Samantha holds a Bachelor’s in English Secondary Education and is a proud Magna Cum Laude graduate of Western Michigan University. She is a mother of two, and enjoys tarot, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and reading, and spending time with her family and pets when she’s not writing her next novel! Samantha also lives with Multiple Sclerosis, and is an advocate for mental health and self-care.
Get to know Samantha below as she shares her thoughts on what inspires her and the hardest parts of her career as an author.
Q: Who has been your biggest supporter(s) throughout your writing career?
A: No matter what I choose to do, my husband is my biggest supporter. When it comes to being an author, he consistently encourages me to follow my dreams, serves as an alpha reader, and joins me at my book signing. I also have some amazing friends who encourage my journey: Marissa, Brian, Desie, Evie, and Caytlyn. I don’t know what I would do without them. My oldest child is also a great motivator. She frequently tells me I’m not allowed to stop writing as long as I’m alive. That’s pretty cool.
Q: Where do you draw inspiration from in your work?
A: As an author of horror, thriller, and fantasy, much of my work draws off of past trauma and the challenges that face the “other” in the world we live in. My author motto is “happily ever after is overrated” because a great story is full of twists, turns, and relatable problems, even in fictional worlds. You’ll find parts of me in all of my published works, but I also strive to create realistic characters apart from my experience. I don’t believe writing exists outside of social commentary, so I want to make sure we all feel seen and heard.
Q: What does it mean to you to be an author?
A: Being an author means several things to me. For one, it means I am finally investing in myself. There was a time when I lost who I am to the responsibilities and perceptions of the world. I was an educator, a mother, and a wife – that was all. Writing has given me an opportunity to find my passion and my confidence. I’ve started making friends and building a community, which has helped me feel more like my authentic self.
Being an author also sets an example for my children. I want them to see that they are more than just working drones meant to help others achieve their goals. Every time I start a new book and see it through to the end, they see me doing something I love. I want them to grow up to follow their passions, as well.
It is also my hope that my time as an author is spent trying to make the world we live in better. I want to squash the notion that we must constantly compete with each other to succeed. My goal is to build us all up, not tear others down.
Q: What is your writing process like? Do you listen to certain music, snack, make loads of phone notes when inspiration randomly strikes?
A: Oh, my phone is filled with notes! As for writing itself, I genuinely wish I could listen to music, but if there’s noise, I can’t get anything done. I get too distracted by every little sound. Lights bother me, too. So, when I write, I isolate myself in a room, light a candle, shut the curtains, and get down to work.
I can’t write without some sort of snack and drink. Usually, you’ll find me with a tea or a Monster. Chips are my vice, so I tend to have those, too. I have to fit my writing around my children’s schedules, and I have to do side jobs to pay for all the supplies and events. When I’m drafting, I try to write five days a week. Weekends are usually a wash. I spend that time with my family.
Q: Is there a genre or subgenre that you want to explore that you haven’t yet? Conversely, are there any that you’ll never write?
A: I’m honestly open to exploring most genres. I find it incredibly difficult to stick to one. For now, I’ve ventured into horror, thriller, fantasy, literary fiction, and erotica. Mystery intrigues me.
As far as genres I don’t see myself writing, I’m not a fan of Westerns or rom-coms. Who knows, though? I follow the inspiration where it leads. no matter what I do, there will probably always be a dash of the supernatural.
Q: What has been the hardest part of your career as an author so far?
A: The hardest part of my career as an author so far has been finding an audience for my works. In person, I am able to connect with new readers. Online, the distance makes things much harder. Marketing is a beast of its own. Just when you think you’ve got something down, it changes. Still, it’s all a part of the process. I appreciate every reader who takes a chance on my works, whether they wind up liking them or not. It’s worth it if even one person finds what they’re looking for.
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness as an author?
A: My greatest strength as an author is that I’m willing to play with genres. I love blurring the lines between what readers expect and what I want them to take away. It’s very fun to keep them constantly on their toes.
My greatest weakness as an author is pushing myself too hard. I feel like I have to release new books constantly because I don’t want to wind up forgotten. So, I force deadlines on myself and cause myself a lot of stress. It’s good to get new books out, but it’s hard to worry about falling short.
Q: Who is on your radar as someone you’d love to work with?
A: I’m not sure I’m built to co-author books. I do tend to have a little bit of an issue letting go of the reins. However, I have a planned collaboration with soon-to-be-published author J. Silverton. We’re discussing the possibility of working together on a short story.
I absolutely adore working with my favorite narrator, Paige Reisenfeld. At some point, I’d like to work with her partner, PJ Freebourn, too. It would also be a dream to work with Moira Quirk.
It would be very fun to team up with Kennedy Sutton, JR Erickson, Colleen Gleason, or Caytlyn Brooke.
Q: At some point in our lives, we’ve all hears the negative comments: “You’re not good enough.” “You’ll never make it.” “This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen.” “You don’t belong.” How do you move forward when faced with negativity?
A: To be honest, most of those comments come from me (speaking to myself). When it comes to those other than me, I’ve been lucky enough to find a supportive community to bolster my sails. However, it’s important to learn to set boundaries. I have come to realize that my works don’t have to be for everyone, and if they were, the world would be incredibly boring. So, I take it in stride, reminding myself of the ones who find my books worthy, and wish those who do not find something else amazing to read. Plus, I take care of my mental health. Therapy is my tool of choice, and I find it very rewarding. I’ll always advocate for seeking help.
Q: What advice would you give to women who are wanting to write, especially if it’s something others might perceive as “outside of the norm”?
A: Do it anyway. Do it brave. Do it scared. Do it angry. No matter how you feel about it, just do it. Get it done.
The world won’t change unless we make it change, and honestly, we’re usually our own worst enemy. In the end, it’s the person you see in the mirror who matters most, not the opinions of others. It’s important to get out of our own way and invest in the things we love.
On April 30th, Samantha will release erotic supernatural horror/psychological thriller Wicked Little Rabbit. Our main male is heartbroken after his fiancée cheats on him a few months before their wedding. His friend, Braxton, takes him to a club because the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. Braxton finds a companion and leaves, and things quickly turn for the worse for our main character.
Tucked away in an alley, hidden behind a nondescript steel door, The Rabbit Hole harbors plenty of secrets. The blonde bartender is irresistible, the drinks are to die for, and no one misses you when you’re gone.
Samantha is also working on the third installment of her award-winning Cursed Souls series, Legacy of Lies. This series is an interconnected set of tales surrounding a young woman who makes a bargain with a demon that changes not just her life, but that of her daughter and those around them. Legacy of Lies is slated to release this fall!
If you’re looking for a knockout book to read while waiting for Samantha’s next releases, she recommends The Sneaky Lass by Kennedy Sutton, the “one-stop shop for queer pirate romantasy.” Make sure to join Samantha’s newsletter on her website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss any exciting new book news!
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