My Interview with Author Ashelyn Drake

Welcome all!

Today I have the privilege of interviewing New Adult & Young Adult Contemporary Romance Author Ashelyn Drake! She has written the popular titles Romancing The R.A. (Campus Crush #1), Behind Closed Doors (Campus Crush #2), Rushing Into Love (Campus Crush #3), and Nothing To Tell (Campus Crush #0.5).

   

Thank you Ashelyn for agreeing to this interview! Tell us a bit about your background.

Hi. I’m so happy to be here. I’ve been a book lover since I first learned to read, so becoming a writer seemed natural to me. Of course I majored in English, but I went the education route for a while. Once I had my daughter, I went back to school for writing and I never looked back. If I’m not spending time with my family, I’m reading or writing.

As you know, I devoured Rushing Into Love (Campus Crush #3), and I look forward to reading your other titles. What draws you to write about campus romances specifically?

College is such a great time in a person’s life. You’re discovering yourself and you discover others around you at the same time. I had some great campus crushes while I was in school, so I wanted to take my own experiences and run with them. While none of the Campus Crush books are based on real people, I did draw from my own feelings and even some of my experiences during that time in my life. In fact, the serenading scene with Ben in Rushing Into Love is based on the time a freshman guy serenaded me at a social event.

Ahhhh! You’re kidding! I loved that scene! 🙂

You write New Adult & Young Adult Contemporary Romance. What draws you to this genre?

I’m a big fan of that “butterflies in your stomach” feeling. Connecting with another person, whether it’s through a crush or falling in love, is such a great experience. I have to say I’ve met some swoon-worthy guys in my life, and that makes me want to write about love even more.

Your books are featured on Goodreads Listopia for Best YA/New Adult Contemporary Romance. Is it exciting to get such good recognition for your work?

I was blown away by the support I received when I started writing this series. No one knew who I was, yet people were reading my books. It was very surreal to me, and I’m extremely grateful to everyone who picks up one of my books.

When Romance Author Susan Wiggs became a NY Times Best Selling Author, she was so excited she jumped into a swimming pool with all her clothes on. Have you done anything similar for recognition you have received?

Well, if I ever become a NY Times Best Selling Author, I’d do the same thing! For now, I take screen shots of my rankings just to prove to myself that they’re real. 😉

Are you working on anything currently? If so what is it about? And when can we expect it to be out in the world?

I just had a heartbreaking experience with losing my current WIP due to the file corrupting. I lost over 30,000 words. It was devastating. But… I’m going to rewrite it, and I’ve decided to use this opportunity to play around with the POV. I’m also working on a YA contemporary romance called Perfect For You.

So sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine the frustration you must of felt. 😦

What do you think of “trailers” for books? 

I love trailers, but I kind of think only die-hard book lovers and authors watch them. Still, I do enjoy them and I have one for the Campus Crush series. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmW26C3f6yE

Excellent trailer!

What do you think is the best way to promote your work?

That’s a great question. I’m not sure I know the best way, but the most fun way is by communicating with readers and of course by writing more books.

Is there anything I haven’t asked that you would like to include?

Yes, I recently announced that Ashelyn Drake is my contemporary romance pen name and that I’m actually paranormal author Kelly Hashway.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

I’m active on my blog, Twitter, and FB, so anyone who wants to stay up to date with my books and what I’m doing can find me there.

Website: ashelyndrake.wordpress.com
Blog: ashelyndrake.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshelynDrake
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshelynDrake
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ashelynd/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ashelyn+drake

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7075461.Ashelyn_Drake

Thank you so much Ashelyn for taking the time out of your schedule to agree to this interview! Myself and your fans alike surely do appreciate it!

Thank you for having me, April! 🙂

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