Author Amy Sumida Shares Their Story
Amy Sumida lives on a little island in the middle of the Pacific ocean with her two gravity-defying felines. She sleeps in a fairy bed, lifted high in the air, and upon waking, she enjoys stabbing people with tiny needles, over and over, under the guise of making pretty pictures on their skin. She paints dark images on canvases in a cave-like studio carved out of the side of a cliff, and beautiful murals on the walls of her home directly above. She’s happiest with her nose buried in a book, or in her laptop as she writes her novels.
She is the author of several books, including the award winning Godhunter series, the Twilight Court Series, Feeding the Lwas, The Magic of Fabric, and Enchantress. She’s been writing since she was a little girl but first decided to pursue writing as a career when she gave her High School English teacher one of her books to critique and unbeknownst to her, that teacher passed her book around to all of her friends. A month later she was accosted in the halls by a teacher she didn’t know, begging her to write a sequel. She’s been writing novels ever since.
She enjoys serious, kick-ass heroines in her literature. “Nothing is more endearing than a woman who goes up against overwhelming supernatural odds with a sense of humor,” she says. “Who wouldn’t want to be that woman? I want to be that woman. So that’s who I write about, the woman I want to be and the men I want to be with.” Her main characters are strong, witty women, who in the midst of trauma will crack a joke, or find the nerve to sass a villain even when they know it’s not in their best interest. Add to that, strong male characters who aren’t intimidated or emasculated by the main heroine’s strength and you have a dynamic partnership. Amy’s books aren’t about women being more powerful than men or subjugating men in any way, they’re about women who can be strong and yet want their men to have their own strengths as well. More importantly, her heroines have humility and weaknesses that make them not only believable but easy to relate to.
About the Author
Amy Sumida lives on a little island in the middle of the Pacific ocean with her two gravity-defying felines. She sleeps in a fairy bed, lifted high in the air, and upon waking, she enjoys stabbing people with tiny needles, over and over, under the guise of making pretty pictures on their skin. She paints dark images on canvases in a cave-like studio carved out of the side of a cliff, and beautiful murals on the walls of her home directly above. She’s happiest with her nose buried in a book, or in her laptop as she writes her novels.
She is the author of several books, including the award winning Godhunter series, the Twilight Court Series, Feeding the Lwas, The Magic of Fabric, and Enchantress. She’s been writing since she was a little girl but first decided to pursue writing as a career when she gave her High School English teacher one of her books to critique and unbeknownst to her, that teacher passed her book around to all of her friends. A month later she was accosted in the halls by a teacher she didn’t know, begging her to write a sequel. She’s been writing novels ever since.
She enjoys serious, kick-ass heroines in her literature. “Nothing is more endearing than a woman who goes up against overwhelming supernatural odds with a sense of humor,” she says. “Who wouldn’t want to be that woman? I want to be that woman. So that’s who I write about, the woman I want to be and the men I want to be with.” Her main characters are strong, witty women, who in the midst of trauma will crack a joke, or find the nerve to sass a villain even when they know it’s not in their best interest. Add to that, strong male characters who aren’t intimidated or emasculated by the main heroine’s strength and you have a dynamic partnership. Amy’s books aren’t about women being more powerful than men or subjugating men in any way, they’re about women who can be strong and yet want their men to have their own strengths as well. More importantly, her heroines have humility and weaknesses that make them not only believable but easy to relate to.
What inspires you to write romance books?
Honestly, no man can compete with my imagination. Why would I want a fireman when I could have a god? No offense against real live men, they’re wonderful but when I write, I can make a new reality for myself and why would I make a reality just like the one I have? I don’t understand modern romance stories. If I wanted that kind of adventure, I would just go outside. I want to experience something I can’t in my everyday life. So I write paranormal romance.
Tell us about how you write:
It’s absolutely insane so please don’t judge me. I get my ideas and I make a sort of plan and then I just write. My characters start talking in my head and the scenes play out in my mind like I’m living them. Half the time, the characters go in a completely opposite way than I’d intended them to and I’m left arguing with them; “No, Trevor! What are you doing?” But they always do what they want to do. Yes, I always lose the arguments with my imaginary friends.
Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
See the “How I write” answer.
What advice would you give other writers?
Edit and the edit and then edit some more. Then get someone else to edit.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I was angry with being led around by a publishing company for a year before they told me no. I decided to self-publish as a big F You to them. I’m so happy I went this way, I almost want to thank them…. almost.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
It’s going the self-published route. Self-publishing gives authors more royalties and more control over their product. Traditionally published authors have to self promote just like me but they get less benefits. I heard of a best selling author who only made $14,000.00 from his book. I continue to make money off my books for as long as I sell them. I won’t be crass enough to give you a number but it’s more than $14,000.00.
What genres do you write:: Paranormal and Fantasy Romance
What formats are your books in: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Author Home Page Link
Link To Author Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7200339.Amy_Sumida
https://www.facebook.com/The-Godhunter-Series-323778160998617/
https://twitter.com/Ashstarte
https://www.pinterest.com/ashstarte/
