Ava K. Michaels - Interview

Author Name:                       A K Michaels

Fiction or Non-Fiction:         Fiction

Genre(s):                                PNR and new series is Dystopian PNR lol

Number of books published: 24 and 25^th will be out soon

Links to published work (Amazon, Smashwords, etc):

http://www.amazon.com/A-K-Michaels/e/B00GVPA8PA

https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=A+K+Michaels

WYLABWYW: Author Bio

A K Michaels, Ava, was born in Scotland quite a number of years ago! She was married at a young age and is mother to three much loved children. After the birth of her last child she went back to higher education and studied before gaining employment in the banking industry. She worked in that role for a number of years before leaving, both the job and the country.

She lived abroad for a few years before returning to Scotland and finally taking up her dream - writing.

She is the author of the Defender's Blood series, The Witch, The Wolf and The Vampire series, Supernatural Enforcement Bureau series, Highland Wolf Clan series, Sabrina's Vampire series, and her latest series The Black Rose Chronicles, together with a Wolf Erotica Novella, Lori's Wolf. Her books fall into the Paranormal/Urban Fantasy genre and she loves writing those particular kinds of stories where she can let her imagination run wild!

She now spends her time reading - everything from Sci Fi to Crime, Erotica to Fantasy, Thrillers to Paranormal Romance. She loves spending time with her family and, of course, writing!

She has twitter, Facebook and a mailing list.

WYLABWYW: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Something we won’t find in you author bio on your website (do you work, hobbies, what do you like to do when not writing/working, etc.).

My previous profession was in finance! A long way from writing PNR lol. I worked in banking in Scotland and offshore finance when we lived for about eight years in Cyprus. Oh yeah, and I can swear like a fishwife in Greek!

WYLABWYW:  Are you self-published, with an agency, or a combination of the two?

I’m an indie, self-published, mainly because I do have terrible OCD and am a total control freak. I don’t play well with others telling me what to do lol. I like to do things on my own time constraints etc and want the final word in all that I do, from writing to covers, teasers, etc, all of it lol.

WYLABWYW: What inspired you to become a writer?

As I mentioned earlier I have OCD (pretty bad) and suffer from anxiety and I used to talk to my Therapist about the stories in my head. She urged me to try writing them out and after quite a bit of prodding from her, I did. Once I started I found I couldn’t stop! I’d actually written three or four before the family even realized what I was doing. It took a little bit more time before I let anyone see them though, our middle daughter and my sister (who was a Librarian for many years!) and they then talked me into actually doing something with them. That’s when my search started to find out all I could about publishing!

WYLABWYW: Do you have a mentor or mentors?

No, wish I did though. Until I started this journey I’ve been quite withdrawn and solitary due to anxiety and OCD issues. Writing and publishing has definitely brought me out of my shell though!

WYLABWYW:  What do you do to prepare for a story?

The truth is, not a lot. I usually have the story already in my head so it’s just a case of sitting down and typing as fast as I can. I can type very fast he he.

WYLABWYW: What do you find to be your biggest obstacle in the writing process?

Peace and quiet. I love peace and quiet when writing but it’s not always possible as I look after our daughters’ kids so they can work. I have our grandson more days than not, and our granddaughters once a week. Love them dearly but boy can they be noisy, especially if I’ve got all three together!

WYLABWYW:  Where do you do your writing?

Due to me babysitting the munchkins, my desk is set up at the back of the living room so I can do some work and keep an eye on them at the same time. I dread to think what they’d get up to if I was in another room!

WYLABWYW: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you typically listen to?

No, I only listen to music in the car and it’s a mixture, usually compilation cds. I hate noise when working, I’m actually quite sensitive to noise and loud noises upset me. I hate fireworks for that reason!

WYLABWYW: How much of your book(s), if any, is taken from real life events?

Oh gosh, not a lot if any. I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting a real life Vamp, Wolf, etc.

WYLABWYW:   Who is/was your biggest support for your writing career?

I’d have to say our middle daughter, she’s also my biggest critic too though. She gets beta copies of my stories and isn’t shy in pointing out if she doesn’t like something. But, she now helps me an awful lot, she’s Team Leader of my Street Team, sorts out my paperwork (who woulda thought there was sooooooo much paperwork!) and she contacts blogs, pages etc, to help promote my books.

WYLABWYW:  What lead to write your chosen genre?

Oh that’s easy! I’ve always loved Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, and in using them I can literally do whatever the heck I want without the constraints placed on humans. In a real fisticuffs fight with humans, it’s usually over pretty quick but with PNR I can have them doing magnificent things and get away with it.

WYLABWYW:  Tell us about your book(s).

I have five series out at the moment and got book 1 in a brand new series that releases early September. They are all very different story-wise but do have love and hot scenes in them all. The newest book is The Black Rose Chronicles, Deceit and Lies and the main character is a female hybrid Witch/Wolf kickass assassin.

WYLABWYW:  Do you have muses you used for your characters?

Not really, they are their own distinct character in my head, totally made up. But, I sure would like to be as badass as Rose from new book lol.

WYLABWYW: Time to give your support a shout out! Tell us about your crew (cover designer, photographer, editor, videographer, proofreader, swag designer, etc.)

My last series, Highland Wolf Clan series, has the most fabulous covers – EVER! They were created by the Sassy Queens of Design aka Rebecca and Angel and they are my favorites by far. They have also made me trailers for three of my series and they are truly gifted Queens. Stracey is also part of the Sassy Queens and she makes me the most fantastic swag, keychains, bookmarks, bags, tons of stuff and it’s all freaking awesome! My Editor is Missy Borucki and we’ve worked together for a while now and she ‘gets’ me so very well and has never, not once, tried to change my ‘voice’ in my books. 

My beta readers too, I love them, and they help me make the stories the best they can possibly be, so Thank You girls! Ava’s Bite Club is the name of my Street Team and the girls there are such a great bunch and work very hard so I’d love to give them a shoutout – Thanks Girls!

WYLABWYW: What are you working on now, and when can we expect your next release?

I’m so busy I’m not sure if I’m coming or going but at this very second I have The Black Rose Chronicles, Deceit and Lies up for preorder, releasing 4^th September. I’m also working on book 6 in the Highland Wolf Clan series as well as working on book 2 in the Chronicles series.

WYLABWYW: Can you share an excerpt from a work in progress?

This is from The Black Rose Chronicles, Deceit and Lies, which is available on preorder:-

“What are you?” he ground out between clenched teeth.

“Again, none of your business.” She grinned at him, her eyes flashing with anger. “You’ve missed the most important question. Not what I am, but who I am.”

He didn’t respond other than to roar as he flashed towards her. She stepped forward, away from the two dead bodies and waited. As he drew nearer she dashed to the side impossibly fast, twirling her blade above her head as she went. A hiss of anger from the Vampire as she sliced downwards and into the back of his knee.

She gave him credit. He didn’t slow down, only cursing loudly as he whirled around to come after her again. Once more she danced out of his reach, her blade inflicting even more damage as he tried to get his hands on her. Not happening.

“I’ll fucking rip you apart and drink you dry!” His rage clear in the roar as he stumbled up onto his feet.

“Nope.” She shook her head.

This time she wove out of his grasp, bringing her blade backwards, the tip of her blade sinking in and piercing his lower back, severing the spine and causing his large body to collapse. Not a death blow. He was a Vampire and if left alone the wound would heal, but she wasn’t leaving him alive to hunt her down. Stepping over to him she flicked her hair over her shoulder as he stared at her.

“Who are you?” he finally asked.

Staring down at him totally emotionless she answered. “If you’d asked that first then maybe, just maybe, you and your men might’ve survived this little dance. Me? I’m The Black Rose.” She winked at him before raising her blade to end him. Seeing the recognition in his eyes a second before she tore his head from his body. “Another one bites the dust.” She sang as she wiped her blade on his clothes before returning it to its sheath.

WYLABWYW:  Do you have any upcoming signing events or appearances scheduled later this year or in 2016?

I’ve kinda put these things off as been working with therapist to get me ready lol. I do have two confirmed for next year, Liverpool next March and Dublin in the October. I’m equally scared and excited about them.

WYLABWYW: Which new authors have caught your attention?

I have a few favorites, Eden Elsworth’s stories are fab and I love her Real World series. Monica La Porta’s Immortal series is wonderful and for epic fantasy I truly adore Nav Logan’s Stormbringer Saga.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us all.