Interview with Leigh Grissom

Author of KLS-9

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

I’m originally from Texas and I’m still here after all these years.

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

I’ve always had a passion for writing; I started when I was ten years old. I never committed to finishing anything until 2016. My mother was fighting a battle with cancer, and she sat me down and made me promise to finish the book I’d been working on for so long. I gave her my word, and now I’m working on the third in a series.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I would say they’re a cross between science fiction and psychological thrillers, with a sweet dystopian flavor mixed in. My books are violent, dark, and a little sexy, with well-crafted characters you can love and hate all at once.

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

Anyone who is looking for a hero who isn’t perfect. My main character is flawed to the point of breaking, yet she refuses to stop fighting.

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

I learned so much — it’s difficult to choose one thing that surprised me. From a personal standpoint, I guess it would be how many grammar rules I’d forgotten since I’ve been out of school. My editor is a very patient teacher, and I owe her a lot. From a business standpoint, I was shocked by the intricacies of traditional publishing. I’m still learning that part, so my current series will be self-published all the way.

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

Don’t let Life stop you. That’s what I did. I didn’t write a word for over twenty years. I can only imagine how far I’d be now if I hadn’t let Life get in the way.

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

Is a million people reaching too high? Seriously, I want to reach the ones who need this hero, who need this story.

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

TIME. Being self-published, I still have a day job. Sometimes it’s tough to fit in writing time in the evening. I count myself lucky to get in an hour or two before bed.

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

Writing? My biggest strength would be character building. I may not use it on the book, but I know every detail about every character. I feel it adds depth and makes them more relatable.

Publishing is a tough one. I’d have to say my biggest strength there is the army around me — my editor, cover designer, and my fellow writers on social media. I can always go to them with questions.

Marketing? Social media. There are a wealth of resources out there to help a self-published author market their work.

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

My weakness in writing? Motivation. Or maybe it’s commitment. I know I need to be working, but sometimes I allow myself to get distracted.

Publishing … another tough one. I think it would be timing when I release a novel. I’m planning to hype up the third one before it’s released, so hopefully I’ll drum up even more interest.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I’m working on it right now.

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

Self-published.