Interview and Giveaway with Author K.T. Grant

Earlier today I posted my review of K.T. Grant’s debut novel Lovestruck. She has been kind enough to stop by for a chat as well as offer a copy of Lovestruck to one lucky reader.  Please welcome K.T. to FVBR.

Tell me about K.T. Grant, author of GLBT romantic fiction.

KT: I’m a very mysterious person who lives in her writing cave with her faithful cat Kiko and pet sheep Mho. But those who have done enough research and have exposed the woman behind the name know I write stories that I consider to be "out of the box" romances. I’m also a self-proclaimed eccentric redhead who also has a blog where I post about books and the awesome WTFckery around us both on the internet and in the real world.

Why did you choose to write ‘out of the box’ romance as opposed to mainstream?

KT: I like to challenge myself in my writing and see what I can come up with in regards to my characters and settings. Sometimes it’s better to shake things up a bit and see where it goes, even though the public at large may be on the fence about reading it.

In Lovestruck there is a line that says:

A man admitting to be gay seemed to be more acceptable than a woman coming out and announcing she was a lesbian.

Do you believe that’s true? What are your thoughts?

KT: Keep in my mind this is my personal opinion, but it seems to me that there’s more of an acceptance in regards to gay men versus women who are lesbians. More often than not, if a man says he’s gay, there isn’t much surprise or shock, but when a woman comes out and says she’s gay, there is more discussion and conversation about the woman’s sexual preference, and perhaps more teasing about it. An example is with my character of Barbara, the CEO of her family’s hotel corporation and one of the main protagonists in Lovestruck. She’s surrounded by the good old boys club and finds it hard to belong in that group. Even though she’s paving her way in the business world, she constantly wonders if she has to put aside her femininity and sexuality to be respected in the business world.  I’ve worked in a male dominated industry for almost a decade, and from my point of view, it seems with a man, even with his sexual preference, that he would be more accepted and respected than say a woman in authority who is a lesbian.

What challenges have you faced in getting your work published that you think are specific to the erotic GLBT romance genre?

KT: I haven’t found many challenges since I submitted to e-publishers who are actively looking for more GLBT titles. There’s a great need for Lesbian Romance out there and I was pleasantly surprised that not one, but two e-publishers wanted Lovestruck. I really don’t understand why GLBT romance is automatically considered erotic. Just like straight romance, there are different levels of sensuality, and I believe the same rules apply with GLBT romance.

What advice would you offer to other up and coming writers who are trying to get their work published in this specific niche?

KT: Trying to publish for a niche market means you may have a smaller audience, so don’t expect the same type of sales like those books that are considered more mainstream. Make sure to do you research and please, don’t follow a trend. If you have an idea for a story, write it, and see where it goes.

You are also a well-known blogger and reviewer with a reputation for not holding back on your opinion on books, and the industry in general. Now that you are on the other side of the ‘review fence’ have your views changed at all regarding critical reviews?

KT: If you are talking about critical reviews about my books, not at all. Since I’ve been on both sides, I know how to handle criticism as well as being aware of dishing it out. Going from a reader to a reviewer and a finally an author can really change the way you read. But as long as you act professional and only discuss an author’s work and not the person writing it, then there should be no concern. The best reviews are those who bring up points and opinions they noticed in a book that maybe the author didn’t even consider while they were writing the story.

Where do you hope to be in five years career-wise?

KT: My dream is to walk into a bookstore and see my books on the shelves or find them in most on-line stores. Knowing that people are reading my work and enjoying it, and want more would mean the world for me. I would also love to be able to write full time. And if I can make a gazillion dollars, doing it, I would be very happy.

Would you like to tell us about your other recently published works?

KT: The same week Lovestruck was released, an anthology I’m in from Ravenous Romance called Once Upon a Threesome also came out. My straight contemporary romance, For the Love of Mollie was released on August 9th from Decadent Publishing, and then the next day on August 10^th, my Lesbian Pirate Romance called The Princess’s Bride was released from Ravenous Romance. As you can see, I’ve had a very busy summer!

And finally, Mho is used to being King and getting lots of attention. How is he handling your recent success? Any jealously…acting out?

KT: Mho is still good old perverted Mho. He has become needier, as in, I don’t have much time to cuddle with him and help him flirt with the ladies. He really wants me to write a demon shift-changing sheep romance where the hero is torn between a female demon shift-changing sheep and a female human. He talks my ear off about us co-writing a book together. Anyone want a fluffy, friendly sheep as a pet? Get in touch with me and we’ll talk. Ouch! *glares are Mho who butted his head against her leg*

Thank you for stopping by today KT, it was fun chatting with you. 

KT has generously offered to giveaway one e-book copy of Lovestruck to one lucky commenter.  Leave a comment here and answer the following question:

How often do you try something different and read ‘outside the box’?  

Giveaway is open until August 20, winner announced soon after.  Please remember the prize being offered is an e-book.

A little more about K.T. Grant:

KT Grant is a self-proclaimed eccentric redhead who not only loves to read a wide variety of romances, but also loves writing it. Under her alter-ego, she is a well known book reviewer and blogger who doesn’t shy away from voicing her opinion. A proud native of New Jersey, KT is multi-published and known for writing "out of the box" romances. KT has been quoted in such publications as the Romance Writers Associations’ Romance Writers Report and Night Owl Reviews. She has also been mentioned in the Guardian.UK, Publisher’s Weekly’s Beyond the Book and at Bookseller.com. You can visit her at http://ktgrant.com/ and at her personal blog at http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/