Interview with Carrie Ann Ryan | Authors at a Glance
Hey friends! Enjoy this written interview with author Carrie Ann Ryan. We reviewed her book Sated in Ink for Season 3 of the podcast, and when we asked if she’d like to be interviewed, she let us know she was a bit too nervous that she would “clam up and act like a dork”! And even though we would love to shepherd her through that, we respect her fear of our extra-ness and got a great written interview with her!
Carrie Ann Ryan, indie author of books like The Montgomery Ink series (we reviewed Sated in Ink on the podcast), and has 157 distinct works listed on Goodreads including novellas (HOLY SHIT) and writes an astounding 9 books a year!
Let’s get into the interview!
Carrie Ann Ryan Author Interview
Favorite parts of romance novels to read and to write?
My favorite parts of romance novels when I read are usually the first time they realize they already fell for each other. That quick moment, that intake of breath when they’re like “OMG WHAT HAVE I DONE?” LOL
As for writing, I’m a heavy plotter, so my favorite part of writing the book is actually the outline. I take the conflicts, tropes, and parts of the characters I know and somehow end up blending them into this path. Going down that path has its own challenges and fun parts, but I love when I don’t know them and I have to see how they’ll fit.
How do you build a character that your protagonist can fall in love with? Do you pull from real life people? Movies? Other books?
I don’t really pull from anywhere. It’s more than I have an idea of what needs to happen so the characters that fight the hardest against that are usually who show up. I know that’s not helpful haha.
Who is the character you are most connected to?
I’m 90+ books into my career so it’s always hard to choose haha. But I think Tabby from Ink Exposed and Lyric from the The Elements of Five series, as well as the characters from Shouldn’t Have You all have different parts of me at various stages of my life.
When writing a series, do you have all the books mapped out first before book one is written?
I have the main elements mapped out so I can lay a trail. I don’t have a full outline of a book until I’m about to write it, however. So I know how many novels are going to be in a series and what series might spin-off from a book ahead of time, but details don’t come until I’m in it.
The only reason I play that far ahead is so I can see how things work so I can let it come organically afterward LOL.
What’s your writing style? Alone/cafe (pre covid), pages vs time? How many books a year do you try to write?
I used to be a chemist so I’m very analytical in my management so I can be creative while steeped into a book. I write alone, at home, and have a set schedule in the mornings to write. If I don’t work on my word counts first thing, I get distracted or lose my motivation.
I tend to write 9 full-length books a year, one bonus book or novella project, and a novella. I write quickly and have plans mapped out, so I’m able to have fun with my books each year. I’ve figured out a schedule that works for me so I actually have more time off than ever, but when I’m ready, I’ll cut back if I want to. No one wants to feel like they’re overworked!
Written a book that changed completely in editorial? Hard left?
Only one book, and that was my 7th book or so. Santa’s Executive was a cute paranormal romcom back in the day (LOL I’ve been doing this for too long!). I had to change the protagonist when my editor suggested it. I agreed to the change or I wouldn’t have done it.
What is it like promoting books as an indie author? Panels? Only social?
I’m very blessed in that while this is a career where I’m largely working alone, I’m not when it comes to finding promotion plans and paths. I map out and brainstorm different ways to promote a book with a few friends, and I help them as well.
I do most of my own promotion and all of my own social media. It’s part of the job and not something I’d let others do for me lightly. I think the best promotion is word of mouth, however, so when someone finds a book of mine and tells others about it, I feel like I’ve done my job.
How do you develop your book covers?
I love figuring out how to blend my author brand in a particular genre with a series brand. I work with my cover artists for a long time figuring out what my cover needs to say and how it can keep up with trends while still being me. There’s always the choices of objects, or men, or couples, or illustrated. I love seeing what artists can do with what works for an author’s brand.
The best compliment I received recently was from a fellow author who said “I knew that was a Carrie Ann book before I even saw the name.” Hopefully, I found my way! haha.
How do you pick the audiobook narrator? Do you get to give notes?
I work with one of my favorite people as my producer. She and I go over my schedule a year or two in advance and see what we can do with my series. Do we want to do dual? Single narrator? The same narrator for each book in a series?
I want to work with talented narrators and have been blessed so far in doing so. My goal is to work with different narrators over time that not only fit my books, but can enhance them!
A lot of indie authors don’t have audiobooks. Did you from the beginning?
I didn’t start until around four years in, but now I’m caught up and doing simultaneous releases.
How do you decide how much sex is too much sex. And how graphic?
I write what works for the story. The amount of heat and sexual tension depends on the book. I never write a scene for the sake of adding it.
How did you prepare for writing Diversify characters (researching etc) -
As with everything I write, I talk with others and research. Many of my characters are queer, as am I, so I want to write what’s true to the world.
How did you build your fanbase?
Hopefully by writing one book at a time! LOL Honestly, it’s taken years of hard work and I’m grateful each and every day that readers find my books and continue to read me.
Why did you decide to be an indie author? Have you been approached with book deals?
I was working full time when I started writing in 2010, and my critique partners were all indie. It made sense for me to work with them and venture out on a path I could figure out on my own. I’ve never tried to go with a publisher, so no deals, but you never know. As long as people are happy on their paths, so am I!
Do you have a team behind you now… what do they help with? Did you have them at the beginning?
Team Carrie Ann, as I call them, has been with me for a few years. I have a graphic artist and editor, as well as a few other helpers over time. I met my team through my work, so I didn’t have them at the start. I don’t have an assistant at the moment, but I’m on the lookout!
What are ways fans can actively support you aside from buying books?
Other than reading my books legally, there’s nothing else required to be a reader, IMO. However, if a reader loves a book, tell the world! That’s what I try to do as a reader. I love books and I want others to know about the ones I enjoyed.
Do you have other streams of income (ie merch/patreon)
I do have a merch store and I sell eBooks and paperbacks from my website.
Advice to other indie authors.
Find your circle and work with them over time. Grow with them.
Do you make enough money to support yourself?
I’m very blessed in that this is my full-time job.
How did your families respond to you transitioning into this profession?
My late husband was truly supportive. He was my #1 fan. My parents were a little dubious at the time because I went from grad school in chemistry and math to writing romance. But when I showed my father my business plan, my parents fell into my passion with me. They are my biggest supporters.