Pub Talks with Andrea Andersen
The indie romance author of Written by a Woman shares her writing life!
Meet Pub Talks. Like Publishing Talks, but like we are at the pub or a cute wine bar chatting writing logistics and plot holes over drinks.
Because, if there is one thing I already learned as I work as an indie romance author, it’s that we could all use a good writer friend, and I hope to shine a light along the somewhat treacherous pits of the writing and publishing industry as we know it.
At my first ever book convention, Romance Con in Milwaukee, WI this past September, music was playing through the loud speakers. The event coordinators opened the doors to let readers inside the signing room where a hundred other authors were just hoping that someone would stop by their table, pick up a book to purchase or tell them how much they loved reading.
While waiting for these special reader to author moments, I found myself grooving to the music. After a while, I looked across the aisle adjacent to me and saw that I wasn’t the only one feeling the vibe. Andrea was also doing a little sway and dance right alongside me.
I think it was then that I knew I found an amazing new author friend.
I also couldn’t help but think she would be the perfect person to help me kick off this series where I get to interview authors and share some amazing new books with you all.
Ready to jump in?
KM: Hi! First off, the dreaded question. Tell us all a bit about yourself.
AA: I live in southern California with my partner and kiddo, and have been writing for most of my life. I started self-publishing romance novels in January 2023!
KM: Are you a traditional, hybrid, or indie author? Full time, part time?
AA: I’m a full-time indie author in the sense that I am primarily a stay-at-home-parent and write when I have time to do so.
KM: As an indie author, what made you decide to self publish? Did you ever consider going the traditional route and querying for literary agents before publishing your first novel?
AA: My crippling fear of rejection made me decide to self publish. Querying seemed very daunting, and for some reason slapping my books on the internet and hoping for the best seemed less scary.
KM: For readers who haven’t read your books yet, can you please give us a little teaser about what they’re all about? What is your next book or latest book about?
AA: My latest book is a co-workers to friends to lovers, where a woman stuck at a boring day job dreams of being able to quit to pursue writing. She ends up writing her attractive boss into her romance novel, which surprisingly ends up going viral. Now she just needs to play her cards right so that hopefully, he never finds out, and she can quit and disappear.
Except he does find out about her novel.
And he’s forming plans of his own.
I also have 3 books in my “What It Means” series which is about about a group of late twenty-something women in Orange County, California finding love.
KM: What book would you recommend readers start with?
AA: My latest one, “Written by a Woman” is a the start of a new series of workplace romances. That is where my current focus has been, and I am currently writing the next book, “Melted by a Man.”
KM: What inspires your writing?
AA: Everything. A lot of it is shower thoughts, or stories that play in my mind as I’m listening to music and driving in the car. I struggle with maladaptive daydreaming, which can be disruptive when attempting to get through the day, but also comes in clutch when conjuring up new story ideas.
KM: What does your writing process look like?
AA: I’m a pantser until the day I die, I’m afraid. I write out of order. I’ll think of once very specific scene in a new story, and I’ll end up writing that one out first. Then I go back and piece it all together. Sometimes I write all the spice first, and the plot later. Other times I save the spice for last. It really depends and changes every time I write a new book.
KM: Favorite part of writing process?
AA: Sending it to my editor for developmental edits. It’s an exciting relief.
KM: Least favorite part of writing process?
AA: Plotting. Which is probably why I hardly do it.
KM: What do you wish you would’ve known while publishing your first book?
AA: I wish I would have had more eyes on it. I had a lot of beta and sensitivity readers on it, which was beneficial. However, I wish I had more eyes in regards to developmental editing on the manuscript too.
KM: What made you want to become a writer?
AA: In the 3rd grade, our class had a creative writing assignment. I was just starting to get into reading, and it was one of the first times I realized I could put all the stories that play in my head on paper. So I ended up hand-writing almost ten pages back-to-back for this 3rd grade assignment, and my teacher was very surprised, and encouraging.
I’ve always enjoyed English classes, especially when they were less focused on essays and more focused on creative writing aspects. It wasn’t until I was an adult with a child, struggling with postpartum, that I realized maybe I didn’t need to keep deleting all my little stories off my laptop anymore. Maybe others would be interested in reading them, too.
KM: Why do you write romance?
AA: Due to my generalized anxiety, I love the safety net a guaranteed happily-ever-after provides. I rewatch my favorite movies and re-binge my favorite TV shows, knowing exactly how they will end. It’s the same concept. I love telling stories that can also be a safe space for readers.
KM: What inspired you to write steamy romance? I know you’ve commented on this through your fun social media posts, but how do you see the connection between romance, empowerment, and the way intimacy is portrayed, especially in relation to feminism?
AA: I’d love to go on a long rant about the patriarchy and internalized misogyny and sexism in writing spaces, but I won’t. Instead, I’ll say this: women are allowed to like and enjoy sex just as much as men. Women are allowed to be sexual.
KM: Would you ever write something else out of the romance genre?
AA: No matter what I write, there will always be some sort of romance subplot. I’m in it for the butterflies. The tension. The first kiss, that kind of thing.
KM: What are you most excited about as an author?
AA: Just being able to do this is exciting enough for me. Not a lot of women are able to be in the same position. Not all women have partners that encourage them to continue writing happily ever afters. I’m very privileged to have the time and resources to do this.
KM: What do you do when you have writer’s block or feel self-doubt as a writer?
AA: I read other books, usually Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon. It’s a reminder to just keep writing what you love, regardless if it’s currently popular or not. Those books are comfort reads for me, and its literally alien erotica. Believe it, achieve it!
KM: What is the big dream for you as an author?
AA: Being able to travel to the UK for some sort of bookish event. Meeting readers in different countries who have read my books is the dream.
KM: Who are your top writing influences?
AA: Chloe Leise, BK Borison, Elena Armas (she’s a low-burn queen!), and Ivy Fairbanks.
KM: Any current obsessions?
AA: The 2006 romcom “Penelope.” I have rewatched this movie twice already and I’m nowhere close to done with it.
KM: What does your reading routine or ritual look like?
AA: As soon as I drop my kiddo off at school, I bundle up on the couch and grab my laptop and get going. It’s super dark because of where the sun rises against our house (maybe that’s why I like it so much?) but just my living room couch. Under large, fuzzy Costco blankets.
Once my kiddo is done with school around 2:00, the rest of the afternoons are mostly dedicated to her and her extra-curriculars. So mornings are where I thrive. I don’t even have a writing desk, the couch is where the magic happens.
KM: What's your dream reading setup?
AA: Cabin in the woods, pouring rain outside, bundled in blankets near a floor-to-ceiling window, with a hot mug of coffee nearby. A space where I can read and nap and wake up and read without really having to move. That’s the dream.
KM: Favorite bookstore?
AA: Heartbound Books in Anaheim, California
KM: And finally, I have to know. What are your top 5 book recommendations lately:
AA: Face-Off by Chelsea Curto, At First Smile by Melissa Whitney, Audiophile by Emerie Hart, Take It Offline by Dani McLean, How Does It Feel? by Jeneane O’Reilly
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and support another indie romance author! You can find Andrea on Instagram, Tiktok, and Threads, as well as on her website: andreaandersen.com.
Find both of our books on Amazon and other major retailers.
Andrea also has her own bookstore on her website you can support here.
Happy reading!
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