An Interview with Cathy Yardley

The Reading Cafe is happy to have Cathy Yardley as our guest today.

Cathy has a new release upcoming soon, Temping is Hell.  Our review is just below this Interview.

Let’s meet Cathy.

Hi Cathy and welcome to The Reading Café.  We would like to start with some background information.

TRC: Please tell us something about yourself?

Cathy: I’ve been writing and publishing for about twelve years now, and I’ve run the gamut of genres and publishing houses.  I’ve always had a fondness for romantic comedy and humor, and my latest book, TEMPING IS HELL, taps into that.

TRC: Have you always been interested in writing?

Cathy: Yes, although I thought I’d wait until I retired.  I come from a family of accountants and engineers.  Writing wasn’t supposed to be a “job.”  (Actually, many of them are still scratching their heads over that one! <g>)

TRC: Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?

Cathy: Getting past the fear, I think.  I have plenty of ideas, but sitting down to the blank page is still daunting, even after all these years.

TRC: What challenges have you faced getting your novels published?

Cathy: Well, getting this particular novel published has been a challenge!  It’s an Urban Fantasy, but it isn’t necessarily the usual vampire or shape-shifter, or kick-ass hunting heroine type.  I had a lot of publishers say they loved the voice, but they weren’t sure how to market it.  It was frustrating, because if I ever had a “book of my heart” it’s this series!

It’s why I’m so grateful that Entangled is taking the chance with it… they believe in the story, and my writing, which is wonderful.

TRC: Can you please tell us the premise of your new novel, Temping is Hell?  This is your Urban Fantasy series (Necessary Evil), how many books are you planning?

Cathy: The Necessary Evil series is about Kate O’Hara, a temp in Oakland who’s just trying to make ends meet.  She hates working for big, soulless corporations, but ever since her last job with a little funky publisher closed, she’s got to pay some bills.  She quickly figures out that the sexy billionaire (sort of a Southern, cute Richard Branson type) she works for is probably up to no good.  Before she knows it, she’s accidentally signed her soul over… and she’s got one year to help him kill thirteen people, so they both can get their souls back.  It’s crazy fun, sort of like Buffy meets The Office.

This is a closed seven-book series – so when the seven books are done, the series arc will be complete.  (There will probably be some novellas – I have ideas that don’t quite fit in with the novels themselves, and some that relate to secondary characters.)

TRC: You write Chick Lit.  How would you describe Chick Lit?

Cathy: I see Chick Lit as journey, where a woman starts off hapless and helpless and, through the course of a series of misadventures, discovers her strength and herself.  I was born to write Chick Lit, an there are definitely Chick Lit elements in TEMPING.

TRC: Your website lists some of your books as Sexy Reads. Do you consider your storylines erotic romance novels…or ….romance novels in general?

Cathy:  I’ve written erotica, and “hot romance” with the Harlequin Blaze series.  That said, I find I’m more comfortable with humor.  Sexy can be fun, and there’s definitely romantic and sexy elements in TEMPING, but it’s not erotic.

The Sexy Reads are more like the thermometer on a can of jalapenos.  Those would be the “HOT!” ones.  The Fun Reads tend to be more “Medium.”

TRC: You write many different genres.  Do you have a preference?  Do you find it difficult to switch between these genres, when writing your stories?

Cathy:  Sometimes it’s nice to switch, like cross training.  It gives you a break.  But I always gravitate back to romantic comedy/Chick Lit.  That’s my natural voice.

TRC: What are you working on now?

Cathy:  I’m finishing up the sequel to TEMPING, called OVERTIME IS HELL.

TRC: We notice that besides being an author, you are also a publisher for Entangled Publishing.  Do you feel your experience as a writer helps you when working to help another author publish their work?

Cathy:  I’ve been a publicist for Entangled, although I’m not acting in that capacity right now (too busy, alas!)  I also teach writing, and do writing coaching.  I think that being a working writer for so many years does help to a certain extent, because I remember what it feels like to stress before launch day and look at your Amazon ranking and quail over reviews.  It takes a certain amount of hand-holding, I think.  Writers deserve that – and they need support and guidance.  I’m happy to help when I can.

TRC: Many author bounce ideas and information between each other and their family and spouses.  With whom do you bounce ideas?

Cathy:  I have a fantastic support network of four other writers, women I meet with at least once or twice a month.  We eat a lot and laugh until we cry, and sometimes we brainstorm.  Then drink.  🙂

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Cathy:  Thank you so much for the opportunity!  I love this book, and I love connecting with readers.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Chocolate

Favorite Dessert: Caramel Ginger Snap Ice Cream

Favorite TV show: Game of Thrones

Favorite Movie: Moneyball

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark!

Favorite Author: Jim Butcher

Favorite Literary Character (male & female) not your own: Harry Dresden and Eve Dallas

Cathy, thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions.  The Reading Café wishes you good luck with Temping is Hell.