thing he can never have.

The fight for her life….
When Anabelle finds herself in danger after refusing the advances of Gabriel Avenant, a man who believes she is his and his alone, Aleksandr vows to protect her. As their attraction grows, they each must decide if they are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice—their hearts.

Buy Links

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Learn more about Jessica Collins

If you want to follow me (I love meeting new people), check out the links below! Sign up for my email and receive a free eBook from me also. (Mention Zara in the signup form for a chance to win a second free eBook from my catalogue!)

Facebook Profile https://www.facebook.com/jessica.collins.author.75054

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicacollins/

Facebook Group (Fairy Tales After Dark): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1393011250760671/

Twitter: @AuthJessCollins (https://twitter.com/AuthJessCollins)

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cqDCP5

Website: www.jessicacollinsauthor.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Collins/e/B06XJPV9RT