Interview with Kristen Blanton

Author of Ailuran (A Legacy Novel book 2)

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I’m from Henderson, TX and currently live in Longview, TX.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

After I married my husband, we moved to Dallas, TX for a little while but had to move back to East Texas due to his father’s health. Through the following 5 years we stayed with both his parents and then moved in with my parents for a little while to help them after a big move. Then after that we decided to settle down in Longview, it put us close to my husband’s job, as well as where I was working at the time.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I was actually 16 when I wrote my first book, Shattered Dreams, and I never really thought to have it published because at that time writing was just a creative outlet for all my emotions and hopes and dreams, as well as any negative thoughts. But while we were in college, my husband told me that his aunt was a publisher and introduced us. And so began an almost year long venture in the publishing process of that book. But my most recent books I have self published, Lycan and Ailuran.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I think they are a perfect mixture of romance and supernatural forces. I don’t over exaggerate the magical process of things, instead I try to focus on the feelings that my characters have and what they are both mentally and physically going through.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Young adults, but only because at the time of writing both of my first 2 books I was 16 and 18 years old. Ailuran came around in my mid-twenties so I think that it is a little more on the adultish side but a young adult could definitely still enjoy it. And of course anyone who enjoys the supernatural genre.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

That publishing a book is a lot harder than it seems. The publicizing part is the hardest, especially when you’re n introvert who has trouble public speaking without jumbling over their words

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

Honestly, to do more research in a publisher. Definitely to find one that is centered on the genre of my books.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

As many people as possible. No, I feel like as long as it gets to some people I’m being successful. I have never dreamed of being as big as my favorite authors.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Trying to keep up with my own deadlines. I’m a mother of 4 so trying to make time to write has been the hardest.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Writing, but I’m so analytical of myself that I will audit and rewrite things 40 times before I’m satisfied with it.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Marketing, because of how much of an introvert I am. I was so nervous to publish my first book by myself because I knew it was the hardest thing for me to do, but I also knew that I needed to start pushing those boundaries if I was ever going to succeed.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I’m actually in the process of writing the third book in the Legacy series. I’m hoping to have it finished and ready to publication by next spring at the latest next summer.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

Both, my first book, Shattered Dreams was through a traditional publisher, but my second and third book, Lycan and Ailuran, were self published.