smallheadshot 202x300 Coffee With USA Today Bestselling Author Suzan TisdaleRae: Thank you for hanging out with me. First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking an Iced Spiced Latte with Coconut Milk with caramel drizzle, what would you order?

Suzan: Black coffee please. None of that ‘froofy” coffee. lol

Rae: I want to take a minute and thank you for the videos, e-mails and posts addressing what is going on in the book industry right now. In particular, the issue of Trademarking a word, page stuffing, and all the other areas that are of concern to many readers, authors and others in the industry.

How can readers and authors educate themselves to stay on top of current issues in the publishing industry?

Suzan: It’s just as important for readers to know what is going on as it is for authors. Readers can research, listen to what authors are saying, and perhaps follow some blogs on the subject. David Gaughran has been an outspoken leader to us. You can follow him here.

Rae: For new authors just dipping their toe into the industry, what words of encouragement and advice can you give regarding these issues?

Suzan: Gird your loins. Seriously, this industry, this business is not for the faint of heart. Keep your eyes open, take advice from people you respect and admire. Stay clear of all the ‘get rich quick’ schemes that are plaguing the market right now. Write from your heart, with fervor, zeal, and passion. And get a great editor!

Rae: I was watching one of your Facebook live videos where mentioned quickly how you became a published author. Can you share with us how that happened and how it impacted your writing career?

Suzan: That’s a long story. The short of it is, I wrote my first novel, Laiden’s Daughter, for my mother. I never thought it would be as successful as it was or that it would launch my writing career. I published it in December of 2011 and by February 2012, it was #3 at Amazon. It has been a beautiful journey ever since!

Rae: For those who are discovering you for the first time, can you share a little bit about your books, how many series you have, and what you love most about writing Scottish Historical Romance? Will there be more adventures in the near future?

Suzan: I write about perfectly imperfect heroes, strong heroines, and bad guys I kill off in wickedly delightful ways. There is always intrigue and mystery, sometimes more than just one bad guy, and almost always a happily ever after. I’ve lost track of the number of series I have! And yes, there is always another book in the works!

Rae: What is your latest release?Rodrick the Bold Kindle 200x300 Coffee With USA Today Bestselling Author Suzan Tisdale

Suzan: Rodrick the Bold is my most recent release. 

(Blurb and cover image provided by Suzan Tisdale)

A beautiful lass with hair the color of fire and eyes of emerald green would be a dream most men would happily invite. But these dreams, of the lass calling to him, begging for his help, haunt Rodrick the Bold. When the nightmares become too much, he sets off to find the lass who calls to him nightly. Not known for his warm heart nor eloquent way with words, he seeks to rescue her if only to be free of the torment.

Held as the pawn in a plot of treachery and deceit, Muriel MacFarland does not know who to trust or believe. Her once quiet, ordinary life is torn asunder when she is kidnapped and sold. Tormented and abused, she gives up all hope of a rescue by her brother and believes her life is no longer worth living.

Can Muriel put her faith, trust, and life in the hands of the stranger who comes to rescue her?

Will Rodrick the Bold’s wish for a family of his own come true?

Available at:

Nook ~ KOBO ~ iBooks ~ Amazon

Audio book available at:

iTunes ~ Audible

Rae: How often do you travel for research, and what is your favorite city to visit to enhance the worlds you write about?

Suzan: I’ve never travelled for research before. However, in July of this year, my husband and I are going to Scotland for two weeks! This is a dream-of-a-lifetime trip, one we’ve saved up for to take. I plan on doing lots of research while we’re there!

Rae: There has been a lot of chatter on social media about planning and organizing to stay focused and succeed in personal goals for 2018. How do you keep it all from spiraling out of orbit between the family life and writer life? Are you a planner girl or digital calendar queen?

Suzan: Well, up until Cockygate and Tiffanygate, I was a dry erase board planner! The last two months have upended my writing schedule. It seems there is a new fresh hell waiting for us every morning!

Rae: Writing all the words is a challenge, do you have a writing ritual or secret location to get the work done?

Suzan: Nope. I simply sit down and write. I must have peace and quite while writing. Although sometimes, when I’m writing a battle scene, I will listen to the Game of Thrones or Hobbit soundtracks.

Rae: How do you tackle plotting your series? Is it on a massive board, sheets of paper or just write as you go with a simple outline? A lot of authors use Pinterest and make awesome boards to tease readers, are you one of them?

Suzan: I have my wall of insanity. I now use poster board with colored post its to help me plot. I did a video on that a few weeks ago.

Rae: When you are not busy writing, you keep readers updated on social media, what are your favorite types of posts, pics, or tweets?

Suzan: I love using Facebook most. However, I’ve just launched a new app for my readers. Twitter is good, but man, do the trolls like to bite your ankles! You can find more information about my app here

Rae: Where can readers find you in 2018?

Suzan: Leading the Indie Resistance! Lol I’ll be going to InD’Scribe in Burbank in October. 

Rae: What books will you be releasing in 2018?

Suzan: That’s top secret! I have not made a formal announcement yet about next release 😀

Rae: Thank you for hanging out in the cafe today.

Tasty Tidbits 300x169 Coffee With USA Today Bestselling Author Suzan Tisdale

1. What is a must read book and why? That list would be too long! Anything by Kathryn Lynn Davis, Glynnis Campbell, Tanya Anne Crosby, or Kathryn Le Veque!

2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown? It’s quite small, so nothing really to ‘see’.

3. Do you take-in or cook? both


4. Hard Rock or Classical? Favorite Band or Artist? Blues – old blues. Old jazz, hard rock (OLD hard rock) and country.

5. If you had an all expenses paid trip anywhere in the world for research, where would you go? Scotland

6. What is your guilty pleasure? ID TV.


7. What are you afraid of? Spiders


8. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one? Nope.


9. Organized or Free Floating? A happy blend of both.


10. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)? NCIS! Modern Family, and Homicide Hunter.


11. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )? Maya Banks’s Highlander Series!


12. What’s your favorite movie of all time and why? The Color Purple. It’s epic!

Rae: Thanks again for hanging out! Time for another iced latte 🙂

Author Bio CW 300x169 Coffee With USA Today Bestselling Author Suzan Tisdale

USA Today Bestselling Author, storyteller and cheeky wench, SUZAN TISDALE lives in the Midwest with her verra handsome carpenter husband. All but one of her children have left the nest. Her pets consist of dust bunnies and a dozen poodle-sized, backyard-dwelling groundhogs – all of which run as free and unrestrained as the voices in her head. And she doesn’t own a single pair of yoga pants, much to the shock and horror of her fellow authors. She prefers to write in her pajamas.

Suzan writes Scottish historical romance/fiction, with honorable and perfectly imperfect heroes and strong, feisty heroines. And bad guys she kills off in delightfully wicked ways.

She published her first novel, Laiden’s Daughter, in December, 2011, as a gift for her mother. That one book started a journey which led to fifteen published titles. To date, she has sold more than 350,000 copies of her books around the world. They have been translated into four foreign languages (Italian, French, German, and Spanish.)

You will find her books at Nook, iBooks, Kobo, and Kindle. Paperback and hardcover versions are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  You will find her audio books at Audible and iTunes.

Suzan’s Website

On Facebook

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