Author Spotlight: KL Donn
September 15, 2025 • News
CJC: How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
KL: Oh boy, this is both hard and easy to answer. Before I was an author, I was a SAHM. Reading was basically the only thing I did for myself and at the time, an author I loved released on her publisher’s website before anywhere else (I was buying strictly from Kobo at the time) and so during the 6 week wait before her books were released onto Kobo, I decided hey! I love writing. I wrote stories in high school, why not give this a shot! And so, I did. It took me about a year to write a full 52k book, but I did it! I loved everything about it, so I’ve done it like 100+ more times 🙂
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?
KL: This is a 2 in 1 answer. Readers. I LOVE to hear from them after they’ve read a book. Knowing I touched their lives enough that they message me is hands down the most rewarding feeling ever. In the same thought however, harsh reviews that turn personal make it difficult to want to continue. My biggest hurdle in the beginning was wanting to be a better writer and so I would venture on Goodreads to read reviews (Don’t do that if you’re new, bad idea), a lot of times, the reviews were personal attacks. It took many years for me to remind myself that I don’t need to read the reviews to be better. I just needed to have the confidence to learn more, explore more, and write the books I wanted to read.
CJC: Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
KL: Missing in Action. This one took me about 2 years to write because the female lead suffered the same loss I had. Something you never really heal from, and I was able to pour out all my bottled emotions into her. I don’t think I’ve ever healed from my loss, but I’ve come to healthy terms with it because of her.
CJC: For first time readers of your work, which book would you recommend?
KL: This is so hard to answer because I always try to go by what they like to read. I’m going to say King. It’s the first book in a dark romance series that is not only complete but also has a next generation series that is still releasing books.
CJC: If one of your books were made into a movie, which would you select and who would you like to star in it?
KL: Broken Love. I have a hard time choosing stars, but I think I’d say Elle Fanning, Chris Hemsworth, and Ryan Gosling.
CJC: For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
KL: Write the books you are passionate about. Those are going to be your best stories.
CJC: If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be and why?
KL: Cora Kenborn. I just love her. She’s one of the sweetest and most genuine people in the industry.
CJC: Favorite motto?
KL: Let it go. Elsa gives good advice.
CJC: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?
KL: I like having other creative outlets. I build legos, create license plates, make coffee mugs, and refurbish old furniture. Drive my husband crazy with all kinds of things I want to do.
CJC: In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
KL: Emotional.
CJC: Which do you find harder to do… writing the blurb for your story or selecting the cover?
KL: Both are two types of hell. The cover, less hellish and more hard on the eyes because finding the perfect image is time consuming and requires lots of pictures to go through. Screw blurbs! When will it be acceptable to just say it’s a good book and to read it? LOL
CJC: Do you have authors who inspire you? And if so, who and why?
KL: Maya Banks. I love that she’s never shied away from writing in multiple sub-genres of romance. I do it a lot and I’m happy to say my readers love the variety.
CJC: What is your writing process like?
KL: Write until my fingers fall off? Kidding, sort of. I don’t do any type of editing until the first script is finished. I can’t because then I get caught up in all the technical stuff and then it takes me forever to finish. I’m not much of a plotter but I do write down ideas I want for the book, some make it, some don’t.
CJC: What new projects are you currently working on and what are your goals for the remainder of the year?
KL: I’m currently working on closing out several series and publishing my first MC book at the end of September. Goals for the rest of the year is simply to meet my deadlines. I’ve gotten writers block twice this year and I’m sort of falling behind.
CJC: Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
KL: Read the books you love and never let anyone shame you for it! YOLO
CJC: “Protecting Player #73 featuring Eric Guilmette is now available!
Stay up to date with all of K.L.’s latest projects here.
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