Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance novels, 5 non-fiction books, and 2 online writing courses. Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories.
She released Extraterrestrial Encounters , a collection of 18 sci-fi stories, in August 2019. If you like horror fiction, don’t miss her disturbing novella, Nightmare in the North .
Her latest historical romance, The Viking’s Witch , was released in June 2019. This full-length novel takes place in Celtic Scotland and blends a sensual romance with paranormal elements.
In March 2019, Kelli published Dangerous Indenture , a historical mystery romance set in Colonial Pennsylvania. She released the second half of her flash fiction series, Cupid’s Schemes , in early 2019. These two volumes of lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence.
Kelli released her latest Teachable mini-course, Fiction Basics: Finding Ideas in February 2019. She authored Fiction Writing for Beginners through Teachable in 2018. These courses are perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to write. Visit: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/ for more details.
Not just an author, Kelli is also an amateur photographer. Visit her pages on Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/kelli+wilkins and iStock https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/kelliwilkins to view her photos.
Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitte r.com/KWilkinsauthor .
Visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com or blog http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ to learn more about all of her writings.
Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?
Kelli: I write novels and short stories in a vari ety of genres. I mainly consider myself a romance and horror author. I know that’s an unusual blend, but I like to say that one half of my brain writes the romance and the other half writes the horror. (I’ve also branched out from horror into science fiction.)
I like writing in multiple genres because I get to explore different characters, plots and styles of writing in a romance that I couldn’t do in a horror story – and vice versa. However, I did blend the romance and horror genres into a few paranormal romances.
After writing a few romances I like to switch up and focus on horror or sci-fi for a while. My horror stories tend to be more psychological and creepy than bloody, and my sci-fi stories are about strange things that happen to ordinary people. I write in almost every romance genre: historical, fantasy, paranormal, gay, and contemporary. So I’m pretty comfortable switching genres as the characters and plots dictate.
I’ve also written several non-fiction pet guides and authored two online writing courses, so I pretty much write anything and everything.
Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?
Kelli: I read everything, so in a sense every book I’ve read has influenced me in some way. My bookshelves include mysteries, thrillers, suspense novels, romance, non-fiction, and horror.
My imagination combined with my love of horror inspired me to write my own stories. I credit Stephen King and Rod Serling as my two biggest influences – they know how to tell a good story. Without a doubt, Stephen King is my favorite author. He has been the main influence in my writing. My mother bought all of his books, and I read Night Shift when I was about nine years old. (I think it was the first “grown up” book I read.) The stories showed me how to plot, use details and descriptions, and give the story a voice. I think King’s On Writing book is a great way for anyone to get inside the mind of a writer and see how the process unfolds.
I also have to give credit to Rod Serling, because I learned about the mechanics of great storytelling, world-building, and character development from watching The Twilight Zone . After being exposed to these types of stories I was motivated to write my own.
Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?
Kelli: A great idea will always inspire me to grab a pen and paper and start writing! Sometimes I’ll see or hear something that sparks an idea and that will give me the basis for an entire book. Of course, once I’m writing a book, the characters and the story keep my creative juices flowing. Even though I plot out my books and have a good idea of what’s going to happen next, every once in a while my characters will surprise me and take things in a different direction.
Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?
Kelli: I like to watch cartoons because they help me laugh and relax. They’re a great stress-reducer. I mostly watch cartoons for children, like Octonauts, Peppa Pig , and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles . But my all-time favorite character is Felix the Cat. Felix is my favorite because I love cats (especially black cats) and he was a wiseass troublemaker who always found a clever way out of his jams.
Beverley: Who would you love most to meet ‘in person’ and why?
Kelli: It would be interesting to sit down with a panel of my favorite authors (Stephen King, John Sandford, Preston & Child) and talk about their books, characters, and their writing processes. I’d also like to meet several musicians and enjoy free concerts!
Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?
Kelli: I’d spend the day doing something fun with my husband or friends. Maybe take a day trip somewhere or walk on the beach.
Beverley: You’re a busy person! You had two books published this summer. Tell us about your latest releases.
Kelli: In August I released Extraterrestrial Encounters: A Collection of Sci-fi Stories . Here’s the blurb:
Extraterrestrial Encounters: A Collection of Sci-Fi Stories
Are you ready to step into the unknown?
In these 18 sci-fi stories, you’ll encounter aliens of all shapes and sizes, curious (and sometimes unlucky) space explorers, and ordinary Earthlings having otherworldly experiences.
Some of the out-of-this-world tales in this short fiction anthology include:
“The Hoax” – A reporter learns that a creature from another planet is a dangerous thing to fool with.
“It Grows on You” – A strange kind of mold has invaded an office, and it’s the perfect tool for revenge
“What Lurks Below” – Everyone knows there’s no life on Mars, but nobody thought about what might be lurking under the surface…
“The Con” – An alien becomes an unlikely ally to a down-on-his-luck petty crook
“Space Cowboy” – When a second-rate rodeo star is abducted by aliens, he makes the most of the situation
“They Just Keep Eating” – A Nebraska farmer encounters a menace from space… and it’s hungry
This collection of speculative fiction will stimulate your imagination, unnerve you just a little, and make you wonder… “What if we’re not alone?”
Order it here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W5JG1DC
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3JVJ9e
Back in June, I released my historical romance, The Viking’s Witch . This full-length novel is set in Celtic Scotland and blends a sensual love story with adventure and paranormal elements.
The Viking’s Witch
About to be burned at the stake by her fellow villagers, Odaria does what any betrayed witch facing certain death would do. She calls down a curse. Within seconds, rampaging Norsemen raid the village, capturing everyone except her.
But her reprieve is short-lived, and Odaria lands in the clutches of the Norse leader Rothgar. Can she remain true to herself and fight her growing attraction to this domineering man, or will she fall under his influence and be used for his ambitions?
After Rothgar witnesses Odaria’s powers firsthand, he strikes a bargain with her. The raven-haired beauty will use her magical abilities to help him with his quest in exchange for safe passage off the isle. But can this cunning woman be trusted, or is she using him to exact vengeance on her village?
Together they must fight bloodthirsty villagers, battle a mutinous band of Norsemen, find a missing Norse ship, and learn to trust each other…before time runs out.
Order it here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/%20ebook/dp/B07T15MHSW
Link to all other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4EQe0o
What are your current projects?
I’m working on a re-release of my historical western romance, Lies, Love & Redemption . I’m also outlining two new romances (a contemporary gay novella and another historical romance) and revising a paranormal contemporary. Readers can learn more about all of my books on my site, sign up for my newsletter, or follow my blog and social media posts for updates on new releases.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts today. I welcome questions and comments from readers and other authors.
CATCH UP WITH KELLI
Here’s a full list of where you can find Kelli on the web.
Website: http://www.KelliWilkins.com
Blog: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins
Facebook Historical Romances: https://www.facebook.com/Historical-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1703805359922371/
Facebook Contemporary Romances: https://www.facebook.com/Contemporary-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1965702023664339/
Facebook Gay Romances: https://www.facebook.com/GayRomancesbyKelliAWilkins/
Free Reads: http://www.manicreaders.com/KelliAWilkins/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelliwilkins2/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelli-a-wilkins
Books2Read: https://www.books2read. com/ap/nkvddR/Kelli-A-Wilkins
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/KWilkinsAuthor/
Shutterstock: https://www.shu tterstock.com/g/kelli+wilkins
iStock: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/kelliwilkins
Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb
Teachable Online Writing Courses: https://kell iwilkins.teachable.com/