Author Spotlight on LK Billips

Welcome to our Author Spotlight, where we shine a light on writers, authors, and literary wonders worldwide.

Today our spotlight is shining on steampunk fantasy and paranormal romance author LK Billips. 

1. First, tell us a little about your book/project? 

My current story is The Catalyst. It was first featured on Kindle Vella and will be available in ebook and paperback on 4-4-22. It follows a young heroine in steampunk London as she navigates society, romance, and a murder mystery. She has a delightful male cousin, Jaime Nethersby, a street smart travelling boy, Nathan Starling, and eventually a mechanical sidekick, Purgatorio. Full of suspense, humor and romance.

I am really proud of how this turned out.

2. What kind of research did you do and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

This story has been floating around in my head for years, but after covid hit, I realized I needed to stop putting my dreams on hold and chase them. This will be my first story published. I know a bit about steampunk and have read numerous historical fictions, so as far as research goes, I just looked up issues as they arose. If I couldn't remember the terms of address- Earls are Lords- younger brothers are Honourable or Mr. then I would look that up. I don't really research before a book, I write a scene and let the characters tell me what it is they want to tell. Once I finite their direction I input the facts that will make it imaginable.

3. If you could tell your younger writing self one thing, what would it be?

Finish a story, and don't be afraid to fail.

4. Can you tell us a bit about your writing space? Is there something you need to have when writing a book? 

I write on the computer a lot. Sometimes though, if I have a great idea in the car, I will dictate on my phone what is happening in the story and write that later. I always have a notebook with me, so if I'm waiting at the dentist or something and inspiration hits, I can write it down quickly. I need to be really focused on the world I'm building, so I tend to wear headphones at home when my daughter and cat and dog can get a bit loud.

5. If you could be a character from any book for 24hours, who would you be?

If I was asked 10 years ago it would have been, hands down, Elizabeth Bennett- Jane Austen. Today though, I think I would like a little more action- and magic so I would say Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs

You can find more information about LK and her books on her website as well as Facebook and Instagram.