Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would have the opportunity to interview Stacy Travis. And that’s simply because I’ve seen her backlist and I have friends who love her stories, so to be able to connect with Stacy just blows my mind. Stacy’s stories are so fun too. If you haven’t read any of her books yet, I highly recommend you do and make sure you start with the Berkeley Hills. You’ll meet the incredible Finley siblings and go on their journeys to find love and happily ever afters.
In true Anna fashion, I started this series upside down when Stacy got in touch and asked if I’d like to read No Match For Her—the final book in the series. And then once I’d met Cherry and Charlie, experienced the rest of Cherry’s siblings, I was hooked. I’ve been slowly putting a dent in the series, reading them in whatever order I can because I already know who ends up with who, but it’s still the journey right?
Right now, Stacy’s working on sort of a spin-off from that series. The San Francisco Strikers series follows a football (soccer for American readers) team and their players as they navigate the sports world and fall in love. There are two books out right now, with a third on the way!
All of Stacy’s books are currently available in Kindle Unlimited.
What inspired you to write—was it another author or books you read as you grew up?
I've always been a reader—under the covers with a flashlight when I was supposed to be sleeping. I read through my own bookshelf, then I started on my dad's, mostly mysteries and thrillers. I was reading every Agatha Christie novel, Lord of the Flies, and All Quiet on the Western Front in 3rd grade and writing book reports on them. In ninth grade, I was assigned a descriptive writing assignment and while I waited to be picked up, I sat in front of the school and described everything I saw—in great detail, apparently. My teacher loved it and it made me realize writing was something I knew how to do. It was an unkillable weed from there.
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in?
I thought romance was something I could write from experience, especially since truth is often stranger than fiction But my 'experiences' quickly came up short, i.e I ran out of material! Fortunately, my imagination took over and ran. Never underestimate the vastness of creativity.
Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?
I've written 6 trad-published non-fiction books and I wanted to speed up the timeline and have more control when I turned to fiction.
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
Best part—I'm the boss. Worst part—I'm the boss.
Do you write full time or is this something you do on the side? And would you want to write full time?
I write full time.
Other than writing, what is something you enjoy and are really good at?
I'm pretty athletic, so I'll never turn down a game of pickleball or a 24-hour 200 mile relay.
If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
Suspense thrillers. or possibly romantic suspense
What are some of your all time favourite books—ones that you recommend to people or can reread multiple times?
I'm a Gillian Flynn fan, and I love Abby Jimenez and Penny Reid in the romance genre.
What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?
Write what you want
Write every day
Find someone you trust to give you feedback, but don't find 100 people to give you feedback
Remember that everyone gets discouraged and hits roadblocks
Be your biggest fan
Can you briefly tell me about your books?
I write brainy, sometimes nerdy heroines—some in STEM fields—and hot chiseled heroes with big hearts and deep wounds. They have a small-town vibes with large family dynamics, even if they're set in slightly larger towns or have sports elements
Of your books, who is your favourite character?
Charlie in No Match for Her
What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?
I'm inspired every day, all the time. It's hard to turn off that faucet. I come up with things while I'm driving, listening to friends talk, watching TV—it's constant. A blessing and a curse.
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
None of my characters is me, but they all have elements I can relate to—or small details from things I've experienced
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
I want my readers to feel...something. I want them to relate a little bit to some part of the story.
What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?
I love a second chance romance, especially when the characters met when they were younger and the timing was wrong. I keep going back to that one.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
I'm working on book 3 in my soccer series, but this one won't take place on the pitch
What are your most and least favourite tropes?
I love second chance, friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine. I'm not a huge fan of the secret baby.
What are some tropes you want to write in the future?
I'd like to get the enemies to lovers trope right.
What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?
I think we need more diversity in mental health challenges that so many people face but few talk about.
What is your favourite thing about the romance genre?
I love my fellow authors, and I love how passionate readers are about books and characters.
THIS OR THAT
Ebooks or audiobooks
Historical romance or romantic suspense
Single or Dual POV
Standalones or series
Music or silence while writing
Plotter, pantser or plantser
Tea or coffee
Cold or warm weather
Morning person or night owl
Illustrated cover or photo cover
You can follow Stacy on Instagram, Facebook and Goodreads and stay updated on upcoming books and series by visiting her website.