Interview with an Author featuring Dani Hoots

The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Dani Hoots! Her book, Revenge (City of Klaus Book 1) released on November 16th 2021.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a Capricorn and live in Arizona where I am very active in the local YA community. I also run an apothecary called Fox Craft Apothecary. In my spare time, if that is a thing, I am practicing the bagpipes, taiko, or drawing. I also do a bit of cross stitch and love to hike, sew, or find some new shiny thing to learn. If I had to pick between vampires and werewolves, I would pick vampires. If I had to pick between anything, it would be vampires even if it wasn’t a choice. My favorite books are the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlene Harris, Icarus Hunt by Timothy Zahn, Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely, and Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer.

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing since middle school and publishing since 2014.

Describe a typical writing day.

I wake up, cuddle my cat for a bit, and get ready for the day. Then I write in the morning from about 10 to 1pm. If I have an outline done, I can typically write a chapter or two in that time, but if I don’t, then I am either outlining, researching, or worldbuilding. The rest of the day I spend writing for HerbalGram or making tea for my apothecary. I am also an artist, so there is some drawing in there, along with practicing bagpipes, taiko, and Swedish.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Anywhere and everywhere. Sometimes it’s a photo, actor, character, dream, song… it really depends on the book.

What are some challenges that have come up during your writing and publishing journey?

Getting sales is always the biggest challenge, and with that marketing. It would be so nice to just write and not have to worry about all the marketing that comes with it, but self-publishing is practically a business, and it must be treated as such.

When you’re writing an emotionally draining (or sexy, or sad, etc) scene, how do you get in the mood?

I usually find music that fits the mood or watch some anime that is in the same emotional mood.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Ambitious, weird, engaging.

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

Find music and anime to cheer me up.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

I am finishing up the CITY OF KAUS series and will be having a kickstarter for a special edition version of the last book of the series (and the rest of the series if we hit those bonus goals!).

What advice would you give to other aspiring authors?

Just keep writing! Don’t give up and keep learning different skills from other authors and teachers. Find a circle of writer friends to keep each other going.

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

I write to entertain, for people to find a character they identify with, and to inspire!

Thank you Dani Hoots for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her book, Revenge today!

~Synopsis~

A swashbuckling upper YA/NA LGBTQ+ sci-fi western you don’t want to miss!

It has been three years since Elvira “Ellie” Ryder was betrayed by her ex-boyfriend Cor, which caused the destruction of her people by invaders from a different Zone. Now she will do anything to find him and make him pay.

Ellie has found someone who knows where Cor is. The price—assassinate a half-human, half-Sirian who is trying to join the Society, a high-class club only for the rich. Ellie takes the job, as it wouldn’t be the first assassination job she has taken, and heads to the Human Zone. However, when she learns more about her target, the more she realizes what is going on behind the curtain, and how her people were really destroyed.

Will Ellie be able to forgive Cor after learning the truth? Or will she forever hold on to that hatred?

*Rep: Bisexual, asexual, & gay

Dani Hoots is a young adult sci-fi and fantasy author who is inspired by ancient tales. She has a background in anthropology, urban planning, herbal science, and sci-fi writing. She enjoys learning about history, astronomy, and plants, and in her spare time she is either watching anime, reading manga and books, playing the bagpipes, or drawing.