Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Hansen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

Hi! I’m Stephanie Hansen. Last time I spoke about Metamorphosis Literary Agency with Voyage. This time I’m discussing my author journey instead. I’ll be specifically focusing on Ghostly Howls, which is a paranormal romance scheduled to release 2/7/23 (Tinnitus Awareness Week). In my twenties, I survived a serious illness that caused me to become severely deaf in one ear. Since then I’ve suffered from 90 dB 24/7 tinnitus. My most recent novella takes this ringing and morphs it into a power for one of my characters. It was so much fun to write, as well as being therapeutic. Ghostly Howls is Irish folklore meets small town USA. Part of my ancestry is Irish, so it was fascinating to tap into that research and incorporate it into a fictional story. I’ve never lived in a small town but get to visit one regularly. Its downtown brick roads and friendly welcome has always intrigued me.

Stephanie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

It might be best to share my bio’s:

Author – Stephanie Hansen is a PenCraft and Global Book Award Winning Author. Her debut novella series, Altered Helix, released in 2020. It hit the #1 New Release, #1 Best Seller, and other top 100 lists on Amazon. It is now being adapted to an animated story for Tales. Her debut novel, Replaced Parts, released in 2021 through Fire & Ice YA and Tantor Audio. It has been in a Forbes article, hit Amazon bestseller lists, and made the Apple young adult coming soon bestsellers list. The second book in the Transformed Nexus series, Omitted Pieces, released in 2022. Her next novella, Ghostly Howls, releases 2/7/23. She is a member of the deaf and hard of hearing community so she tries to incorporate that into her fiction. https://www.authorstephaniehansen.com/

Literary Agent – Stephanie represents authors with their debut novels and New York Times-bestsellers and has brokered deals with small presses, mid-size publishers, major publishing houses, foreign publishers, audio producers, gaming app companies, reading app companies, and film producers. She holds a master’s degree with a Creative Writing Specialization. She represents everything fiction from children’s to adult books. She’s also seeking non-fiction projects with heart. Previously editorial for Mind’s Eye Literary Magazine and consulting with Hollywood book & film agent Michele Wallerstein, she joined Metamorphosis July 2016. Originally looking to help Midwest authors in “flyover states” to garner the attention of major publishing houses, she found camaraderie with multiple agents and editors. Covid has her missing coffees and lunches with publishers & major house editors and trips to NYC. Stephanie is unilaterally deaf with 90 dB tinnitus. She’s dedicated to elevating voices that often go unheard. https://www.metamorphosisliteraryagency.com/

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known about beta readers, critique groups, and other resources for writers much earlier. They’ve valuable resources to have. It also helps make the writing experience less lonely. Just as with anything else, be sure to research before entering into this kind of writing collaboration as you want to be sure the people you share your work with are trustworthy. You also want to work with people who provide constructive criticism and are positive while also helping you elevate your writing.

I also wish I had known more about writers conferences and resources that can help you along the way. Writers conferences often have opportunities to pitch your work to publishing industry professionals. They might have workshops on how to market your book too. In fact, they could have a variety of topics including publishing contract negotiation best practices.

The beta readers and critique group partners mentioned above can also be part of an authors launch team to help them promote their book. Being in contact with bloggers and other readers can be very beneficial too. So, while a lot of writing is at a computer, it’s good to step away and make connections too.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I have a phenomenal team at Metamorphosis Literary Agency. They’re all talented, kind, and professional. Amy Brewer has a knack for organizing a book’s pitch in a way that captures attention and engages whomever she shares it with. Jessica Reino has an amazing amount of energy. When she discusses her clients’ work, one can feel her excitement, whether it be through email, phone, or video chat. Erica Christensen has a spectacular ability to find subsidiary rights avenues as well as publishers. She’s able to organize an email better than anyone I’ve met. Jana Hanson is extremely good at providing her clients with editorial feedback. She works well with them to produce fabulous stories. Katie Salvo finds some of the most unique and dynamic stories. She’s quite courteous with publishers too. All of the interns bring a lot to the table as well and many have continued on to great things. I definitely do not micromanage. It’s important to believe in your team. Sending vital information, resources, and encouraging messages to them has kept morale high.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.authorstephaniehansen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniehansenauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writer.stephaniehansen
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/writerstephaniehansen/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hansenwriter

Image Credits
My photograph is from Rayna Allin photography. The Altered Helix, Stranded Coil, and Paralleled Bond covers are from inkE Designs. The Replaced Parts and Omitted Pieces covers are from Caroline Andrus. The Ghostly Howls cover is from miblart.