Welcome to our first Writers Wednesday Spotlight! Each week we will be highlighting a different geeky writer we think you might like to check out. For this week’s spotlight, we are excited to introduce you to Alexandra Christian!
Just Released!
Her most recent book “Huntress: A Paranormal Romance” was released just yesterday, 4/10/18!
You can purchase it here: Huntress: A Paranormal Romance.
About Alexandra Christian
(in her own words from her website)
Hello from sunny South Carolina! I’m Alexandra Christian and I write romances for people who don’t like romances. I published my first novel, Hellsong, back in 2010 and since then have been sharing my stories with the populace– whether they wanted them or not– through various publishers including Purple Sword Publications, Boroughs Publishing Group and Falstaff Books. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America. There’s also some talk that my books are kinda good, as I recently won an award from Turning the Pages Book Marketing for best Sci-Fi Novel of 2017 for my book, Naked.
Strangely enough, I’m also a rabid Sherlockian that has edited two books of paranormal Sherlock Holmes stories and is currently working on a series of novellas following a monster-hunting Dr. John Watson. I live in a creepy, small Southern town with my ghost hunting husband, Tally and our epileptic wiener dog, Murphy.
In addition to writing, I’m also a legal secretary and fangirl with an unhealthy fascination with Star Wars, Sherlock Holmes, supervillains, and Kylo Ren.
5 Questions with . . . Alexandra
- When did you first realize you were interested in becoming an author? What drives you to write?
I always liked to tell stories. As a child, I was always making up elaborate dramas for my dolls or drawing my own storybooks. I had the advantage of having an older sister who was a writer that encouraged me along the way. Some might say that being overly critical is what drives me to write. I can kind of see how they might get that impression, because I think I initially started writing because I wasn’t finding the kinds of books I wanted to read on the shelf. That’s always been my primary goal- to write the kinds of books I wanted to read and hope that there were other sickos out there like me. - How would you describe your style or genre of writing to a potential fan?
My stories almost always have a relationship at the center. Whether I’m writing romance or horror or science-fiction, they’re always about people. I feel like my style is straight to the point. I like lots of action and dialogue, so I don’t spend an awful lot of time with endless descriptions or deep, philosophical points. “Show, don’t tell,” has always been my motto. - What are you currently working on? What are you working on next?
Right now, I’m desperately trying to finish the next book in my sci-fi romance series. It’s called “In Absinthia”, and it should be out in late summer. It’s about my shapeshifting superspy, Cage St. John, and his partner, Phoebe Addison. They go on vacation to a space colony, Absinthia, that’s like stepping into Victorian London. While there, they get caught up in a serial murder mystery with an amusing cast of characters that includes a cyborg that thinks he’s Sherlock Holmes. There’s brutal murders, but it’s a pretty damned delightful book.
Next up, I’ll be finishing the next book in the “John Watson, Monster Hunter” series for Falstaff Books. Dr. Watson and the ghost of Sherlock Holmes get involved in a supernatural mystery with a coven of witches. - What existing book do you wish you had written and why?
It’s common knowledge that my favorite book of all time is “Pet Cemetery” by Stephen King. I read it at least once a year. It has the perfect voice and characterization, which I find is really lacking in horror novels. As for romance novels, I really wish I’d written “The Bride” by Julie Garwood. It’s a traditional, bodice-ripper historical romance complete with lush descriptives and explicit lady porn, BUT the hero and heroine have such great chemistry. Their banter is impeccable. They’re both intelligent people—she isn’t a shrinking violet or annoyingly plucky, he isn’t a brute. There are also lots of places where it’s laugh out loud hilarious. It’s just a fun read. - What is one piece of advice you would give to a budding writer?
Write the books you want to read. Ignore the market. Ignore people who say, “yeah, but that’ll never sell.” I guarantee that if you want to read it, there’s some other sick bastard out there that will too.