Evie Blum interview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

A little introduction:

Hi I'm Evie. I grew up on the beautiful Florida Gulf Coast, and I’ve been an avid reader my entire life. After finishing my bachelor’s degree (Go Gators!), I decided I had to see more of the world, and I moved to Israel, where I lived for almost a decade. I spent my time there earning a master’s degree in political science, working in academia and social change organizations, and eating an inordinate amount of hummus.

Since moving to the San Francisco Bay Area a decade ago, I’ve worked at a number of hardware and software startups in all sorts of roles, ranging from sales operations and business development on into product development and herding (technical) cool cats.

When did your love of books begin?

Unsurprisingly, I've always loved reading, and I've been writing stories since I was a child. My mother and step-dad always had piles of books lying around the house, and we visited the library often. I saw them reading all the time, and it was a way of life for my family. I can remember staying up way past my bedtime reading, as young as eight years old, and I read anything I could get my hands on: children's books, old Newsweek magazines, even Stephen King novels (!).

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

In my twenties, I tried several times to write a novel, but I never seemed to be able to get past ten or twenty pages. In the interim, I wrote for a variety of academic and professional purposes. Finally last year, something seemed to click for me, and I began writing fiction---and this time, it worked!

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

At first, I hesitated to share my manuscript with loved ones and close friends, and then more broadly. Like many aspiring and actual authors, I had/have imposter syndrome at times and it's tough to get past that. But I took heart from the fact that in my professional life, I changed course about ten years ago and had to learn a new industry and skills and do tons of new things that intimidated me. Ultimately, I've been able to prove myself and succeed in many ways, and it made me realize that just maybe I could do the same thing with writing/publishing.

What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

To people who want to become authors, I’d say, “Just start writing.” (And afterwards, just keep writing) I think fear of being bad at something—whether it’s work, or playing a new instrument, or writing—can really make people stall out, and if you can just make yourself push through the wall and create, you’ll eventually get there, with “there” being a full creative work, something that you are proud of and that others might connect with.

Tell us about your book/books:

Ship It is a romance set in the epicenter of high-tech—Silicon Valley—where, after a steamy one-night stand, a software engineering executive and project manager are more than a little surprised to find out they’ll be working together in the same startup. Nathan and Sarah are tested on whether they can keep things professional or succumb to their chemistry. 

Despite their best efforts to keep their relationship professional, things heat up. But secrets come out—including Nathan’s entanglement with his ex—and Sarah and Nathan must ask themselves whether their particular brand of startup can succeed in such uncertain conditions. Will the connection they’re building go to market, or like most startups, will the obstacles along the way cause them to fail?

Contemporary romance fans and “never romance” readers alike will enjoy Ship It, a story that weaves together Nathan and Sarah’s romance and the challenges they face as young professionals.

What do you love about the writing/reading community?

I have been so lucky to find some awesome fellow writers and unbelievably supportive readers of indie authors online. I can’t believe how many fellow authors, readers and reviewers on Twitter and TikTok have kindly offered to help me get the word out about my book. 

If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?

Thank you so much for taking a chance on me and my first book. I have so far to go in my writing journey, and I hope that I can continue to grow and develop and create some meaningful and interesting stories for you in the future—stories that make you laugh, realistic and lovable characters that make you swoon, and plots and journeys that make you feel the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Where can people connect with you?

Twitter: @BlumEvie 

Tiktok: @evieblumauthor

www.EvieBlum.com