Today we’d like to introduce you to Kacey Shea.
Hi Kacey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began writing as an exercise to reclaim joy during a depressive episode. I had always wanted to write a book and decided there was never going to be a good time to start, so I opened a blank document on my laptop and began. I fell in love with the process of crafting a book and six months later I self-published my first novel. For the first few years I wrote while taking care of my children and working part-time. In the middle of my writing career, I focused solely on building my writing career, while still caring for my three children and running our household.
I love the creative control that comes with self-publishing. I vet and hire my own editors, cover photographers, cover designers, and audiobook narrators to create a final product I am proud of. This also provides me with control on the branding and marketing side of publishing. I am a life-long learner, and I enjoy the process of figuring out what works and what doesn’t. It’s a puzzle that’s forever changing, but it keeps this career fresh and exciting. I’m never doing the same thing each week! Over a decade and twenty books later I am still learning, still trying new things, and perfecting my craft.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are so many ups and downs in this industry and my experience has been no different. The greatest challenges for me have come from outside influences. Writing a romance novel requires a happily ever after, and when my personal life is especially hard, I find it difficult to get into the headspace to be creative and write something hopeful. When a close family member or friend is struggling, I find it almost impossible to write. This causes extra stress, especially when deadlines are missed and therefore my publishing schedule needs to be adjusted. I hate letting others down and that adds to the mental load.
Two experiences come to mind as being the most difficult to write through. The first, the global pandemic. My children were home and we all struggled with the sudden change in routine, as well as the fear and safety of loved ones. There were many times I would go sit in my car inside the garage, just to find solitude to write.
The second was when I divorced from my partner of almost twenty-five years. Not only did everything change in my life, but I was under a new kind of financial stress. Self-publishing income varies, and that’s the way it is for most authors. The highs can be very high, and so are the lows. One change in an algorithm and suddenly your books aren’t reaching their intended readers. It also requires constant production of books to build and grow. During this period, I also struggled to believe in love, something that is not helpful when writing stories about that very thing! Through self-reflection and a lot of work, I discovered I am my most creative when I take away the financial pressure of writing as my sole source of income. I now do consulting part-time and have since rediscovered my love of writing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve written over twenty novels in the steamy contemporary romance genre. When a reader picks up my book, they can expect to read about strong, smart heroines, heroes with hearts of gold, and stories that deliver a satisfying, well-earned happily ever after. Within this genre, I’ve recently focused on writing characters who find love later in life (main characters in their 40s and 30s). My current series, Wilder Valley, is set in a fictional Northern Arizona small town and I love weaving in my own personal experiences and appreciation for Arizona, the state I grew up in and call home, into these books.
I am also most known for my Caught series, which focuses on a set of friends and the firemen they fall in love with. I am incredibly proud of this series, especially the finally two books that tackle heavy topics of addiction and recovery. Writing these books helped define my voice as a storyteller, something that will always set my books apart from others.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My children bring me happiness. Yes, they’ve also been the source of occasional headaches too! But beyond everything they’ve taught me the most about who I am, resilience, and strength. They are the reason for every important choice I’ve made in my life and they are my biggest cheerleaders in writing and publishing. They are part of my story, because they watched me pivot in my career, discover the joy of writing, and persevere throughout all the challenges. Writing not only helped me become rooted in who I am, but it provided them an example that it is never too late to pursue your dreams. We will all be together during the holidays (my older two are adults and live out of state), and I’m looking forward to spending time with them, sharing meals, laughter, and stories.
Pricing:
- My ebooks are available exclusively on Amazon and are free to read with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
- My audiobooks are available widely, on your favorite retailers and streaming services like Spotify, Kobo Plus, and Tempt.
- Signed copies of my paperbacks, including special edition and discreet covers. Visit www.kaceysheabooks.com for more information!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.kaceysheabooks.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kaceysheabooks
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kaceysheabooks
