Write What You Love: Author Interview with Adina Senft

You have now published multiple books, but what inspired you to write that first book? 

My first published novel was my MA thesis! I was in the Writing Popular Fiction program at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, which was focused on genre fiction—romance, mystery, horror, fantasy, children’s. People think I’m joking when I say I was a romance major, but I really was :) One of my critique partners was a working private investigator, so he helped me with the technical details for my PI hero. 

I had been submitting to Harlequin for six years with no luck, so that winter I stood up at my local writers’ meeting and confessed, “This is the best I can do. If it isn’t accepted, I’m giving up.” Lo and behold, Harlequin accepted it, and it came out in 2003 (now titled Watch For Me. nor at the time) and I was on my way. 

 

Tell me about your latest book.

The latest one came out in August: The Amish Cowboy’s Wedding Quilt. It weaves in a family tradition that says that if a woman begins a wedding quilt, she’ll meet the man she’s meant to marry by the time she finishes it. But Patricia King can’t imagine that—she’s on Rumspringe and having too much fun with Englisch boys. And that nosy Gideon Miller is always getting up in her business. They were a fun pair to write, and I got a chance to exercise my suspense chops, which I haven’t done in a while.

 

What are your writing goals for 2026?

I have a giant wall calendar that tells me these things.

January: Revise Death on the Graf Zeppelin, book one of the Lady Hay Investigates cozy mystery series set in the 1920s with a real person as sleuth, for my publisher

February: Finish Rose’s July Surprise, book 7 in the Amish Romance Birthdays series with 11 other authors

March: Write The Aeronaut’s Heir, the next Lady Georgia Brunel steampunk mystery

June: Write Death at the Beach House, Lady Hay Investigates book two

(ME: Wow! that is an intriguing mix of book genres!)

 

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing? 

My author friends are the most generous people in the world. Without their encouragement right from the beginning (to say nothing of plotting parties and marketing retreats) I don’t think I’d be as far along the path as I am today. As for advice, the most freeing for me was “Don’t write what you know. Write what you love.” And I still do. I can always research to solve the first. But without that spark of love for what I’m doing, the second would be really hard.

 

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?

Marketing frustrates me because it’s so unpredictable. But the smartest thing I did was to hire someone to do my Amazon ads who loves data and strategy and the thrill of the chase. The second smartest thing was listening to Erin Wright, western romance author, talk about how to succeed on the various retailers—and then doing what she said.

 

What do you know now about writing you wish you had known sooner?

That with traditional publishing, I should treat publication like a business, not like an undeserved honor bestowed upon me. Speaking up for oneself doesn’t come naturally to many of us, but the older I get, the more I do it :)

 

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

An aspiring writer cornered me at a party once and demanded to know how to get published. “My art! My art! It deserves to be out into the world.”

I said, “Art is all very well, but what are you offering your readers?”

“My art!”

“Your art will never be published unless you realize that an editor or agent is your first reader. What are you offering that person?”

He took his drink and walked away.

 

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?

This business isn’t for the faint of heart, or for those who aren’t willing to work. But when you love it and gain the skills, it’s the best job in the world.

 

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?

 The Amish Cowboy’s Journey comes out February 25, 2026. When I was researching the Amish in Lancaster County, I met a young Amish woman in the fabric shop who told me she’d just returned from a van trip to visit twelve of the national parks. I filed that interesting experience away in my brain, and this book is the result—an “enemies to true loves” crossed with a “road trip”!

 

Here are some of the details... Unlike his siblings, who have put down roots in the Amish community in the Siksika Valley, Seth Miller is the restless one—always looking to the horizon and wondering what lies beyond it. When a group of Amish Youngie plan a van trip to visit several national parks, Seth decides to join them. It’s only for a couple of weeks, and it might satisfy that urge and help him settle down.

 

Shy Beth Stolzfus, who seems to be invisible most of the time, surprises everyone by announcing she wants to go, too. She’s tired of being overlooked and underappreciated—maybe this trip will give her a chance to stretch her wings and be someone different. Someone who might catch the eye of one of the other Amish adventurers. Not Seth Miller, that’s for sure. He’s already made it clear in a hundred ways that he’s not interested.

 

Except that travel can bring out the best in someone as well as the worst. Beth proves to have a level head when one of the other travelers needs help. And her eyes seem to speak a language all their own. Surrounded by the beauty of God’s handiwork in nature, Seth slowly comes to realize that what his heart has been longing for may not be over the horizon after all. It may be much closer to home.

 

Sounds like an intriguing story. If you'd like to learn more about Adina's writing, click on the links below. 

Website: https://www.shelleyadina.com

Shopify store: https://www.moonshellbooks.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shelleyadina/amish-cowboys-of-montana/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adinasenft

And here's a bonus for my readers, leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive an eBook copy of one of  Adina's eBooks. Here are the options she is offering.

If you like steampunk (written as Shelley Adina), the winner can choose the two-book set that launches her Magnificent Devices series. 

If you prefer Amish romance (written as Adina Senft), the winner can choose The Amish Cowboy, the first of the 12 books in the Amish Cowboys of Montana series.

So add that comment now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next weekend!

 

Motivated to Write: Author Interview with Robin Winters

You have now published multiple books, but what inspired you to write that first book?
I have always been a writer. I wrote my first stories in elementary school, and I never stopped. For years, I pursued traditional publication, but I only wrote for children and teens. I got a couple of short stories in well-known children’s magazines like Ladybug and Turtle. I ghostwrote a middle grade novel from a defunct series for girls.  While this was going on, I earned a bachelor’s degree in English as well as master’s degrees in Elementary Education and Library Science. 

I ended up getting a couple of literary agents, but my middle grade novels never sold. I parted ways with my agents and just kept writing. I never thought I could write for adults because I have always surrounded myself with literature for kids. I even became a school librarian and public librarian, specializing in children’s literature. With that being said, I always read books for adults, too. I read romcoms, paranormal romance, and historical romance. My sister and my husband kept pestering me to try self-publishing, and I finally decided to give it a try.

What book did you publish?
The first book I put on Amazon was a story I had on my hard drive for years. I was just anxious to get the ball rolling, even though it wasn’t a romance. It was just a true confessions type of story. I decided to try my hand at writing a sweet and clean paranormal romance. It ended up in the Amazon short read category, and it’s called The Night Librarian. The story evolved from my love of libraries and paranormal romance, but I wanted to make sure it was clean. When I put the book up for sale on Amazon, it gave me the greatest feeling seeing people read the story and leave positive reviews. 

After that, I was hooked. I started writing sweet and clean romcom novellas as well as clean paranormals. I’m having a lot of fun and learning so much from other romance authors who graciously and generously share their knowledge on Facebook groups and podcasts. I focus on short reads that are enrolled in KU. I have one YA fantasy novel that is not enrolled in KU, and it’s a full-length novel.

What are your writing goals for 2026?
My writing goals for 2026 include writing more high-quality sweet romances–both romcoms and paranormal. I also want to write faster. I’m a slow writer, and I want to improve in this area. Like most self-publishing writers, I also want to earn more money! LOL! My goal is to one day earn $5000 a month. I know it’s possible because other writers are doing it too. I’m getting close to retirement age, and I want to bring more income into my household so I can provide for my family. My mom is in her 70s, and my dream is to take her to Disney World one day. I would also love to help other members of my family pay off their student loans! That would be a dream come true! 

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
 I have received so much encouragement from other writers through the various romance writer Facebook groups I belong to. Everyone I’ve encountered that self publishes romance is so welcoming and helpful. No one is a gatekeeper. There’s room for everyone, and people freely provide advice and guidance to newbie self-published authors like me. 

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
 Right now, I’m doing newsletter swaps, which has helped so much in gaining new readers. I also have been using TikTok. If you had told me five years ago that I would be posting on TikTok, I would have said you were crazy. And, yet, here I am! I use an author app called Authorscale that helps generate slides to post to TikTok so I can gain the attention of people who love sweet and clean romance. In the past, I’ve tried Facebook ads. The first time I tried it, I noticed a small uptick in sales, but it wasn’t as successful as I hoped. Now that Facebook ads have changed, I’m looking for an inexpensive class to help me navigate it. I find it extremely intimidating. I’ve tried paid promotions like Bargain Booksy, but I haven’t experienced any increase in sales. So I would have to say that TikTok and newsletter swaps have provided me with the most sales. 

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Years ago, I never entertained the thought of self-publishing. I only wanted to be traditionally published by a Big 5 publisher. If I could travel back in time, I would have started self-publishing sooner. I wish I had known how personally satisfying the process can be. It’s exciting and scary and exhausting, but so much fun. Years ago, I had no idea there were so many self-published authors out there making enough money to support their families.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
One piece of advice I read in a writer’s craft book is that successful authors know how to sit in a room and write–whether that “room” is your car, your bedroom, or somewhere outside while your kid is at soccer practice. You can be the most talented writer in the world, but if you are unable to put the hours of work into your writing, it is more difficult to become successful. Writing is something you do alone in a room. It’s a solitary vocation. And it can be extremely lonely. Ask yourself: how long can you stay in that room? Writers who succeed consistently work on their craft. They sit in that chair, and they write. Butt in chair. That’s what I’m trying to do: devote more time to working on my craft. 

Another piece of advice is that you shouldn’t compare yourself to other writers. It evokes negative emotions, often leading to toxic feelings of jealousy. I will never be able to write like some of the authors I admire, but I can always strive to be the best writer that I can personally be. I can only write like myself and strive to be a better storyteller with each book I write. It’s like the late, great Kobe Bryant and his personal philosophy called Mamba Mentality. Be a little bit better than you were the day before. 

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
If you want to write a book, just start writing. The only way you can become a better writer is to sit down and write. Read books on the craft. Take writing classes if your finances allow. Join a critique group so you can get feedback on your writing. It also makes you feel less alone because you have other writers who can encourage you, tell you what’s not working with your story, and give you a figurative or literal shoulder to cry on when you get a rejection or a bad review on Amazon. Overall, just don’t give up. Keep writing and then write some more. Allow yourself to write badly and then go back and rewrite/revise. Being a writer is one of the hardest jobs you can ever have, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. 

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
I have two new books in the works. One of them is called My Fair Librarian, a sweet and clean romcom. I was inspired by the story of My Fair Lady, a musical. It’s about a librarian who’s trying to catch the eye of a handsome doctor who visits the library every Thursday evening to check an item out from the Library of Things. She’s kind of a plain Jane type of girl so her brother’s best friend decides to help her transform into a fashionable woman who can catch the doctor’s eye. Of course, the librarian is going to end up falling for her brother’s best friend instead!

My other book I’m working on is called Letters to a Vampire, a clean paranormal inspired by the classic book/movie Daddy Long Legs. It’s about a young woman who has a secret benefactor who pays her way through college. This benefactor just happens to be a vampire who feels guilty for not being able to save the women’s parents from another vampire. To assuage his guilt, he pays her way through college, offering financial support. But then he ends up falling in love with her. 

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Robin's books, click on the links below. 
https://www.amazon.com/author/robinwinterswrites
http://www.robinwinterswrites.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@robinwinterswrites
https://www.facebook.com/p/Robin-Winters-Writes-61569121246621/
https://www.instagram.com/robinwinterswrites/

And here's a bonus for my readers, leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive an eBook of The Billionaire’s Pet Project. It’s a sweet and clean novella. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Sunday!