Simon and Schuster's Month of Men - Abbi Glines Q&A

Today, I'm taking part in Simon and Schuster's epic Month of Men blog tour.  I'm thrilled to have a wonderful Q&A to share with you from one of my favourite authors, Abbi Glines.

 

Can you tell me a little bit more about your route to publication?

After I wrote my first book, I sent out a few query letters to agents and then a couple small indie publishing houses. Wild Child Publishing contacted me first and offered me a two year contract for my book, Breathe. I agreed. Once that book released (18 months later), I started reading some self published ebooks and realizing I could do that too. I was having to do all my marketing for my published book so there really was no difference... except I got to keep all my profit. I self-published The Vincent Boys. Seven months, four self-published books, and over five hundred thousand ebook sales later, Jane Dystel contacted me. She was interested in representing me. I had only heard great things about Dystel & Goderich literary management and I agreed. Weeks after I signed the contract with Jane I was signing a contract with Simon Pulse a division of Simon & Schuster for The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. My Sea Breeze series shortly followed.

I absolutely love ‘The Vincent Boys’ and ‘The Vincent Brothers’. I know Sayer and Beau have captured many readers’ hearts. Is there any chance that you’ll be writing more books about these characters? 
A month ago this answer would have been, no. As much as I love Beau and Sawyer I was finished with that storyline. However, one night I was trying to go to sleep and the back story to Beau, Ashton and Sawyer kept playing out in my head. What were they like as kids? What really happened the day Sawyer asked Ashton out on a date? How real was Beau's heartbreak? What was high school like with Beau loving Ashton and not being able to do anything about it? Did he ever have feelings for anyone else? Was Sawyer always perfect? Did he have secrets? Those questions started running through my head and I decided that I would write a prequel to The Vincent Boys. Not sure yet on the release date. But I have to write it because I can't get it out of my head.

How do you approach writing some of the ‘steamy’ bits in your books?

Well... I spend a good bit of time thinking about those two characters. I decide what kind of "lover" they would be and I then focus on them as if I am watching a scene in a movie. I translate what I am seeing to words.

The New Adult genre has really exploded onto the publishing scene. Why do you think this has appealed to readers and how do you feel about your books being given this label?

I think that Twilight started this in a way. I hadn't read a young adult novel in over twenty years when Twilight was released. Like many women over the age of twenty-five, I was surprised that I enjoyed it so much. I then started reading more young adult books and I loved the excitement in first loves, the angst and drama that I'd once experienced but was now a part of my past. Something was missing... I wasn't sure what it was. Then I picked up Jamie McGuire's Beautiful Disaster and I was enthralled. What was missing in young adult romances was the sexy. The edgy. All the steam that is left out of most young adult books because of the age the books are written for and the age of the characters in the books. I was an adult and I wanted that main character just a little older and I wanted sex in the book. Obviously I wasn't alone. New Adult was born and it has dominated the charts. It appeals to such a broad range of readers. I'm honored to be considered part of this new genre.

Can you tell me anything about what you are currently working on?

Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far have a side character in them by the name of Woods Kerrington. He managed to snag a fan base in the Too Far books. I decided to write a spin off book for Woods. It is called Twisted Perfection. Woods tends to be the protective kind of guy but he isn't one to stay in relationships because he has so much responsibility from his father to prove himself. Della Sloane blows into town one day and her wild carefree spirit is just what Woods wants as a distraction. He just has no idea just who he is dealing with or just how fragile the girl he sees as unbreakable truly is.

Fans in the UK, myself included, are very excited that you are coming over to visit us. Do you have any must-sees while you are here?

I've never been "over the pond" but it has always been a dream of mine to get to go to London or really anywhere in the UK. I honestly don't have a must-see. I need some locals to give me some must-sees because I haven't had time to sit and think about it. My one must see is meeting my UK readers. I'm honored to have such a strong fan base in the UK and I can't wait to hear all of you talk!

Finally, do you have any books and authors you can recommend to people who have enjoyed your work?

Yes! Here are a list of my favorites.

Fall Guy and Perfectly Unmatched by Liz Reinhardt
Easy by Tammara Webber
Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Hopeless; Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover
That Boy and That Wedding by Jillian Dodd
Up In Flames by Nicole Williams
Thoughtless, Effortless, and Reckless by S.C. Stephens
Avoiding Commitment and Avoiding Responsibility by K.A. Linde
Reason to Breathe; Barely Breathing by Rebecca Donovan
Lengths and Depths by Liz Reinhardt and Steph Campbell

Thank you so much Abbi!  I can't wait to read some of these books.

Check out the full schedule for the Month of Men on Facebook.