Read our Q&A with debut author, Samantha Hastings who tells us more about her writing journey and tips. As well as her debut Mills & Boon novel, The Marquess And The Runaway Lady that features forced proximity and a heroine who becomes the unlikely diamond of the season!
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Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My grandma introduced me to Mills & Boons books when I was twelve-years-old. They were romance novels from the 1930s and 1940s. I have been a huge romance fan since!
I live in Salt Lake City, Utah with my husband and four kids. We love hiking around the national parks: from Arches to Zion. I received my Masters of Arts in English from the University of Reading in Berkshire, UK. I earned a second master’s degree in Library Science and worked as a public librarian for several years. Books are my jam.
Why did you want to become a romance writer?
Honestly, I can’t think of a time when I didn’t want to be an author. As a child, I was inspired by fictional writers like Jo March in Little Women and Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables. My favorite part in any story is the romance and I always knew that my books would focus on that.
What were the major steps in your journey to becoming a published author?
Like most authors, my journey included many rejections. I kept reading, writing, and attending conferences to hone my craft. I was thirty-five years old when I sold my first book to Macmillan. I published three Young Adult historical fiction books with them before pivoting to write adult romance. I also pen cosy murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen.
Was this story the first manuscript you submitted?
The Marquess and the Runaway Lady was the third manuscript I submitted to Mills & Boon. But as an author, I have received over one hundred rejections! The trick is to keep writing and improving.
What advice would you offer aspiring writers?
The best advice I can give aspiring authors is to read a lot. Especially books in the genre that you write in. Make sure you read recently published books. Older titles are enjoyable, but do not reflect current market trends and expectations. For example, Jane Austen was cutting edge in 1813, but she isn’t today. Although, I still adore her books!
What did you do when you got the call?
I squealed when I received the offer. There was a little back and forth with my agent to nail down the final contract. After I signed, my family celebrated by going out to our favorite Mexican restaurant.
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The Marquess and the Runaway Lady by Samantha Hastings
When the Marquess of Cheswick—’Wick’—takes in a mysterious woman, he’s shocked to discover that she’s Lady Louisa…an heiress who’s escaped her cruel aunt! Grieving the loss of two siblings, Wick avoids opening his heart to anyone and stays away from the marriage mart. But when Louisa needs a husband in order to claim her inheritance Wick’s determined to help—even if it means stepping back into his worst nightmare: the Season!
