Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Hastings.
Hi Samantha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I wanted to be an author since I watched “Little Women” when I was thirteen years old. It has been a long and very twisty road, but I am so glad that I kept trying. My first published novel, THE LAST WORD, is from Swoon Reads which was an imprint of Macmillan. My next two novels with them came out in 2020 during the covid closures: THE INVENTION OF SOPHIE CARTER and A ROYAL CHRISTMAS QUANDARY. Unfortunately, the imprint was shuttered, and I had to find a new home for my writing. My first three books are Young Adult Historical fiction, so I tried writing adult fiction. I sold my first adult historical romance, SECRET OF THE SONNETS (1/3/23), to Covenant. My next two historical romances to Harlequin: THE MARQUESS AND THE RUNAWAY LADY (2/21/23) and DEBUTANTE WITH A DANGEROUS PAST (8/22/23). Meanwhile, I also tried another genre: cozy murder mysteries. Crooked Lane Books bought the first two in the Lady Librarian series, starting with A NOVEL DISGUISE (5/16/23) and the second book is coming February 6, 2024. My cozy murder mysteries are under my pen name, Samantha Larsen. I never expected to have four books come out in one year! 2023 is off to a great start for me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to traditional publication is anything but smooth. As an author, you take so many hits. First, from critique readers and agents. Then from your editor. And once published, people can leave harsh or meh reviews that can really get you down. I’ve learned to be humble and teachable when I can and to be a duck the rest of the time. When it rains, a duck shakes the water off its feathers. As an author, you have to shake off the criticism.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My bachelor’s degree is in History, and I absolutely adore studying and writing about the past. I earned two master’s degrees, one from the University of North Texas and the other from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. Many of my stories are inspired by my time in college and living in England. I loved all the castles and cottages. Roads and ruins. Histories and mysteries.
My other master’s degree is in Library Science, and I enjoyed highlighting libraries in my book, A NOVEL DISGUISE. The profession is predominately female now, but in the 1780s there were only males! I worked as a librarian for several years in Utah; at Orem Library, West Jordan Library, and Riverton Library. In 2009, the Utah Library Association gave me the Librarian of the Year award.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Like I mentioned before, my first publisher was an imprint of Macmillan and it closed after Covid-19. It felt like starting my career over and I was not sure I would find another publishing home. I kept writing and trying. My agent continued to submit, and we sold five books together in April 2022. I am so glad that I did not give up!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samanthahastings.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthahastingsauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaHastingsAuthor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HastingSamantha
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ladyofreading
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Samantha-Hastings/author/B07Q25DJVC?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
