If introspective psychological stories are your thing, then author Amy L. Sauder has your next read! Sauder is a creative and author of such works as the Unfixed series and I Know You Like a Murder. She lives on the edge of an enchanted wood with her husband Josh and her mannequin Delilah. Read on to learn more!
Q: When did you first catch the writing bug? What drove you to persist?
A: I’ve dabbled in writing since I was a kid, but staunchly insisted and believed during my college years that I did NOT want to be a writer; I just wanted to study literature. [I know, insert sarcastic “Suuuure” here.] Finally in my last semester, I became honest with myself and others, that I wanted to be an author and was just terrified I wasn’t good enough. And that wasn’t a reason to stop, it was a reason to hunker down and get better. So I did, and here I am!
Q: Do you try more for originality or to please your readers?
A: Who’s to say it can’t be both? I like to think and hope that I find the right balance, playing with story structure and doing something different, but in a way that is approachable and interesting to the reader rather than aloof and cumbersome. Do I succeed at that? Well, that’s probably for the readers to decide.
Q: Do you have your own circle of writer friends? If so, what other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
A: My writer connections are so important to me because they “get it”. I’m part of a local writers group (shoutout to King’s Pen!) with writers from idea stage to post-publication encouraging one other in our writing life, whatever that looks like in that particular season. I’m also part of a virtual group of published authors (shoutout to “the tearoom”) where we get practical about the marketing/publishing process and talking shop together. Beyond that, I have other writer friends at various stages I connect with through coffee, book events, messaging online, and wherever else we can meet up. If you’re a writer in my life, you are so dear to me! (If you’re a writer not in my life, get over here!)
Q: What do you do “for a living” if you aren’t supporting yourself with your writing – yet?
A: I am a leader over more technical communications, and I love being able to analytically work with words for the dayjob and then still have the creative energy to switch to writing stories outside of it.
Q: What is your favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre?
A: It is so difficult to pick just one! I love books with an interesting premise, twisty plots, deep characters, unique story structures, and a touch of magic. (And yes, you’ll find that in my stories!)
Q: What is your favorite book from your childhood?
A: Inkheart really made the magic of books come alive to me. It sparked what could be done with a story, the depth of characters and intricate storylines and a whole heap of magic that enchanted me and pulled me in (figuratively, so far.)
Q: How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
A: My first book, I did way too much way too quickly, just because I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I burned out from pushing too hard too fast. It took a lot of time to get my energy back and find my groove again. So, as I wrote and published my more recent book, I found a better balance to avoid burnout, not only because I had already learned some pieces of the process, but by building a steady rhythm instead of pushing to cram everything in at once.
Q: What was your hardest scene to write?
A: At the end of Picked Up Pieces, there’s a scene with a maze of mirrors that was probably the most difficult. In Unfixed, there’s the torture scene or Analiese in the fire. Those were difficult not because of the writing itself or even the characters’ physical pain, but because of the pain to the characters internally. They weren’t just words on a page, they were things we were journeying through together.
Q: In your experience, what has been the best way to market your books? Where have you found the greatest return on your investment (whether it be time or money invested?)
A: In-person events are the most successful for me so far, not only in terms of sales but also as a great way to connect more personally with readers. At the same time, I know that’s not as scalable and continue to work on translating that to my online presence. Amazon ads have been my most successful online strategy so far (check out Bryan Cohen’s free class), but I still have lots to learn as I grow.
Q: What projects are you working on at the present?
A: Picked Up Pieces (the sequel to Unfixed) releases February 27, so my primary focus is on that launch. I’m so excited to have the duology out in the world, and I don’t want to get too into some new shiny thing that would distract me from this moment; so I’m dabbling with an idea or two for another book, but keeping it very non-committal until we’re past launch.
A mystery from the perspective of the murderer…
Dearest reader, trust no one.
Connect with the author
- Author website
- The social media platform formerly known as Twitter: @AmyLSauder
- Instagram: @AmyLSauderCreations
- Buy Amy L. Sauder books today!
Now available in print and on Kindle!
While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my latest suspense novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!
Book Summary
When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.
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Write on the World 