Karina Kantas is a dreamer who enjoys sharing her creative reality with others. She is a writer, a radio show host and a die hard supporter of Indie Authors.
She also manages the Facebook group, Step Out of Reality, where people can discuss TV shows, movies and just about anything creative that enables you to leave your reality and enter a new one.
When she isn’t writing or helping authors find their way in the publishing world, Karina spends time with her husband and two children on their island home of Greece.
Now that I’ve introduced you to Karina let’s get to know her a little better.
Hello, Karina and welcome. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
What inspired you to be a writer?
After reading S. E. Hinton’s, The Outsiders, I decided to write my own story. After reading all of her books I went on the hunt for more troubled/rebel teenagers type stories. That’s when I saw the gap in the marketplace.
I had a story to tell and so I did. It became an 18-page short story. It wasn’t until I was twenty, when I worked on it again that it suddenly formed into a novel which is still my best seller to date.
In Times of Violence, The Young Adult edition (Original) is available and I’m working on an adult version which will then be added to the Outlaw Series.
Is writing your full-time profession?
No. I’d need to be professionally published and earning royalties to write full time.
I run a business called Author Assist where I supply numerous author services. Skills I have learned and used over my years of writing and promoting and marketing myself and my books. This takes up most of my time working up to eight hours a day for my clients.
How long have you been writing?
I was making up adventure stories back in middle school, but I never tried publishing anything until I was in my twenties. Let’s just say it’s over 25 years.
How many books have you written?
I’m about to get number 10 published early next year.
Which genres do you write for?
I write in most genres. I have a YA romantic fantasy duology, a MC romance series, a supernatural thriller, and two collections of short and flash fiction of all genres.
What do you find most challenging writing for these genres?
I really suck at sci-fi. I’m not a huge fan of the genre and would have to force myself to read a sci-fi novel. My stories end up sounding like something from Star Trek.
What are you working on now?
The 2ndbook of my YA romantic fantasy is set to be published. I have no official date yet, but it will be early 2019 (we’re December 2018 now).
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
I guess my inspiration comes from films, books and life.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
Well holding an actual physical book in my hand is an amazing feeling. Then knowing people are reading and enjoying my books is a close second.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
Don’t rush to get published. Make sure your manuscript is polished. You only get one try at this so give your book the best chance it has.
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?
Most of my warped ideas for my stories and books come from dreams and nightmares. And there is always a piece of Karina in my work, meaning some scenes and story lines are biographical.
What message are you sharing in your books?
My stories are more entertaining than trying to send a message.
Stone Cold is a fun supernatural thriller that’s very biographical and I got a lot of closure from it. This one sends a message, but I’m not telling as it will give too much away.
What are your favorite books?
I love fantasy and paranormal romances and a horror now an again.
So Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Mortal Instruments, The Outsiders, Strange Highways, Door to December.
What are your favorite movies, TV shows?
I don’t watch TV much nowadays, but I loved all Vamp and paranormal TV shows, such as True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Teen Wolf and Supernatural.
When you’re not writing where can we find you?
You will find me on Wattpad reading awful or brilliant stories.
Can you tell us a little about your radio show Author Assist on the Artist First Radio Network?
Author Assist is a one-hour show that goes out live worldwide every second Friday of the month.
I chat with authors about their book, the industry and of course marketing and promotion.
I answer any question or put questions to them, that have been sent into me, via Author Assist Radio show on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAssistRadio
We also have a lot of fun with quizzes and other surprises.
http://artistfirst.com/kantas.htm
Where can your supporters go to help you expand this program?
I have a patron account where people can support and help fund the show, thus being able to afford Author Assist to be on air twice a month and not just once.
I don’t get paid to do this show. I pay for air time, advertising and phone charges. So I’d gladly accept any help available.
Supporters can sponsor with as little as $5 a month and there are rewards as well as helping authors be found and heard.
https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAssist
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about Author Assist?
Please buy my books, lol.
I don’t have the time to promote my own titles as I’m so busy promoting my authors books.
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?
http://bit.ly/FBFPKK FBfanpage
http://bit.ly/FBMCSERIES OUTLAWMC series
http://bit.ly/AOMCA – Authors of MCAnarchy
https://www.facebook.com/IllusionalReality/ – Illusional Reality page
http://bit.ly/INSTKK Instagram
http://bit.ly/TwittKK Twitter
http://bit.ly/BLOGKK Blog/website
http://bit.ly/KKGRE Goodreads
http://bit.ly/KKGOO Google+
Where can we find your books?
http://bit.ly/KarinaKantas Amazon
author page
https://books2read.com/ap/8ZKwEj/Karina-Kantas
Sign up to Karina’s mailing list. http://bit.ly/KKAML
Thank you, Karina, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck!