Indie Support Sunday: Ashtyn Kiana

It’s always fascinating to learn what inspires authors to write the stories they do. In Ashtyn Kiana’s case, a song inspired a scene and everything else followed that. Plus, authors like Meghan Quinn and Stephanie Archer definitely drew out the stories that she wanted to tell.

Someday in the future, we might even get a series set in Ashtyn’s hometown of Albuquerque, showing people that there’s more to the city than just what Breaking Bad might have shown us.

But right now, she released her first paranormal romance—Fates That Bind—in February and also announced a return to her debut series in Amada Beach!

You can find her books in Kindle Unlimited.

BEING AN AUTHOR

Who or what inspired you to write?

For a long time, writing a book felt like an unachievable goal but one day, the premise of Always Been Yours came to me. It felt like I NEEDED to write this story and I often describe the entire experience as being a fever dream. My partner and friend Lily were the ones who encouraged me and supported me to take the leap.

What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author? 

The best part is all the connections and friendships I’ve made. In so many ways, I feel more accepted in the book community than I have anywhere else. The hardest part is the comparison. It’s hard to not compare your work to your peers. Or to their “success” or their friendships. When you’re surrounded by talented, amazing people, it sometimes is hard to remember your own light. 

Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?

I wanted full creative freedom for my stories and my characters. It also felt important to find my voice as an author before trying to find someone to represent my stories and me.

When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?

I love to make candles, macrame and cozy coloring. 

If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?

The Song of Achilles, The Alchemist, The Four Agreements, The House of Broken Angels. 

What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?

1. Stay off of Goodreads. 

2. Write the stories that resonate with you.

3. To find your cheerleaders, you need to be one for others. 

4. Some of the best friendships in this field are not shared on social media.

5. Make sure to disconnect from social media and reconnect with yourself and your environment.  

ROMANCE AS A GENRE

Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?

I’ve always been drawn to romance books. Even if it fell primarily under a different genre, I always needed just a little romance sprinkled into a story. It adds a whimsy, magical element that gives you hope for your own life. 

If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?

I would love to write a fiction novel about two friends who are navigating young adulthood and how it changes them, for better or worse. 

What are your most and least favorite tropes?

My favorite tropes are friends-to-lovers, small town, single dad, black cat x golden retriever. 

My least favorite tropes are step-siblings and brother’s best friend. (Not here to yuck someone’s yum! I don’t judge, I just personally avoid.)

What are some tropes you want to write in the future?

I would love to write a marriage in crisis one day!!! 

What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?

More mental health rep (outside of anxiety and depression). More books that question social constructs (virginity, kids = happy ending, marriage, men being the bread winners). Blended families and co-parenting. 

If you write open door romance, why did you choose that and what inspires your sex scenes?

I grew up with very sex positive parents, so it never felt “taboo.” And romance novels have helped me explore my own sexuality and desires more than anything else. It allows people to do so in a safe, non-judgmental space before bringing it to your “real” sex life.

YOUR BOOKS

What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?

Meghan Quinn & Stephanie Archer’s books definitely inspired the Amada Beach series. I wanted to read a book about a single dad who was co-parenting with his ex-wife because it is a reality so many people live through. It’s not always easy, for kids or adults. 

The song Perfume by Del Water Gap inspired a scene of the characters, and everything else came to me within days. 

Can you briefly tell me about your books?

Always Been Yours follows single dad Grady as he moves back to his hometown with his two daughters and reconnects with his childhood best friend Vivi. They’re assigned to host a fundraiser together for the school they work at. 

Between Us goes back in time to better establish Blake and Adrian as characters. They meet when he becomes a vet assistant at her dad’s clinic and she’s healing from her past. Neither of them were looking for their person, but they found each other anyway.

Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?

Vivi and Grady are so much of ME. I’ll always feel a little biased toward them :)

How much of yourself do you put into these characters?

Depends on the character and story! There’s a lot of me in Always Been Yours but much less in Between Us. 

What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?

I’d love to write a series based in Albuquerque, NM. There’s so much culture in New Mexico that I’d love to share with others. I KNOW Breaking Bad is an objectively great show but it kills me that it’s what so many people associate my hometown with.

Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?

Strong female friendships that are just as important as the romantic relationships!!

What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?

Right now, I am in the midst of editing the third Amada Beach book: Say You’re Mine. The story will follow Vivi’s older sister Calypso as she navigates fake dating the new man in town! I’m so excited to share more about her since a lot of readers have shown interest in her from the beginning. But it feels so good to be home again.

I’m also in the middle of writing a holiday novella and plotting my first baseball romance! Both will be released later this year!

When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?

I hope readers feel accepted and seen through my characters. I hope it brings someone a little spark that reminds them they deserve to be loved loudly and proudly. I hope even one person closes my books and feels more at home in their own skin. 

AUTHOR’S CHOICE

• Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks or audiobooks

• Contemporary, fantasy, historical or romantic suspense

• Single or Dual POV

• Standalones, series or standalones in a series

• Open door, ajar door or closed door romances

• Music or silence when writing

• Plotter, pantser or plantser

• Water, tea, coffee or….wine?

• Cold or warm weather

• Write better in the morning, afternoon or night?

• Illustrated or photo cover?

Ashtyn can be found on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and you can sign up for her newsletter to stay updated on all future projects!