Interview with an Author featuring Joanna Reeder

The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Joanna Reeder! Author of Imitating a Fae Queen (Raven Court Book 1) and the Kindle Vella series, Courting Fae Thieves and Crowns.

Tell us a bit about yourself

Born and raised in Utah. I live with my husband, three littles and a cat named after one of my characters. I love leisure bike rides, kayaking, playing my guitar and Dr. Pepper.

What inspired you to start writing?

When I was in the 4th grade, my teacher encouraged me to enter a story in the Reflections Contest. So I wrote and submitted and won first place in my school. I’ve loved to write ever since!

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I know I’m not alone in it, but I’ve trained myself to write in short 15-20 minute bursts. I’ve had to with little kids. I know some authors need huge blocks of time to write. My best writing time is also in the afternoon. Not the early morning or late at night. I haven’t found many writers with that schedule.

How do you deal with emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

I step away. I go on a walk or for a bike ride. I give myself space from it so that when I come back to it, I can look at it through an objective eye as I edit.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

The constant back and forth between being proud and surprised at the books I wrote, but also the imposter syndrome that can hit at any time and feeling that I’m not good enough or that I’m “pretending” to be an author.

What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

The characters. Once I’ve gotten to know my characters and their quirks and backstories, the plot comes together from it. A lot of times, the characters determine the plot.

Let’s talk about Kindle Vella. Tell me about your experience with it.

I have loved kindle vella. I think the thing I love the most is that my readers get to experience the story in almost real-time as I do. Sometimes I write a bit ahead, but I’m rarely more than an episode or two ahead of what is currently live. With books, I experience the story all by myself for weeks and weeks, then after tons of edits, etc, etc, and the final book launch, by the time my readers get to experience my book, it’s already “in the past” for me.

My story Courting Fae Thieves and Crowns on Kindle Vella has also been my favorite story I’ve written so far. Of course all of my stories are my babies, but this one has a lot of my heart in it!

Describe yourself in three words.

Loyal, Spiritual, Kind

Do you have any new series planned?

I’m still finishing up my Raven Court series (3 books and a novella are out and I’m working on #4) After that, I’m not sure. Part of me is watching and waiting to see how Kindle Vella goes. I have several stories running through my head that could work well with Kindle Vella.

What advice would you give to other authors?

No writing is wasted. Even that scene you cut because it doesn’t work, or those first few drafts of anything. Every word counts because it helps you learn to be a better writer. And as with anything, practice makes you better.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

I love storytelling and I want my stories to be accessible to anyone. So all of my books are 100% recommendable. I don’t write steamy, or gore, or foul language, so you can recommend my books to your daughters, co-workers and grandmas.

Thank you Joanna Reeder for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her books today!

~Synopsis~

They say I look just like her.

They say I could save the realm if I pretend to be her.

But I’m just a human girl and refuse to leave my life to save their precious Raven Court.

My boyfriend, Sterling, might be a fae, but I want nothing to do with Faerie. Luckily, he promised never to take me. But when his painfully gorgeous brother, Tien, shows up and says I look identical to their missing High Queen, I’m asked to go with him to prevent Faerie from sinking into chaos.

When I refuse, I’m kidnapped.

As I’m forced through the portal to Faerie by the brooding Tien, he promises my captivity is only temporary. If I can convince the Raven Court their beloved queen is alive and well, he’ll take me back home. But while I’m pretending to be her, dark secrets surface. I try not to care, but realize I might have the power to change an injustice that suddenly means so much to me… even as a fake queen.

Faerie is magical and cruel, full of wonder and madness. But it isn’t my home. And yet, it feels so familiar…

Torn between two different worlds, I’m forced to consider: where do I truly belong?

◆Imitating a Fae Queen is perfect for fans of The Iron King and The Vampire Diaries. If you love brooding fae captains, terrifying water horses, and best-friend romance, you’ll love this page-turning fae fantasy.

◆Imitating a Fae Queen is Book One in the Raven Court Series by USA Today bestselling author, Joanna Reeder.

Joanna Reeder is a USA Today Bestselling author who takes readers time traveling through dreams, shifting into fantastical creatures, and tossed into Faerie. Her fantasy stories always have a dash of romance, leave readers turning pages long into the night, and eager to recommend them to their daughters and grandmas and coworkers!

When Joanna isn’t writing, she enjoys bike rides and kayaking with her hubby and kids, vacations at the beach (with a book to read, of course!) and learning new songs on her blue electric guitar.

She’s a believer in the paranormal (seriously, she has stories) and her motto is, “A Dr. Pepper a day keeps insanity away!”