Interview with Carrie Lomax

Author of The Wild Lord

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

I grew up in Wisconsin, now live in Maryland.

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

I went to school in Michigan and moved to France after college. After that, I lived in New York for fifteen years. I still consider myself a New Yorker!

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

I’ve wanted to be an author since childhood. I wrote The Wild Lord from 2011-2015, including multiple revisions and querying. I went into contract with a small publisher, which was the point at which I decided I’d learned enough about my craft to self-publish.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

If you like high drama with dark themes and humor, you’ll enjoy the London Scandals series.

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

Fans of Elizabeth Hoyt, Christi Caldwell, Sarah MacLean, and Scarlett Peckham. All of my books have HEAs, although they don’t always look like a traditional Regency ending (marriage + children). I give the characters a happy ending that is right for them.

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

I’ve learned so much along the way. This business is hard, and while there are truths about the industry, your success will look different from any other author’s. Cultivate a network of friends who can give you knowledgeable feedback along the way.

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

Keep writing! Persistence pays off. Writing a book never gets easier. It’s always hard.

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

Millions! I also write contemporary romance (the Say You Will series), although I’m still trying to find my niche within that sprawling category.

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

There’s such an enormous learning curve. It’s very hard to know how to best focus your energy when there is so much conflicting advice out there.

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

My greatest strengths are an ability to write fast and being unafraid of cutting out words that aren’t working. Whole chapters? Gone. I’ve become a big believer in doing a lot of prewriting, and revising after I’ve fast drafted.

I have no marketing strengths, unless you count a willingness to keep trying different things. ; )

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

My biggest weakness is wanting to create characters that aren’t written to subgenre expectations. For instance, in Becoming Lady Dalton I wrote a heroine who does not want children. It’s a hard thing for her hero to accept, as he is an heir, and she refuses to marry him for a long time to give him the possibility of getting an heir. Readers really hated that ending, but it felt right for them.

When do you think you will write your next book?

In progress right now! The Duke’s Stolen Heart, Book 4 in the London Scandals series, comes out in January 2020.

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

Currently self-published, but open to the right relationship with a traditional publisher.