Interview with Amanda Byrd

Author of The Dr. van Wolfe Saga

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

I’m from Bucks County, PA and currently live in Tampa, FL.

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

I came down to Florida for school. I was pursuing a different career path then and writing kicked in, which I’d love to make a career of, but also know I might need a job after graduation, so I’m also going to obtain a certificate in HR along with my bachelor’s in Psychology.

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

I wanted to throw a human, werewolf, and vampire together (kinda like The Originals, but not fully) and keep the human part; I wanted to see what would happen.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Kind of a mix between Dexter and The Originals. My new series is a female serial killer, so I just say that and it grabs people’s attention.

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

Those who enjoy authors like Jeff Lindsay, James Patterson, and indies like Stacy Claflin, ML Rose, Willow Rose…basically anyone into dark fantasy that’s on the really dark side or anyone into female serial killer fiction.

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

The most surprising thing I learned, in the beginning, was how many different types of editor there are. It can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, I’ve finally landed a good one.

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

LEARN! Invest in learning, particularly marketing. It’s rough being a one person show and handling almost everything on your own for a while, but it gets easier the more you learn.

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

I don’t have a set number. Really, as many who want to read [and continue to read and enjoy] my work. Hopefully that’s enough to sustain a decent living from.

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

Marketing. Things are always changing. We ow have access to other Kindle markets for ads we didn’t have 2 months ago. Adapting and learning, making mistakes as you go when it’s new…

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

A) I have a twisted imagination
B) I’ve finally built a system for formatting both paperback and ebook on my own, which allows % control of such things. (I can recommend people if there are specific needs)
C) I don’t think I really have a strength, aside from the “happy accident” that became my brand (thanks, Mark L).

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

A) Self-editing. It’s a necessary thing and it’s no fun, though it does allow for me too put my best forward through the editor.
B) That I’ve learned to do A LOT of things myself, saving a ton of money. However, I’m an advocate of outsourcing what you can [afford] if you can’t do it yourself. Burnout is real.
C) Facebook and the constant changes to other marketing platforms

When do you think you will write your next book?

I plan to start 13 Reasons for Murder: Meathead: A Britney Cage Novel (#2) the first week of November.

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

Self, though I do own my own publishing imprint.