Not only is USA Today bestselling author Samantha Goodno (formerly Samantha LaFantasie) one of my author besties, she’s also my co-author (Aria Knight Chronicles) and editor (The Magic & Mayhem Series). She’s a kick-ass wife, mother, and all around awesome person. I remember reading one of her earliest novels, Heart Song, and just loving the story line and characters. She has a knack for creating great character relationships and down-to-earth people in her stories who try their best to navigate the challenges (both normal and supernatural) that come their way. If you haven’t started her books, get on it!
Interview with Samantha Goodno
Alesha: Sam, thank you so much for joining us! I know you have a new paranormal fantasy coming out October 25. Can you tell us about it?
Samantha: My quick elevator pitch for it? Sure! Demon hunting is a bitch… especially when one of them used to be your boyfriend. Georgie fights off dark, supernatural forces while uncovering secrets about her past which are just as dangerous.
Alesha: Oooh, I’m adding this to my TBR list. Did you always have a desire to pursue creative writing? How did you get started?
Samantha: A long, long time ago I wrote a fan fic (before they were a thing and I knew what it was), basically retelling a bunch of fairy tales mish-mashed together. Typed it out on my mother’s old school typewriter. I was probably 12 or 13-ish at the time. My mom kept it for all those years and gave it back to me a few years ago.
Alesha: How awesome is that! I loved those typewriters. And I’m guessing you drew from the people and experiences around you to fuel some of your stories.
Samantha: [I would draw from] dreams. Growing up, my friends would always talk about how weird and vivid they were. I started writing them down. Some turn into stories. Some don’t. But that’s the beauty of them. I can call on them for inspiration or to toy with them or even add them into a current WIP.
Alesha: I love that concept, of taking inspiration from dreams. Now, my next question, I ask of every author I interview (because I love the answers). We’re in the middle of the Apocalypse, you can only save three authors–who are they?
Samantha: You. 😉 Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman because they are the authors that taught me what fantasy was like and I learned to love reading thanks to their books.
Alesha: Awwwww! First time anyone’s ever said they’d save me from the Apocalypse. Girl, I feel special 🙂 And a huge YES for Weis and Hickman; they’re among my favorite fantasy, next to Tolkien, Butcher, etc. I know even though we talk nearly every day, we’re quite a few states apart. Are there any places you’re itching to travel to?
Samantha: Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma, preferably with my hubby and either in an RV we own or a cabin we bought. Because it was peaceful, beautiful, wonderful land. It’s a breath-taking area.
Alesha: That sounds lovely. And readers who are new to you may not know or catch your recent name change because you got married (congrats!). So folks, if you see LaFantasie on some of my other books, she’s the same person (Goodno). Is there anything that you think will surprise readers about you?
Samantha: Hmm… I love peanut butter and mayo sandwiches. I didn’t know it was considered weird until my current husband, but I grew upon them.
Alesha: Okay, you’re going to have to explain what that is like (the flavor combo), because it’s seriously my first time hearing of this! But a lot of people enjoy an interesting variety or mix of sandwich ingredients. Now, I know you have books to write and edit (yay!), so I’ll give you a final question–where can we stalk you online?
Samantha: You can find me at https://samgoodno.com/