BK Walker, author of Night Secrets, answered some questions for me about her life and her writing career. Which character was her favorite, and which was her least favorite? What inspired this book? And how does she feel about self-publishing? Read on to find out her answers to these and other questions.
Your book has vampires, witches, werewolves, and shape shifters as characters. How much research did you have to do in order to write about them?
Because my characters are always of their own, the only thing I really researched was the myth lore on Morgaine Le Fay. I wanted to create my own twist into this, using Morgaine (Morrigan) Le Fay's powers that were inherited years down the road. I also researched Irish Dialogue.
Which character is your favorite? Least favorite?
My favorite character I would have to say is Aingeal. She was so much fun to write for, having to use the Irish dialogue was different, and also sometimes hard to remember. My least favorite, I don't much like Dante', but he's a huge part of the story, I enjoyed writing him too.
Which scene if your favorite?
My favorite scene was when Keara first realizes that something isn't right with her and she ends up in a sticky mess. (without giving too much away).
How long did it take you to decide on a title for your book? Were there many other possible titles you had picked out?
Night Secrets was the only title for this book, It actually came to me from the start. I knew the club would be named Night Secrets, and I have a habit of naming my books for the name of a bar or location in the book.
What was your inspiration for this book?
Keara. She kept coming to me in dreams, and I would see certain scenes played out. She was begging for me to tell her story, so I finally gave in and let her have her way. It flowed very quickly and I usually let my characters take over, and when I can get into their skin, the story is truly their own.
How long did it take you to complete this book?
I actually wrote this book in 9 months, but because of other priorities and obligations, I didn't publish it for a year and a half from start to publish. Life sort of got in the way lol.
When will the sequel be released?
I've already started this and am hoping to release it next year, though I don't have an exact date. Again, as life permits me time. I run 4 businesses online, and am putting authors on tour each month, sometimes by the days end, I just don't have time to write, though I try to get in at least 20 minutes each day. Sometimes that doesn't get me far, depending on if I feel like fighting my characters or just let them go.
What are your thoughts on self-publishing?
I absolutely LOVE self-publishing. I always recommend it. You have sole control over how your book is published, paperback, ebook or both. If you want to change your price you can, which helps greatly if your book might be having a down month.
How would you suggest marketing a self-published book?
Make lots of online friends, get beta readers to help you, when they love your book, they will tell others, plus hopefully add a review. Hold contests and give your book away. The more hands you can get it into, the more reviews and more word-of-mouth too. I love free!
When did you first have a desire to write?
I've been writing since I was a child. I can remember writing stories and lining my stuffed animals up on my bed and read it to them. They were my students and I was the teacher lol. All through my teenage years I wrote poetry and was always journaling.
