An Interview with Emma Wildes

I am so thrilled to have my friend Emma Wildes joining us today to answer some questions and give away a copy of her latest NAL release: LESSONS FROM A SCARLET LADY. Because I love Emma’s books (and think you will too!), I asked her if she would be so kind as to do an interview for the NobodyWritesItBetter blog. We were delayed a bit during last week’s technological snafus, but we’re here now.

Emma is an award-winning author, writing for NAL’s Signet Eclipse line. Among her many accomplishments are an Eppie win, a Lories Best Published, and a  WisRWA Reader’s Choice Award. She has been a # 1 bestselling author at Fictionwise, Capa nominee, and received several gold star awards from JERR. In a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly said of An Indecent Proposition (Signet, April 2009) that it provides a spectacular and skillfully handled story that stands head and shoulders above the average historical.

Thanks for joining us today, Emma. I’m so excited about your latest novel, LESSONS FROM A SCARLET LADY, which released last week. Can you tell us a little about the novel?

Well, it is interesting (or I hope it is) in that the main characters are married before the story starts. Since I write Regency, many aristocratic marriages were either arranged or the husband and wife didn’t know each other all that well, and I found it interesting to address that aspect of polite society. Since my books tend to be on the sexy side, I loved that my heroine chose to seduce her husband in inventive ways she learned from a forbidden book. A lot of fun to write!

You’re very prolific. How many novels and novellas have you published? Is there one that stands out above the rest for you, a story that was part of your heart more than the others?

Hmm. Lots of books out there, and quite a few short stories in collections too. Over fifty. I love to write. As for a book of my heart…I hate to be like every other author, but honestly, they were all a joy for me. If I had to pick, it would be the mystery, The Summer Bones, set in Indiana. I love the twist at the end.

You got your start with small press/e-publishers and continue to write for SIREN under a different name while writing for NAL. As a writer, what do you enjoy about e-publishing? What about as a reader?

There’s a lot to love about e-publishing. The rules are more flexible. That’s not to say they don’t have acquisition editors and deadlines and ARCs and all the rest of it, but I think innovative storylines are welcomed with open arms, because, quite frankly, the investment isn’t there to the same measure as with large print publishers. They can afford to take bigger chances, and they do. That said, all my books that are from primarily e-publishers are in print, and all my books from NAL are also available in e-book. Times have changed. Those two worlds are colliding slowly but surely.

As a reader I like that I might get something very, very different.
You assist both published and aspiring authors as naturally as taking your morning cup of coffee, and I would consider you a mentor of mine. Have you had any mentors along the way that helped you get where you are today?

What a lovely compliment! I have no idea if I am mentor material or not, but if I can answer a question, I will. In my own experience I have been lucky in finding some very wonderful friends making the same journey and that is invaluable. Authors have their own unique set of trials and tribulations–as well as joys–and colleagues who understand just what you are going through are like gold. I’d say my greatest help in moving forward all along have been different editors at different houses. My editor at Samhain directed me to my agent.
You write very romantic, very sensual books, and I think your fabulous heroes are key to that formula. As you see it, what makes for an unforgettable hero?

Well, I like them alpha, I like them beta, and in general I just like them, which is odd considering how irritating the average male can be! No, all kidding aside, I think the best hero is a really nice man. Under whatever flaws he has (and they do have them without exception), he’s a decent guy who just happens to be sexy and makes us love him despite his faults. One of the reasons I love writing Regency is that men were required to be gentlemen then by the rules of society, but we all know at heart most would rather be rakes. Built-in conflict right there.

What’s been the best and most unexpected part of your writing career?

I’ve been lucky in several different ways. I hit ebooks at just the right time, though Regencies are an eclectic choice. Historical apparently doesn’t sell well in that venue. especially with more sensual books, but, you see, I had no idea of that going in, which supports the advice to never write for the market <or maybe emphasizes I was too dumb to look at the market>. When the books sold so well, especially at retailers like Fictionwise, I was surprised, and it led to getting an agent and the contracts with NAL. I think one of the heart-stopping moments of my career was when I read an interview with an editor who was asked what she was acquiring in erotic romance, and she said “Most everything but historical. It doesn’t sell.” and then added, ”Unless you’re Emma Wildes”. I had an “Oh, wow, seriously, she mentioned me?” experience to see my name pop up in her comment. <laugh> That’s my entire claim to fame. Besides, I’ve learned to my chagrin that I am not considered all that erotic anyway, so she was right all the way around.

You do a lot of interviews. Is there a question you’re surprised you’ve never been asked?

No one has ever asked me how I came up with the name of Emma Wildes. It’s a good thing, since I have no idea. It just popped into my head.

Can you tell us a little about what we’ll see from you in 2010 and into 2011?

I have five books out in 2010 from NAL’s Signet Eclipse line. As you mentioned, Lessons from a Scarlet Lady; Seducing a Highlander in May, My Lord Scandal in September, Our Wicked Mistake in October, and His Sinful Secret in November. I also have Secrets of a Reckless Princess coming out with Siren (as Annabel Wolfe), and another project in a special line with them, as well as a short story in a British anthology. It’s going to be a busy year.

I love my job!

All best,

Emma

I’m feeling honored that you joined us with so much already filling your plate! Thanks again for joining us. I know I can’t wait to sink my teeth into my copy of LESSONS FROM A SCARLET LADY.

For a chance to win your own copy of Ms. Wilde’s latest release, leave a comment of any kind. I’ll announce the winner here in the comments on Friday morning, January 21^st.

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