You’ve probably seen the covers for Bridget Van Der Eyk’s books floating around on Instagram and like me, you’ve also been super curious about them. The covers are cute and definitely catch the eye—what with the FMC having what look like Victoria’s Secret Angel wings and swooning into the arms of a handsome MMC.
Bridget, an Australia-based author, has two books out right now in The Hollywood Socialite series that follows Libby Evans as she navigates the ups and downs of Hollywood, while also falling in and out of love. The series has a third book that releases later this year—you can add it on Goodreads right now—and from the blurb, it sounds like it might be the conclusion of this series. Either way, I am excited to dive into these books and I hope you are too!
10 Dates and 3000 Words are available right now in Kindle Unlimited.
BEING AN AUTHOR
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
The best part is definitely being able to retain full creative control of what the finished product looks like—I had a very clear vision of what I wanted the 10 Dates cover to look like and what I wanted the final story to be, so being in control of that felt empowering! The worst part is definitely feeling like you don’t have enough time for everything! As an indie author you are not only the author, but you’re the editor, the head of marketing, and the head of sales. You’re doing everything by yourself and that can be a bit overwhelming and all consuming at times!
If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?
If you love contemporary romance, my must read authors are Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood. I will read ANYTHING by them!
What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?
The first draft is always trash—don’t spend too much time trying to make it perfect, just get it done!
Don’t be the only editor of your work—it’s so beneficial to have lots of different sets of eyes critique your work so it can be the best it can be!
Not everyone is going to love your book, but someone’s 1 star book is someone else’s 5 star! Don’t take the bad reviews personally!
Hire an illustrator/artist/designer for your book cover—it’s the first thing people will see when deciding to read your book so you want to make a good impression!
Publishing is exhausting, hard, and terrifying! If it’s not, you’re doing it wrong.
ROMANCE AS A GENRE
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?
Everyone loves a good love story, including me! I grew up obsessed with Nicholas Sparks and the love stories his books and movies told. I am so happy now that there are more contemporary romances to read that are written by female authors about women in the real world that I can really relate to.
What are your most and least favorite tropes?
Favorite tropes: fake dating, slow burn, forced proximity
What are some tropes you want to write in the future?
I definitely want to have a go at a love triangle trope in the future, and a second chance romance.
If you write closed door romance, why did you choose that and what are your favorite ways to build tension between the characters?
When writing 10 Dates, I was not quite comfortable enough to write any open door romance so all the romantic scenes are closed door. In saying that, in the sequel I have ventured into the world of open door romance, with not as much explicit detail as some contemporary romances out there, but it definitely put me outside my comfort zone as an author, but in a good way!
YOUR BOOKS
What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?
I actually created the characters from 10 Dates before I sat down and put together the story and the plot. Each character was inspired while I was journaling after high school based on people I went to high school with. I have always loved romance novels (I'm a huge Nicholas Sparks fan!) so it made sense that 10 Dates ended up becoming a love story! I started writing the story fresh out of high school (2006) but didn’t have the time or the dedication to sit down and finish it until I was on 13 months maternity leave with my daughter in 2020/2021.
Can you briefly tell me about your books?
10 Dates is part of The Hollywood Socialite series and follows the life and romances of Hollywood socialite and aspiring Victoria’s Secret supermodel, Libby Evans. 10 Dates is the first book in the series and follows the unlikely romance between Libby and one of the paparazzi that torments her and her spoiled, rich Hollywood friends. It’s the perfect read if you like your romance with a side of scandal and gossip! 3000 Words then picks up where 10 Dates finished and explores what life is like for Libby after ‘happily ever after’.
Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?
Libby is definitely my favorite— love the development that her character undergoes in 10 Dates and will continue to undergo in subsequent books. She starts off as spoiled, snobby, and unlikeable but then both she and the reader undercover that there is more to her than that.
If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Kendall Jenner and Harry Styles would make the perfect Libby and Wentworth!
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
I have one more book in The Hollywood Socialite series up my sleeve! 2 Loves Later is the third and final book in Libby Evans’ story and is scheduled for publication in the summer of 2024. Other than that I have set myself the NY resolution of giving traditional publishing a go and am therefore currently drafting a Christmas romantic comedy - something a little more commercial and that I hope to use as a vessel for improving my writing as an author, especially with my first attempt at writing in first person!
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
I hope my stories will transport readers into a different world that will keep them entertained above all else. I hope when readers read 10 Dates they get to experience the fabulous and scandalous lives of Hollywood socialites and supermodels, and they enjoy the journey!
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?