Candles by Studio 3B

Conversation with Author Kate Hill

Hello Kate! Such a pleasure to get a chance to chat with you!

I must say, very nice website! Someone could really get engrossed there looking through all of your different series of books! How many series are currently out now?

Thanks very much! I have eleven series out right now and two new ones coming up.

You have many different types of books such as Erotic Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, but I get the feeling that your heart is taken with vampires!

I do love vampires. When I was growing up my mother was a huge vampire fan, so I spent a lot of time watching vampire movies with her.

What I really like is that you break away from tradition and have given your vampires new rules and a new twist on their existence.

While I love traditional vampires, I especially love vampires who break from the norm in some way. I prefer vampires who are a different species rather than the "undead."

A lot of research and thought must have gone into your Ancient Blood Series. I was in awe when I saw that you even have Helpful Terms for your readers, a sort of glossary to help them understand the terminology used in the books. Just reading their definitions is enough to get anyone hooked and wanting to see what it's all about!

Thanks very much for taking a look at the terms! One of my favorite things about writing is world building. I've been working on the Ancient Blood universe for years and it's been so much fun.

Can you describe the three different "types" of vampires in your series? From what I see, there are Hybrids, Immaculates, and Originals in your stories.

Hybrids are humans who have been turned into vampires by another vampire. Hybrids can only be created if the vampire and the human are compatible. Couples can find out if they're compatible by taking a medical test. Immaculates are vampires born to two hybrid vampires, conceived just like a human baby is conceived. These are very rare. Originals are the "true" vampires who traveled to Earth from another galaxy.

You also have a couple of series that are a "spin-off" of your other series.  Can you tell us a bit about those?

Ancient Blood doesn't have a spin-off series, but I have another series called Blood and Soul that has a few spin-offs. Blood and Soul focuses on a vampire master called Zigor and those connected to him. Dangerous Cravings, Heart's Blood and The Elixir Maidens all take place in the same world as Blood and Soul.

Oh, I must tell you that I love the pictures of your pets! They are so cute! How many loveable fur balls are there in your life?

Thank you! I have a dog and three cats. I love animals.

A fact that I found fascinating is that you are a Vegetarian. How did you come around to this lifestyle choice?

I never liked eating meat, so it wasn't really difficult to give it up. There was a very short time in my early twenties when I stopped being a vegetarian, but I was very unhappy with the lifestyle so it didn't take me long to go back to it and I've never even thought about eating meat again since.

Now Kate, here's the one question that I must ask everyone, What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would be shocked to know?

I write a lot of erotic romance, so the surprising thing might be that I spend so much time writing sex that I scarcely have any time to actually have it!

I'm very interested to know what inspired you to start writing, and to start writing paranormal and vampire stories.

I've been writing for as long as I can remember, so I think it's just something I've always felt the need to do. Since I grew up on vampire movies and books, it seemed like the natural thing for me to write about.

Would you have any particular words of wisdom to share with other authors who may be wanting to start out on the path of paranormal romance. Is it very hard to get your name out there and establish your characters - especially if they are taken from the "normal" path that people would expect?

I would say the best advice would be never give up, but if a person has a strong desire to write they never will give up. Write about what you love and it will always be worthwhile for you. Also learn to take criticism but know when to follow your own path. No matter what you do you will not please everybody so ultimately you need to satisfy yourself. I feel that if I'm not connected to what I'm writing I can't possibly ask someone else to be.

With so many books under your belt and a new one out (that I want to know more about), do you get much "down time"? What do you like to do for fun?

That's funny because one of my favorite things to do for fun is write. I also enjoy working out and spending time with my family.

So, speaking of the new book, Back to Haunt You, which as you know, I think the bookcover is lovely, can you tell us a bit about this story?

I'd love to. Back to Haunt You is a paranormal (non-erotic) story that involves psychics in a small New England town. The book does have several romantic subplots, but the main focus is on a series of violent crimes that police believe have been committed by members of a psychic institute.

Any other new and exciting projects from Kate Hill that fans should be on the look-out for?

I have a new book coming soon from Ellora's Cave called Raptvyn's Rogue. It's a ménage romance focusing on shapeshifting bird people. Raptvyn's Rogue is the sequel to my gay romance novel, Windswept, in which these particular shapeshifters are introduced. Also next year from Changeling Press I have a spin-off of my Carnal series coming out, called Carnal 2. This series is about the relationship between the werewolves and vampires inhabiting the same world.

I love doing list days at my publishers' loops and also hanging out on some of the other reader groups at yahoo. The third Wednesday of every month I do a list day from 11-4pm EST at the Changeling readers yahoogroup. On my website is a list of upcoming events that I try to keep updated with where and when I'll be chatting.

Thank you so much!

You can visit Kate Hill online at www.kate-hillcom or on myspace at www.myspace.com/katehillromance

Kate Hill's Sensual Dreams Candle was designed to reflect the mood of her paranormal and fantasy romances: