I discovered Michelle Pillow through different author groups and lists. I was always amazed at Michelle's range of works from straight romance to paranormal, not to mention the amount and varied genres in her backlist to quench any reader's thirst. I was honored and pleased to ask Michelle some questions and to learn more about her work ethic and some upcoming new releases she has in store for her readers.

First, a little bit about Michelle:

Michelle M. Pillow has always had an active imagination. Ever since she can remember, she's had a strange fascination with anything supernatural--ghosts, magical powers, and oh! vampires. What could be more alluring than being immortal, all-powerful, and eternally beautiful? After discovering historical romance novels in high school, it was only natural that the supernatural and romance elements should someday meet in her wonderland of a brain. She's glad they did, for their children have been pouring onto the computer screen ever since. Though paranormal is her first love, she's also published contemporary, dark fantasy, historical and chick lit.

She is married (madly in love) and has a wonderful family.

For more info, check out Michelle's FAQ's over at her website. (Must be 18 or older to enter!)

Now onto the interview!

Q: How would you describe the genre in which you do most of your writing?

I write in several different genres of romance—fantasy, paranormal, dark paranormal, contemporary, futuristic and historical. I love switching genres. It allows me to keep my voice fresh and also to be prolific.

Q: How have your personal experiences influenced the direction of your writing?

I think everyone brings a little of their personal experiences and quirks into books, but I wouldn’t say I’m any one character. In Dragon Lords, the national dress was based off pajama pants—my favorite attire. One of the heroines loved red polish on their toes—just like me. One heroine hated cleaning and was hopeless in the kitchen—just like me. I’m sure there are deeper things, but that gives you an idea.

Some characters are based off what I feel like learning at the time. The hero in Bit by the Bug was an entomologist, because I wanted to learn about bugs. The hero in Along for the Ride was a forensic photographer, because that’s a field of photography I never explored.

Q: How many books have you written so far? (Please include titles, publisher, date

of publication and a brief description of the book/books.)

I have written over 50 novels, novellas and a few short stories. Currently, I am published with Virgin Books (Random House), Ellora’s Cave, Pocket Books, New Concepts and Samhain. The most recent books include…

Along for the Ride

Virgin Books

In Bookstores, Print Only Title

Contemporary Romance

Detective Megan Matthews is cursed with always being right. Her instincts are good, her deductive reasoning even better. She’s found her hard-headed ways to be too much for most men, so she’s given up on trying to find Mr Right and has settled for arresting Mr Wrong.

Photographer, Ryan Andrews, has had a crush on the sexy detective since he first took her photograph by accident at a crime scene. That picture became headline news and she hasn’t talked to him since. He’s tried everything to get her attention, even enlisted the help of her sister. Nothing works. When opportunity presents itself, he’s left with little choice. But is blackmailing a cop into marriage really a good idea?

More Info: http://www.michellepillow.com/ride.htm

Call of the Lycan: Call of Temptation

Ellora’s Cave

Ebook Release: Jan 23, 2008

Paranormal Romance

James O’Connell lives simply, except for the whole hunting werewolves part. As one of the three lycan princes of the O’Connell clan, it’s his duty to enforce the lycan law. When a member of their clan begins killing humans, he’s sent to bring the rogue wolf in.

Claudia Hughes lives an ordinary life as a computer software analyst. Her mother and grandmother had psychic intuition, but hers is severely underdeveloped. Taking a solitary vacation, she trusted where instinct led her and ended up at the end of some crazy woman’s fangs. She’s led into a surreal world where lycans exist and passion for the man who saved her is the least of her worries.

More Info: http://www.michellepillow.com/call_of_temptation.htm

Space Lords: Frost Maiden

New Concepts

Ebook Now Available

Futuristic Romance

A continuation of the popular Dragon Lords and Lords of the Var series…

Empath and space pirate, Evan Cormier is obsessed with decoding an ominous premonition about his future. When a fellow crewman angered a spirit, the vengeful Zhang An took her wrath out on everyone in the vicinity. Evan just happened to be one of them. He’s now facing a future in which he’ll be forever alone.

Lady Josselyn of the House of Craven has been betrayed. With her home world on a Florencian moon under attack and her family dead, she finds herself at the mercy of the one who deceived them. There is only one thing left to do—die with honor. But before she can join her family in the afterlife, she must first avenge all that she held dear. Falling in love with a pirate was never in the plan. Evan and his thieving crewmates might have delayed her fate, but they can’t stop destiny.

More Info: http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/frostmaiden.htm

Realm Immortal: Stone Queen

Samhain Publishing

Ebook and Print Now Available

Fantasy Romance

Queen Juliana of the Unblessed married out of love, to share the burden of her husband’s throne. Little did she know the true cost of that decision. With war raging between the blessed kingdom of Tegwen and her unblessed kingdom of Valdis, she feels her spirits weakening even as her powers grow. Risking everything for a bit of peace in her newly immortal life, Juliana will do anything to save her family, even if that means casting a spell over herself to end a war. The only thing she didn’t count on was the betrayal of the one person she’d asked to help her.

For a brief time, Merrick knew happiness, as much happiness as the king of necessary evil could ever feel. Though he can never tell his wife he loves her—or risk upsetting the balance of both the mortal and immortal realms—the words are understood between them. Or so he thought. Now, with her body trapped in stone, he’s left to again face his reign alone with no idea how to free her from her prison.

More Info: http://www.michellepillow.com/stone.htm

Q: Do you write everyday? How much time do you spend on your writing?

Yes. I write and do marketing/promotions daily. Writing is a full time plus business and you have to put the time and effort into it to get anywhere in the business. There are times I put in 18 hour days and normally I average at least 12, getting up to clean, do things non-writing business related as a break.

Q: What will your next book be about?

I’m working on several at the moment—

I finalized in the Brave Novella Contest and am writing the ending to that story. And I’m working on pitches for my current publishers.

I’ve got two more books lined up for Virgin Books/Random House. They will be part of the Matthews Sisters series I started there—Bit by the Bug, Along for the Ride, Recipe for Disaster (coming 2008), Degrees of Passion (coming Fall 2008) and the last book untitled.

For New Concepts, I’m continuing my most popular futuristic series—Dragon Lords/Lord of the Var/Space Lords.

Please list any links you would like to include below your interview page!

Thanks for having me!

WD: And thanks for stopping by Michelle! :-)

Interact with Michelle on the web!

Website – www.michellepillow.com
Blog – www.michellepillow.com/blog
Newsletter – http://www.michellepillow.com/newsletter/?p=subscribe
Free Story – www.ravenhappyhour.com
Radio Show - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravenradio
Myspace- http://www.myspace.com/michellepillow