Author Interview with S.C. Principale
Interview by Sherry Perkins
Yes, a pen name does have its benefits as we discover in this PRG Author Interview with S. C. Principale. Anonymity aside, S. C. has joined with numerous romance writers to offer a hopeful collection of romance, women’s fiction and poetry in the charity anthology STAND FOR UKRAINE. Proceeds go to Save the Children’s efforts to provide Ukrainian children with food, warmth, shelter and psychological support.
1. You’ve said you write the stories you like to read–thrillers, mysteries, and steamy paranormal romances. What is it about those genres that captures your attention?
Growing up, I was the “smart” kid who had more books than friends. I loved solving mysteries and reading the books that were much too old for me, which gave me a passion for mysteries and thrillers. My brilliant, beautiful grandmother also loved these books, and we would share our favorites. As for paranormal romances, I have experienced a lot of loss and death in my life. I loved the idea that maybe the monster could actually be the hero, that death wasn’t always the end. Those ideas play nicely with paranormal romance.
2. As a self-described history nerd, do you work history into your stories, either subtly or enough to be classified as historical fiction? Do you have a favorite historic period?
Under my other pen name (shhh, it’s a secret), I constantly write history into my stories. I do mention a lot of mythological elements and elements from different cultures in my paranormal romances, so I suppose that counts as history in some ways.
3. Although several of our authors have published serials on Vella, you’re our first to be interviewed about the process. How does writing for Vella differ from more traditional novel length or short story projects? How does selecting a Vella cover differ from other book covers? Are you pleased with the results and reader responses this far?
Writing for Vella is different for me in the fact that I’m comfortable publishing an ongoing story and I don’t have to have the entire novel completed. It’s also a challenge because you can only publish short little chunks at a time. As for designing a cover, you have to make sure your key image fits a tiny circle, lol. That is not something I was good at with my first series, but I’m going to get better at it on my next one. Right now, I only have one story out and don’t have a lot of followers to the story, but I still love using Vella. I think it’s a way to meet new readers who like different reading styles.
4. Not only have you written thrillers, mysteries and paranormal romance but you’ve also done erotica, aka, “steamy” stories. Do your family members read the steamy books and if so, how does that make you feel? Because I remember the first time my dad read one of mine, lol…
This is where my pen name comes in handy!! My family only reads my clean stuff. Whew!
5. In your bio, you mentioned (among other things) you have “the most patient, sexy husband in the world.” How important is it to have a supportive partner when you are a writer?
Oh my gosh, having a supportive partner is everything. I know other authors who have husbands or wives who begrudge their writing as a mere hobby. My husband is amazing. Not only does he inspire all of my fictional heroes (minus the fangs), but he prioritizes my writing. He makes sure that he does anything he can to help me, especially with household stuff. As he says, “I can’t write for you, but I can do…” (Insert mundane household chore here.) Lots of authors have a PA to help them with the writing and marketing end. I have a husband who is worth a bajillion PAs because he inspires me, helps me, and handles pretty much everything in the entire house so that I can do the writing stuff. I could brag on him for a dozen pages. In short, having a supportive partner is of indescribable value.
ABOUT S. C. PRINCIPALE:
Award-winning author S.C. Principale believes in writing stories she wants to read, which is why she writes thrillers, mysteries, and steamy paranormal romances. Her stories are filled with strong, sassy heroines and the unique, often otherworldly men who love them. S.C. lives in a historically-rich county, where haunted battlegrounds serve as never-ending inspiration. S.C. is a self-proclaimed history nerd, following old mysteries, baking, and leading theater and musical groups. Her home life consists of scrounging space for her laptop without tripping over two kids, two dogs, a mischievous chinchilla, and the most patient, sexy husband in the world.
CONTACT S. C. PRINCIPALE AT:
WEBSITE: https://scprincipale.wixsite.com/website
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/S.C.-Principale/e/B01FZZL28I%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SCPrincipale
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/WritesandBites/
FACEBOOK READERS GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/668289727695362
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14847508.S_C_Principale
