Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Borne Graves
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Becoming an author, editor, and educator started at a young age. I was an advanced reader and writer, reading by two years old, and I have an overactive imagination. Today, we might’ve diagnosed me with hyperlexia type 3 which gave me some advanced skills in literacy but also some setbacks in other parts of my life. As a young adult, I learned that my inability to focus, my hyperactivity, and my moments of “hyperfocus” on preferred activities were all part of my ADHD. “Hyperfocus” means I can read, write, and edit for hours on end, and I can do it quickly, making me prolific when you add up all three careers I have and being a mother. In a way, I was born to be involved with books.
As for making my writing hobby a career, I queried agents (sending a letter to see if they want to represent your manuscript) in 2011 and had moderate success but no deals. I took a break from querying for seven years to raise my son who has some disabilities, but I kept writing. This means I accumulated more than ten manuscripts that needed to find a home. After my son was diagnosed and was able to get therapy and help at school, I watched my boy conquer every obstacle put in his path. I came up with a mantra that if he could do it, I could do anything.
I applied that sentiment to publishing. First, I entered an anthology contest that had a prompt. The publisher accepted my novelette “Dare.” I was now a published author. Then, I got into social media. On the former Twitter site, in 2018, I joined the #writingcomunity and learned about “pitch parties” where authors could pitch their book in a tweet and if an agent or publisher liked it, you could query them. I put up a pitch on a whim, and the publisher of “Dare” liked it. I submitted my manuscript and later that year APIDAE, my first novel, was published. Of course, I repeated this process the next pitch party with success with another publisher, and this started a lucrative long-term relationship. I now have eight more books through them: The Immortal Transcripts series and Celestial Spheres series which are fantasy romance books, appropriate for upper teens and adults.
After everything I learned in the industry, getting three degrees, and teaching college English for over fourteen years, I began to edit for local authors and for a small press. I also have done events and book signings in the area, partnering with local businesses and nonprofits to mutually support each other. Since 2018, I have grown to have my books recognized and a fan base through social media and connecting with others in the nearby community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing in life is smooth. Like many writers, I dealt with a lot of rejection. The hardest moment was when a movie-book agency was interested in one of my books, the agent making it sound like a done deal and was in love with my book. They voted on projects and were waiting for an agent to return who was in charge of the movie side of things. He voted “no” so my project was dropped; he could not see how it would transition to the screen well, and after retrospect, I have to agree. What was also difficult were a few agents wanted me to revise and resubmit my novels (called an R&R) before signing me on. Taking in their feedback, I realized they wanted me to simplify my books, that I was a complex writer when it came to vocabulary, sentence structures, and plots. I naturally write this way so changing was difficult and ruined my books. I decided I was too unique for large publishing powerhouses and that I belonged with small, independent presses because they worked with niche stories they love, not only money-makers for the masses. This decision to choose not to sell out, to keep my vision, was questionable when I could not find a home for my books for almost a decade. Today, I do not regret it. My books are out there, just as I want them, with an audience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I write not-too-steamy fantasy romance that is appropriate for older teens and adults. So far, I have two series, one being The Immortal Transcripts involving Greek gods, reimagining the tale of Cupid and Psyche and other myths. The second series, Celestial Spheres, uses British culture to create a world of courtly intrigue where a fire prince is about to lose everything but a girl from our world can save him.
What sets me apart from other authors in my genre is my deep writing style and themes of autonomy and equality in relationships. My plots are not based only on a romance, but a perfect blend with epic fantasy. Wars with detailed battles, both male and female perspectives, deep character dives, and lots of witty banter and tension make my books appeal to all readers. Avoiding clichés and stereotypes to create realistic characters going through lots of action packed-scenes has given me a larger male fanbase than I would have expected with “romance” in the mix. Some of my biggest fans are couples who read my books together and talk about them. Their praise is why I’m happy I did not alter my writing and stayed true to my vision.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perseverance. I learned it from my son. To try, try, try again, no matter the obstacle. One day, you’ll achieve that goal. If you give up, it’ll never happen. I struggle with time since I wear so many “hats” in life. But if I keep plugging away, keep trying and learning, I get a little further in my career each time. Small growth in success adds up over time. I have my son to thank for my success. If he can overcome a difficulty, I can move mountains.
Pricing:
- Fyr (Book 1 of Celestial Spheres) $15.99
- Quiver (Book 1 of The Immortal Transcripts) $15.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lisabornegraves.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabornegraves
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisabornegravesauthor
- Twitter: https://x.com/lisabornegraves
- Other: https://linktr.ee/LisaBorneGraves
