The New York Times bestselling author has claimed the #1 spot sixteen times, and has more than 25 million copies of her books in print in over 100 countries. Since 2004, she has placed more than 50 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and has not only helped to pioneer, but define the current paranormal trend that has captivated the world.
Sherrilyn has been a traditionally published author until now. She has self-published her latest book, Cloak & Silence, via Kobo Writing Life. It’s the newest in her The League series.
Given her huge success as an author, we wanted to know more about her writing life. Here’s what she told us:
When did you first discover a love of writing? Is there a particular book that made you want to become a writer?
From the moment I was born. Literally. In my Brownie manual it has my shaky handwriting that says: When I Grow Up, I Want To Be: A writer and a mother.
What’s your favorite book? What was your favorite book as a child?
Theogony for both.
Where do you get your story ideas?
Hmm… I’m not sure. The stories are just always there and I know I have more ideas than I will ever have a chance to write. I think that’s what keeps me going. I want to put down as many on paper as I can before I expire
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received as a writer?
Sign every contract with the expectation of signing another one after it. Make sure you don’t sign away rights you might need later or give away rights that the publisher will never use. Expect the best in your career and prepare for it.
Where do you usually write?
In my office.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I believed in it once and then I drove a truck through it.
If there was one writer (alive or deceased) that you would love to meet, who would it be?
What’s your favorite literary genre? Any guilty pleasures?
Fantasy. My only guilty pleasure is Cheetos.
What is the first thing you ever wrote?
A horror novel about a little girl who murdered her brothers and got away with it. I swear it wasn’t based on any fantasy I had at the time. Really. (And Steven, if you see this, I really mean what I said- no basis in reality, at all.)
Great inspiration.
I’ve sold about 25,000 copies all told – counting my traditionally-published work and my indie-published work – and let me tell you that there is a whole long road of zeroes in between 25,000 and 25,000,000,000 copies!
Favorite quote: “I believed in writer’s block once and then I drove a truck through it.”
Sherrilyn, you’re such an inspiration. And I’m really psyched to see that you’ve now self-published too. Congratulations!
I read this interview expecting to learn about Ms. Kenyon’s work and craft, as advertised in the teaser of the newsletter: “The New York Times bestelling author has claimed the #1 spot sixteen times and gives us a peek into how she does it.”
This is a rather light Q&A that doesn’t say very much about her work unfortunately, or “how she does it.” I hope you guys can publish a more thorough interview!
Folks who are looking for a bit more info on Sherrilyn might want to check out this luncheon speech she gave to the RWA (Romance Writers of America).
It is TRULY inspiring!
http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/-rwa%20luncheon%20speech%20delivered.pdf