Author Q&A: Julie Embleton

Today we're interviewing dark fantasy author Julie Embleton.

Embleton writes tenacious, kick-ass females who can rescue themselves thanks very much, gutsy heroes with tender hearts, and heinous villains who thrive on chaos.

Her stories weave suspense, romance, and magic, mostly with happy endings, but she does enjoy leaving her readers hanging with the occasional cliffhanger.

SADYE: How did you come to see yourself as a writer, and what inspired you to seek publication?

JULIE: I started writing in my teens, but only ever for myself, and mostly because my imagination never stopped whirring.

I quickly learned that if I wanted peace, I had to transfer the stories onto paper — although, I will be honest and admit that writing was also a great way to avoid homework.

In my twenties, life took over, and it wasn’t until my late thirties before I returned to writing, but again, just for me. Around that time, Twilight hit the screens. Stephenie Meyers’s journey mirrored mine in many ways, and I found myself thinking, "If she can do it, why can’t I?"

I began by publishing on Wattpad, and once I’d built a steady readership, released my first book on Amazon.

My passion for storytelling stems from seeking the extraordinary in the mundane. I love the idea of the paranormal hiding in plain sight.

How do you know your neighbor isn’t a sorcerer who summons demons? Or that the woman who serves your coffee can shift into a wolf at will?

Fantasy gifts me the leeway to explore these ideas, and there’s nothing more rewarding than my giving my imagination free reign with these thoughts.

Ultimately, however, readers are the inspiration behind my writing. When I know they’ve connected with my worlds and characters, it fills my heart with gratitude.

SADYE: Tell us something about your writing process that’s unusual or that you haven’t revealed before.

JULIE: A lot of my inspiration comes from dreams.

The entire Coveted Power series grew from a dream no more than maybe ten seconds long. When I woke, the emotion from the scene remained so vivid and inspiring that I began to write the series soon after.

I regularly wake with a storyline hatched in a dream, and these typically end up on the page or inspire a whole new book. I’ve even dreamt my way out of being stuck on a plot line.

Thankfully, I rarely have nightmares, but I imagine they could be put to use, too!

SADYE: Which of your characters would you most and least like to become romantically involved with?

JULIE: All the characters I fancy are already spoken for, and are so deeply in love with their partners, they wouldn’t look twice at me, so I’ll have to surrender to knowing I’ll never have shifter Michael Vincent or vampire Enzo Paladino.

Besides the villains, the character I’d least likely have a romantic entanglement with is probably Graham from the Turning Moon series. He’s a good guy, but not my type. I prefer the broody, dark-haired, sometimes morally grey guys.

SADYE: What have been the most surprising, rewarding, and challenging parts of your writing career?

JULIE: Most surprising would be the fact that I’m about to start writing my thirteenth book. I never imagined I’d reach double digits, or have so many other book ideas still waiting!

The most rewarding (despite the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into it) is the amount of technical knowledge I’ve gained. Between building my own website, the technical side to self-publishing, and all those nitty-gritty bits in between, I’ve overcome my techno-phobia and learned that it can be done!

The most challenging is without doubt, finding the time to actually write. As a full-time, self-employed author, I’d say at least seventy percent of my week is spent with the admin and business side of authoring, and the remaining thirty percent with writing itself. And that’s on a good week.

When I’m on the first and second draft of a book, and really stuck into it, it’s very frustrating to have to come back to reality to deal with finance, marketing, and social media. Saying that, I wouldn’t change it for anything.

SADYE: What advice, as relates to your writing career, would you give your younger self?

JULIE: Read, read, read, and when you write, write, write, craft stories that make your heart thud because that’s where the true magic lies for an author.

Those books you think you should write? Forget them. Write the ones you want to write, the ones you need to write.

When it comes to other authors, admire their work, study their skill, but don’t compare yourself to them. We’re each on our own individual path, and wishing you were on another’s will steal every ounce of your joy.

In those first few years of publishing, the best strategy is to build up your back catalogue, find your ideal readers on social media, stay connected and engaged with them (and supportive authors), establish a regular newsletter, and remember that creativity is key when it comes to online engagement.

Finally, stay true to yourself by building your brand upon integrity and passion.

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Learn more about Julie Embleton on her website, where her books can also be purchased; follow her on Instagram; and add her author and book accounts on TikTok. 

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