Please give a warm welcome to author Jessica Grayson

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hello, World! I live in San Antonio, TX with my husband, cat and dog. I love swimming, biking and all things dark chocolate.  When I’m writing, I love coffee. But when I’m reading, I love a good cup of chai.

Have you always wanted to become an author?

I’ve always loved writing, but it was more a hobby for me than anything else. But after losing my parents and oldest sister unexpectedly a few years ago, I started writing as an outlet for my grief.

Writing helps me to channel all my grief into something creative and beautiful. To be honest, I feel like it gave me my life back. It helped me to rediscover my joy after going through so much devastating loss.

I never thought I’d be an author but now that I am, I know it is something I will do for the rest of my life.

What was your inspiration for your current book/series?

I love slow burn romance and getting lost in a beautiful love story—the kind of book that leaves you thinking about it for days after you’ve read it because the characters and emotions were so deep and intense. I also love Vampire, Alien and Elvish Romance. I kept searching for a story with all these things included in it, and wasn’t really finding what I was looking for. So, I decided to write what I wanted to read. That’s how my V’loryn Series (Vampire Alien Romance) was created. 😊

What are you working on now?

My Vampire Alien Romance (V’loryn Series), Dragon Shifter Romance (Mosauran Series), and Fae Alien Romance (Aerilon Fae Series) are all set in the same universe. Each series can be read independently, but it makes for a much more immersive experience to read each one to get a richer understanding of this universe and all the characters that live in it.

Right now, I’m working on my Aerilon Fae Alien series book: “Trace the Sky.” It is about Al’aneo (Tr’lani’s brother) and his Terran (human) mate Holly. He saved Holly from slavers in “The Shape of the Wind,” and I fell in love with the idea of giving them their own HEA.  

Do you have any quirks while working?

I have to write at the kitchen table. My husband set up an office for me in one of the spare bedrooms, but for some reason the words just flow better when I’m in the kitchen, in the middle of everything going on in the house.

Also, I love listening to music when I’m plotting. It’s amazing how much music helps in my creative process. When I hear a song that inspires me, I can literally see the plot playing out in my head like a movie.

The ending of “Lost in the Deep End” was inspired by the song, “Indian” by Sleeping at Last. The scene in “Beneath A Different Sky,” when they land on Marek’s planet and then step off the ship together was inspired by “Believe with Me” by Raign.

I’m not sure why my mind works that way, but I’m glad it does. When I get stuck on a plot issue, I start listening to music and it helps me to figure it out. 😊

What are your hopes for the future?

I have quite a few stories/HEAs I want to write in this share/expanded universe. Several side characters are speaking strongly to me and I can hardly wait to get their stories out in the world.

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

Write what you love and keep writing.

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

Thank you so much for all your kind words of encouragement. These stories and these characters mean a lot to me. You have no idea how wonderful it is to know that readers love these characters as much as I do. I cannot thank you enough.