Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Maygrove.
Melissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thank you for inviting me to tell my story.
I’ve always enjoyed doing creative things. My mother still tells tales about me hiding out in my room with a spiral notebook, writing short stories as a kid. But young me never thought I’d become an author.
In 2010, I was working part-time as a nurse and homeschooling one of my kids. I decided I would write a novel, just to see if I could do it. I had no aspiration for publication. It was simply a personal challenge to see if I could handle a story and a document that big. I got it done, but it was really bad. LOL
I had put enough work into my manuscript that I decided to go further. I sought critique and learned from it. I also began blogging and drawing inspiration and knowledge from fellow writers. By 2013, I had written three novels. The third was good enough to publish, so I polished it up and decided to go indie.
My debut novel, a western historical romance titled “Come Back,” was released in May of 2014. At first, the only sales were those to friends and family. I sat and looked at the sales dashboard the way one does a firework dud. I’d put in years of hard work for 12 sales. Then, a few days later, when I was about to give up, it took off.
“Come Back” sold over 8,000 copies that year. Needless to say, I was in shock.
I had intended it to be a standalone, but readers began contacting me and requesting that supporting characters get their own books. Since my success had branded me as a western historical romance author, I turned my debut into a series called “Forging America.” I published the second book, “Precious Atonement,” in July of 2015. It was a soft release and didn’t bring in the same numbers, but it held its own, and my future as a romance writer was set.
Little did I know life was about to steal all that momentum.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Shortly after “Precious Atonement” released, I was forced into a hiatus by my circumstances. At the time, I was raising three special needs kids who were needing more and more of my time. I also had to change my part-time status at work back to full-time. I missed my writing, but there was nothing I could do. I put it on the back burner for nearly a decade. Then life’s seasons changed again.
Since then, I’ve published my very first two manuscripts under a different pen name (Scarlet Knight), published a benefit anthology, written two more books for the “Forging America” series, and started a new western historical romance series called “Sagebrush Springs.” So far, I’ve published two books of the new series and have a third up for preorder.
I’ve not enjoyed the success of that first novel again, but book by book, I’m finding my way back.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known among my author friends for my attention to detail. Many have told me I have an “eagle eye for grammar.” As a result of their encouragement, I began offering freelance editing services.
That attention to detail also comes through in my books. It’s important to me to consistently give my readers a quality product. I spend a lot of time doing research to get the historical stuff right and avoid anachronisms. I also make sure my books get a thorough proofread before going to print.
What were you like growing up?
I was a very shy introvert. I’m still an introvert, just not as shy. Working as a nurse forced me out of my shell. Gaining life experience, and thus having more to talk about with people, has also helped.
Pricing:
- If you’d like to read a sample of my writing, you can get a free, exclusive book by signing up for my newsletter. https://dl.bookfunnel.com/uonrrvm6ze
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