Indie Support Sunday: Kate Breitfeller
- Jun 21
- 7 min read
Kate Breitfeller just reminded me of one of the best things about being an author—having an abundance of imaginary friends to go on adventures with and eventually write stories about. Solving mysteries is where it all starts for Kate and while she writes high-stakes romantic suspense stories, historical fiction is something she might even dabble in one day.
With ten books to her name, Kate likes writing stories with enough intrigue to keep the reader hooked. Solving the mystery is half the fun! But like all of us, Kate has moments when she’s stuck or brainstorming and goes for a ‘plot walk’ with music blasting to get the writing brain back on track.
The third book in her Elite Security series—A Violet Obsession—releases July 24th and is currently available for preorder. The premise of this book sounds so good too! The rest of Kate’s books are available now and in Kindle Unlimited.
BEING AN AUTHOR
Who or what inspired you to write?
I have always been a huge reader and loved to tell stories. When I was very young I used to drive my family crazy with my elaborate cast of imaginary friends, and what they had been up to on any given day. That graduated into scribbling little stories (almost never completed) into spiral notebooks and legal pads. I still like to think of my books as just my imaginary friends falling in love and having adventures.
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
The best part is the freedom—to write what I want, to publish when I want, to choose my own covers etc. The worst part is having to do everything on your own— from finding vendors (editors, formatters, cover artists, character artists, graphic artists, marketing, admin help etc.) to competing against the already established machines of trad publishing particularly in regard to reader discoverability.
Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?
I wanted to share my books more than anything else, and even though the learning curve was daunting, I didn’t want to have to wait through the whole querying process, and then longer for a spot on a publishers schedule. Also, I’m a bit of a control freak and I’d heard some horror stories from author friends who were trad published.
When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?
More than anything music! I like to go on what I call ‘plot walks’ when I’m feeling stuck or brainstorming for a new book. I put on my headphones and head outside listening to music waaay too loud. I almost always come home with a few notes on my phone.
If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?
Sarum or London, both by Edmund Rutherford, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet, In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros, Honors Splendor (old school 90s historical romance) by Julie Garwood, Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh
What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?
Put something on paper even if it you think it’s awful; you can edit words you can’t edit a blank page
Use placeholders so you don’t get distracted by going down a rabbit hole. Example: if there is a fact I need to research, or I’m not sure of a name, or location I put a row of ????? so I can search for it later and fill in when I have time. Keeps you in writing flow.
Write the book you want to read. You’ll enjoy it more when you have to read it 50 times during edits.
Find writing groups, either virtual or in person. Most of what I learned about being an author I learned from other authors. For the most part our industry is very kind and most of us subscribe to the theory that a rising tide lifts all ships. So if you are having issues understanding something whether it be craft or business ask an author, DM me and if I don’t know the answer I might be able to point you in the right direction.
Consistency is the key to success whether that’s getting words down (doesn’t have to be every day just find a rhythm that works for you) or marketing—advice I know to be true but struggle to follow.
ROMANCE AS A GENRE
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?
I love the guaranteed happily ever after. It doesn’t matter how much bad happens on the pages because you know in the end it all works out.
If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
Historical fiction or Mystery. But I honestly can’t imagine writing anything without at least a romantic sub plot
What are your most and least favorite tropes?
CHEATING! And I don’t like love triangles because I worry someone isn’t getting their HEA
What are some tropes you want to write in the future?
Surprise pregnancy—I’ve pretty much written them all!
What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?
I think romance has come a long way in mental illness and physical disability rep, as well as better representation of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ issues but I think there’s always room to improve.
If you write open door romance, why did you choose that and what inspires your sex scenes?
I like to write open door romance because it feels like the natural progression of a healthy adult relationship. Things can sometimes be revealed about characters personalities in those vulnerable moments plus… they’re hot!
If you write closed door romance, why did you choose that and what are your favorite ways to build tension between the characters?
I wrote a closed door mystery romance and I kept it closed door because it felt appropriate to the overall writing tone and theme of the book. I use lingering looks and touches to build tension. I love a good clenched jaw.
YOUR BOOKS
What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?
This is a hard one. I don’t necessarily know where they come from! I have a squirrely brain. Mysteries play a huge role in all my books and I guess I just like the idea of the puzzle of it. How did they do it, why did they do it, how are they getting away with it, what’s going to trip them up.
My first series came about just before COVID when I heard some people gossiping and it made my mind extrapolate the story and then I went down the “well what would happen if…” rabbit hole.
My entire second series was inspired while I was sitting by a river in Ireland. I wanted to write a second chance romance around a couple who spent a week together in Ireland never to see each other again—a star crossed lovers idea, and then I had to build a series around them.
Can you briefly tell me about your books?
I write primarily high-stakes romantic suspense, where the mystery/suspense plot is just as present as the romance. Most of my books revolve around themes of light vs dark, redemption, and good vs evil. But I do it in the form of smart, independent women and super sexy, protective men.
Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?
Oof. That’s like asking about a favorite child. I’d have to do couples but even trying to pick couples it’s a 3-way tie. Declan & Olivia, Alex & Madison, Liev & Sera.
If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?
That’s a hard one too because for my romantic suspense characters I don’t actually picture my characters that closely. I would say however, when I wrote the Caribbean Series (mystery romance) I could definitely see an 80s era Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimabalist
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
I would imagine, whether I realize it or not, I’m in all of them. Most of my characters over think or have anxiety and that’s totally me. But I think in a lot of ways my characters, particularly my FMCs, behave in ways I wish I would, given the same circumstance. The idea of “oh I had the perfect come back six hours after the confrontation” My ladies always have it in the moment.
What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?
I really want to write a dual timeline love story—a historic timeline with one cast of characters and a present day romantic timeline where the couple is trying to solve a mystery or makes a historic discovery that is witnessed real time in the other timeline. I think it’s the Rutherford/Follet influence!
Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?
A couple: ALWAYS an HEA, he will always be willing to do anything for her, and she will always play an equal partner to the MMC. I don’t do damsels in distress—though I don’t mind reading about them sometimes.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
Book 3 of my latest romantic suspense series (Elite Security) A Violet Obsession will be out on July 24. It starts with an auction house heist of an infamous amethyst necklace, and the FMC is the prime suspect with not only the police, but two eccentric billionaires hunting her. The problem is, she can’t remember if she did it or not.
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
I want to create a safe space for readers to feel ALL the emotions (kick your heels, humor, heart in throat suspense, sadness, angst, longing, anger, vindication, love, lust ) with the knowledge that everything works out in the end.
AUTHOR’S CHOICE
Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks or audiobooks—I need the giant font
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?—All of the above! but … wine for the sexy scenes.
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