Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Taylor
Angela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started writing in grade school. Little episodes of favorite TV shows that I’d make my brother act out with me. When one of the shows I loved was cancelled mid-season, I’d write a finale for it. Hey, if they weren’t going to give me an ending, I had no choice but to do it myself, right?
In junior high, I wrote a book with my best friend… well, part of one. We never did finish it. I think we got about a hundred pages in before my family moved out of state. It’s around here in a box somewhere. I’ll have to dig it out sometime when I want a good laugh because I’m sure it’s scary.
I majored in theater in college and did a lot of community theater after graduating. I even started an entertainment company with a friend. We had a contract to provide all of the entertainment for a local train line. We did everything from penning murder mysteries, to children’s shows, to wild west shoot-out scripts, and more. It was a ton of fun, but a lot of work. There wasn’t really time for any other type of writing.
After I sold my portion of the business to my partners, I got back into writing hardcore. I published my first book, Blindsided, in October of 2020 and have been writing ever since. I have four books published now and my fifth releasing October 10, 2024. I don’t plan on stopping any time soon because I’ve finally found what truly makes me happy. Writing books, sharing them with the world, and hoping readers fall in love with my characters is my happy place.
How did I get to where I am now? Aside from doing the work to make my books the best they can be and hustling to get them in front of people, I owe so much to my fellow authors in the Indie community. They’ve always been so gracious with their time, advice, friendship, and support. It’s like the concert of the century, and I somehow won a backstage pass. I’m so honored to get to watch the show and play the tambourine in the band. Someday, with any luck, I’ll get to move up to the guitar solo and vocals.
But the biggest factor has been my readers. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. Yes, they purchase and read my books, but that’s just a sliver of what they do for me. The level of support I receive from them blows me away daily. From leaving reviews, to recommending my books to other readers, to sharing my posts, and so much more. A lot of them have become good friends, as well. I love interacting with and getting to know them. And when new readers reach out, it’s the best! Every one of my readers owns a little piece of my heart. I’m so thankful and lucky to have them in my corner!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I definitely wouldn’t describe it as smooth… more like surprising. When I first started publishing, I was sadly unprepared for everything that went into getting a book in front of people. I thought I’d publish it and be able to move on to the next one. Easy peasy. It was a rude awakening to realize there was an entire truckload of stuff I had no clue about that needed to be done. Things like starting an LLC, creating a website, opening a business bank account, starting a Facebook author page and readers group, and the dreaded “M” word… marketing,
I made a lot of missteps, including the cover of my first book, Blindsided. I didn’t understand the market and just went with what I liked at the time. A couple years later, I realized how “off” it was, and had it recovered to better fit the market. Who knows? Maybe someday the original cover version will be worth something. Or it might just end up being a cringe factor in my author journey. (Okay, it kind of already is. LOL)
I wish I had done my homework and taken the time to learn a little about what I was doing before just jumping into the deep end. It would’ve saved me a lot of rookie mistakes. There’s still way more I don’t know, and probably some things I don’t even realize exist yet. Publishing is a marathon with constant learning curve pitstops. There’s no way I can run twenty-six miles yet, but at least I’ve made it around the block.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an independent romance author, which means I don’t work with a traditional publishing house to publish my books. That also means I have to wear a ton of different hats: writer, editor, marketing wiz… (Ha! I wish!) Basically, I’m a one-stop publishing shop. (Okay, it really means I’m just navigating through this author gig as best I can, but that doesn’t sound as impressive.)
I write steamy, frisky, fun romance. The first book I published was a romantic suspense story, but I came to realize that romantic comedy is the best fit for me. Guess it’s not really a surprise, since even my suspense had humor in it. Plus, I’m way too sarcastic in real life not to feel an affinity for writing the same. Honestly, the best move I made was switching to romcom. It feels like home. And I think it’s helped my readership.
If I had to pick what my books are most known for and what sets me apart, I’d say snarky banter, and lots of it! I have a dry sense of humor, and that shows in my characters. My heroes and heroines are always evenly matched and can both take it and dish it out with the best of them. With my theater background, I tend to include a lot of dialogue in my books, but I like to think that helps keep the pace up and also provides more opportunities to toss in some snark, which is always a plus.
Of course, I include exposition, but you’re not going to find out how many petals each flower has or every single thing my characters ate that day. You will, however, learn very quickly what they’re thinking and feeling and how they interact with each other. Especially since I write in dual point of view, so you get both the male and female behind-the-scenes perspective.
My readers have expressed that the dialogue in my books reads realistically… that I write like people talk. (At least, I hope I do!) My characters are “real” people. They’re fun, but they have flaws… which can also be fun. So, what am I known for? I guess that would be snarky banter, realistic dialogue, and characters people can relate to. Hopefully, readers agree. (Send cards and letters of disagreement to this publication. Chocolate and snacks? Email me and I’ll give you my address. Ha!)
As for what I’m most proud of… I’d have to say my romcom series, The Kiss Club. There are three books in the series so far, with at least two more to come. The characters are interconnected, but the individual books can be read as standalones. Book one, The Kiss Club, started it all from an idea I thought of for a scene. (It ended up in the book, but literally only about two lines in it were the same.) The Kiss Club is bringing in the most readers for me, and I couldn’t be more thankful. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with these characters, and to hear that readers have too warms my heart.
I can’t express how much it means when a reader gives me an oven mitt or shower cap with lip prints on it, or socks with donut designs. (Late Night Kiss, book two in the series, takes place on top of a donut shop. Read it and you’ll get it.) I receive little care packages of “kiss” items periodically, which always surprises me. Even a gorgeous hand painted replica of my Kiss Club logo. I cherish them all! It’s humbling that people care enough to think of me and my characters.
Not gonna lie, there are worse things to have your name associated with than donuts and lips, and possibly pie. The release of book three in the series, Five Alarm Kiss, may add that to the list. Guess we’ll find out!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Let’s talk about good luck because the bad is just depressing, and I don’t have enough chocolate on hand for that. LOL
On the personal side, I am so lucky to have the family I do! All four of my grandparents were born in Greece, so we’ve got the whole “Big Fat Greek Wedding” vibe going on. (Except, my family isn’t huge with a hundred kids and cousins, and I can’t think of one relative who is named “Nick.” Hmm. Okay, so maybe it’s more of a “Medium Fat Greek Wedding” vibe.) I can tell you the stereotypical “loud” Greek family is right on point for mine, though. I remember the first Christmas my husband spent with my family.… He said, “You guys are so mean to each other” because we joked and razzed each other. All of us looked at him like he was losing it. My brother said it best, explaining that we don’t joke about anything that really bothers the other person. You know, those hot button, sensitive topics? We steer clear of those, but everything else if fair game! And we’re all super close, and pretty darn sarcastic, so it’s never boring. Needless to say, it took my hubby a while to get used to us. After fourteen years together, he can now throw down with the rest of us.
On the author front, the best luck I had was stumbling into my “tribe.” I co-admin a Facebook readers group called “Shades of Romance” with six other Indie authors. We all write different genres, so we each represent a different “shade” of the romance arena. They’ve become my second family and are there during both the good times and bad. I’ve honestly never had such a strong support system before — outside of my medium fat Greek family and a couple of long-time friends. None of us live close to each other, but we have met in person a few times (except for our English counterpart who we’ll get to come across the pond someday, mark my words!) Meeting was the icing on the cake, but we were a family way before any of us ever got to trade in-person hugs. I honestly can’t imagine riding this crazy author rollercoaster without them.
We also have an amazing bunch of readers in our group who have become our extended family. So, if you ever hear someone refer to a person as a “Shader,” they’re not talking about some spooky paranormal entity. They’re talking about a member of our awesome little bookland family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angelataylorauthor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelataylorauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelataylorauthor
- Other: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/ANGELA-TAYLOR/author/B08LBTC6WL
Image Credits
Kari March Designs, Wicked Smart Designs