Author Interview: KATJA DESJARLAIS

I'm welcoming a small press-published paranormal romance writer to the blog today to talk about her journey to publication! 

Check it out... 

Katja Desjarlais is a music teacher by day and a paranormal romance writer by moonlight. She is an unapologetic music addict and has an obsession for bad Bach puns despite her irrational aversion to Baroque. Her favorite words include 'plethora' and 'dapper', and she is physically repulsed by the word 'moist'.
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Desjarlais recently moved into the Okanagan valley with her husband, three children, and two cats. Her ideal summer vacation is spent driving Route 66 with her family and attending heavy metal concerts.

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The Kaius vampires have long relied on Mikhail's empathic skills to help maintain the peace. Incessantly pummeled by the vibes of his bloodline, Mickey teeters along the narrow wall separating his emotions from those of his hauntmates. Preoccupied with preserving the harmony of the haunt, he's never been drawn to a woman…until now.

Audra Verdi, a psychologist pulled from the bloodslave quarters, finds herself straddling a thin line herself—between the ingrained ranks dividing the vampires from the women in their sphere. She fights to survive and establish her place in a world she's determined to change. The sensitive vampire intrigues her mind…and her heart.

When one of their own is captured by human authorities, Audra joins the hauntmates on a cross-country rescue mission. Will she find the real Mickey underneath all the swirling feelings or will the archaic customs of vampire society send her running?

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The Interview...

​Who are you and what do you write?

My name is Katja Desjarlais and I write Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. My heroines are smart, my heroes are flawed, and my antiheroes are my favorites.

 
Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?

I began writing on a cold October evening in 2015 and finished my first book, CONNECTION: The Haunt Vault Book One in April of 2016. Not the most glamorous beginning, but in my defense, it was cold, snowy, windy, and I didn't want to go outside ever again.

 
How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown?

Writing is my hobby, my downtime. It's something I do for myself between teaching music, raising three kiddos, and herding two cats. The journey has been both unexpected and amazing so far. I've been lucky to have immense support from family and friends, an agent who hauled me out of a slush pile and pushes me to do more, editors who are both encouraging and meticulous, and talented cover artists. I'm four years in and hope to be around for many more.
 

What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable?

The waiting. Oh my, the waiting is the hardest part of publishing. I'm very much the rabbit in Zootopia, and publishing is...not. However, every person I've worked with throughout each book has been incredible in their support and I've been blown away by their talent and dedication. They've made this whole process enjoyable and exciting.
 

Would you go back and change anything?

Nothing. I don't do regret.
 

Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? 

Five years from now, I'd like the have the entirety of the Haunt Vault the Junkyard Dog trilogy published. By year ten...my to-do list doesn't stretch that far out.
 

What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out?

The writing world is loaded with advice. Carefully vet who you choose to hear.
 

And most importantly...
 
Ketchup or Mayo? - Ketchup if I can't have vinegar.
Night or Day? - The night time is the right time.
Inside or Outside? - Inside is where coffee is made.
Dogs or Cats? - Cats. Can't gain an ego when a cat is your boss.
Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter. I like shouting into the void.
e-book or Paperback? - e-book on my phone.
Sun or Rain? - Sunshine, admired from inside.
Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Keyboard. Delete is my friend.
Comedy or Drama? - Drama, but only if I know how it ends.
Chips or Chocolate? - Mix both in a bowl for maximum sweet and salty.
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