Skye Malone is a fantasy and paranormal romance author, which means she spends most of her time not-quite-convinced that the magical things she imagines couldn’t actually exist.

Born and raised in the Midwest of the United States, she dreams someday of traveling the world — though in the meantime she’ll take any story that whisks her off to a place where the fantastic lives inside the everyday. She loves strong and passionate characters, complex villains, and satisfying endings that stay with you long after the book is closed. An inveterate writer, she can’t go a day without getting her hands on a keyboard, and can usually be found typing away while she listens to all the adventures unfolding in her head.

Interview:

1. Will you tell us about your most recent published work?

My most recent published single work has been Desire Me, the second book of the Demon Guardians series. This series is a New Adult paranormal romance. The second book finds the heroine, a half-succubus named Cait, faced with a new threat from the rulers of the demon world—and an uncertain alliance with a hidden faction of vampires and demons that might save her from the Houses if it doesn’t get her killed first.

2. What personal challenges do you face as a writer?

I struggle with focus, usually, owing to ADD. One of my primary coping strategies is music, which I almost always require to write. Sometimes, the louder the music, the quieter and more cohesive my thoughts. I compare it to giving a rowdy kid a toy and sending them off to the corner to play with that. Quieting my mind enough to lose myself in a story is a victory. I celebrate every day I accomplish that.

3. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Not getting caught up in all the things I could do or that someone says I should do, in regard to marketing or storytelling. There is a lot of noise out there these days, trying to sell indies on all the one-hundred-things-you-should-be-doing-right-now. I find it can be overwhelming, especially when I am just trying to get the story down. 

4. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

My process became more streamlined once the first book was done, and I shifted from being a full-blown plotter to more of a hybrid plotter-pantser (plotster? panter?). I still have plans and notes for a whole series, but I also am more comfortable moving forward without every single scene and detail known—which has often led to exciting discoveries and unexpected directions for me while I’m writing the books.

5. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

Sometimes… :) It might be a name that has a hidden meaning or locations that certain people in my life will be familiar with or that will bring back good memories for them. I love that kind of stuff, though I try not to make it so obscure that no one can figure it out. Where’s the fun in that? 

6. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I’m friends with a number of authors, too many to list here! They’re all so helpful in one way or another (shout-out to JC Lillis for beta-reading my latest book; you rock). My local chapter of the RWA has been amazing for feedback, advice, and for new opportunities to learn. I’ve loved meeting with them ever since I joined the RWA.

7. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

To breathe. To relax. To trust yourself, because it’s going to be okay. You got this. 

8. What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Not striving for the happy medium by either trying to be perfect or else not taking any input at all. I see aspiring writers either nitpicking their story to death with tweaks and changes but never actually publishing or, conversely, I see them not taking the time to have the book read by beta-readers in their genre and then edited well because the writers think they don’t need that. I think writers need to aim for the middle ground instead, where they get the editor and the feedback but are also willing to press on that final button to publish.

9. What’s the best way to market your books?

For me, right now, the best thing I can do is finish and publish the next book. Then market that through ads on Amazon, Facebook, BookBub and various mailing lists. Then finish the following book. Rinse, repeat (until something changes and those advertising venues are replaced by something else, anyway!).

10. What is your favorite childhood book?
Oh wow, I loved so many. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is one of my all-time favorites, though I haven’t read it in years. Mercedes Lackey’s series, The Last Herald-Mage, was fantastic too (and the first time I recall reading an LGBT main character!). Illusion by Paula Volsky. The Symphony of Ages series by Elizabeth Haydon. The list goes on. :)  

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Any inquiries may be directed to Skye Malone’s contact page at www.skyemalone.com/contact.

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Books by Skye Malone

The Demon Guardians Series

New Adult Paranormal Romance

o   Touch Me (Demon Guardians #1)

https://books2read.com/touch-me

o   Desire Me (Demon Guardians #2)

https://www.books2read.com/desireme

The Awakened Fate Series

Young Adult Paranormal Romance

o   Awaken (Awakened Fate #1)

https://www.books2read.com/awaken

o   Descend (Awakened Fate #2)

https://www.books2read.com/descend

o   Return (Awakened Fate #3)

https://www.books2read.com/return

o   Abide (Awakened Fate #3.5)

https://www.books2read.com/abide

o   Arise (Awakened Fate #4)

https://www.books2read.com/arise

o   Become (Awakened Fate #5)

https://www.books2read.com/become

o   Rebirth (Awakened Fate #6)

https://www.books2read.com/rebirthbyskyemalone

The Kindling Trilogy

Young Adult Urban Fantasy

o   Kindling (Kindling Trilogy #1)

https://www.books2read.com/kindling

o   Ignite (Kindling Trilogy #2)

https://www.books2read.com/ignite

o   Wildfire (Kindling Trilogy #3)

https://www.books2read.com/wildfire