Today we’d like to introduce you to Delphine McClelland.
Delphine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I never would have thought that I would write a book or even become a published author. It all happened while I was working as a part-time Crew Member at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. One of my coworkers put the idea in my head. Some of you may even know him. His name is John Voldstad and he is an actor. He was was the pawnbroker in the movie Leprechaun and the Stillman’s Aide in Stripes. He became interested in the books that I read to pass the time and was convinced that I should write my on book. After laughing at the thought of writing a book, I realizing that he was not going to let the idea go. One night while watching tv an idea for a book popped in my head. Not wanting to lose the idea I grabbed a 5 subject notebook and began writing down my ideas. Before long I had developed several characters, and had written 6 chapters. from that moment on I was hooked. For as long as I can remember I have always had a bit of an obsession with dark things, witches, vampires, Halloween. It made sense to me that I would write what I love to read which was paranormal romance with a focus on vampires. I have always hated that when most people hear the word vampire they immediately think evil demonic creatures. When I set out to write Dark Obsessions I wanted to create a story that changed that narrative. At their core, the true essence of who they are the vampires in my novels were not born to be evil demonic creatures, they were created to be that way. Once Kairo meets Skylar he has a choice to make. Does he save his on life by continuing to be the monster that Malachi created or does he change to be something better for Skylar.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No this journey into being an author has not been a smooth one at all. Writing the books and getting them published with the help of Dorrance Publishing has been the easy part. The promotion and selling of my books has been what is hard. In a sea of readers I find it hard to find the ones that are the right fit for me and my book. I have been at events where readers see me, my book, and my table and chose not to even give me a chance to tell them about my book. They see vampire or dark romance and walk on by. In a sea of readers and authors I strive to be different, something new and refreshing. It sometimes feels that different is not always good or that my different is too different. Being an author is also hard because it is so expensive and that plays a major role in the number of books I can sell at that particular event. To me being an author is like being on an island and with the help of community (fans, readers, fellow authors, and written reviews) you can grow you island but when you struggle to find your community growing your island is even harder. Thankfully I learn something new every year as I continue to fight my way through the obstacles and challenges. What I learn helps me to continue to stay on this path to continue to pursue my dreams of becoming a successful author. To be an author you have to have tough skin and an unwavering need to continue to fight for what you want.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Being an author has allowed me to tap into a creative side of that I never really used before. As an avid reader I have a very vivid imagination but I never saw myself expressing that creative side of me through writing. In school I found writing enjoyable but never thought that I would have a dream or desire to write. Now that I have opened that side of me up I can never close it. I find that I love to write and use my imagination to create one of a kind stories that are more than just words on paper. Through my writing I hope that readers come to see a deeper meaning in my stories. I can only hope that through my writing the world can learn and see that different is not always bad and vampires are not always evil. In some sense I can only hope that my writing, that my stories can help change they way people think and see others that are different.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Dark Obsessions and Dark Secrets are the first two books in the series that follows Kairo a 300 year old vampire and Skylar Montgomery a 27 year old socialite living in Charlotte, North Carolina. The series comes with a few trigger warnings: Graphic violence, torture, blood, and dismemberment. Despite the dark scenes this is very much a love story. It is a dark tale that plays with good vs evil, and light vs dark. It plays with stereotypes and labels and how the labels that we force people to wear can change the essences of who they are at their core. Dark Obsessions and Dark Secrets will take you on a ride of emotions as Kairo and Skylar learn how to give up a little control to be better for the one they love. In the end love is light and light eventually conquers the darkness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.delphinemcclelland.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delphinemcclelland/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DLMObsessions#
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@delphinemcclelland
