Time has a way of shaping us all. This week, bestselling author Raine Thomas discusses her growth and evolution as a professional author over the past years.
At what stage in your life did you first publish a book?
I first published the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy ten years ago, when I was in my mid-thirties. I had lost my job in late 2008 due to the economic downturn, which gave me the impetus to begin outlining this series I’d been wanting to write for years. I stuck with it and completed the trilogy in late 2010. Losing that job in 2008—a job that made me miserable, by the way!—was the push I needed to do something I loved.
Did you send it to agents and/or publishers, or did you publish independently?
I was lucky enough to get a new job not long after losing the one in 2008 with a boss who had worked with an agent before. With that connection but no experience with querying, I fumbled through an outreach. Somehow, the agent requested the full manuscript of Becoming.
Unfortunately, he didn’t feel the story was the right fit for him—something authors hear all the time! I did get some very helpful feedback from him, though, which I used to tighten up the story. After educating myself on how to write effective query letters, I gave it go for a few months. Then I started reading about successful indies like Amanda Hocking, and that felt like a much better path for me. I’ve been an indie author ever since.
My Estilorian series is YA fantasy romance featuring three half-human sisters, a race of powerful supernatural beings, and the adventures they face as they battle to save humanity.
- The Prophecy (an Estilorian Short Story)
- Becoming (Daughters of Saraqael #1)
- Central (Daughters of Saraqael #2)
- Foretold (Daughters of Saraqael #3)
- Defy (Firstborn #1)
- Shift (Firstborn #2)
- Elder (Firstborn #3)
- I Do (an Estilorian Short Story)
- Deceive (an Estilorian Novel)
How do you think your writing and your books have changed since then?
I think since I started writing a little later in life, I had already found my author “voice.” So, not too much has changed there. My writing process has changed significantly, however, as I’ve started using alpha and beta readers to fine-tune my books throughout the writing process. They’re true life savers!
My sci-fi romance series, the Ascendant series, features a forbidden romance between a woman destined to rule worlds and the man sworn to protect her at any cost.
- The Ascendant (a Short Story)
- Return of the Ascendant (Ascendant Series #1)
- Rout of the Dem-Shyr (Ascendant Series #2)
- Rise of the Faire-Amanti (Ascendant Series #3)
Is there anything about your first book that you wish you had written, or done differently?
I’d be surprised if any author could honestly look back at the very first book they ever published and think it’s flawless. I can admit that there are probably places I could tighten up the writing even more. The thing is, though, my Estilorian fans are by far my most passionate and supportive, so I guess I must have done something right!
What impacts has the pandemic had on your writing?
Not much at all. I’m very fortunate that my boss was able to keep our company churning even through the pandemic, so I’ve still been balancing my writing with my full-time job. The only difference is I have had my hubby and teenage daughter home with me, which was actually kind of nice!
Tell us about your work in progress.
I’m hard at work on my upcoming hockey romance series featuring the sexy NHL players of the Atlanta Siege. Book one, A Heart So Wild, is projected to release by the end of 2021. Book two, A Heart So Familiar, is projected to release by spring, 2022. I then hope to release book three, A Heart So Cold, by the end of 2022.
My sports romances are stand-alone novels, and my rocker romances are meant to be read as a series, but they each feature steamy, satisfying love stories complete with a happily ever after.
- For Everly (a Baseball Romance)
- Meant for Her (a Baseball Romance)
- For the Win (a Baseball Romance)
- Ready for the Curve (a Baseball Romance Novella)
- Imperfect Harmony (House of Archer series #1)
- Unsteady Rhythm (House of Archer series #2)
- Driving Tempo (House of Archer series #3)
- Beautiful Finale (House of Archer series #4)
- A Heart So Wild (Atlanta Siege Hockey #1)
- Imperfect Harmony (House of Archer series #1)
- Unsteady Rhythm (House of Archer series #2)
- Driving Tempo (House of Archer series #3)
- Beautiful Finale (House of Archer series #4)
- A Heart So Wild (Atlanta Siege Hockey #1)
What are some things about others’ books that you love?
There are many! I might fall in love with another author’s character development or world-building. I might love their eloquence or ability to write engaging dialogue. And I love it when they make me LOL! But what I love most about other books in general is when a story keeps me turning the pages so I can find out how it ends. Surprisingly few books manage to capture my attention like that.
What are some things about others’ books that you detest?
This is tough! I’m not a huge fan of cliffhanger endings, especially cliffhanger endings that are clearly just for the purpose of compelling another book purchase. And I really do detest when a book has an unclear or unhappy ending. Life can be challenging enough without getting disappointed by a story!
What advice do you have for new or aspiring authors today?
Write because you love it and have something to say, not with any assumption you’ll make a living at it…though I hope you do!
Raine loves to hear from readers! Connect with her at
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