Q&A with S.C. Stephens and Giveaway of THOUGHTLESS

UPDATE 2: The winner has been announced and notified. Thank you all for entering and I will have a brand new contest and review up on Monday!

UPDATE: I cannot thank you all enough for coming to my blog and entering this contest. I want you to know that I have something really special coming up with Shannon again in the next few weeks, so please come back. I will pick a winner this afternoon. -- Laura

I cannot tell you how happy I am to be able to have this contest and have Shannon Stephens answer my silly questions! I first read THOUGHTLESS in July and I was addicted. I keep going back to this book when I'm bored or just need some more Kellen Kyle in my life. Whoever wins this contest, you are in for a treat. This book is brilliant, well written and plotted and will keep your heart a'pumpin'. I thought at times I was going to go into cardiac arrest because of this story. I couldn't stop sweating! So without further ado, I introduce you to Shannon Stephens, the boss of Kellen Kyle. I am such a fangirl of S.C.'s work. 

You can find her website here.

Facebook page here

And as of November 6, you can buy the paperback version of THOUGHTLESS and the sequel EFFORTLESS. In your favorite bookstore!

Hi Shannon!

I am so excited to have you and your fantastic books spotlighted on my blog! I can't say enough about how much I loved the two books and Collision Course! Just phenomenal! So let's get down to the nitty gritty.

First of all, Congratulations on all your successes! You deserve all the good things that are coming your way!

Thank you very much! It’s been a crazy year, but I’m really enjoying it.


1. How did you come up with the idea for Thoughtless? Was it something that percolated in your head for a while or did you just suddenly see an image of your characters?

I was listening to a lot of music and doing a lot of daydreaming, and I started seeing a very clear picture of Kellan. I put him into different scenarios, and eventually came up with the espresso scene. I was fascinated with how the characters ended up in that situation, so I started thinking about the how, why and what. Thoughtless was the result.

2. Do you find that that there is more pressure to write the third book because there are so many people who are waiting for it?

Absolutely there is more pressure! There is a lot of hype and expectation around this book. It’s nerve-wracking to think about. I tried to push all of that aside and just write the best story possible, but it has stressed me out on more than one occasion. I’m happy with the final product though.

3. If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would you choose?

My mom. She passed away when I was pregnant, and I would love for her to meet her granddaughter.

4. Will the D-Bags ever change their name to become mainstream or will they always be the D-Bags?

Nope, they’re staying the D-Bags forever. I love it too much to change it.

5. Does the success of your books ever surprise you? Do you walk around saying "Wow, people actually love my characters!"

Yes! In the beginning it blew my mind that people were even reading the book, but then to see the readers falling in love with the characters…it’s wonderful. I love that people love them just as much as I do.

6. I will always consider you an indie writer, because that is how you started. But are you afraid that being with the big 6 will change that aspect?

No, in my head the two different types of publishing work well together. I don’t think anyone has to be completely one or completely the other. Self-publishing is a great way to get started and put your name out there, traditional publishing is a great way to expand your audience. I’ll probably continue to do both over the years.

7. This past year so many fantastic indie/self-pubbed authors have made a big splash, have you become friends with any of them?

I’ve spoken with quite a few of them and I’ve received a lot of helpful advice—technical, personal and professional. All of the authors I’ve talked with have been so incredible and supportive. I’m awed and amazed to be among such giving, talented people.

8. Do you think Denny deserves his own story? Or maybe Griffin and Anna?

I would love to visit other characters and give them their own stories. I think Anna and Griffin would be really fun to write about. It would be a really crude book though. 

9. If you could never write again, what would you do with yourself?

I would probably go back to bookkeeping, which is what I did up until a couple of months ago.

Thank you so much, Shannon, for answering my questions. 

Thank you for having me!

a Rafflecopter giveaway