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.
I have a giant wall calendar that tells me these things.
January: Revise Death on the Graf Zeppelin,
book one of the Lay 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 Ocean House, Lay 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.
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”!
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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adinasenft
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!
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