Interview with Pandora Spocks

Author of Hunter’s Pride

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

I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But I’ve lived in south Florida for almost thirty years. I recently moved to the wonderfully artsy town of Lake Worth Beach, just south of West Palm Beach.

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

I moved to Florida when my ex got a job here. Yadda, yadda, yadda, I got divorced, but I raised my kids here, and it’s my home.

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

I originally started writing my first book (which turned out to be Luke & Bella, the first book in my Dream Dominant Collection) as a creative outlet. I began posting a chapter at a time online, and the story got a good response. By the time it was finished, I had met a number of Indie authors who self-publish their work and I began to think that maybe I might try to do the same thing.
I was woefully ignorant of all the ins and outs–so much so that I ACCIDENTALLY published that first book. Somehow, I imagined that once I uploaded the manuscript to KDP, I’d be able to edit some more and tweak with the formatting. I woke up the next day to discover that I had a book for sale, LOL!
Needless to say, it was a hot mess. I took it down, fixed it up, and I was a published author.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My books are steamy contemporary romance stories. The Dream Dominants have light BDSM themes. I consider the others ‘spicy vanilla’–all of the heat without the power exchange. Either way, they’re all deeply character-driven stories. My hope is to leave you thinking about the heroes and heroines long after the story is over.

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

Although I do have a few male fans, most of my readers are women who love passion and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

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

Well I was waaayyy surprised at how easy it was to accidentally publish a book, LOL!
I think that the most amazing thing I’ve found is the way the story unfolds for me as I write. Characters say and do things I didn’t expect. Supporting characters step forward and demand I tell their stories in their own book. It’s a neverending adventure.

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

I would tell myself to take the chance earlier, don’t wait. I would tell myself that the first draft isn’t meant to be perfect–just put the words down and polish it up later.

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

I’d love to reach as many as possible. I hope my stories speak to people and give them a moment of escape and enjoyment.

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

I’d have to say that my biggest frustration is the amount of time I end up spending on marketing as opposed to writing. I’m a creative person, and business is not my wheelhouse.

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

My strengths when it comes to:
a)Writing–I think I write deep, well-rounded characters. I think the dialogue I write is on-point.
b)Publishing–I diversify by putting my books on all available platforms.
c) Marketing–I’m all over social media, even running a reader group and book club on Facebook.

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

My weakness when it comes to:
a) Writing–I tend to leave too much in when I’m editing. I have a hard time cutting out the superfluous.
b) Publishing–My covers could be better.
c) Marketing–I don’t pay as much attention to data as I should.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I’m currently writing the third and final book in my Redheads & Ranchers series. It should already be finished, but I took time out to write a romantic suspense novel for an anthology I was invited to join. This book should be out in early 2020, and I have a full schedule planned for the new year.

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

I am self-published under Bratty Ginger Books.