Emerging Author Spotlight: Evelyn Lafont

With some luck, and perhaps copious amounts of chocolate and coffee (perhaps even some vodka), I will have a new independent author to spotlight every Wednesday for Twitter’s #WW #WriterWednesdays.

I’d like to start this weekly tradition off with a really fun author I met via Twitter: Evelyn Lafont, the KeyboardHussy.

Evelyn’s first novella, Vampire Relationship Guide, Vol. 1: Meeting & Mating, will be available via Amazon and Smashwords TOMORROW! (March 31st). Be sure to pick up your copy!

Who is the Keyboard Hussy? (from her blog)

By day, I’m a mild-mannered, self-employed freelance writer. By night, well, I’m actually still the same thing but I switch to writing fiction instead of freelance stuff. I’m obsessed with the written word. I read all kinds of books—though post-apocalyptic zombie novels and paranormal romances are my favorite.

Please give us a brief introduction to your book Vampire Relationship Guide, Vol. 1: Meeting & Mating.

The novella is a story about a woman named Josie who is attracted to vampires, but never meets any single vampires. The story picks up right around the time that she gets an invitation to a swanky vampire soiree and, as a result, meets a couple of vampires that are extremely datable. Josie doesn’t really know much about vampires, so she kinda has to learn to navigate these relationship waters on the fly.

How did you come up with the idea for the book?

I was working in a fiction class on an article about breaking up with your vampire boyfriend, and I took a very practical view of the topic. It was so funny that I thought I could create a whole series around the practicalities of a vampire/human romantic relationship.

What were your influences and inspirations for the book?

The paranormal romance genre was the influence, I love me some PNR. Real relationships and the everyday humor that couples experience were the inspiration—because really, would a relationship actually be that different with a supernatural being? They’d probably still leave dirty clothes on the floor and forget to lower the toilet seat…assuming they use a toilet…

Describe your writing process. Do you have to be alone? Write on computer or longhand? Revisions?

I write on a computer or laptop. My favorite place to write is on the PC in my office. Outside my office window I have a birdbath and some trees as well as some wooden wind chimes, so it’s a very peaceful environment.

I like to be alone when I write, but it’s not a deal breaker. My husband and I both work at home, so we are together constantly and I am used to tuning him out. Crap. Don’t tell him I said that.

As far as revisions, I don’t really do them until I’m done with the first draft. I like to puke up my idea onto paper in as linear a manner as possible, and then hack it to bits.

What kind of research did you do for your book?

I read over 100 books in the genre. I also researched some sciency stuff to help make my world building a little more realistic and relatable. I didn’t have to research any locations since I set the story in the city where I live.

Would you consider writing in other genres in the future, if so, which ones?

I have a zombie novel in the works and have the concept for a science fiction novella. But right now I’m really focused on the paranormal romance genre.

What do you do to help promote your book? With over 800 books published every day in the US, it can be difficult to be seen.

Wow, thanks for throwing that ginormous number out at me , but your facts and figures don’t scare me (okay, yes, they totally do). I’m on all the normal social networks, I have a blog and I arranged for a book tour and some reviews. I also came up with a concept for a funny book trailer, which hubby executed to perfection.

As far as being seen, the best thing I can do is go out there, balls to the wall, as myself. That way I have fun, am honest about who I am, and will hopefully be set apart simply due to my own personality traits.

Tell us your journey to getting published.

Initially, I threw this out as a challenge to myself to get traditionally published. After writing the book and doing research on publishing, I decided that I’d rather retain full creative control and publish the book myself.

After I made that decision, I hired a company (BubbleCow) to edit my manuscript, then hired a proofreader and layout designer to help make sure it was as professionally polished as a traditionally published book.

How do you keep your steamy scenes fresh and non-repetitive?

I use a bit of a buildup technique. I have steamy bits here and there—sort of like romantic foreplay. Then I launch in to the big bad sex scene, then some sweet bits after that.

How can we connect with you online, and where can we buy your book?

The book will be available on March 31st on Amazon and Smashwords. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter (@KeyboardHussy), and on my blog, EvelynLafont.wordpress.com.