Away from the standard author bio about page, here are a couple of questions that have cropped up either about me or my books. You’ll probably find some interesting little bits in here that you won’t find anywhere else!

Why do you use a pseudonym? Do you have something to hide?

The answer to this is simple: branding. I also do a lot of non-fiction work using my ‘day job’ name. In my experience, people don’t take your white paper quite as seriously once they know you write fiction. Even less so once they’ve read one of your sex scenes. It just makes the whole board room uncomfortable. So for my lesbian fiction, a bit of careful branding just stops people from finding something they really weren’t expecting. Other than that, everything else is real. I’m not a man, I am a lesbian, I have a lovely wife and I travel a hell of a lot.

Why do some of your books have English spellings and others have American?

I love to travel, but I was born and educated in England. Therefore, if I have an English main character, I will use the English spellings, even if they travel to other parts of the world on their adventures. However, if I am writing about wholly American characters on their home turf, I tend to drop out all those pesky letter ‘u’s that get in the way.

Why do you write in so many genres?

I know, in theory I should just stick to one. Apparently it makes it easier for readers. Unsavvy marketer that I am, I choose to give people a bit more credit. I have some favourite genres, but I’m also always willing to try something a bit new if I like the way characters are written and plots are formed. I’m happy to give my readers the benefit of the doubt and assume they do the same.

Where were all the lesbians in Blood Inheritance? I was tricked!

Blood Inheritance was the first book in a series I conceived over a decade or so. I wanted something that reminded me of that delicious frustration of two female characters that came with some of my favourite shows. Xena, Buffy, they had a special place in my heart and spawned the femslash that if you’re still reading this, you’ve probably come across. The downside of those shows was that they never moved beyond subtext is a meaningful way. So, dear reader, your lesbians are there, they just haven’t got round to talking about it yet. Too busy saving the world, you know?

However, the world has moved on (in some ways) from those days, which is why the Blood Inheritance series is currently out of publication and will be re-imagined in a way I feel more accurately aligns with the true nature of the book.

Where do you come up with your characters/plots?

Real life. I have some strange friends.

I’m a huge planner when it comes to my books and I always have a notebook on hand to capture that sudden idea or conversation I overhear when I’m in a coffee shop. I take two writing breaks in the sun each year and do all the plot and development work for my books. Then I write them from the outline, although sometimes my characters rebel and surprise me. I also make a playlist of songs that capture the themes and key scenes for each book. That keeps me in the zone when the writing gets tough (which it always does at some point).

Contact the author directly at ckmartin.author@gmail

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