Interview with Miranda Lynn

Author of The Destiny Trilogy

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

I grew up in Illinois and currently reside in Tennessee

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

My husband served in the Army and so he is the reason we settled in Tennessee. He is currently retired and we have made Tennessee are home, for now.

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

The encouragement of other authors. I had a book review blog when self publishing took off and I found some amazing indie authors through that blog. It was with their encouragement that I decided to take my hobby of writing and focus it into a budding career.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

It depends on the series. My Destiny Trilogy is fantasy. Think Outland without the history and add in more magic. Time Travel, Fea magic, and sexy times with highlanders. For my Paranormal Series my pack lore is a bit different than the main stream. I mirror real life in the pack make up. Different species live together for survival, though each of my novels give characters the HEA we all crave.

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

Hopeless romantics, optimists, dreamers, those with a bit of a twisted mind or who enjoy the twisted a bit.

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

It’s a lot more work than you ever realize. The writing is easy, finding an editor that you click with and is good was a challenge for me. Then you have cover design, proofreading, and that is ALL before publishing. After you publish it’s constant marketing, which is ever changing. I advise you learn something new everyday, reach out to other authors and see what works for them. There isn’t one formula that works for everyone, it’s trial and error as you go.

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

Finish the series before you publish. Research marketing more and don’t be scared to ask. For me after my first in the trilogy was published I had other characters take over and what I planned to be a 1 to 2 year project with the trilogy ended up being a five year project.

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

All of them..no honestly as many as I can. I don’t have a set number, but the more the merrier as they say.

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

Marketing. I am not a numbers girl, I abhor math or statistics so that part is a constant struggle.

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

In my writing I am ever evolving and growing with my stories. I pride myself in growing with my characters, creating stories that suck you in and quickens your heart as you read. In publishing I feel I have it down pat to a great team in my editors, formatters, and cover designers. When I am ready to upload I feel calm that it’s ready for the public. This as well has taken time, some of my early work is being re-edited because I rushed things early in my career. As for marketing I honestly don’t have a strength, that is my biggest weakness though I am working on building content and subscribers in my newsletter, that has been my focus for a bit and I feel that things are in a good momentum.

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

In writing my weakness is coma’s, we are not friends and never will be. Also finding enough time to devote to it. In publishing communication between all parties involved in the evolution of manuscript to polished novel is my biggest weakness. In marketing I feel that all of it is my weakness, though if I had to pinpoint it would be ads, amazon, fb, bookbub, etc. Ads make my head hurt.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am currently writing a piece for an anthology releasing next year. As for full length novel I will be starting on my next on in December, though I do not know which story it will be. I have quite a few characters waiting for their HEA.

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

Self published