Tonya writes fiction under the pen name Tia Marlee. Tia is the author of several sweet, small-town romances featuring all the swoon with low to no heat. Her series Piney Brook Wishes can be found on Amazon. Currently, you can find Tonya at her website www.anovelchoicellc.com or on Instagram @anovelchoicellc or Facebook. Find more about Tia Marlee at tiamarleeauthor.com Interview with Tonya SpitlerThank you, Tonya, for taking the time to chat with me. When did you know you wanted to become an author?I fell in love with reading very young, and shortly after I started making up my own stories. I'd handwrite or draw pages and pages of my own creation. I think I've always wanted to be a writer in some capacity, I just didn't always know it was possible. When did you first consider yourself a writer?Not until I published my first book. Even now, I sometimes deal with imposter syndrome. Who is your biggest inspiration?My biggest inspiration are the other authors I know! Their dedication to their craft is definitely inspiring. My daughter is my biggest motivator. She's always pushing me to be my best. How do you come up with your ideas?Sometimes, they are inspired by things I see or hear. Sometimes they come to me when I'm washing my hair. Just depends. Are your characters inspired by or based on real-life people?Some of my characters deal with things I've experienced or witnessed in real life, but the characters themselves are unique. What comes first, the plot or the characters?For me, it's usually the story line that comes to mind first, then the characters tell me all the ways I'm wrong. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?I usually have at least two drinks beside me. How did publishing your first book change your writing career?It validated that I can do it! Gave me the confidence to keep pushing, even when it's hard. Have you ever gotten writer's block? How did you work through it?YES!! UGH! I will try and call an author friend and brainstorm or go on a walk. Spending time in nature is so essential for me. What are you working on now?I'm currently working on a sweet romcom with the multi author project The Coffee Loft. Next up, a brand new series featuring life on Apple Blossom Ranch What advice would you give aspiring authors?Never quit. Find a writing group and plug in. Work on your craft. Be a student of the industry. What do you like to do when you're not writing?I like to spend time with my family. I have three teenagers, and I'm soaking up the memories before they're adults and out on their own. What are three things that are unique about you?
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Arielle Haughee Why do I sell fewer books |
Previously an elementary teacher, Arielle Haughee (Hoy) is a multi-genre author living in Florida. She has a serious reading addiction, fantasy romance her absolute favorite, and loves nothing more than good conversation paired with a good wine. She is surrounded by males at home—a husband, two sons, and an energetic dog—and tries to integrate as much purple and flowers in the house as possible. Arielle is an editor, speaker, and owner of a small press. Learn more about her at www.ariellehaughee.com or www.orangeblossombooks.com. She is also on Facebook and Instagram (@orange_blossom_books). |
Dawn Bourdeau Milstrey is the author and illustrator of The Stone Angel Society, an illustrated middle grade ghost novel (Orange Blossom Publishing, September 2022). First in a series, the book is a collection of spooky short stories with just the right amount of ghosts for young readers. Dawn has been illustrating picture books since 2008 and loves helping other authors bring their words to life with her art. |
Arielle Haughee (Hoy) is a seven-time RPLA-winning author, editor, speaker, and publisher. She is the owner of the small press Orange Blossom Publishing and was previously the Executive Vice President and Marketing Chair for the Florida Writers Association. She was honored with the President’s Award from FWA in 2020, and in 2021 Pling’s Party was awarded Children’s Book of the Year. She is also the recipient of a Purple Dragonfly Award for Piper and a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Sixth Sunday. She has a serious reading addiction, fantasy romance her absolute favorite, and loves nothing more than good conversation paired with a good wine. She is surrounded by males at home—a husband, two sons, and an energetic dog—and tries to integrate as much purple and flowers in the house as possible. |
Samantha Blakney is a short fiction, non-fiction and poetry writer for different anthology, from Free Spirit Publishing. (This was a Mistake) and (The Zeitgeist Exists). She has also been published in Along the Shores of Grief by Orange Blossom Publishing, (The Loss of my Mother), A forthcoming anthology by, Wingless Dreamer Publisher, Christmas Cheerios. (The Burning of the Christmas Yule-Log) poetry. Also, by Wingless dreamer Publisher, My Sanskriti Teal (Diversity of the Dark Color of Women). |
Andie L. Smith is a Young Adult author from Central Florida. She writes coming-of-age stories sometimes set in our world, other times found in a futuristic society, but all involving an emotional journey for her characters. Her first novel LUCKY ENOUGH is set to be published in Fall 2023 with Evernight Teen. She is also a Junior Agent at The Booker Albert Literary Agency. |
M. D. (Peggy) Roblyer is a retired Professor of Educational Technology and textbook author who helped usher in the world of educational technology in the 1970s, becoming prominent for shaping this new discipline in the online era. In a career that spanned nearly 40 years, she authored a dozen textbooks, including Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching, which became the best-selling text in the field when published in 1996 and remains so today in its ninth edition. Since retiring in 2015, Peggy has focused on her love of language by joining the River City Writer’s Club, serving as founding editor for the Longleaf community newsletter and past webmaster for the Chattanooga Writers Guild. She is currently querying publishers for her memoir, Strong Glass: A Memoir of Escaping the Dark Mirror of Family History, and enjoys writing essays like those appearing on her website blog: http://www.mdroblyer.com. |
Some of Ree's earliest memories are with a book in her hand, and today, she still loves to read stories of all kinds, from children’s poetry to adult suspense novels. Before her love of reading turned into a love of writing, she took many turns in her life, some of which were an accountant, a retail clerk, and a volunteer worker for abused women. |
Anna Franklin received her English literature degree from the University of Central Florida and completed the Summer Publishing Institute from New York University. Currently, she resides in Orlando with her three-legged cat, Hoagie. When she's not freelance writing or reading romance novels, she's working at the bookstore. https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaefranklin/ |
Arielle Haughee is the owner and founder of Orange Blossom Publishing.
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