Last year, I attended Tomes of Terror in Bloomington, Illinois and met so many amazing new authors! I’m really excited to attend the convention again this year on October 26th and I’m leading up to the convention by interviewing some of the authors that will have tables. First up is Sue Rovens, a writer of “real” people in familiar settings encountering the bizarre, the weird, and the unknown. Let’s get to know her a little better!
Q: Who has been your biggest supporter(s) throughout your career?
A: I would have to say my husband, Charlie Edwards. There have been others, of course, but overall, he’s been the one who literally helps me at every author fair, show, and event I’ve attended. I truly could not do all that I’ve done without him.
Q: What inspires you to write?
A: Like many other writers, I’ve always wanted to be an author as far back as I can remember. When my mom passed away in 2009, the shift in thinking about it as opposed to actually doing it came into play. No one knows how long a life is, so if you want to do something (or even attempt something), don’t wait.
Q: What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned, whether about yourself or the industry as a whole, since you started your writing journey?
A: How much time and effort everything else takes, as opposed to writing. As an indie author, it’s more than just creating a story. Marketing, PR, social media, doing events, getting reviews – all very time consuming and can easily become overwhelming unless you put it into perspective.
Q: If you could meet with your past self at the beginning of your career, what one thing would you tell yourself?
A: Edit and revise. And when you think you’re done, know that you’re not. I edit/revise my manuscripts nine times (including having others look at it).
Q: What has been the hardest part of your career so far?
A: Getting the word out about my books (and/or getting someone to give an ‘unknown’ a shot).
Q: If you could go back and change anything about your career, would you? If so, what would it be?
A: See my answer to what I would tell my past self. I put out my second book of short stories WAY too early. It was full of mistakes and errors, but I had read that it’s important to put out a book every year, so I rushed. Eventually, I pulled it and rewrote the whole thing. Now it’s a work I stand behind (In a Corner, Darkly: Volume #2). Lesson learned – don’t rush just because the internet tells you to.
Q: What do you consider to be your biggest strength as an author? Your kryptonite?
A: Biggest strength? Probably writing dialogue. I’ve been told that I can nail character dialogue pretty well. Kryptonite? Using social media. I have a blog, I’m on Facebook, and I poke around on Twitter (X), but I imagine that I’m ‘missing potential audiences’ by NOT being on Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms.
Q: Who is on your radar as someone that you’d love to work with?
A: Honestly, I work best alone. However, I’d love to be asked to contribute a story or two when people are looking for authors for anthologies and collections.
Q: Dealing with negativity can be challenging, whether that’s from bad reviews, critics, social media, or other sources. What is your strategy for dealing with that side of the industry?
A: It’s almost impossible to avoid as the haters are strong, loud, and many. What pains me the most are the reviews that basically say “this sucks” or “I can’t get my afternoon back” or some other tripe. If you don’t like an author’s work, just move on. Don’t drag them and their work through the mud. I’ve started MANY books that ‘didn’t work’ for a variety of reasons, but I don’t feel the need to go on social media and slam them for poor writing, bad characters, and plot holes. Instead, I DNF and get on with my life.
So, the short answer I try to ignore haters, but yeah, it’s tough.
Q: What has been the most impactful piece of advice that you’ve been given and how have you used that advice in your writing journey?
A: Write what you want and not to the current trends. That’s what I do – I write suspense/thrillers (novels) and horror/apocalyptic short stories because that’s what I enjoy reading.
At Sue’s table at Tomes of Terror, you can expect to see lots of spooky, creepy, and strange things perfect for the upcoming season! She’ll have copies of all of her books, Toad (tote) bags (which are absolutely adorable and a must; I got one last year and it’s one of my favourite things), and Toad mugs at ‘event prices’. She’s happy to sign anything for those interested as well; I brought a charcuterie board for the authors to sign last year so don’t be afraid to ask!
Can’t make it to Tomes of Terror and still want to meet Sue? She’ll be at the Mackinaw Holiday Cheer Market at the Mackinaw Winery on November 2nd and 3rd from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. She’ll also be at the Bloomington Public Library Author Fair on November 9th from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and plans to be at the Normal West Bands Craft Show on November 23rd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sue would love to see you at any of these events, but if you can’t attend, you can follow her blog here or reach out to her via email at srovens@yahoo.com to chat or get merch and books!
Sue will be releasing her eighth book, a collection of fifteen short horror/sci-fi tales called In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 3, in 2025 so be sure to follow her so you don’t miss this release.
Look alive, sunshine! I’ve got some more fun questions to help you get to know Sue before you meet her at Tomes of Terror!
Q: If you were to write a spin-off about a side character in any of your stories (published or not), who would you pick and why?
A: Truthfully, I wouldn’t. Once I’m done with a story, it’s finished. No series. No continuations.
Q: What is your worst reading habit? Are you a dog-earer, a margin-writer, or do you practice some other egregious offense?
A: LOL I wouldn’t say it’s a bad habit, but I do have a tendency to read in weird places (like sitting on the floor of the bathroom – I know…weird).
Q: Who is the most stressful character you’ve ever written and why?
A: I can’t pick just one. I LOVE writing characters who are unlikable, bad, annoying and/or hateful. Exposing the underbelly of society and people is my strong suit. All my novels have characters that are easy to despise.
Q: What is your quirkiest writing habit?
A: Hmmm. I don’t think I have one…but, if pressed, I guess having a cat on my leg (sometimes) while I edit might count.
Q: If you had to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?
A: For my life? That’s almost impossible to say because at different points over the decades, the slogan would have changed. At THIS point in time? I might offer up something like: Doing the best I can with the knowledge I have.
Q: You have to wear a T-shirt with only one word on it for the rest of your life. What word is on your shirt?
A: Oooo tough one. I’d say ‘Vintage’.
Q: If your name was suddenly used as a verb, what would your name be doing?
A: Gushing over a cute animal.
Q: In the story of your life, who (or what) would be your nemesis?
A: Evil bosses I’ve had to put up with, spiders (spooders), ex-husbands.
Q: If someone were to open your fridge, what is the weirdest thing they’d find?
A: Charlie’s hot sauce collection.
It’s been so much fun getting to know Sue, and I can’t wait to meet her again next month! Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more interviews as I get to know the authors attending Tomes of Terror!
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