Frequently asked questions

I've always been imaginative and telling stories, but the writing didn't happen until 2015. I accidentally fell into it while going through a severe depression. It saved me.

There is no fixed time. It depends on the story. Each story has a personality--some are easy and flowy, some take a few hits to crack, and some are stubborn. For instance, I've been writing the Sea Standalone for 7 years while Gothikana took me 2 weeks to complete. So it varies.

I'm also able to write a lot because I'm single and don't have kids or a spouse who needs my time right now.

From literally everywhere—things I've experienced, music I've listened to, art I've witnessed, stories I've heard, books I've read, conversations I've had, movies I've seen, an object, an aesthetic, a photograph, a simple what-if... it's all inspiring.

• Keep writing. As cliche as it sounds, it's the truest thing. Writing is the main thing, everything else is secondary. So write that story, first and foremost.
• Trust your instincts. They won't lead you wrong.
• Don't compare yourself. Everyone's brain is different. Everyone's lives and responsibilities taking their time are different. Comparison will be a waste of time.
• Worry about marketing after you're done writing. Focus on the writing itself first. If your story connects, the readers will pass it forward for you through word-of-mouth.
• Build a backlist and don't fetishize the debut release like the publishing industry tends to. That's incredibly important. When a reader falls in love with your story, give them more to sate their appetite with. Your backlist will be the foundation for your growth. Keep writing!
• Research your method (self-publishing/traditional). Be informed but don't be overwhelmed.

Most importantly, when you feel like quitting, remember why you started writing in the first place. Your story is going to be someone's favorite, so write it!

Worst: Write what you know.

Best: Know what you write.

I've tried a few but always end up coming back to MS Word.

I don't know how to explain it. My brain just files away interesting data in a mental drawer, only to take it out when a story comes to me. The names just pop up.

Favorite: All the control it gives the authors.

Least favorite: All the things outside of writing that need attention.

I used to in the beginning, but now I don't. I don't see it unless someone sends me a review or tags me.

As for negative reviews, not everyone will love your books and that's okay. Some will hate it, some will be indifferent, and some will be moved by it in the most beautiful ways. You can't determine how someone will connect with your story so don't make that a mark of your value. That begets an unhealthy cycle that is hard to break. Just focus on what you can control—your stories—and keep writing. Be happy.

Yes. All my books have a content warning in the author's note. I advise all readers to check it out before proceeding.

What is 'process'? I don't know that word. It doesn't exist in my vocabulary. All I know is chaos, tears, and the occasional sacrifices to the writing gods LOL.

I genuinely don't know how to answer this so I'm just rolling with it.

Before writing:

Story enters brain. Story screams to be written. We battle because I'm lazy. It wins.

During writing:

I have no idea where it's going except a general direction but the Story unravels as I write. 

After writing:

I oscillate between thinking it's shit and thinking it's sensational. Then I become a potato. 

It depends on my mood and what I'm writing.

I make my playlist even before I start writing a story, and then keep adding songs as the writing progresses. My playlists have songs that fit a character, a scene, or simply the vibe of the story.

I write when I want to. It can be daily, it can be once a week. Whatever suits. And when I do write, my word counter is hidden. That way, I write without any pressure of meeting a goal, only writing what comes out naturally. It could be a thousand words or ten thousand, I wouldn't know and I love having that mindset.

Yes.

I love third person, simple as that. Thirdperson pov is excellent to play around with—for the plot, perspectives, and narrative styles, especially if there is an element of suspense in the story like there's usually in mine.

- Don't write if you're not feeling it. Shut down your computer. Enjoy something else instead.

- If you WANT to write and there's a mental blockage, say FUCK IT. Literally, say that. Stop thinking about what someone will think if they read that. Detaching yourself from external expectations is fantastic for creativity (for me at least). YOU have the power whether someone will read it or not, so remind yourself of that. Nobody needs to see it until you're ready. It's just YOURS. So say FUCK IT and write.

Thankfully I haven't had to deal with this since I write multiple stories at the same time. That allows my brain to not get bored of one storyline or one set of characters, and instead play in different spaces.

So, my advice stems from that—switch it up. Leave what's blocking you and try something else until your brain gets onboard with the plan. When you don't feel like writing, don't. Do something else. Feed your mind different foods.

My characters come to me as themselves in my imagination, even the secondary characters. This includes how they look, move, dress, smell, sound,  and think as well as their histories, personalities, and motivations.

They’re their own entities in my head. Because of this, I don’t think of celebrities when I write. In fact, even after I’m done, it is difficult for me to think of celebrities who fit!

However, I make mood boards that aesthetically match characters in vibes on my Pinterest page, so check that out!

YES. These books are NOT standalones, and the plot throughout is connected. Reading them in order is recommended for best experience.

Reading order for Dark Verse series:

1. The Predator  (Tristan & Morana)
2. The Reaper (Tristan & Morana)
3. The Emperor (Dante & Amara)
4. The Finisher (Alpha & Zephyr)
5. The Annihilator (Shadow Man & Lyla)
6. The Syndicater (All Couples)

A full-length book? No. I'll see where they are at the end of the series, and I'm hoping their arcs are wrapped up. In case not, then maybe a novella someday for them.

No. He's a side character in the series. If he ever tells me his story someday, maybe a spinoff. But not unless he does.

The thing is I know all the kids and who they end up with. But unless they scream at me to write their stories, I won't.

Tristan—Sagittarius

Morana—Capricorn

Dante—Leo

Amara—Virgo

Alpha—Taurus

Zephyr—Gemini

Shadow Man—Scorpio

Lyla—Cancer

I can't say until the series is finished.

He's not big on communication, so I doubt he'll talk to me for a whole book LOL. But also, rewriting the same thing doesn't excite me as a writer. There will be bonus scenes of some key moments from his POV but not the whole book.

That's for me to know and you to find out 😉

The Syndicater will be a live release at the end of 2022. To be notified, subscribe to my newsletter. 

Yes.

Both Gothikana and Arkana are standalone books, but reading Gothikana first is recommended.

ARKANA is set in Verenmore in the late 1800s and is a dark historical gothic romance releasing September 27th.

As for other gothic romances, who knows? If I get a good story, of course.

Gothikana was a culmination of my own experiences in boarding school, my own memories, questions I never found answers to, and my love for gothic fiction as a genre. I was in a cabin in the woods in January 2021 when it just came flooding and flowed. I wrote it all out in two weeks.

Vad—Aries

Corvina—Aquarius

That's for the reader to decide. There is evidence in the book supporting both a psychological explanation and a paranormal explanation, and the reader can decide which they feel is truer for them. That's the beauty of it.

Mainly because it felt right. Verenmore has been there for so many centuries, no one person can know all its secrets at one point in time. I just felt like it wouldn't fit the vibe of the story and the setting to have everything tied up. There will always be secrets and open ends in Verenmore.

No.

Not really. It just happened naturally as I wrote Gothikana. Verenmore became an entity in itself.

Yes. It's under production.

On my UPCOMING page.

I write multiple stories simultaneously so I'm working on 4 of them at the moment.

I'm releasing a dark fantasy romance trilogy series called DRAKONARA in 2023. Release dates to be announced.

No tentative release dates for any books unless I announce them. I update it on the website.

To be notified, make sure you're signed up for my newsletter or following me on Instagram.

- Sea Standalone (I've been writing this for 7 years)

- Jungle Standalone (It's one of my most fun adventures)

- Snow Standalone (This is an angst fest)

- Summer Standalone (Hot, steamy, mind-melting)

- Fire Standalone (I wrote this back in 2016 and it's just... something else)

No tentative release dates for any of them. I have highlight folders for all of these on my Instagram if you want to have a look here: @authorrunyx

My wonderful friend Nelly R. designs all my gorgeous regular covers.

I format all my paperbacks myself.

Three ways:

- Be a member of my personal ARC team. It is closed at the moment but I open it once/twice a year and announce it on Instagram and in my reader group. My team is guaranteed ARCs for all books.

- Sign up for an individual book ARC. The sign-ups open a few weeks before release and ARCs are NOT guaranteed since they are limited.

- Join my Facebook reader group (RuNyx's Firebirds). I do a giveaway for a bunch of ARCs a week before release.

I don’t have a street team per se. I genuinely consider all my readers as loyal supporters, and it means the world to me that you share the love!

But if you were wondering how to help more? Here are some ways:

• Tell family, friends and co-workers you enjoy my stories. I know this sounds basic but it isn’t. I’ve read countless books that people I know have recommended. Simply saying my name to others helps, even if they aren’t moved to rush out and buy one of my babies.
• You could one-up this by gifting my books to friends and family. Obviously, if they don’t enjoy romance that’s not the way to go. But if they do, share the love. And honestly, if they can’t get into my books, it’s unlikely they’ll toss the book in the trash. They’ll pass it on, sell it to a used bookstore or donate it to a charity or a library. In the end, that book is out there, making the rounds, and that always helps.
• Write a review. I know this isn’t easy for some to do and if you’re not into that, please don’t worry about it. But even a single-line review on Goodreads and Amazon helps readers make decisions about whether or not to try a book.
• Suggest that your book club read my book.
• Ask for my books at your local bookstore. Even if they don't stock it, every time you say my name, awareness increases and they might just look into it!
• If you’ve hit one of those rare times in life you have spare cents to rub together, buy a book and donate it to your local library or hospital. Both struggle to keep stocked to provide for the needs of patrons. And many romance readers simply don’t have the funds to buy every book they read. Libraries are necessary resources for them. And for any author, it’s a privilege to be on a library shelf.

These are just a few ideas that spring to mind. You could do one, you could do several, you could do all, or you could do none. I just hope you know that you just being here warms my heart. Thank you <3

There's no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to marketing your book. You have to try multiple things and see what clicks for you as an author.

For me, it's word-of-mouth. I only do ARC signups with a PR company before a book release and leave the rest to my readers and their word-of-mouth. Aside from that, I'm decently active on Instagram and my reader group and have built a good newsletter list. That helps loads.

Other marketing options you can definitely look into are using Tiktok for marketing, using ads on Amazon and Facebook, etc. I know many wonderful author friends who have found immense success using different tools. So try and figure out what works for you.

Sadly, Amazon determines which markets they want to make which books available in and at what prices. The authors can only determine the price for certain marketplaces.

You can talk to your local publishers and express interest in getting my books. I'm working on making the books available on other retailers globally as well but there are only limited countries I can reach.

I'm already working with some incredible publishers in a few countries to bring my books to you in their translated versions. The best thing you can do to help is contact publishers in your country and let them know you want my books translated. The more they realize people want it, the higher the chances of them contacting me.

I'm private so I always knew I'd write with a penname.  'RuNyx' is a word I made up, but it has some personal, special meaning to me.

Feb 6th.

Aquarius Sun, Leo Moon, Scorpio Rising.

28

No to all.

Criminal Minds is my comfort show. The Mummy 1999 is my comfort movie. I can watch these anytime.

I love crime and thriller stuff is particular though.

All my characters have bits and pieces of myself. I'll say Corvina probably has the most of those pieces.

Yes.

Mostly paranormal romance, romantic suspense, fantasy romance, and horror. Sometimes, I intersperse it with contemporary or new-adult romance if the mood strikes.

Traveling. Watching crime shows and movies. Taking long walks. Yoga. So much stuff I can't even think of right now.

One tattoo on the nape of my neck. It's a phoenix.

One nose piercing and two in the ears.

Unsolved mysteries. Unexplained phenomenons. All the mythologies from all over the world. Urban legends and oral histories. Psychology. Parapsychology. The list is endless.

Black.

You can subscribe to my newsletter HERE.

Whenever I have some news to share, can be once in two weeks, once a month, or once in two months. Depends. I prefer sending longer newsletters with lots of updates instead of multiple to avoid flooding reader inboxes.

If it's related to subrights (foreign rights/audio/film rights), please contact my agent Kimberly Brower at subrights@browerliterary.com.

For everything else, you can get in touch with me via email at runyxwrites@gmail.com.

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