Be sure to check out After the Party by A. K. Ritchie on Amazon!

Interview:

1.  Paperback, hardback, audiobook?

A little bit of everything, including ebooks! Hardcovers are my favourite to buy, but when reading, it doesn’t matter to me.

2.  Pick a genre, any genre!

Contemporary Romance

3.  What is the first book you remember reading?

The Upside Down Boy, I think that’s what it’s called. I can’t find anything about it online, but it was a book my dad’s parents read to him and then me!

4.  What book shaped your childhood most?

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. My friend and I took turns reading it to each other often because we were so attached to it. It’s the book that made me decide that one day I wanted to publish.

5.  When did you first start writing?

In kindergarten, we dictated stories to our teacher, who printed them, and bound them. After that, I knew storytelling was for me. I was barely 5, but I was hooked!

6.  What made you want to write? Does it still hold true?

I always had stories to share, so many. I always felt like I needed to get them down and I found they helped me make sense of the world. This definitely still holds true. 

7.  What book/poem are you most proud of creating?

I just published After the Party. It was the first novel I wrote that I thought was decent enough for others to read. Haha. 

8.  Did you publish your first book or is it for your eyes only?

I didn’t publish my 1st or my 40th book. I’ve been writing since I was a little kid, but only now in my 30s, I finally published!

9.  How many books/collections have you published so far?

Just the one!

10.  What genres do you write in (or hope to)?

Contemporary Romance and Women’s Fiction for those in their 20s. 

11.  Do you do research for your writing or is it all in your head?

A little of both. Depends on the novel. I mostly research details to make my novels as realistic as possible. 

12.  To plan, or not to plan your plot?

Planning! I get off track easily. A plot outline can keep me from straying too far. 

13.  What route of publishing have you chosen? Do you plan to stick with it?

Self publishing. The idea of traditional publishing held me back from getting my book out there. It seemed daunting. When I learned about self publishing, I dove right in.

14.  If you could live inside another author’s universe, which one would you pick? (Ex: Middle Earth, Narnia, etc.)

Any of the Hallmark Christmas towns. Haha. They’re always so cozy and cute. 

15.  Do you currently have a WIP?

I do! I’m working on a small town romance right now and also a domestic fiction novel about family. 

16.  Tell me about the character you’ve created who is dearest to your heart.

I ended up being super attached to a supporting character of mine. Her name is Kay. She’s motherly, but edgy. She’s supportive, but not overbearing. She’s just so cool!

17.  What do you consider your *current* magnum opus?

After the Party is probably it. So much work went into what it is today and I’m proud of that. 

18.  Do you have a favourite romance in your books? Or, if yours features no romance, tell us about your favourite character friendship!

Peyton and Chase! Their relationship is healthy and totally goals. 

19.  Do you listen to music as you write? Recommend a favourite writing song.

Oh, I do. I make soundtracks for every novel I write. I named After the Party after the song of the same name by The Menzingers. It was on rotation during the entire project. 

20.  Do you have any character art for your books, whether by you or another artist? (Be sure to credit/link if you can!)

Nope, but I wish I did!

21.  If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?

Your story might not be written to market, but there will still be people out there who want to read it and who need to read it.

22.  Have you entered any writer contests? Tell us about your experience!

I haven’t. I’m hoping 2022 is the year. 

23.  Who are your top 5-10 favourite writers?

This changes regularly. The ones I’m reading the most are K.A. Tucker, Alice Oseman, Richard Wagamese, Emily Henry, Cherie Dimine, etc

24.  Link us your book/twitter/goodreads or wherever we can best connect with you!

What reviewers are saying:

Amazon (Canada): https://cutt.ly/gEHP52D

Amazon (US): https://cutt.ly/1EHAirP

Barnes and Noble: https://cutt.ly/eEHPFq2

Indigo: https://cutt.ly/YRAgLNS

Goodreads: https://cutt.ly/2EHPbt2