Author Spotlight: Zee Irwin
April 19, 2022 • News
CJC: How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
ZI: FABIO! My mom and aunt have been prolific romance readers for 50 years, reading a little of everything. I think they even have a collection of original Fabio cover model romance books. I became interested in writing in 2016 when a story popped into my head and wouldn’t let me go. I had to write it. But it took me until 2021, and several stories, before I felt comfortable enough to publish something.
CJC: What do you find to be the most rewarding and challenging part of being an author and what hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?
ZI: Rewarding: Seeing each book on Amazon and holding each one in my hands.
Challenging: Work-Author-Life balance for sure! I just want to write all the books and forget the rest.
CJC: Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
ZI: That Was Then, Book 2 of my current series, The Fated Loves. I wrote it first in less than a month. I loved those characters and their fun holiday story. After that I built a series around it.
CJC: For first time readers of your work, which book would you recommend?
ZI: Start at the beginning with This Is Fate, book 1 of the series. Also, All This Time, book 3, seems to be a reader favorite.
CJC: If one of your books were made into a movie, which would you select and who would you like to star in it?
ZI: All This Time, because it’s a fan favorite, and it somehow met that great combination of a romance with a little mystery/intrigue involved. Plus, there’s a cat bookstore in there, a quirky leading lady, and a broody, sexy detective, so all great ingredients! I could see Zooey Deschanel as the main female character who I modeled that character after, and the book cover model, Conner Floyd as the main male character (who recently joined the cast of The Young and the Restless).
CJC: For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
ZI: Oh gosh, having seven books under my belt you’d think I’d feel like more of an expert, but I’m not. Simply write the books, and quit overthinking them. Put the darn things out there, and begin your publishing journey already. While you’re doing that, set up your newsletter systems asap. Use BookFunnel or StoryOrigin to gain a following, and email your newsletter regularly. Start with these basics. Beyond that, things start to get more complicated and overwhelming. So keep it simple.
CJC: If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be and why?
ZI: Kayley Loring or Pippa Grant. I love their humor in romance and the way they craft their stories and characters. I am inspired to be like them someday, but I have a long, long way to go.
CJC: Favorite motto?
ZI: Make your own damn luck.
CJC: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?
ZI: Eat a ton of snacks to avoid writing altogether. Watch the deadline get closer and closer. Panic and write, usually coming out with my best stuff under pressure. LOL
CJC: In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
ZI: Developing.
CJC: Which do you find harder to do… writing the blurb for your story or selecting the cover?
ZI: Cover – I’m forever angsty over my covers portraying my book yet being targeted to the current market trends. I love looking at cover models, but it’s soooooo tough to choose!
CJC: What is your writing process like?
ZI: See above under writer’s block. I write to earn the cookies and carbs.
CJC: What new projects are you currently working on and what are your goals for the remainder of the year?
ZI: While I’m super happy to release Never a Chance (featuring your Dominic on the cover!), I’m eager for my next book coming out next month, that begins a whole new series. It’s a summer duet, and the covers and marketing have a beautiful summery vibe. 🙂
CJC: Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
ZI: Chris and the models have been so great to work with. I can’t wait to use more in the future for more books!
CJC: Thanks so much Zee! Never a Chance is now available here.
Stay up to date with all of Zee’s latest releases here.
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