Bio:

Heather Kuehl (pronounced "keel") was born near the Great Lakes, but made her way to South Carolina where she lives to this day. She’s the author of the Sarah Vargas Series, among others. For more information about Heather's published works, upcoming releases, and events visit her website; http://www.heatherkuehl.com/

How long have you been writing? How long have you been published?

HK: I’ve been writing since I was 11. At first it was small things here and there, but it wasn’t until high school that I started trying longer works. I started getting short stories published in 2007, and my first book was accepted in 2009.

How long did it take you to publish your first book, once you started looking for an agent or publisher?

HK: It felt like forever. I finished Fade to Black in 2006, and as rejections poured in I tweaked the manuscript. In 2009, Eternal Press accepted Fade to Black. All that hard work was worth it.

How long does it take you to write a book?

HK: It depends. I give myself a deadline, because I could take forever working on a story, but I give myself breaks if I need it. However, it also depends on my Muse. For example, it took me two years to finish Fade to Black, but my latest release Dream Lover only took three days.

Do you write one book/story at a time or multiples?

HK: Multiples. If I get stuck on one manuscript, I’ll work on another one. Right now I’m in the middle of writing four books and two short stories. Before I started getting published, I had over 20 WIPs on my computer.

What genres do you write?

HK: I write paranormal/fantasy romance. I love mixing the worlds of dragons and werewolves to create my own unique world.

Are there any genres you'd never consider writing in?

HK: I used to say science fiction, because I’ve never been one for reading or watching that genre. However, I ended up writing a science fiction/fantasy story that’s being released in December called At All Costs. I guess one should never say never…

What's your writing process? (i.e. pantser/organic writer or plotter or mix? write on the computer? longhand? mix? how many passes? etc.)

HK: A mixture of pantser and plotter. I start out by outlining what I’d like to happen, sometimes just a blurb and other times a chapter by chapter outline. However, once I start writing the characters take over. Maybe they want to turn right when I wanted them to turn left; I don’t force it. As long as I don’t go off on tangents, I let my character have free reign.

What authors inspire you? Who are your favorite authors?

HK: I’ve always been a huge fan of Brian Jacques. I even got to meet him once! I love how he can create a world that’s so vivid. Every time I read his books I feel like I’m coming home. I also love reading books by Kim Harrison and Sherrilyn Kenyon.

What authors would you most like to meet, past or present? What would you ask them?

HK: I’d love to meet Anne McCaffrey. I’m not sure what I’d ask her though. I’m not even sure if I could stop geeking out long enough to ask much of anything. LoL

How many books do you read in the average month? e-Book or print or both?

HK: Sometimes I can read two or three a month, but lately I’m lucky if I can read one. I have a demanding toddler to take care of when I’m not playing pretend with my characters. I have a Kindle and I like the cheaper prices of ebooks, but I still go to the bookstore and buy books.

What is the funniest or strangest editor/crit request/comment you've encountered? (This one always has funny answers. DON'T name the editor or company, please!)

HK: This one is pretty recent. The sentence said, “[character’s name] didn’t feel safe anymore.” The editor asked, “Why because he knows her name? Expand a tiny bit for clarity, please” to which I replied, “I think is has something to do with the assassin trying to kill her. Just a guess.” Hrm, I realize now that out of context this isn’t really funny, but it’s my favorite. :o)

What is your ideal location to write a book, if you had the money to live there or sequester yourself there?

HK: I want an office. Right now my desk is wedged into a corner of my bedroom. Almost four years ago I moved into a bigger apartment so that I could have my office….then I discovered I was pregnant the very same month I signed the lease. LoL The office became a nursery.

What would you like to own/have that would make your writing faster or smoother? (Yes, you can name everything from computer programs to a personal maid here.)

HK: A nanny. You try writing paranormal romance with a two year old in your face. It doesn’t work; it’s way too awkward.

What's your dream car? Your favorite car you've ever owned?

HK: I love Mustangs and, lately, Jeeps. I’d want one in a midnight purple color.

The best bumper stickers you've ever seen? The best you've ever personally had on your vehicle?

HK: I’ve never seen it, but Nathan Fillion tweeted about it; “This car is a Horcrux.” Love it! I also like those Coexist stickers where the letters are symbols from different religions. I have one of those on my car.

The #1 holiday or birthday gift to purchase for an author is...

HK: Ink or paper. Lots and lots of ink or paper.

Your favorite leisure activity or vacation spot?

HK: I’m a Disney fanatic. My dream vacations revolve around Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise lines.

Have you ever included a real experience of your own in a book? Did anyone who knows you notice it?

HK: It’s hard not to include real events in my books. I draw my inspiration from what I see and experience. Of course some people noticed, but it’s never been a big deal.

Have you ever included someone who irritated you in the book? As what, and what comeuppance did he/she get?

HK: Of course! I call it Villain Therapy. Make me angry? I mean really really angry? Well, I’ll create a bad guy and send my heroes to vanquish them. A fantastic example is Jackilin Skyner in Fade to Black.

Where do you get your character names?

HK: Graveyards and baby name books. Sometimes I’ll make something up, but names like Everlena and Marcellus I found in a graveyard.

What does your family think about your writing? How, if they do, do they support you in your writing endeavors?

HK: I’m not really sure what my family thinks about my writing, but I do know that they support me. My mom edits my stories before I submit them to publishers and my husband and friends will listen to me rant about my characters, especially when I’m stuck on a scene.

If you write with small children around, what agreements or rules have been made to preserve your writing time?

HK: I wish I could make rules for my writing time, but he just doesn’t understand. Until he gets older, I just write when he’s asleep. Or I get someone to watch him for a day.

What's your favorite part of being a writer?

HK: I like being able to create a world that I can have anything happen in. I make the rules, and no one can tell me no. It’s wonderful!

What advice would you give a new writer?

HK: Never give up! It’s a long hard road to get published, but it’ll all be worth it in the end.

What are your writing goals? Where do you want to be in a year? Five years?

HK: Honestly, the usual author goals. I want to find my books at a bookstore. Once that happens, I’d like to get on the bestseller lists.

Do you belong to a crit group or other writing group? How helpful do you find it?

HK: I used to, when I first started to get published. But after a bad experience I stopped. When I participated, I did find it helpful. I’ve also taken creative writing classes and attended workshops.

What book, if you have written several books, is your favorite and why?

HK: My latest release, Dream Lover, is my favorite. It’s about Denna and Warren. Denna Rainerd has dreamed about Warren Connelly for the past ten years, their relationship in the dream world hot and passionate. Pity he isn't real...or is he? Warren wishes that Denna was in his real world, but a human in his world would be a liability. He's a Hunter shapeshifter; sworn to protect his world from the darkest of creatures while he's focused on revenge for the death of his brother. Their worlds collide when Warren saves Denna's life, setting up a chain of events that will change their lives forever. Will Denna be able to accept Warren's supernatural secrets? It’s my favorite because I love the premise of it; finding out some hottie in my dreams is real.

Which of your own characters would you like to meet in real life, and what would you do?

HK: I’d like to meet Damian from the Sarah Vargas series and Warren from Dream Lover. All for naughty reasons, LoL.

Do you prefer to think of yourself as a hero/heroine or villain/villainess and why?

HK: A bit of both. Can’t have the good without the bad and sometimes being bad is so much fun.

If you could have one magical power, what would it be and why?

HK: I wish I could fly. Sometimes, I day dream about what it would be like to soar through the clouds.

If you were the overlord of the world, what would your first decree be?

HK: Give away free books or world peace. Depends how I feel that day.

Give us your backlist... with all publishers...Bold things that are currently available. Note the publishers they are with!

HK: Sure!

The Sarah Vargas Series

Fade to Black – Eternal Press

Malevolent Dead – Eternal Press

Blood Moon – Eternal Press

Promises to Keep – Eternal Press

Epiphany – Decadent Publishing (Buy link: https://sites.google.com/site/heatherkuehl/epiphany)

Dream Lover – Eternal Press

NOTE: all Eternal Press titles can be purchased at http://eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=273

Tell us about releases you expect within the next year... Remember to say which publishers they are with!

HK: I have two right now;

At All Costs – MuseItUp Publishing December 2011

Blurb: Samantha lives in a post-apocalyptic world where she is the mortal enemy of technology that has turned on humanity. Sam’s a  technopath, a person with the ability to control all technology. She can use her powers to obliterate the tech-threat one at a time, but General Lieverman knows that Sam’s power can work both ways; not only can she kill but she can create as well. Wanting her to create a monster for their soldiers to use against the tech-threat, Lieberman hopes it will end the war. There is just one problem; the level of power Sam will have to use to create the monster for the soldiers may cost her own life. Will Sam sacrifice herself to save the world?

White Wolf – MuseItUp Publishing (Short N’ Spicy) April 2012.

Blurb: Kalia Seffmoyer is a rarity among werewolves. She's albino, a trait that is coveted by Clans worldwide. She is sent from Clan to Clan, bedding every eligible male she comes across hoping to find her Mate. Kalia doesn't expect to find love, but the second she looks into Sophia's eyes she's done for. Never has Kalia had feelings like those she has for Sophia, and a night of passion quickly leads to dire consequences. For in the supernatural world, it seems that humans aren't the only ones who discriminate.

Tell us about your current release... blurb... link to purchase is a plus!

HK: Along with Dream Lover, Epiphany is also my new release.

Epiphany blurb: Everlena doesn't usually go out to clubs, but one night she decides to, on a whim. She meets Mika, a man who is as mysterious as he is delectable. Everlena doesn't know that Mika has plans for her, or that dark forces are out to get her. Mika is the Fey-King of the Unseelie Court. He's trying to find the princess of the Seelie Court, and is shocked to find her living life as a human. Even more shocking is that this human has no clue Mika’s world even exists. Mika must get Everlena to safety while convincing her that a union between her light court and his dark court is the only way to end the violence. With danger around every turn, will Everlena be able to leave her human life behind and take her place as a princess of the Seelie Court? Or will the feelings blossoming between Everlena and Mika get in the way?

More information about Epiphany can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/heatherkuehl/epiphany

Give us your URLs (web site, MySpace, Facebook, blog, etc.)

HK: I can be found at http://www.heatherkuehl.com and http://heatherkuehl.blogspot.com. I’m also on Twitter (@heatherkuehl) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Author.Heather.Kuehl)