Yes, I write under many names: Megan Crane, Caitlin Crews, M.M. Crane, and Hazel Beck. But no matter the name, the story is always all mine. Why do I write under a variety of names? I have Reasons.
I discovered my first romance novel at the age of twelve in a bargain bin at the local five and dime. It involved swashbuckling pirates having grand adventures on the open sea, a heroine with a mind of her own, and a seriously masterful hero who swept her away no matter how clever she was.
I was immediately smitten with romance and all the romantic themes I could get my hands on. (I still am.)
I had grand plans to star on Broadway — preferably in Evita, just like the great Patti LuPone. Sadly, my inability to wow audiences with my singing voice required a back up plan, so I launched myself into academics instead. This was not a good fit for someone who liked lounging about and reading books a lot more than dissecting them in classrooms, but it did allow me to live in England for half a decade, so I can’t complain.
Writing (and finishing!) my first book was a relief. And actually publishing that book was one of the greatest thrills of my life.
Now I’m more than 100 books in, I’m still a romance fanatic, it still thrills me to see my books on shelves, and yes, I’m still plotting my Broadway debut.
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Didn’t I read somewhere that you write Young Adult?
You did!
(It was probably Wikipedia.)
I wrote six young adult novels and one young adult novella a while back. But these were all work-for-hire projects, which means my name isn’t on them and I can’t tell you what they are. I can tell you that the first one I wrote hit the New York Times bestseller list, which was fun, if secretive fun. And that I got to play around in worlds that I didn’t entirely build from scratch myself, which I found a fascinating sort of writing exercise.
Maybe someday I’ll write some books in this genre under my own name. You never know!
I want to know Aunt Jen’s story from I Love the 80s! What happened to her?
I’ve had Aunt Jen’s story in my head for a long time.
Think: the 90s. Grunge-era Seattle, which is a personal passion of mine as I was at a Very Impressionable Age when grunge swept the nation…
One of these days I hope to get a chance to write it!
Do You Have a Favorite Bookstore?
I do! I adore my neighborhood bookstore, Rebel Heart Books. Owned and run by awesome women, it’s every book store you fantasize about and so much more. I’ve spent more time than I’m willing to confess slumped out on the couch in the store, talking about books and the world and life and anything else that comes to mind there. Then leaving with an armful of books I didn’t know I needed. Isn’t that what bookstores are for?
My friend (and fellow Harlequin author) Maisey Yates and I run the Romance Rebels Book Club from the store—we meet once a month for a fun, sometimes rowdy, always delightful discussion of all things romance. No one who comes is shy about their opinions and even when we all disagree, we have a fantastic time! (Check out my Events page to see what we’re reading this year.)
You can support Rebel Heart too—and I would love it if you did—or you can look for your own local store at Bookshop.org, the new online ordering option for indie book shops.
I love pictures. I take a lot of them.
Interviews
And here are some other items of note:
- Video: A fun Valentines Day interview on 5 Things Friday.
- Video: The Gregory Mantell Show, it's not super new, but I'd still say all the same stuff on the subject of Frenemies.
- Caitlin discusses The Return of the Di Sione Wife with BookTrib.
- Video: My Process (as Megan and Caitlin, on Conversations with Cupid)
- Podcast: Action and Emotion (as Megan, with my husband Jeff, on the Nerd Out podcast)
- On Shame and the Romance Heroine (as Caitlin, on Dear Author)
- Falling in love with the Rodeo (as Megan, a guest on Jane Porter's blog)
