Alright y'all, I reached out to this lovely after I received a few of her books from Forever Pub. She is the author of Big Bad Cowboy and Cowboy Come Home. She has also write novellas that appear in the back of other Forever Pub books. I was surprised when she agreed to do this interview, because I know that she has a busy schedule, especially when I asked her about this during the summer time. I am still waiting to find a weekend that I can devote to just Cowboy romances, but we all know what my TBR looks like lol. Anyways, I still wanted to know a little more about her. So let's dive in shall we??
Q: What is your name and where do you live?
A: I’m Carly Bloom and I live on a cattle ranch in South Texas (where unlike the cowboys on my covers, the men wear shirts to work). Our place is close to San Antonio, so I get to enjoy country life while being only minutes away from downtown.
Q: Are you an Indie Author or do you work with a publishing company?
A: I’m currently under contract with a publisher.
A: I’m currently under contract with a publisher.
Q: If you do work with a publishing company, which one and for how long?
A: My Once Upon a Time in Texas series is published by Forever, which is Grand Central Publishing’s romance imprint. The first book, BIG BAD COWBOY, released in 2018, and it was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly. The second book, COWBOY COME HOME, released in 2020, and the third, MUST LOVE COWBOYS, releases in 2021.
Are you sensing a theme here?
A: My Once Upon a Time in Texas series is published by Forever, which is Grand Central Publishing’s romance imprint. The first book, BIG BAD COWBOY, released in 2018, and it was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly. The second book, COWBOY COME HOME, released in 2020, and the third, MUST LOVE COWBOYS, releases in 2021.
Are you sensing a theme here?
Q: What genre(s) do you write?
A: I bet you’ve guessed it by now! I’m a romance author, and my Once Upon a Time in Texas series falls within the western/cowboy subgenre. Each book is fairy tale-themed, but they’re definitely written with a contemporary romcom vibe.
Q: What made you want to become a writer in the first place?
A: Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. And I’ve written ever since I learned how to hold a pencil. After I had children, I journaled a lot, and that turned into published essays, short, non-fiction stories in anthologies, a couple of blogs, and a weekly newspaper column. When my kids grew old enough to realize they were being exploited (my newspaper column was based on their antics), I switched to writing fiction to protect their privacy.
A: Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. And I’ve written ever since I learned how to hold a pencil. After I had children, I journaled a lot, and that turned into published essays, short, non-fiction stories in anthologies, a couple of blogs, and a weekly newspaper column. When my kids grew old enough to realize they were being exploited (my newspaper column was based on their antics), I switched to writing fiction to protect their privacy.
Q: Do you work a regular job in between books?
A: I write full-time (with five kids).
A: I write full-time (with five kids).
Q: How many books have you published?
A: From 2015 to 2020, I published three novels and a novella. In the romance industry, this means I’m moving at the lightning speed of a tortoise.
A: From 2015 to 2020, I published three novels and a novella. In the romance industry, this means I’m moving at the lightning speed of a tortoise.
Q: How many books do you have in the works right now?
A: I’m a one-book-at-time girl, and I have exactly one book in the works.
A: I’m a one-book-at-time girl, and I have exactly one book in the works.
Q: What was your hardest scene to write so far?
A: Can the year 2020 be considered a scene? Because I wrote a book in 2020, and it was incredibly difficult. I know I’m not alone in that, and my hat is off to anybody, anywhere, who completed anything in 2020. That said, I always have trouble with endings. I’m not exactly graceful in making exits or leaving conversations, so I suspect it has something to do with that. But also, I just really want perfect endings for my books, and I’m always a little sad over having to say goodbye to the story.
A: Can the year 2020 be considered a scene? Because I wrote a book in 2020, and it was incredibly difficult. I know I’m not alone in that, and my hat is off to anybody, anywhere, who completed anything in 2020. That said, I always have trouble with endings. I’m not exactly graceful in making exits or leaving conversations, so I suspect it has something to do with that. But also, I just really want perfect endings for my books, and I’m always a little sad over having to say goodbye to the story.
Q: How many books do you have that are not being currently worked on, but are half-written or complete but unpublished?
A: None. I was freakishly lucky to sell the first book I wrote to Entangled Publishing, and then super lucky to sell a series to Forever Publishing. There were no books before or in between.
Q: Do you have a series developing?
A: I have one percolating, and I’m really excited about it.
A: I have one percolating, and I’m really excited about it.
Q: Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
A: I love developing supportive communities in real life, so it makes sense that I do it in my books, as well. In my Once Upon a Time in Texas series, the small Hill Country town of Big Verde is a delightful community of quirky (and supportive!) characters. It’s really fun for me to create connections between books within a series. But ultimately, each book stands on its own as a complete story. So, you don’t have to start with Book 1 (but I think it’s fun if you do).
A: I love developing supportive communities in real life, so it makes sense that I do it in my books, as well. In my Once Upon a Time in Texas series, the small Hill Country town of Big Verde is a delightful community of quirky (and supportive!) characters. It’s really fun for me to create connections between books within a series. But ultimately, each book stands on its own as a complete story. So, you don’t have to start with Book 1 (but I think it’s fun if you do).
Q: What is your next book that is set to be published and when is the release day?
A: My next book, MUST LOVE COWBOYS, releases on April 27, 2021.
Q: How long did it take you to write it?
A: It took me about nine months to write it (the same amount of time it takes to grow a human).
A: It took me about nine months to write it (the same amount of time it takes to grow a human).
Q: What did you do when your characters stop talking (writer’s block) to you during the process?
A: I hate being blocked, and it’s almost always the result of deadline-induced panic. Having an editor who knows how to talk to me without inducing that panic is important, and so is having friends to turn to within the writing community (I’m exceptionally needy, but I try to give as much as I receive). I find that my best ideas come when I’m not thinking about writing. But I’m almost always thinking about writing. Especially when I’m under a deadline.
A: I hate being blocked, and it’s almost always the result of deadline-induced panic. Having an editor who knows how to talk to me without inducing that panic is important, and so is having friends to turn to within the writing community (I’m exceptionally needy, but I try to give as much as I receive). I find that my best ideas come when I’m not thinking about writing. But I’m almost always thinking about writing. Especially when I’m under a deadline.
Q: What routine do you have when you sit down to write a book?
A: I write in the mornings, and I do it with coffee. If I have a particularly good writing day, I will use the same mug the next day (and I’ll keep it up until it lets me down – then I switch to a different mug).
A: I write in the mornings, and I do it with coffee. If I have a particularly good writing day, I will use the same mug the next day (and I’ll keep it up until it lets me down – then I switch to a different mug).
Q: Do you write it all out in long sittings or short ones (sprints)?
A: I’m a sprinter. I like to set a timer and work until it goes off. Then I take a small break before hitting the keyboard again. With the general anxiety of 2020, I consider myself lucky if I can maintain my focus for even ten minutes at a time.
A: I’m a sprinter. I like to set a timer and work until it goes off. Then I take a small break before hitting the keyboard again. With the general anxiety of 2020, I consider myself lucky if I can maintain my focus for even ten minutes at a time.
Q: Do you get exhausted or energized during writing sessions?
A: Absolutely exhausted. In fact, I sweat when I write. It’s an all-encompassing mental exercise. Also, I’m a pretty extreme extrovert (I’m energized by being around a lot of people), so writing is a bit lonely for me.
A: Absolutely exhausted. In fact, I sweat when I write. It’s an all-encompassing mental exercise. Also, I’m a pretty extreme extrovert (I’m energized by being around a lot of people), so writing is a bit lonely for me.
Q: Where do you get your ideas for your books?
A: Usually just from daydreaming. I always start with a single scene, and then I build the story around it. For the book I just finished, the scene came to me in a dream. And even though it was the catalyst, it didn’t even make it into the book.
A: Usually just from daydreaming. I always start with a single scene, and then I build the story around it. For the book I just finished, the scene came to me in a dream. And even though it was the catalyst, it didn’t even make it into the book.
Q: Is there another author you look up to or strive to be as successful as?
A: Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my queen, and I was absolutely thrilled when Publishers Weekly said that fans of her work would enjoy mine.
A: Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my queen, and I was absolutely thrilled when Publishers Weekly said that fans of her work would enjoy mine.
Q: Are you a reader yourself?
A: Show me a writer, and I’ll show you a reader.
A: Show me a writer, and I’ll show you a reader.
Q: If so, are you a beta or ARC reader for anyone else? (You don’t have to name for who if you do not wish to.)
A: I have three critique partners I read for: Alison Bliss (contemporary romance), Sam Tschida (romcom/chick lit), and Amy Bearce (kid lit).
A: I have three critique partners I read for: Alison Bliss (contemporary romance), Sam Tschida (romcom/chick lit), and Amy Bearce (kid lit).
Q: Do you like to read the same genre(s) you write?
A: Romance is my go-to, but it’s not all I read. I love mysteries, suspense, horror, literary, and women’s fiction. And I am an absolute freak for anything written by Haruki Murakami.
A: Romance is my go-to, but it’s not all I read. I love mysteries, suspense, horror, literary, and women’s fiction. And I am an absolute freak for anything written by Haruki Murakami.
Q: Do you have a favorite book or a book that stands out the most?
A: I like to reread the Outlander series, which is a huge commitment because those are some big books. But I find something new to love each time.
Q: Have you ever cried, laughed, or had a real emotional response to a book?
A: Oh my God, of course!
A: I like to reread the Outlander series, which is a huge commitment because those are some big books. But I find something new to love each time.
Q: Have you ever cried, laughed, or had a real emotional response to a book?
A: Oh my God, of course!
Q: What kind of social media do you have?
A: I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
A: I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Q: Do you like to connect with your readers using your chosen platforms?
A: Yes! Hearing from readers and getting to know them is my reward for writing. There is really something magical about having imaginary places and people in your head and then suddenly, someone else can see them, too. I love having that in common with my readers. And I have a lot of fun with the members of my Facebook readers’ group, Carly’s Bloomers.
A: Yes! Hearing from readers and getting to know them is my reward for writing. There is really something magical about having imaginary places and people in your head and then suddenly, someone else can see them, too. I love having that in common with my readers. And I have a lot of fun with the members of my Facebook readers’ group, Carly’s Bloomers.
Q: Do you have any author friends that have helped you with your writing process or just been there for support?
A: Yes, in addition to my critique partners, I have several authors I turn to for support. And when I’m drafting, I really depend on my writing coach, Jessica Snyder.
A: Yes, in addition to my critique partners, I have several authors I turn to for support. And when I’m drafting, I really depend on my writing coach, Jessica Snyder.
Q: What was the best money ever spent as a writer?
A: I haven’t spent as much as I’d like to, honestly. But being able to hand off tasks that I don’t have the time (or inclination) for is a real game-changer. For example, I’m not very good at updating my website or designing graphics. I pay people to take care of those kinds of things.
A: I haven’t spent as much as I’d like to, honestly. But being able to hand off tasks that I don’t have the time (or inclination) for is a real game-changer. For example, I’m not very good at updating my website or designing graphics. I pay people to take care of those kinds of things.
Q: How does your family feel about your writing?
A: My family is super supportive (although my kids could probably do without the half-naked guys on my covers).
A: My family is super supportive (although my kids could probably do without the half-naked guys on my covers).
Q: Is there anything about you that your readers don’t know that you would like them to know?
A: I’m coming up blank. As I stated earlier, I’m not very good at graceful exits. So, goodbye, I guess?
*Trips on way out*
A: I’m coming up blank. As I stated earlier, I’m not very good at graceful exits. So, goodbye, I guess?
*Trips on way out*
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authorcarlybloom/
https://www.facebook.com/authorcarlybloom/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472355282993155/?ref=pages_group_cta
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/carlybloombooks/?hl=en
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/carlybloombooks?lang=en
Well there you have it folks! Carly Bloom may have entranced a lot of us with her Cowboy romance books, but she is just as quirky as the rest of us. She really is sweet, and loves to engage with as many readers as she can on social media. I am super grateful that she agreed to do this interview, especially since it was in the middle of her writing her third book! Now that you know a little more about her, be sure to check out her books and social media pages! If you are a super fan of hers, you can look at her group using the link above!
Heir of Lies (Black Dawn #1)
The Big Tilt (Peter O’Keefe Book #2) *Can be read as a standalone 
