Welcome Andra Ashe

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I'm a long time writer for over 15 years but only started getting serious about getting my work 'out there' in probably the last six years. I write steamy to erotic romance and am a self-confessed genre-hopper with contemporary, historical and paranormal stories either written, published or WIPs. I have way too many first chapters of started stories but am trying verrrrry hard to just stick to two at a time and actually get something finished. I'm currently working on a vampire romance for an upcoming box set and Book 1 in a planned contemporary series. 

How do you find time to write? 

I gave up my 'day job' (office manager) four years ago to take up house renovating/flipping. When I have a project on the go, there isn't much time for writing but it's only for a couple of months at a time.  The rest of the time I have no excuses not to write as my time is my own. I am  most productive with a bribery system and with writing in short bursts. I set myself a daily word target and write in 100 word sprints with 'rewards' after completing each spring.  Mind you, a reward might be something like getting the dishes done or doing the supermarket shopping - but when you struggle to get the words out of your head and on to paper, even something like taking the bins out is preferable. Sometimes it'll be a yummy reward like a hot chocolate and a biscuit. I'm easy to please lol.

What’s your publishing tips? 

My main publishing tip relates to self-publishing as with a traditional publisher most things are out of your hands. Getting your book written and online is the easy part. But just having it sitting in Amazon will not sell it. The real work is in marketing and there is so much to learn. There are some excellent online courses and if you're friends with self-published authors, pick their brains about what they do and what works. This is information you really need before you hit 'publish' because effective marketing happens before that point. It's time-consuming and can be expensive but unfortunately an integral part of this journey.

Any promotional and marketing tips? 

I don't know nearly enough yet to give any specific marketing or promo tips but as I'm just re-releasing a story this week I've had to dip my toe in the promo waters. I've become a huge fan of Instagram and have an author account. I ensue that only post writing-related posts but ensure they are a mix of blatant promo, something personal but always tie it into writing somehow, share inspirational writing posts. I have a separate account for anything else I want to share. Learning about how to use hashtags was a great help and I am slowing building followers (whether any of them turn into readers remains to be seen). I don't mind devoting time to Instagram because I enjoy the graphics side of it, creating attractive posts to ensure my grid has a cohesive look. I have the time and the inclination for this, but it mightn't be for everyone. I only have a FB  author page and Instagram as my only author social media and it only takes a few minutes a day to keep them updated.

Tell us about your recent book.

My current release is a shortish steamy contemporary Christmas story which I'm releasing for Christmas In July. Holly James, restaurant manager and temporary Christmas elf, has no time for families. Her own was virtually non-existent and the concept of happy families is something she can't comprehend. When she's stranded in a snow storm, and rescued by sexy widower Ryland Maxwell she has no option but to spend Christmas with the family. Since his wife died, Ry keeps his amorous adventures way from home and away from his young daughter - until he kisses their unexpected elf under the mistletoe. 

I've never had the privilege of a white Christmas, so I enjoyed living vicariously through writing this story. I also enjoyed bringing together two characters who had put their hearts aside and have them overcome their fears. 


Buy link : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TCX2P3K

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