Please give a warm welcome to author Briana Michaels

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Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m Briana Michaels, lover of all the dark, sinful, and sexy things. I also have a serious taco addiction.

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Have you always wanted to become an author?

No, but I was always great at telling stories – at least that’s what I’ve been told. I was an event planner in Baltimore, MD for many, many years because creativity was always something that bubbled out of me. After moving to PA, I gave up events and became a preschool art teacher – so fun!

One day, after going out to dinner with my husband, we were driving home and I stared out the window and felt… I don’t know… like I needed to do something more. I’d had a character in my head for a while and decided to bite the bullet, so I said to my hubs, “I’m going to write a book.” He wasn’t at all shocked that I would do something like that out of the blue (have I mentioned how impulsive I can be?) Sooooo, I sat down and started writing. I haven’t stopped since. Now I can’t NOT write. I think I’d suffocate without it.

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What was your inspiration for your current book/series?

Hmmmm, which series!? I have two! Hell Hounds Harem is a reverse harem dark paranormal romance and I also write the Sins of the Sidhe series, which is a paranormal romance with urban fantasy elements (not RH).

In both, I take a lot of lessons I’ve learned in my life and stitch them into each character. And music drives my writing BIG TIME. Hozier, Shinedown, and Dorothy are just a few that fuel my muse. I’m a major Hozier fan though. Each book in my Sins of the Sidhe series was inspired by a song of his. Shinedown is a biggie for my Hell Hounds Harem series. I even have unofficial playlists for all my books – you can see them here: http://www.BrianaMichaels.com

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What are you working on now?

I just finished the final edits for the Second Trilogy in my Hell Hounds Harem series! Wooo hooo! And I’m currently working on the third draft of book 8 for the Sins of the Sidhe series. Once that is complete, I’ll jump back to the Hell Hounds Harem again, because the Third Trilogy is mapped out and those characters are roaring for my attention.

Side Note: With the Hell Hounds Harem series, I drop all three books in the trilogy on the same day. I binge write them so you can binge read them. 😊

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Do you have any quirks while writing?

I sit like Gollum. Does that count? I literally perch on the seat and stay that way until my legs cramp and scream. I don’t even know why I do this. *Pets the keyboard and whispers, “My precious.”*

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What are your hopes for the future?

Personally: That I grow my reader base and get to travel around to meet people more. I love having conversations with book lovers, and it would be wonderful to attend more book cons and meet readers that I only get to talk to online. I want to write a few new series and one thriller book, too. I’m trying to figure out a writing schedule that will allow all that I want to do.

Book World: I hope that Reverse Harem continues to grow in readership and also that the paranormal romance community gets more love and attention. Come on, folks, the dark side is amazing and magical af. You’ll love it!

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Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?

Dive in. Seriously, don’t pussy foot around about it. JUMP. IN. I’ve never met an author who regretted their decision to write a book.

Once you write your book, go over it a million times and then once more before you hit that publish button!

Don’t read reviews. You’re going to want to and it’s completely understandable. When you have high ratings, it’s easy to be tempted. But once you see a bad rating, be prepared. If you feel the need to know what readers are saying, ask a friend or family member to look for you and soften the blow a little – only allow them to tell you the constructive criticism that’s embedded in the reviews. Trust me, we all think we can handle “that one-star review” but it fucking crushes your mojo. For whatever reason, it can derail you faster than anything else. SO, DON’T LOOK!

The most important piece of advice, though, is this: Write what you want. Follow your gut. Your instincts and characters will never steer you wrong, so put your trust in them and yourself and stay TRUE to them and you.

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Do you have anything to say to your readers?

I love you. I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it until I’m six feet under. I. LOVE. YOU. The support you give me has been so tremendous, there are days you steal my breath. My mornings begin with emails and messages from readers, and my evenings end the same way. I’m the luckiest writer in the world to have each and every one of you in my life. I can’t wait to take you on the next journey with me.

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