Tag-Team Interview

Laura Kemp and Nola Nash

Not only are Laura Kemp and Nola Nash both cross-genre authors, they are also great friends who join forces for lots of fun events online. Today, the two novelists took turns interviewing each other about their work.

NN: Your novels are cross-genre, blending modern mystery and romance with the paranormal. Why did you choose to write cross-genre rather than a single genre?

LK: I don't think I really sat down and decided to write a cross-genre book. I just took a story and followed where it led me. I'm organic when it comes to writing. If I have a formula and then the characters start to tell me something that deviates from that, I always listen to the characters. I think this process led me to cross over so many genres and made one very interesting story.

NN: What do you find to be the most difficult part of being a cross-genre author?

LK: I think the publishing industry wants to plug an author into a 'niche' or 'mold' or even a 'shelf on the bookstore' and if someone doesn't fit into that criteria, the 'powers that be' can discount your story. I can't tell you how many readers have thanked me because I wrote 'something different.' I really believe in my heart and soul that readers are hungry for these types of stories, that they appreciate them and I think we, as authors, should not give them 'cookie cutter' type books.

NN:As a Michigan author, how does your home state feature in your novels?

LK: The state of Michigan is an integral part of my novels. I'm very outdoorsy and I have a heart for my home state. The large forests and rugged coastline, lighthouses and creepy folklore lend itself to the type of stories I like to write. Setting is really important to me, and if I read a book without a good or realistic setting I will often stop reading it. With that being said, I knew the setting of my novel was going to be like a second character, so what better state than my own to have a starring role?

NN: Authors are tasked with doing a lot of their own promotion. How do you reach readers and what is your favorite way to interact with them?

LK: We certainly are busy with promotions! I have a Facebook group that has been a great source for new readers as they become familiar with my work. Facebook is a very interactive platform, and reminds me of a bunch of people sitting around a campfire talking (my group is Kemp Camp, ironically). I don't spend much time on Twitter, but I do enjoy Instagram and I've just gotten into TikTok. It takes up a lot of time and can seriously cut into my writing, but I do think it has become an almost essential part of an author's life. There's just no getting away from it, so I think an author has to find what works for them and go for it and put in the time even if it's not necessarily their 'Thing.' It will be worth it in the end!

NN: There are some truly spooky elements in your books. What inspired the dark elements that you've included? LK: I think I've always been a fan of the paranormal. I also love fairy tales, so I think the magical aspect was easy for me to incorporate into the books. The Native American elements in my novels come heavily from Michigan, especially the northern part of the state and the Upper Peninsula, where I spend a lot of time. I guess you could say I get a little bit of a 'kick' out of being scared, and I love to give that same feeling to my readers!

Tag! You’re it!

LK: Ok, Nola. Your turn. Same first question - Your novels are cross-genre, blending modern mystery and romance with the paranormal. Why did you choose to write cross-genre rather than a single genre?

NN: I have to agree with what you said about not intending to write a cross-genre novel. It just sort of happened. My series is set in old New Orleans and it’s a place that naturally blends the magical and the mundane, so it made sense for my books to do the same. Magic and mystery are so woven into the fabric of the city that it’s difficult to separate them into a book of a single genre. Sure, it can be done, but it’s so much more fun to blend it all together in the perfect gumbo of genres.

LK: What do you find to be the most difficult part of being a cross-genre author?

NN: I think your point about the book stores not knowing where to put the book on the shelf is tough. They like things to fit neatly into a category and cross-genre just doesn’t fit the neat labels of the book store sections. That makes it tough for agents and publishers to pitch. I always compare marketing cross-genre novels to the release of the movie The Princess Bride. It failed miserably at the box office because the marketing team had no idea how to promote it. Was it a fairy tale? A romance? An adventure? A comedy? A kids movie? An adult movie? YES! It’s all those things, but marketing needs a pigeon hole and there isn’t one for something like that. Same with cross-genre books.

LK:As a Louisiana author, how does your home state feature in your novels?

NN: There’s magic in Louisiana. I truly believe that, and it makes for the perfect setting for a book full of mystery and mystique. There’s something deeply spiritual and magical from the muddy water to the black soil that feeds the soul and imagination. I love to tap into that as I write because it allows me to put some of my own soul into my work. I may not live in Louisiana right now, but it will always be home. It’s a part of me like no place ever will be and it pulls me in. I hope that the mystical and historically unique setting will have the same effect on my readers. Anne Rice has always been a favorite author of mine and I love being able to pour my love of New Orleans into my novels like she does.

LK: Authors are tasked with doing a lot of their own promotion. How do you reach readers and what is your favorite way to interact with them?

NN: Hearing from readers is one of my favorite things! We write books because we have a story inside that we need to get out, but there’s something wonderful about learning the story is meaningful to others, too. I have my Facebook group Nola’s Second Line and love to do takeovers and other events in the online reader communities. As much as I love in-person events, I have to say that I am thankful for these online groups that let me meet readers from all over the world! I’m on Instagram a lot. Well, mostly my little dog Duddley is. Ha! Twitter isn’t my favorite. I won’t ever be on Tik Tok. I just can’t. I don’t get the appeal of it. Maybe I’m just showing my age with that one. My kids have begged me not to get on there, and I’m happy to oblige!

LK: Ok, last question! How do you balance your writing life with hosting podcasts?

NN: I’m not sure I do! I’m so jealous of authors that can stick to a regimen or schedule. I love doing the shows with Authors on the Air Global Radio Network so much! Dead Folks’ Tales podcast came from my love of New Orleans and the dark history of the Deep South. It fascinates me and I’m thrilled that the show seems to be entertaining lots of listeners all over the world. And BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) is such fun because I get to hang out with you and other fun people! It’s much-needed time to connect and laugh. It helps me feel renewed and ready to dive back into my writing. Do they take away from time I could be writing? Maybe, but I don’t see it as a negative. They are both so good for my soul and we all need as much of that sort of thing as we can get these days. So, while it may be hard to balance, it is so very worth it!