I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce you to the talented indie romance author, K. Iwancio, who’s here to shine in the spotlight today. In this exclusive interview, we’ll dive deep into K. Iwancio’s remarkable journey, from her early days of writing in 1st grade to her journey as a published indie author. Get ready to hear about the inspiration behind her latest release, “Bed… and Breakfast,” a captivating romance novel with a unique twist.
We’ll also explore her creative process, the emotions that drive her characters, and her experiences across various writing genres. Plus, K. Iwancio will share valuable insights into engaging with her readership and the role of social media in her author’s journey. We also delve into the themes of trust and second chances, which are central to “Bed… and Breakfast” and discuss how these themes resonate with her personally.
So, without further ado, let’s get to know K. Iwancio and uncover the magic behind “Bed… and Breakfast.” You’re in for a delightful literary journey!
Can you share the journey that led you from your early experiences of writing in 1st grade to becoming a published indie author? It’s fascinating to hear how you started at such a young age!
I got the publishing bug in 1st grade when my teacher Mrs. Hoover allowed us to pick one story to “publish”. By publish I mean she let us type up each page, work on the art, design the cover, and then laminated and bound the book for us. I still have it! I loved open writing time in school and it wasn’t until middle school when my 7th grade English teacher, Ms. Stroup realized my gift for poetry. She encouraged me to write. I joined the Literary Club in 8th grade and dabbled a bit more in fiction. But it wasn’t until high school that I dove headfirst into short stories for classwork and dipped my toes into the world of fanfiction.
Your passion for writing clearly remained strong even as life took you in different directions. How did you find the inspiration and motivation to return to writing in 2022 after some time away?
Actually, I took a REALLY LONG hiatus from writing. After college, life got in the way and I stepped away from it. It wasn’t until my favorite fictional character got his own mini-series that reignited my desire to write. You could call him my muse!
It’s impressive that you’ve already written multiple novellas and novels in such a short time span. Could you tell us about the writing process behind your latest release, “Bed… and Breakfast,” and how it fits into your overall body of work?
I swear by the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) camps. November is the official month but they sprinkle in challenges throughout the year. Its the challenge of writing 50,000 words in 30 days. It amounts to 1667 words per day. Bed…& Breakfast was mostly written during the July 2023 Camp NaNo and I hit my goal of 50k a day early!
“Bed… and Breakfast” sounds like a captivating romance story with a unique twist. What inspired you to write this particular book, and how did you approach creating the characters and setting?
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of the show/book series, Outlander. It reignited my love for Scotland after I started to trace my ancestry back in high school (I’m 25% Scottish!). Jamie Fraser is my fictional boyfriend! As with most of my books, it started with a random AF prompt of the main female character falling in love with the owner of an overseas Bed…& Breakfast. It was meant to be a St. Patrick’s Day holiday romance novella but well…it turned into not that.
In your book, Chloe’s journey involves healing from a broken relationship and discovering new connections. Were there personal experiences or emotions that you drew upon to bring authenticity to her emotional journey?
I like to make my characters as relatable as possible. Sure it’s a fictional book, but these characters need to feel human to my readers. They aren’t perfect. They have baggage. I have to say that I’ve never been cheated on but that’s such a well-known trope so there was plenty of fodder to pull from. I like to put myself in my character’s shoes a lot. How would I feel if this happened? What would I do? What would I say?
Your writing journey has encompassed various genres and styles, from fan fiction to novels. How do you approach the different genres, and what advice do you have for authors who are looking to explore diverse writing paths?
Honestly I never ever thought I’d write romance. Fantasy was my jam for most of my life. I loved reading it. But the world-building always got to me. I could never figure out a good enough story that would be worthy of a fantasy genre. When I started writing fanfiction again, I realized that I was only writing romance. It wasn’t until I wrote an AU (alternate universe) fanfic that I realized, “Hey, this could actually be a book!” I’m actually in the middle of writing my first paranormal romance book, which I think will help dip my toes into the fantasy realm. My number one suggestion to help writers figure out their preferred genre: READ BOOKS IN THAT GENRE. I’m part of a Story Makers Book Club at Cupboard Maker Books (a local bookstore) and this is literally all we do every month. We read books in the genre we write in along with non-fiction writing books to help us hone our craft. It’s been so incredibly helpful to see what published authors are doing in the same wheelhouse. This is something you need to do if you’re going to query for a literary agent as well. You need to know your comps. And the only way to find those out is to read!
Building meaningful connections with readers is essential for indie authors. How do you engage with your readership, and what role has social media played in fostering that connection?
Oh gosh I LOVE chatting with fans (OMG I still can’t believe I have fans!). Everyone has been so amazing and encouraging. I make sure to respond to every comment and message that I get on social media. Even if it’s a silly thing or a question about my characters or how to get into the publishing industry, message me! I love talking shop. I also really love supporting and interacting with other traditionally published and indie authors. The best thing we can do for each other is lift up one another! I’ve met so many incredible new authors and people through my ARC readers. I try to be as genuine as possible. I’m not afraid to let my freak flag fly!
“Bed… and Breakfast” delves into themes of trust and second chances. How do these themes resonate with you personally, and why do you think they’re important to explore in romance literature?
There is always hope. In romance, in life, there is always hope. Even on your darkest days, there is hope. Hope has been a foundation for my life. Most days haven’t been easy. But having that hope there makes the bad days survivable. Even though it’s such an essential thing, it’s something that’s timeless in the romance genre.
As an indie author, balancing writing with other responsibilities can be challenging. How do you manage your time effectively, and what strategies do you use to stay productive and inspired?
Oh gosh… Currently, I don’t have much of a life. Writing is the easiest vacation from the chaos of working three-ish jobs. Writing to me is what reading is to most people, a way to escape the real world. Some days I don’t leave my desk and some days I just need to do something else. I do have a decent support system in place. For the most part, my chaos is as balanced as possible. But remember, I’m a one-person show here. I do all my own graphics, marketing, stocking, and order fulfillment as well!
With “Bed… and Breakfast” being your latest release, could you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or ideas you have in the pipeline for your readers to look forward to?
Well for those of you who have been able to obtain my business card, it does give away two projects that are up and coming! I’ve been sprinkling little hints here and there as well. But if you are in the mood for a steamy witchy romcom (think modern-day Bewitched) then keep your eyes out for late September/early October! I also have a project lined up for NaNoWriMo that may or may not be part of the Romancing the Pages “series” (Sorry, it’s not a continuation of Ben and Mari’s story!). Everyone will have to keep their eyes peeled on my social media for more teasers!
If you’re as captivated by K. Iwancio’s work as I am, be sure to check out her website here and follow her on GoodReads, Instagram (@k.iwancio_writes), and Facebook (K. Iwancio Writes) to stay updated on her latest releases and connect with this fantastic author.
And if you’re an indie romance author looking to step into the spotlight and share your story, don’t hesitate to fill out the form on our Author Spotlight page here. We’d love to celebrate your talent and journey with our community
