An Interview with NY Times Bestselling Author Heather Killough-Walden

I was given the awesome opportunity to interview New York Times bestselling author Heather Killough-Walden about her new book The Vampire King (The Kings One).  Heather Killough-Walden has also written the Big Bad Wolf Series, October Trilogy, Chosen Souls, Hell Bent, and many more wonderful books.  Check it out.

1.      What  made you decide to write a spin-off series with your new book, The Vampire King?

The Big Bad Wolf series developed a pretty large fan base and, I gotta be honest with you – I’ve grown kind of fond of those characters too. So, while I can’t see myself writing another strictly werewolf book to continue the series, I can see myself branching out and diversifying the supernatural “Big Bad Wold” while still staying true to the men and women my readers have grown to love. J

2.      Do you plan all of the books of your series in the beginning, or do you decide while you’re writing how/when they will end?

I never plan anything. LOL  In fact, often when I’m writing, I end up writing myself right into a corner. Luckily, this only makes the books more interesting and believable, I have my trusty muses to help me out of those tighter jams. 

3.      Have you ever found yourself writing characters based on the traits of family members or friends?

Honestly, that’s almost all I ever do. There’s a little bit of everyone I know in my characters. Most of my heroines possess traits that I have noticed in myself or that I would very much like to have (usually the latter). It’s important for an author to write what he or she knows. I can’t stress how imperative that is. It’s why we spend so much time doing research, traveling to distant places, and even browsing the web. As soon as we delve into something we aren’t very familiar with, we either need to study up so that we can properly convey that thing through our writing, or we need to stop and turn around and go in another direction. Readers will always be able to tell if you’re writing outside of your bounds.  

4.      Were you surprised with the success of your books as an independent writer?

I wasn’t surprised that people liked them, because I had posted on free literature sites before deciding to go indie and I’d received amazing feedback. I was surprised, however, that it would go as far as it did. I made it to the top slot in Vampire Romance on Amazon with “The Third Kiss” and my wonderful agent from Trident Media gave me a call. This opened up a whole new world for me. I also made the USA Today and New York Times bestsellers lists with indie published books. That was surprising, but only to a certain extent. I believe in myself and I believe in my words. I wouldn’t be able to continue doing what I do if I didn’t. J

5.      With Indie writers being able to self publish today, how do you feel the publishing/book business is evolving?

       I think it’s finally opening up to what it should have been all along. For so long, there were all of these stories – these wonderful, brilliant, colorful stories – that were kept from the public through the bottleneck of traditional publishing. Now, with self publishing of ebooks, talented authors can share this work with readers from around the world the moment they type “The End.” That’s fantastic. It gives the authors what they want: recognition, fulfillment, even financial gain. And it gives the readers what they want: variety, escapism, joy.

I think that traditional print publishers might have to adjust the way they have been marketing and selling books in areas such as pricing if they want to keep up or compete with ebook indie publishing, but I also feel that there will always be people who prefer the feel of a paper book in their hands. Now both kinds of people are happy.

The Vampire King, book one of The Kings series by Heather Killough-Walden….

Synopsis:

It was immediate for Roman. In three thousand years, he’d never lost control of his emotions, or his heart. But the moment he laid eyes on Evelynne Farrow, he knew she was the woman who haunted his dreams. And everything changed.

Everything.

Evie Farrow has always loved a good vampire romance.  In fact, she makes a living writing them. While sitting in a coffee shop and working on her next mega-hot book, Evie is approached by a tall, dark, and handsome man who could have been pulled directly from one of her novels.

Unbeknownst to her, Roman D’Angelo is exactly what he appears to be – a vampire, and not just any vampire, but the king of vampires. 

Unfortunately, while Roman is both ancient and invulnerable, Evie is flesh and blood. Just as Roman decides that he and Evie have a date with destiny, for reasons of their own, an ancient god and a homicidal vampire take an equally strong interest in her. To make things more complicated, there’s something very special about Evie. Something not quite human.

Can Roman fight off the incredible forces that would have Evie as their own long enough to win her heart, or will destiny betray him, and destroy everything he has ever dreamed of?

Teaser:

 “Never in a million years would I mean you harm, Evie.”

Evie jumped, inhaled a sharp gasp, and scrambled out of the bed with insane speed. Her hair whipped around her face as she spun to face each corner of the strange window-less room. The shadows there were long and dark and endless.

But there were stars in the darkness – two stars that grew brighter as a man stepped out of the shadows.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview you, Heather Killough-Walden!  If you haven't read any of her books, I highly suggest you check them out.  They're all excellent reads!  The Vampire King comes out February 7, 2012.