Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I'm Amelia Elliot. Besides being a novelist, I work as a trial lawyer, copywriter, and non-fiction author. Under my legal name, I publish on topics of law, business, and politics. ‘Amelia Elliot’ is my pen name for my works in women’s literary fiction and romance
One of the biggest things about me, as it impacts every aspect of my life, is that I'm disabled with chronic illness. I read romances because they help me stay optimistic even when I'm in pain and exhausted (which is a lot, so I read them a lot).
I like to write stories that are funny, tragic, sexy, and real. My novels have mature themes that contemplate human experiences, purpose, and trauma, so they can be funny, but they aren't romcom fare. I have written two (published) novels with my third one coming out in September 2023.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is Conduct Unbecoming a Judge, out July 18, 2023. This is my second published novel, although it was the first novel I ever wrote. (My debut ended up being the third novel I wrote!)
I wrote this book to have a heroine who survives uterine cancer and has had a hysterectomy, so she cannot have children. This is something I've personally experienced. After decades of reading romances, I know of only one (one!) novel that deals with female infertility that is permanent. I wanted to change that. Just because a woman has an illness or can't have a baby, doesn't means she shouldn't get an HEA.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My playlist is everything. As I write, I build, revise, and listen on repeat to the playlist that I have associated with the novel. I listen to my playlist so much that it starts to drive my husband batty. But it's necessary for my character development because I have songs that, in my mind, represent different aspects of my characters.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was younger, my favorite romance author was Jude Deveraux. I've also read all the old-school authors, like Kathleen Woodiwiss, Judith McNaught, Diana Palmer, and Nora Roberts. And, of course, I've read everything Jane Austin.
Then I started practicing law and didn't read novels for over a decade. In the past two years, I started up again. I read widely and intentionally sample things like dark romance to see what others are doing, and to expand my own creativity. My favorite authors right now are Melanie Harlow and LJ Shen, but I like a lot of writers, honestly.
What are you working on now?
My third book, All the Ways We're Wrong, comes out in September.
They’re completely wrong for each other. (They made a list.) But when a mudslide strands them alone on a mountain, they’ll need each other to survive.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now, I'm working on getting my first book, Both Sides of the Fence, in front of as many people as possible. Once people read it, they love it. I've been using email newsletters with free download days. It's only been about six weeks since I published that book, so I'm still gathering data on what works best.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Use a professional editor and have a business plan. There's a ton of information out there and it's very overwhelming. I used a coach for my first book launch, and it saved me a boatload of time and heartache.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From childhood, I have been a perfectionist. Being a lawyer made this worse. When I became sick, I developed chronic-illness induced PTSD, in part because I'm so glaringly imperfect now. My therapist told me to practice "radical self-acceptance." That one piece of advice, which took me a while to understand and then adopt, saved me.
What are you reading now?
A Love Letter to Whiskey and Building A Story Brand. I read books in one or two sittings, so this will be a different answer in a couple of days!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a fourth book planned in my Thunderstruck series for January. I'll write it during NaNoWriMo. I'm excited about the story I have planned. I really like to experiment and the characters are speaking to me.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. It's brilliant and deep.
That might be surprising for a romance author, but I also have spent a lifetime in a legal and political career addressing social issues. I also love William Faulkner, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. As an aside, I don't consider romance to be less than other genres artistically. The great Hemingway had love stories in many of his novels!
Author Websites and Profiles
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