We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Peers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?

I think most folks – including many who have always wanted to write a book – assume that there are rules to being a “real” author: you must write every day for a certain amount of time or crank out so many words in a session, for instance. And while that rigor does work for some people, the notion that this is the only way to be a writer scares a lot of would-be authors off before they even begin.

Let me assure you: there are no rules or requirements to be an writer… and that’s really good news.

Every writer can find a method and process that works for them. Some do outlines and write a story from start to finish, while others write what they like the best then figure out the rest later. (I’ve written books both ways.) I try to write or edit something if I had a spare fifteen minutes here and there in addition to when I have more time; every little bit of attention moves the story forward.

Hopefully, this shows anyone who has always wanted to write that there are no barriers to entry: once you get a word or two on paper, you’re on your way!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

LOVE AT 350°, my debut novel with The Dial Press, came out in 2023 – and that’s such a thrill!

I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such a collaborative team of editors, marketers, and PR pros at Dial to get this book out to a much larger audience than I ever had as a self-published author. Selling this book at this time was the result of hard work but also a lot of good fortune. This rom-com, taking place on the set of a televised baking competition where a talented contestant catches the eye of a celebrity judge, features women in their 40s who have to juggle real life even as they hope to find love. Romance readers are looking for a wider variety of storylines and main characters, and LOVE AT 350° occupies a unique place on their shelves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

We’d start by mapping out where we’re eating when, because Metro Detroit has so many delicious options! I’d want to make sure we experience a variety of cuisines – Barda (Argentinian), Phonecia (Middle Eastern), San Morello (Italian), Griffin Claw (craft brewery), La Feria (Spanish), Cannelle Patisserie (French pastries) – but also enjoy comfort food at a family-style restaurant, like Tavern on the Main in Clawson.

Touring some of my favorite locations would be sandwiched between meals (no pun intended). We could spend a morning tooling around Birmingham; another shopping in Ferndale; an afternoon at the Detroit Institute of Arts; an evening catching a concert at the Majestic or St. Andrew’s Hall; perhaps a drive through Cranbrook or Belle Isle.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thank you to the members of my writers group – Susan Chaplin, Lynne Golodner, Karen Hildebrandt, Pam Houghton, Kim Kozlowski, Carrie Nantais, and Anne Osmer – for your support, perspectives, and constructive feedback over the past many years. And love and thanks to author Tracy Gardner, aka Jess Sinclair, for helping me move forward in such a rewarding direction.

Website: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lisa-Peers/author/B00KUHD19A?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Instagram: @lisapeersauthor

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-peers/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaPeersAuthor

Image Credits
Headshot: Davis Kurepa-Peers

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