Indie Author Spotlight, Episode 5

Hi! I'm S.E. Reed, an award-winning multi-genre Indie Author and volunteer at The Writer's Workout. Welcome to the third '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.

Okay, so I'm a little obsessed with our next Indie Author. I'll give you three hints to figure out who she is. Hint number 1: her Sapphic romance books are crushing it and totally swoonworthy. Hint number 2: she donated a video to our virtual conference in 2024. Hint number 3: she's my bestie!!

If you guessed Minnesota born queen of coffee, romance, and superwoman Dana Hawkins, then you win! Also, I kinda gave it away by linking that video. LOL!

YAY! I'm so excited for this interview. Can you tell everyone a little about yourself?

I'm so excited too! Well, I am a caffeine-fueled writer of contemporary romance stories, including NOT IN THE PLAN, IN WALKED TROUBLE, and SO NOT MY TYPE, and have been so lucky to be included in multiple anthologies, including UNCENSORED INK: A BANNED BOOK ANTHOLOGY, CARNATION COLLECTION, and PROM PERFECT. With the fear of sounding cheesy, I want to spread a bit of sparkle in a sometimes gray world while writing love stories with heart, heat, and enough humor to keep the reader smiling throughout the story. After living for twenty years in Seattle, I recently trekked back to my hometown in Minnesota and am slowly getting acclimated to the cold winters.

So, what is your writing style like?

I almost exclusively write adult contemporary romance, primarily sapphic or queer happy books, but I do have a secret squirrel YA project with a special writer friend that hopefully will be finished by the end of the year. 

Tell us about a project you’re proud of.

Right now, I am really proud of my latest release, SO NOT MY TYPE, which features an MC living with epilepsy. I was lucky enough to interview and work with multiple people who either had epilepsy themselves or had a loved one living with epilepsy. It was so important to me that I captured their stories authentically in my writing. Just yesterday, I received the kindest note from someone with epilepsy who said it was the first time they’ve seen themselves represented in a story, and it gave them so much hope to find love. This validated everything for me. 

Spill the tea, Dana, what are you currently working on?

Oh! I’m so excited. I am working on a new series tentatively called “Meet Cute Minnesota”, which will take place in a smaller town in Northern Minnesota. It’s sapphic, fun, and a little more steamy than usual (insert blushing face here).

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

There are a couple of things. One is to ensure you are part of a supportive community, whether online or in a writing group. Surround yourself with people that will build you up, not tear you down. Also, do not let your “lack of credentials” get in the way of thinking you can’t do it. For a long time, I really got into my head that the last class creative writing course I took was in 1994. Finally, I am letting that go.

Soooo... who is your favorite Indie Author? 

S.E. Reed

OMG you silly goose! You're my favorite too! And I want you to become everyone's favorite, so where can people find your work & social presence?

Instagram: d.hawkinsauthor

Bluesky: dhawkinsauthor

Website: www.danahawkins.com

For more Dana, head over to my website for the 2nd installment of this spotlight: https://www.writingwithreed.com/post/bonus-episode-with-dana-hawkins