From Classroom to Bestseller: Lisa Suzanne’s Journey into Romance Writing
Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. If you purchase a book, we will receive a small commission at no cost to you. This post may contain links to buy books, and you can read our affiliate disclosure here.
In the latest What to Read Next Podcast episode, we enjoyed chatting with bestselling romance author Lisa Suzanne. Lisa shares her incredible journey in romance writing, from her humble beginnings as a high school teacher to her rise as a full-time writer. With a career spanning over a decade, Lisa offers insights into the challenges and joys of indie publishing, her unique writing process, and what readers can expect next from her extensive catalog.
Meet Lisa Suzanne
Lisa’s Background
Lisa Suzanne’s journey to becoming a bestselling romance author is as inspiring as it is unique. Before she began penning swoon-worthy love stories, Lisa spent her days teaching high school English and, later, taking college courses. It wasn’t until 2013 that she leaped publishing, and she hasn’t looked back since. Now, she lives in Arizona with her husband and two young children, balancing her busy family life with the demands of a full-time writing career.
Her Writing Career
What started as a passion project quickly became a full-fledged career for Lisa. Over the past 11 years, she has published numerous novels, each building on the success of the last. Lisa has proven to be a versatile and prolific author from her early rockstar romances to her wildly popular sports romance series. Today, she boasts a catalog of 73 books, with no signs of slowing down.
The World of Indie Romance Publishing: Challenges and Joys of Indie Publishing
As an indie author, Lisa wears many hats. In addition to writing, she is also her own publisher, marketer, and advertiser. In our conversation, Lisa shared the challenges of managing the business side of writing, from making decisions on cover design to strategizing marketing campaigns. Despite the demanding nature of indie publishing, Lisa loves every aspect of her career—except for editing!
How the Industry Has Changed
Since she started in the romance publishing industry, Lisa has witnessed significant changes, particularly with the rise of Kindle Unlimited (KU). As an early adopter of KU, Lisa has seen how it has transformed the way authors reach readers and how readers discover new books. The shift to digital platforms has opened up new opportunities for indie authors like Lisa, but it also comes with its challenges in an increasingly competitive market.
Diving into Lisa Suzanne’s Books
The Vegas Aces Universe
Lisa Suzanne’s Vegas Aces series is a must-read for sports romance fans. The series starts with Home Game, the first sports romance Lisa published, and it has since expanded into a sprawling universe centered around the Vegas Aces football team. If you’re new to Lisa’s work, Home Game is the perfect place to start. For those who prefer baseball, Lisa’s Curveball introduces a new team and set of romantic adventures.
The Nash Brothers Series
One of Lisa’s latest projects is the Nash Brothers series, which includes the recently released Wedding the Wide Receiver. This series offers a mix of standalone novels and interconnected stories, perfect for readers who love sports romance with a touch of drama. Up next in the series is Tempting the Tight End, scheduled for release on October 3rd, followed by a surprise Christmas book that fans won’t want to miss.
Rockstar Romance Beginnings
Before she ventured into the world of sports, Lisa made her mark with rockstar romances. Her A Little Like Destiny trilogy is a thrilling love triangle that captures the tension and passion of the rockstar lifestyle. The My Favorite Band series, starting with Take My Heart, is a great option for those who prefer standalone novels. With recently updated covers and a fresh edit, these stories are ready to captivate a whole new audience.
Lisa Suzanne’s Writing Process
Writing Routine and Productivity
Lisa’s success as an author is not just a result of her creativity but also her disciplined approach to writing. She aims to write 2,000 words a day, a goal that helps her maintain a steady output despite the demands of family life and managing her business. With the support of her husband, who often takes the kids to the park to give her some quiet writing time, Lisa manages to balance it all.
The Power of Dictation
A game-changer in Lisa’s writing process has been the use of dictation. She has doubled her productivity by dictating her stories while taking a walk or doing household chores. Using the Dictate app on her iPhone, Lisa records her thoughts, which are transcribed into text. This method allows her to write more efficiently, even if it means cleaning up the text afterward to add punctuation and correct any errors.
What’s Next for Lisa Suzanne?
Upcoming Releases
Lisa has an exciting lineup of books scheduled for release in the coming months. Tempting the Tight End, the next installment in the Nash Brothers series, is set to release on October 3rd. In December, readers can look forward to a surprise Christmas book featuring beloved characters from Dating the Defensive Back. Looking further ahead, Lisa has already planned releases for March and June of next year, ensuring her fans have plenty to look forward to.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Lisa Suzanne or new to her work, this episode of the What to Read Next Podcast offers a deep dive into her writing journey, her process, and what’s next. Check out Lisa’s extensive catalog of books, and don’t forget to subscribe to her newsletter for the latest updates.
Books Mentioned in This Episode
- Home Game (Vegas Aces #1)
- Curveball (Vegas Aces Spinoff)
- Dating the Defensive Back (Nash Brothers Series)
- A Little Like Destiny (Rockstar Romance Trilogy)
- Take My Heart (My Favorite Band Series)
- Wedding the Wide Receiver (Nash Brothers Series)
- Tempting the Tight End (Nash Brothers Series, October 3rd Release)
- Surprise Christmas Book (Coming December 2nd)
If you enjoyed this blog post, listen to the podcast episode with Lisa Suzanne. Don’t forget to subscribe to the What to Read Next podcast for more author interviews and book recommendations. And if you love what you hear, leave us a review and share the episode with your fellow book lovers!