This author spotlight brings me an insane amount of excitement, joy, and curiosity. So, without further delay, Meet Shannon Elliot, author of LGBTQ Kinky Romance.
We asked Shannon 16 questions that let us take a small peek into her world, works, passions, and her thoughts on today's bookish world.
Q1: What inspired you to start writing?
A: I started making book content in June of 2021 with a video about my library spreadsheet. Before then, I had no idea that the book world existed and suddenly I was thrust into these spaces. I gained a following rather quickly and was suddenly considered a “book influencer”. Authors started reaching out to me about ARC reading, which led to Beta reading and so forth. I developed some wonderful relationships with authors who eventually (after hearing me rant about stories I had in my head for long enough) convinced me to start writing my own book. So in November of 2021, I participated in National Novel Writing Month and wrote the first 50,000 words of Angels in the Dark! Without the book and author community, I would have never found my love of writing.
Q2: What do you wish you knew back when you first published?
A: Finances… lol. I was very fortunate to be working a full time job that allowed me to invest in my books and author career. That said, I wish I would have been more mindful of budgets and spending on my author expenses. Now that I’m full time, I have my LLC set up and bank accounts specifically for author income and expenses, which makes it a lot easier to keep track of cash flow and when I’m able to earn out books. If I had been keeping better track of that from the beginning, I think I might have made different choices along the way.
Q3: What does inclusivity in romance mean to you?
A: Everyone deserves their happily ever after. To me, inclusivity means allowing readers to see themselves in the books that they read. I want to write stories that reflect my readers and the communities I surround myself with.
Q4: What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from your work?
A: A lot of my work has themes centered around mental health and finding your community, your people. I want my readers to know that they are seen, there is nothing more important than a person knowing that they are loved. I hope readers are able to feel that when they read my books.
Q5: Can you give us a sneak peek or a favorite excerpt from your current WIP? Perhaps clues or a mood board?
A: My current WIP is an MMF sports-ish romance between a couple and a single woman navigating forming a relationship in the spotlight.Here’s an excerpt from what I’m currently writing (though who knows if it stays in the final manuscript… I tend to be chaotic about cutting content haha)
The realization of how badly I want her to be part of us hits me like a full body tackle on the field.
This is what I want.
Not just what I want, but what I need.
I need a future that includes her in every aspect. One where I get to see her daily, looking comfortable curled up on the couch with one of her blankets. I want her skincare products and hair oils on the counter in the bathroom among [MMC] and my own products. Her belongings deserve to live amongst our own. Every day I want to form new memories with her and build a life with her.
“Move in with us.” I blurt out, my eagerness overriding all logic.
Q6: What’s one line you’ve written that either haunts you or brings you immense joy?
A: A line from her book, Angels in the Dark.
“It doesn’t matter if the trauma makes you stronger. You weren’t supposed to be strong. You were supposed to be safe.” - Angels in the Dark
Q7: If you had to choose a top 2 for meals, snacks, movies, and drinks, which would yours be?
A: Meals - Chicken Nuggies and Mac and Cheese (All gluten free and egg/dairy free because I have food allergies.)
Snacks - Strawberry Sour Punch Straws and Drizzilicious Rice Cakes
Movies - The Magic of Ordinary Days and Center Stage
Drinks - Dr. Pepper and Dr. Pepper
Ah yes, a fellow smutty with taste!
Q8: What advice would you give to readers who may be reading your work as an escape/adventure away from life?
A: Definitely prepare for an emotional rollercoaster. I’ve been told by several readers that they’ve thrown their kindles and/or cried uncontrollably at certain points in my books. Ooops!
Q9: Can you share a bit about where you’re from? Set the scene for us!
A: I’m a native Texan, born and raised in Houston. It definitely influences all of my books, as they are all set in Texas.
Q10: How do you feel your background, identity, or personal experiences have influenced your writing?
A: I am a bisexual, bipolar, gemini, switch. All of my books reflect those things. I love writing queer characters and diverse characters. Mental health is something I’m passionate about as well as kink education. I don’t think any author is able to truly leave themselves at the door when they write, pieces of ourselves sneak into every corner of our stories. I am no exception.
Q11: Your work often has intricate layers of BDSM and lifestyle elements. Is this something you are passionate about? We love BDSM and BDSM romances here and would love to know more.
A: I absolutely love incorporating kink and BDSM into my books. For one, I think it can be freeing for characters to embrace the parts of them that identify with the BDSM lifestyle. As someone who is actively part of the BDSM and non-monogamous lifestyle, I think it’s also important to show people that these are normal desires and lives that people lead.
Q12: What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of your Descent Into Darkness Series?
A: I love reading why-choose romance, but one of the things that frustrated me was the lack of queer and BIPOC diversity in the genre. I wanted to read a why-choose romance that had queer characters and characters of color. So that’s what I included in the story. The duet was also a very healing project for me to work on and in many ways, I think it mended something that was broken inside of me. The Descent into Darkness duet has a lot of really dark and traumatic elements, but at its core it is a healing journey.
Q13: Do you have any favorite romance tropes, themes, or clichés?
A: GROVELING!!! I love a good grovel from characters. I also really enjoy the pregnancy trope where you get to see the FMC throughout her pregnancy. Mental health representation is also something I love to see in books.
Q14: What do you think is the role of romance novels in today’s society?
A: Romance has always been a subversive genre by nature. The prioritization of pleasure and sexuality is inherently rebellious in a culture which either over sexualizes people or expects purity and propriety from them. To have a genre that allows readers to express and engage in their fantasies is so freeing and something that should be encouraged.
Q15: What are your long-term goals as a writer? These change all the time but we would love a peek into your beautiful mind.
A: I would love to be a household name. After leaving my job in 2023, I set on a path to become a full-time author. It’s definitely been a learning curve with many ups and downs. Though, ultimately, I want to find my readership and be known for telling stories that make them feel seen and loved.
Q16: Do you have a favourite book or character(s) from your own works? If so, why?
A: I think I love all of my characters in a different way, but I definitely identify with my FMC, Juliana, from the Descent into Darkness duet the most. She is probably a bit of a self insert, especially when it comes to the trauma and healing journey that she goes through. So she will always have a special place in my heart.
Now let's check out her work!
Title: Angels in The Dark
Series: Descent Into Darkness - Book 1
My guardian angels are dead set on making me whole again.
When I'm taken by him, the criminal in charge of Mathieson Enterprises, my illusion of safety shatters. He has a Midas touch that is more destructive than it is beautiful. Now, I'm broken beyond repair.
But they’re there to pull me back every time I retreat into myself.
Jay — my best friend — who hasn’t left my side in years.
Griffin — an undercover cop — who loves me before he knows my name.
Sage — a mothering doctor — who stitches me back together.
Cy and Ember — the detached mercenaries — who take me in despite themselves.
To them, my survival is a threat. This is a dangerous game they're playing. Trying to keep me safe is playing with fire.
Sometimes the only way to find your way in the dark is to light a match.
*Author's note: This is a "why choose" novel, meaning the main female character doesn't have to choose between love interests. This is an lgbt+ dark contemporary romance, medium burn with a slow build harem. The characters are all adults 26 and above who identify as some version of queer. Readers can find tropes, tags, and content warnings on the author's website and in the forward at the beginning of the book. Angels In The Dark does end in a cliffhanger, however, there is a guaranteed HEA at the end of book two, Devil In The Dark.
Title: Devil in The Dark
Series: Descent Into Darkness - Book 2
A fire rages, and I'll let it burn.
They are my guardians, the people who strengthen me and make me feel whole. Their touches set me aflame, and I’ll give them everything. In return, they’ll worship me. I can depend upon them to help me unseat him—the incarnation of evil.
Arrick Mathieson is the demon in my head. He lost control after I escaped. His wrath tried to destroy everything I care about: my safety, my club, my family. He ignited an anger I didn’t know I possessed.
He doesn’t get to hurt me anymore. I won’t let him. I would rather watch the world burn first.
I may look like a good girl, but that doesn’t mean I won’t do things that hurt. Some might call this sin, but if I go up in flames, I’ll go down to hell with a smile.
Besides, didn’t they tell you?
Even the Devil was an Angel first.
*Author's note: This is a "why choose" novel, meaning the main female character doesn't have to choose between love interests. This is an lgbt+ dark contemporary romance, medium burn with a slow build harem. The characters are all adults 26 and above who identify as some version of queer. Readers can find tropes, tags, and content warnings on the author's website and in the forward at the beginning of the book. Devil In The Dark ends in a HEA.
Title: Used
The playground Club
I’ve achieved everything I've ever wanted—except one becoming a mother.
They say The Playground Club, a sanctuary for those who embrace their wildest desires, is where fantasies come alive. But I never expected that one night at the club would lead to the miracle I've been chasing for two years—finally getting pregnant after countless failed attempts.
Pregnancy isn't easy, and neither is the man who made it happen, Marshall Law. With his unwavering optimism and eagerness to build a life together, he should be the perfect partner. But instead, his vision of a happy family only pushes me further away.
He dreams of filling our home with children, showering us with love. But I've always done things on my own, and now isn't the time to get lost in foolish dreams of a picture-perfect marriage and family.
Step into a journey where love, and a baby, unexpectedly bind two souls, even as they struggle with the very things meant to unite them.
Title: Bound
The playground Club
My academic course catalog did not include a BDSM 101 lecture.
Yet, the world of swingers and kink beckons through a daring Zoom call—the ultimate gateway to membership at The Playground Club.
Introduced by my adventurous best friend, who envisions celebrating her engagement in this new domain, I find myself navigating realms far from the comfort zone of classrooms and libraries I hide in as a PhD psychology student. The call, led by instructors Bex and Alvaro Silva, promises an introduction to ease me into their world. Now, with a single click, I'm poised to bid farewell to my once vanilla life.
Only, there's no easing at all. Instead I'm roped in hard and fast.
Immerse yourself in a contemporary polyamorous, FFM bisexual menage romance, where love and kink triumph against all odds!
Title: Heel
A Femdom/Male Submissive Billionaire Romance
Series: Obedience
All I want is his submission . . .
Playing with pet is a pleasure unlike any other. His mistake, though, was thinking his pleasure takes priority. My attention comes at a price, and I'm not sure my pet is willing to pay. Then again, it is well known that, sometimes . . . Good Boys (Mis)Behave.
Heel is an adult romance with mature themes and elements. You can find full content advisory on the authors website.
If you have enjoyed this romance author interview, and are interested in Shannon's work, please don't be shy. Stalk away!
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