Indie Author Spotlight, Episode 3

S.E. Reed
3 hours ago
3 min read

Hi! I'm S.E. Reed, an award-winning multi-genre Indie Author and volunteer at The Writer's Workout. Welcome to the next 'episode' of the newly resurrected Indie Author Spotlight. Each episode will feature a Q&A-style interview with an Indie Author. In addition, some of the authors have chosen to participate in a 2nd interview on my website, Writing With Reed, which I'll link at the end.

Today's Indie Author is someone that I've had the pleasure of interviewing in the past, during a round table discussion for The Writer's Workout 2nd Annual Conference! It was so much fun getting to know Alexandria Faulkenbury during that chat, that I knew we had to have her for an Indie Author Spotlight. Thankfully, she agreed, and here we are! With a debut novel coming out in May, this is perfect timing.

Alexandria, thanks so much for taking time to chat with me today! Can you tell everyone a little about yourself?

My story is similar to many other writers, I think. I was always writing stories as a kid and planned on being a famous author by the time I was twenty. :-) Life happens, of course, and I ended up studying literature and writing about books rather than writing any books myself. When my daughter started school, I found myself with a little more free time and that’s why I dipped my toe back into writing fiction. Haven’t stopped since!

Why don't you tell us about your writing style.

I typically write adult contemporary fiction. Literary or upmarket. Genres are tough sometimes haha. However, I’m always open to a new story, so I’d never say no to a project simply because it was outside the realm of what I usually write.

What's a project you’re proud of?

I really wanted to link the very first short story I had published after I started writing again because it was just such a thrill to get it into a journal and see my name under the title. As writers, we often look back on things we’ve written in years past with a really critical eye, and I’m guilty of that as well, but every time I revisit “A Minor Imbalance” it makes me smile and I’m nothing but proud of it. Unfortunately, that journal closed, so I can’t offer a link. Instead, I’ll link to another story, “Moms’ Night Out.” I’m proud of this story because it was one of those times where I was so overwhelmed by something terrible in the news, but I managed to write about it instead of letting it consume me.

Spill the tea, what are you currently working on?

I’m trying to edit a new manuscript that deals with grief, friendship, and letting go. Can’t say much more than that at this point! I also have about twenty pages of a new manuscript written and several hazy ideas scribbled in my notebook.

What is your biggest/best piece of advice for other Indie Authors?

Trust your instincts. We all need to be open to constructive criticism in order to make our stories better and we all have times when we need to hear hard truths about a manuscript or story. But only you know the story you’re trying to tell. If it feels wrong to make a major plot change, kill off a character, or change your genre (even if that advice comes from someone important/influential), listen to your gut and stick to the heart of your story.

Who is your favorite Indie Author?

That is a tough one! There are so many wonderful Indie authors right now. For now, I’ll go with Ona Gritz. She writes in so many different spaces and her work is always beautiful and lyrical and makes you pause and sit with what she’s saying. Check out her memoir, Everywhere I Look! You won’t regret it.

Where can someone find your work, social presence, etc. drop some links.

You can find me at my website, alexandriafaulkenbury.com. I’m on too many social media sites at the moment, but aren’t we all? ;-) I’m most often on on X (for the time being), Bluesky or Instagram .