Authors in the Cosmos: India Holton

August 17, 2021 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

Authors in the Cosmos: India Holton

“So it was a matter of love at first sight? How romantic. I am always suspicious of love earned by familiarity—it shows a lack of imagination.” ~from The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

Author India Holton shows she has no lack of imagination in her two books—The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels and her newest The League of Gentlewomen Witches. These two historical romcoms with fantasy elements live in the same world, and the characters are fun, exciting, and dangerously romantic.

Wisteria is about “A prim and proper lady thief” who must rescue her aunt from a dangerous pirate and his charming, scoundrel henchman. Following a similar tack, League is about another prim and proper woman, this time a witch, who must race across Victorian England with a pirate to find a magical amulet. Each book utilizes some familiar tropes—enemies to lovers, star-crossed romances—and tons of hijinks with handsome men in tight trousers.

Every author has a story of their own, though. One that brings them to the publishing world. And India is no exception.

When did you first start getting interested in writing and how long did it take before you started getting serious about pursuing publication? At what moment did you realize you wanted to be a published author?

– I began writing from the time I first picked up a pencil as a small child. Wanting to be published developed naturally over time, and survived the constant warnings that I’d starve in an attic if I pursued it. I published in different formats over the years and also taught writing classes. Writing has always been who I am, more than just what I do.

Tell us a little bit about your journey to publishing, from query to finished book.

– I was querying another book when I wrote THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS. I felt it was a better book, so I pulled the first one and queried Wisteria instead, and was lucky enough to get an offer from my dream agent. We did some minor revisions and sent Wisteria out into the world; it went to auction and I was delighted to accept Berkley’s offer. From there followed a whirlwind of excitement. I thought having to wait so long until publication would be dreary, but the time sped by as I was kept busy with edits, publicity, and writing other books.

How has your experience been since signing your contract? Were there any surprises along the way?

– The surprise was that the process would be so enjoyable! Everyone I’ve met along the way has been a sheer delight.

What is the hardest thing about being a genre fiction author?

– The hardest thing for me is telling people in everyday life that I’m a romance novelist, because of the judgmental attitude society has towards it. I tend to tell people that I write romantic comedy!

Do you have any writing quirks? Is there anything about your writing process that you think is interesting or unique?

– Unfortunately I’m pretty boring. I set myself a daily word count, sit down, and write.

Author Quick Round

Pantser vs. plotter vs. something in-between?

– Plotter, but giving the story room to breathe inside the basic structure.

Overwriter vs underwriter?

– Underwriter

Morning writer vs night writer?

– Whenever!

Character vs Plot vs Concept first?

– Character first, then Voice, then Concept

Favorite writing beverage and snack?

– Tea and chocolate digestive biscuits

Silence vs sound vs. music?

– All of them, depending on my mood

Get it down vs. get it right?

– Get it right

What tools/software do you use to draft?

– Computer, with a basic word processing programme

Drafting vs. revising?

– It’s all the same with me. I revise as I go.

Can you share one of the most important lessons you learned on your journey to publication? It can be craft, business, or mindset related.

– Write your joy. It will result in an engaging book with an authentic voice – and will help you cope with the endless rounds of reading and editing that book!

Share your current work with us, the book most recently published or that is about to be published.

– The League of Gentlewomen Witches is a companion novel to Wisteria. A witch who is as proper as a Jane Austen heroine, and a pirate who is no Mr Darcy, race across Victorian England in pursuit of a magical amulet. Featuring enemies to lovers, literal hijinks, and a romance that might bring disaster upon everyone.

To find India and her books, you can visit her website or see her on Twitter or Instagram.

To purchase The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, check out Penguin Randomhouse and The League of Gentlewomen Witches is available now for preorder.

THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS

“The kind of book for which the word “rollicking” was invented.”—New York Times Book Review

One of Bustle’s Best New Books Out June 2021
A Popsugar Best Summer Read of 2021

A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.

Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She’s also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means. Sure, she has a dark and traumatic past and an overbearing aunt, but all things considered, it’s a pleasant existence. Until the men show up.

Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately, that happens to be while he’s under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, who possesses a gothic abbey bristling with cannons and an unbridled hate for the world, intends to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman.

When Morvath imperils the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to team up with her handsome would-be assassin to save the women who raised her–hopefully proving, once and for all, that she’s as much of a scoundrel as the rest of them.

—

Angela/AJ Super interviews fellow authors of spec-fic, fantasy, science fiction (and sometimes other genres too!) in two interview series, Authors in the Cosmos and Characters in the Cosmos, for Women Writers Women(‘s) Books. She is a 2021 debut author of a female-forward villain origin and redemption trilogy called the Seven Stars Saga. The first and second books of the trilogy, Erebus Dawning and A Star Reborn, are available for order from Amazon now. You can find out more about Angela at her website, on Twitter, or on Instagram.