Author Interview – Valerie Willis

1. For readers discovering you for the first time, can you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey into becoming an author?

Like many creatives, I have always written and filled composition books with stories since elementary school. Granted, I write far spicier, steamy stories these days but my love for mythology, history, and morally gray heroes and situations haven’t. At the heart of all three pen names I write dark fantasy, paranormal romance, mythology, erotica, and the occasional romcom. Shifters, vampires, demons, werewolves, cryptids, and ghosts are only a drop in the hat for the types of entities you’ll find taking the lead and finding a second chance at love.

For a long time I had kept many of my stories on a shelf collecting dust, but life tends to give you a gut punch and hard reboot from time to time. Mine? Try being part of the house bubble burst and need to sell or foreclose, both you and the husband laid off, and that last time stuck! Preggers with first child and WHAM! 2 months along with stage 3 skin cancer for the … win? Never had a stitch in my life before this. The only regret I had was not sharing all those stories with the world. In high school I used to have my stories in binders and passed them around. I rolled up my writer sleeves and started to dive into what it meant to be a professional, published author.

2. You write under multiple pen names—Valerie Willis, V.C. Willis, and Honey Cummings. What inspired you to create different identities for your work?

I wanted to help my readers to divide their comfort levels. Valerie Willis is my mainstay, but if you want to see spicier, hop into Honey Cummings, or if you like MM romance or LGBT Fantasy, grab V.C. Willis. Between encouragement and stories itching to be written, I wanted to make sure those who were already following my writing journey could see these walls and new readers to have a way to pick and choose sexual preference without it feeling like a guessing game.

3. How do the genres or tones differ between the stories you write under each name?

Valerie Willis can be mythology heavy, and the heat level tamer compared to Honey Cummings. You will find MMCs who are brats and/or jerks, but not to a dark romance level. There is earned love, nothing is ever instant and often a lot of healing needs to happen to develop the characters so the relationships can move forward. Epic monster battles, forgotten medieval beasts, and high stakes.

V.C. Willis was the book as an avid MM Romance reader myself, couldn’t find. So I wrote it. Readers will find a Grimbright Fantasy Vampire MM Romance where both characters are masculine characters, their relationship is non-toxic, and a fantasy setting that doesn’t blink an eye at same sex couplings. Royal intrigue, requited love, and the making of a king are only some of the vibes waiting for MM romance readers.

Honey Cummings is playful, flirty, and absolutely a good time. From short stories with romcom erotica about cryptids, ghosts, and modern fairy tales to the dark fantasy reverse romance of Queen’s Incubus. These stories often feature jilted lovers on the rebound with supernatural figures with the ridiculous flare of mythology, lore, and history snuck into the background.

4. Your novels often draw from mythology, folklore, and medieval bestiaries. What first sparked your fascination with monsters and myth?

In middle school, I stumbled upon an old book called “Bulfinch’s Mythology” and wow. Greek, Roman, and Nordic mythos was never the same. The sarcastic tone, blunt observations, and examples pulled from existing literature during the 1800s was addictive. From there, I lost myself to the rabbit hole, constantly obsessing over connecting dots and chasing the references until I’ve exhausted them all. What I discovered was how many of the stories I thought I knew by heart had been skewed or had many versions that I adored more so. 

5. You’ve been called the “Accidental Guru of Monsters, Myths, and Mayhem.” How did that reputation come about?

Well, the moment I started to hop onto panels, the truth of how deep my knowledge of such chaos became well-known. One of my favorite moments, was finding myself on a panel at Spooky Empire with Mark Muncy the author of Eerie Florida, host of the Eerie Travels Podcast, and talking head onCurse of Robert the Doll - documentary and Stacy Brown one of the leading big foot hunters in Florida. Then me. The chick who wrote Sleeping with Sasquatch. I was so nervous, but Mark being a personal friend asked what I knew… and needless to say, I impressed the big foot hunter and Mark both when I expressed that the different breeds inspired how I named and described the big foot shifters in my erotica novella.

6. Your book Cedric: The Demonic Knight sounds intriguing. What can readers expect from that story?

Cedric is a jerk. I was tired of pop culture vampires, tired of goody-two-shoe heroes, and tired of never seeing the cool mythology and history I knew was waiting to be revived. The series dives hard into research and stitching world mythos, history, and superstitions together. I pull monsters from medieval bestiaries often to bring them back to life like the Jidra (plant monster) or Busse (giant stag). Another concept was romance that had to work hard to start and be earned. This is not instant love. This is an arranged marriage that quickly becomes a survival agreement between two very cursed people with a lot to process, work through, and growth to unfold. This is a world mirroring our own, hidden in plain sight, but a reminder that even immortals aren’t immune from the ailments of man including lust, grief, and anger. 

7. Your Traibon Family Saga explores morally gray characters and MM dark fantasy romance. What do you enjoy most about writing complex heroes?

They make mistakes, they overthink, and they can be scarred for a very long time. Not every decision is a clear good or evil move. Sometimes my characters make selfish choices, sometimes they sacrifice themselves, and other times, they simply don’t see the consequences until it's too late. Despite all of that, they still yearn to be loved and find the one to love. 

8. Your work as Honey Cummings blends cryptids, folklore, and humor with spicy storytelling. What makes that series so fun to write?

I don’t have to be so serious about the story. It’s the few times I open myself up, relax, and allow the story to take turns I would likely shy away from. It’s not the typical broody, angst of the Cedric series or Traibon Family Saga. Instead, we’re here to laugh and fan ourselves. It’s only purpose is to have a good time. Granted, I love any excuse to dive into researching mythology, cryptids, folklore, and history. This writing, these silly quickies to the dark fantasy of the Carnal Throne Series has taught me to perhaps trust the weird saucy side more often across all my work. It’s definitely a great palette cleanser!

9. What is your process when incorporating mythological or folkloric creatures into your stories?

I write a want list. This usually encompasses abilities, powers, traits, and/or themes I am looking for. Let’s take my latest brat and golden retriever, Arael Lionhart the MMC in “I Accidentally Reanimated the Billionaire’s Hellhound” and point out I needed him to have connections to human sexuality, but not a demon or incubus. It took some digging to find an outlier being, legend, and mythology that fit these parameters that I felt was forgotten or lesser known. Sometimes I am looking for just a random sidenote. Then I pull what I can once I have my target, listing anything that I feel can add fuel to their backstory, mannerisms, plot, development, and choices. It becomes a puzzle to modernize or connect the dots at times.

10. Do you have a favorite monster or mythological creature that you love writing about?

I am a complete ham for vampires and demonic types. They either need fangs, or the full monty of horns, claws, wings, and tail. Something about the “I love you but I want to eat you” trope just really sparks my interest. The idea of heightened senses that can read the room before anyone knows what room they are even in at times or the “I could overpower you, but I won’t because I love you” part is tender and sincere. Second favorite? Werewolves, because emotional distress causing feralness is an epic place to explore.

11. In addition to writing, you’re also an expert typesetter and book designer. How did you get involved in the publishing and design side of books?

I have always loved books. When I realized I had to self-pub Cedric because I mixed too many genres, I put my Graphic Design degree to work. Self-taught, I dove head first into discovering what it meant to be a digital typesetter and how to publish my work. There was a lot of trial and error at first, and the more I applied what I knew, the more efficient it became. After my time as a stay-at-home-mom ended, I grabbed an office job at a big publisher thinking I had more to learn. Nope. I discovered I had mastered the art on my own, and was able to streamline their system to 20 books a week for 5 typesetters, to 53 books a week plus adding art to the pages and chapter headers.

12. What are some common mistakes authors make when preparing their book interiors?

They leave the manuscript formatting in place and forget to add front/back matter. It shouldn’t be double spaced. That’s for an editor, not for a commercial ready book that’s supposed to be competition against the big 5 books. Also, you should have a title page, copyright page, about the author, and other vital front and back matter that typically is seen in all books in the big retailers.

13. As the co-founder of 4 Horsemen Publications, what has your experience been like helping bring other authors’ books to life?

It’s an amazing feat, even as a freelance typesetter, being able to take something from someone’s imagination and make it into a tangible format. Being able to guide authors, providing a standard and quality that brings them to the level to compete commercially means a lot to me and clearly to the authors themselves. It’s not easy being an indie author with so much misinformation and predatory scams out there, so being able to co-found a safe place run by fellow indie authors like 4HP has been a wonderful experience.

14. How does your knowledge of design influence the way you structure your own books?

It has given me insight on how vital it is that we authors be consistent on how we create our manuscripts. There is a staple format that has been in play since the 1400s and our readers have been taught to use a certain template to read from. Going too far off the trail can lead to confusion for everyone involved including editors and formatters. It has made it clear how vital using styles and knowing how to label, format, and adjust sections. There is a difference between a publish-ready manuscript being sent out to editors, formatters, publishers, and literary agents versus a print-ready document/PDF that is aiming to compete commercially on bookshelves at large retailers. Knowing what makes that divide has made me more cautious of how I write and pull together a manuscript, as well as how I teach others!

15. You’re also a frequent speaker, panelist, and workshop host. What do you enjoy most about connecting with other writers and readers at events?

Inspiring one another. The excitement and recognition about trials and tribulations among the collective is always a wonderful feeling and sight to witness. More so, the relief on faces or the light of understanding that unfolds when I share something or bring something up. I want to help shed light on the dark places, crush their writer’s block, and make the idea of creating their book a feasible goal as much as I can.

16. You co-host podcasts like Eerie Travels and Drinking with Authors. How do those creative conversations influence your own work?

It’s reassuring to know that famous and influential authors have similar struggles or schools of thoughts. At the same time, seeing how drastically different their author journeys have been can be eye-opening. I’ve been exposed to so many different stories, both author and fictional, and not one is the same. What is the same each time, is discovering there will always be that struggle against imposter syndromes. There will always be that crazy moment where we are in the shower or driving and hit gold. There will always be that element of surprise to see how readers react to a story or character. More importantly, hitting it big will never take the same path twice and needs patience and vigilance.

17. When writing fantasy or dark romance, do you usually begin with a character, a creature, or a mythological idea?

Depends on the story. They all come to me in different ways. In most cases it's a combination of a character who is a creature. Other times, I want to add a certain lore or myth, and thus begins the painstaking process of stitching or melting it into the character and creature I have in mind. I am a very character-driven storyteller at the end of the day, which most readers feel immediately in my writing, and the melting pot with the kitchen sink thrown in with creatures and mythology is sometimes overlooked or later gushed about in reviews for those who know and see it. 

18. What part of writing do you enjoy the most?

Creating new worlds and exploring them through the lens of a character. It’s like being strapped into a roller coaster and no idea what kind of loops, twists, and turns you will take. Sometimes I feel like I am blindfolded when I first start, grasping random elements in a dark void, noisy and eager to share what secrets it holds. But discovering the story as it unfolds. My writing partners can attest to how often I am drafting, stop writing with a gasp, and utter “NO WAY!” and frantically search books for proof of a major reveal.

19. What part of the creative process tends to challenge you the most?

Editing. That last bit of polish and fighting the urge to write more or push the story further. I recently pulled together my first standalone novel I Accidentally Reanimated the Billionaire’s Hellhound, after most of my work being series, and it was so HARD. I only had this one moment to spend with these characters and that was painful to realize. At the end of the process, trying to close it and walk away on a story that clearly could keep going stung a lot. It’s going to be fun though to revisit this world and slid them in as secondary characters for another couple’s story!

20. What authors or works have influenced your love of dark fantasy and folklore?

For myth and folklore, it was Thomas Bulfinch’s Mythology and four volumes of myths and legends written with snark from a mid-1800s point of view. How or why that ancient tome was still in my Middle School library, I will never know. As for writers, I was a complete ham for Chronicles of Narnia, Robin McKinley, and later, James Clavell’s works. They taught me the main character could fail, could be flawed, and doesn’t have to be a knight in shining armor.

21. What do you hope readers feel after finishing one of your books?

A strange sense of satisfaction that this leg of the journey has come to close, yet salivating for more. Whether they miss the characters or world, perhaps even crave more of the complexities of the mechanics or strange monsters, I want my readers to discover something about themselves. In the Cedric series, many are stunned at the level and depths I go into accuracy of dark history and myths, sending them on rabbit holes of research, just as lost as Alice was in Wonderland. Other times, like with the Traibon Family Saga, find themselves re-reading to peel pack all the details, all the tribulations unfolding through a single lens to realize they didn’t know how much detail was in that very first book and very first chapter.

22. What has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far?

Getting to travel! It’s been awesome seeing new places, experiencing conventions and conferences, and meeting new people. Growing up, my family never traveled or even went to events, so being able to do that and go on my own adventures is amazing. The bonus is I get to talk about my imaginary friends!

23. What advice would you give to authors who want to publish or design their own books?

Take your time. Gather resources, go to workshops, practice recreating what you like, and remember the cover and inside of your book is a marketing tool. Cover trends change, yet formatting the inside has centuries’ long established expectations that should be followed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, the indie author community is full of folks like me that are happy to guide and answer questions. Just know it’s not easy. My covers aren’t the first nor will be the last versions as the consumers’ tastes change year to year. Also, know your limitations and it’s not a defeated moment to hire someone to do what you cannot. We are all built differently!

24. What exciting projects or books do you have coming up next?

I just released The Saint’s Bloodeater, book 4 in the Traibon Family Saga, which has brought me to a point of taking a breath before I finish the last 4-5 books for Dante’s story. As for coming soon, I Accidentally Reanimated the Billionaire’s Hellhound is on the editor’s desk, and because I am not great at romcom fluffy covers, have sent the cover to an artist and designer I feel can capture all the zany, paranormal billionaire romcom chaos. I cannot wait for readers to experience Isobel and Arael’s story!

25. Where can readers connect with you and follow your work?

Anywhere you find WillisAuthor - that’s going to be me! I am usually haunting TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and my inbox. You can find my books, more about my series, newsletter signups, events and all my socials on WillisAuthor.com .

 

---

 

Rapid Fire Fun 🔥

26. Coffee, tea, or cocktails while writing? Coffee with coconut creamer!
27. Morning writer or night writer? Night writer - until like 3 am at times!
28. Favorite mythological creature? Pukwudgie
29. Paperback, ebook, or audiobook? Paperback
30. Favorite monster in folklore? Shag Foal
31. One word to describe your books? Mythical
32. Favorite writing snack? Doritos
33. Music while writing or silence? I have a playlist for each series so… Music! Check out my Spotify channel!
34. Favorite gothic or dark fantasy inspiration? Henry Clavill as Geralt is definitely a great inspiration to dark fantasy girlies!
35. One thing readers might be surprised to learn about you? I have vaccinated a tiger and assisted in an autopsy of a bottlenose dolphin. A lot of real life still makes it into my books and in surprising ways. In my upcoming romcom, Isobel being a supernatural veterinarian is greatly inspired by my first job in high school at an exotic veterinarian hospital in Central Florida.