Sam: Your book, Fairy Tale Lies, is coming out this summer. What’s the theme of the story?

D.K.: The theme of Fairy Tale Lies is finding love with the most unlikely person. Greta and Jacob are each other’s opposite in every way possible, yet perfect for each other.  Also, while I’ve enjoyed the many billionaire romances (the modern-day prince), I wanted to tell a different story. Switch the roles because while it is fun to fantasize about what comes with wealth, why does it always have to be the man or the reason he has the power? In Fairy Tale Lies, Greta comes from an extremely wealthy family and lifestyle, Jacob is working-class and proud of his upbringing. It does cause conflict, just a different sort. It is a bit of Billy Joel’s “Up Town Girl.” The story is as fun as the song.

Sam: How do you think readers will feel when they finish it?

D.K.: Satisfied and happy

Sam: Is there something you hope they’ll take away from it?

D.K: That love is found in the most unlikely places and doesn’t follow the pre-conceived notion that women were taught as little girls reading and watching Disney fairy tales.

Sam: It sounds thrilling; I can’t wait to read it! When does it come out? Is it available for preorder? 

D.K. June 3^rd and yes, it is available for pre-order.

Amazon Kindle
Apple Books
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Champagne Book Group

You can also find it on:

GooglePlay
Overdrive
Scribd
Smashwords

Sam: When can we expect the next installment?

D.K.: This is the first book of the Opposites Attract series. Each book is a stand-alone, but all the main characters know each other. The second book, Love Songs will be out in late fall or early winter.

Sam: Are you working on anything else, unrelated to Fairy Tale Lies?

D.K.: There are three other books in the Opposites Attract series, and I am working on each of them in some capacity. They have most of my attention. However, I am writing a continuous prompt story on Twitter called #DKMasquerade.

I’m hoping when the year is up (I started January 1st, and I plan to keep the story going all year) to turn it into a book.

Sam: You’ve always been a voracious reader. When did you become a writer? So many writers say there was a moment on their journey, after they began writing, that they really FELT like a writer. Was there a moment like that for you?

D.K.: For me, it was when I wrote my first story from beginning to end. That was the thing that held me back from writing fiction for so long, my belief I couldn’t tell a story all the way through. Sure, I had little scenes and snippets in my mind, but I didn’t think I had a whole story in me. It turns out I do, and I have many. Once, I knew that was possible, I knew that I was a writer. 

Sam: You’ve written short stories and nanofiction (stories under 300 words) as well, some of which are available on your website. Do you like short and long-form fiction equally, or do you find you like one more than the other?

D.K. I like them equally, though they are very different. I love how short fictions is like a punch of emotion, but a long fiction is like a simmer that works its way to a boil. Both are a delight to write.

Sam: Tell me something people don’t know about you.

D.K.: This question is always difficult for me, as I’m not a fan of talking about myself. Talk about writing, and I can go on for hours. Myself, I draw a blank. Hmm, I own (and ride it as much as possible) a Triumph Bonneville motorcycle because I fell in love with them when researching a bike for Jacob (MC in Fairy Tale Lies).

Sam: I never would have guessed that, and I love it. Do you have any upcoming author events planned? Any interactive events to connect with readers?

D.K.: I have a podcast coming out this month with @HansonOak DeadwoodInterviews and more interviews planned for June and July. All of them could be found on my website, dkmarie.comunder Interviews.

So far, I do not have any interactive events planned. I need to learn more about them. However, I am always available to chat with readers on my social media accounts.

Sam: How did you feel when you finished Fairy Tale Lies? Was it your first finished book? How did that compare to any other projects you finished?

D.K. I felt accomplished and satisfied, with a dose of relief. I still have that lingering fear when I start a story that I won’t be able to finish it.

I do have one story I wrote before Fairy Tale Lies. It was the first one I tried to see if I could write from start to finish. It is written in the first person (I’ve switched to third) and only told in the woman’s point of view. I thought I might incorporate into Opposites Attract, and I did, sort of. The man, Lucas is in the fourth book but not the woman. I know it is odd, given the original story was told by only the woman.

Sam: Who are some of your influences?

D.K.: I read fiction and non, along with most genre’s but when it comes to romance, my top three are Susan Elizbeth Phillips, Christina Lauren, and Colleen Hoover. These authors can make me laugh, cry, and feel so much. They are incredible, and I strive to give my readers the same experience.

Sam: I know you’re a huge fan of music as well. Is there a playlist that goes with Fairy Tales Lies? What are some of the songs you listened to while you wrote it or that remind you of it?

D.K.: Yes, I have a playlist of all my stories. The following is a shortened list (most playlists have over fifty songs).

Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
All the Pretty Girls – Kaleo
Ophelia – The Lumineers
Sweet Illusion- Ryan Adams
Silence – Marshmello and Khalid
Deep Waters – American Authors
Splinter – Dan Owen
Mercy – Shawn Mendes
I Will – Matchbox Twenty
Cringe – Matt Maeson
Lose Yourself – Eminem

Sam: If you could have a drink with one of your characters, who would it be? Do you think your readers will pick the same person? 

D.K.: That is almost impossible to choose as I love both of my main characters, and I’m also not sure who my readers would pick. It depends on their reason for picking up my book.

Sam: Excellent point. For our writer audience, tell us about your publishing journey. How did you decide who to publish with, what you wanted your experience to be, and what the future holds? Were there any resources you find particularly helpful?

D.K.: I decided to take the traditional route with publishing. I wanted someone there to answer all of my questions and help with editing, cover work, and marketing. Also, I didn’t want my book only available through Kindle Unlimited. So, first, I searched for an agent, then she helped me find a publisher. In the end, I had to choose between three publishing houses. I picked the one who I considered the best fit. They work as a team, offer stellar covers, and help with marketing.

If a person is writing romance. I highly recommend joining RWA (Romance Writers of America). I find their website very useful. Also, when I first started I enter their chapter contests (ones that offered detailed feedback). I used these to help improve my writing. Furthermore, I joined my local chapter (GDRWA: Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America). The writers I’ve met during our monthly meeting, along with the guest speakers, are wonderful.

As far as reading material, my favorites are the following:

The Emotional Wound Thesaurus (Really anything by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman.)
Master List for Writers by Bryn Donovan
Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon (I haven’t actually read this book. I heard her speak at my chapter’s conference and she was amazing.)

Sam: Thank you for sharing those. You love to travel, and I love to see your pictures on Instagram! What are some of your favorite places? 

D.K. I adore Germany. It was my home for a little over two years and treated me well. I loved the beauty and lifestyle of the country, and also made some wonderful friends who I miss dearly and wish I could see more often.

Overseas, my top three (besides Germany) are Spain, Netherlands, and Lebanon.

In the States, I’d pick Michigan, Colorado, and Louisiana.

Sam: Thank you, D.K.! I loved learning more about you and I can’t wait to read your book(s)! 

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You can read the original interview by clicking here
You can also check out Sam Hendricks by going to her website or checking out her Twitter