Please give a warm welcome to author Penn Cassidy

Have you always wanted to become an author?

Not always. I used to want to be an archaeologist, but when I was in highschool, I started editing for the school newspaper, and then dabbled in fanfiction. Eventually I figured out that writing is what I loved to do. 

What was your inspiration for your current book/series?

My inspiration for Noc City was a mixture of things. I love everything about vampires and have consumed every type of vampire media out there, but I’m also a fan of dystopian future settings. I sort of mixed the two and created a new reality to do what I wanted with it. l also love the dark, gritty subject matter. My MC has faced abuse, fear and uncertainty in her life that I am intimately familiar with, and it felt cathartic to get it down on paper, so to speak.

What are you working on now?

I am working on book #3 of the Noc City series, Hybrid Theory, releasing in June.

Do you have any quirks while working?

I always have to sit with my feet up on something, and I have to have a candle burning.

What are your hopes for the future?

I really want a best seller, or to sell steadily enough to convert my husband into a stay-at-home husband 🙂 But if that fails, I really want to eventually write a series that’s over 5 books long in the same universe. A big epic fantasy. 

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

Don’t let the haters get you down, and for the love of all that is holy don’t get sucked into drama. It’s not worth it. You won’t be perfect at first, so don’t expect too much of yourself. Part of becoming a writer is learning from your past self. We are always looking for ways to perfect our craft and better ourselves. Mostly, have fun with it and write what truly makes you happy.

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

I want to say thank you all for being here with me on this journey. You will never know just how much you’ve helped me through some of the hardest years of my life. This community is a beautiful family, and even though we are all far apart, each and every one of you I consider to be my very best friends.

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