Author Q&A: Alexa Grace

When the door slammed shut on Alexa Grace’s corporate job, another one was flung wide open.

She’s now a USA TODAY best-selling author of two romantic suspense series, and her first book — Deadly Offerings, published the same year her previous career ended — now has over 3,000 reviews on Amazon.

Here’s what Grace had to say about the moves she’s made, from strategic freebies to working with her fan base.

SADYE: Your childhood dream was to write, and you followed that dream after a long-term job ended. Were you doing anything literary in the meantime?

ALEXA: I spent 100 percent of my energies while working in corporate training on the job. I did do a lot of reading in my genre — romantic suspense — which made me want to write my own book even more.

SADYE: Did you pursue a traditional publishing contract or go directly to self-publishing?

ALEXA: When I lost my job in 2011, I did a lot of Internet research in self-publishing. Indie authors like Theresa Ragan and John Locke really motivated me to take the indie route.

Like them, I wanted to retain control of book design, writing, marketing, etc.  Thus, my indie journey began.

SADYE: How did you decide to make Deadly Offerings free, and how has it affected sales of the rest of the series?

ALEXA: I made Deadly Offerings free when I released Deadly Deception (the second book in the series). I was a new author who wanted more readers to be aware of my books. 

I find that once readers complete Deadly Offerings, they go on and read the entire series.

SADYE: How did you get the idea for your “street team” of fans, and how well has it done?

ALEXA: I created the street team a few years ago and am very pleased with their efforts to promote my books.

I feel I’ve gotten to know the members and it has been a great experience; I enjoy interacting with them.

In my upcoming book, Profile of Fear, there are five characters named after readers.

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You can view Alexa Grace's works on Amazon; like her on Facebook; and follow her on Twitter.

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