Publishing Industry Spotlight: Q&A with author K.P. Knupp

Author K.P. Knupp is the author of several romances, with more coming soon.

Hot off the heels of publishing her debut novella, THE WITCH'S CURSE, K.P. Knupp is a hardworking author dedicated to the craft. Read more about her writing habits, the publishing process, works in progress, and plans for the future.

1. What got you into writing? When did you first think, “I have to write!” and how has it impacted your motivation to keep creating stories?

I first started writing when I was fifteen. My high school English teacher encouraged me. He would read through my pages, make notes for me to edit, and tell me to keep going. I was bullied in middle school and highly depressed throughout high school, so this gave me an outlet I desperately needed. I continued working on various manuscripts throughout college, but I wasn’t ever consistent until recently. Once my dad was diagnosed with stage-four genetic lung cancer after we had recently lost several other family members, I decided to take a risk on myself. I’m hoping it pays off.

2. Who are some of your favorite authors? And why?

I love Amber V. Nicole, Jeanette Rose, Alexis Rune, Avery Flynn, and so many others. I love when I can’t stop myself from laughing or crying while reading. Even if it feels embarrassing when I’m at work and it happens.

3. Do you have any writing “muses,” inspirations that keep you focused, writing, and motivated when the words are tough?

I write during my two 30-minute breaks at work, so I don’t really have the time in my day to not write. I’m probably more motivated because of my lack of time more than anything.

4. What is it like self-publishing? Why is that the best avenue for your work? 

Self-publishing is a wild ride. I’m constantly learning something, mostly the hard way. It probably wasn’t [the best avenue, honestly]. I’m just really impatient. I will most likely be querying more in the future due to funds. Self-publishing is expensive.

5. What do you think of the state of AI in writing and publishing in general, and how does your work play into it?

AI is a problem, but I don’t think it will make it long term in the book world. Eventually people will want the full creativity back. Right now, it’s the new shiny toy, and many don’t see the horrible impact it has on creatives yet.

6. Tell us about your most recent publications. You wrote a Halloween novella called The Witch’s Curse. What inspired it, and what was your writing process like?

I had just turned in Snowed In at the Cabin to you, my editor, and I needed to keep my mind off wanting to jump back in and write more. I started outlining my large fantasy series I have planned, but then I saw the pre-made for The Witch’s Curse and thought man, that would be a fun release before Snowed In comes out. I could just write as much as I can in a short window, maybe two weeks? Polish it up and have a fun Halloween novella. I bought the pre-made and switched to that story. Which has led to me wanting to do a Christmas novella with those same characters. I already have an idea prepped for Valentine’s Day novella. I figured they would be fun creative outlets to release in-between larger releases. Take some of the pressure off. Like all of my other writing and editing time, The Witch’s Curse was drafted during my two 30-minute breaks/lunch at my day job. Occasionally I can get up early on weekends to write for an hour before my family is awake. Sometimes I can squeeze in an afternoon writing session if my toddler decides he’s going to nap. I like to keep my writing time separate from family time.

7. Related to your novella, if you could have any type of magic, what would it be and why? Becks’s powers are my favorite. Her telekinesis gives more Prue vibes from Charmed, and I was always jealous of her powers growing up!

Embrace the chaos of jumping around. It will let your creativity shine.

8. What are some words of advice for new or aspiring writers? 

Find the time. Life is chaotic. There’s never going to be an easier time than right now. You have 20 minutes, an hour, take it. Writing 100 to 500 words a day or more can still make a book. If you’re stuck, jump into something completely different. Write a short story, a novella, a paragraph of something in a different genre. Embrace the chaos of jumping around. It will let your creativity shine.

9. What is your writing/work/life balance like, and how do you manage it all? 

Ha! During the work week I’m up at 5 a.m. to feed the dog and get my son and I ready for daycare/work. My husband hauls livestock, so he’s very busy with his job. He jumps in to pick up our son when he gets a random short day, but he’s often gone before us and gets home late. I have an hour commute, so my body does not like waking up at 4 a.m. for writing. I get to work by 7 a.m., take a morning break and write for 30 minutes, then back to work. During my lunch break I try to write more, but it’s obviously less than I can write in the morning since I’m eating at the same time. After work it’s busy, busy. Another commute, daycare pickup, cooking, dishes, playtime, and then it’s baths and showers. So really weekend early mornings if everyone else sleeps in, I can get a higher word count! I just do the best I can, and my family comes first. If we need to fix something on the farm, then that jumps the line. This is a fun and exciting hobby for me. I would love, love, love for it to become my full-time job one day, but I have to be realistic with where I am in this moment.

10. Any more information you’d like to add?

If you would like signed paperback copies of my books, I have a shop-direct option on www.kpknupp.com. They will ship a little slower, but you will get extra goodies packaged within. Bookmarks, stickers, and maybe some character art! Snowed In at the Cabin is live on there, but it’s more of a pre-order as it is not ready yet! I’m hoping to do a Christmas novella if everything works out! Snowed In will have two more books in the series. I have a romantasy series planned. I’m starting to co-write a mafia romance in January. I have a paranormal shifter novel (the first chapter is in a charity anthology called A Wild Run—all proceeds are donated to domestic abuse charities). So many ideas and exciting things! And my street team just opened! The link to the application is in my bio on Instagram: @kpknupp. There will be sneak peeks, exclusive giveaways, work-in-progress insights, and more in our Discord chat.

 Thank you so much, K.P, for shedding light on your amazing accomplishments, the truth about work-life balance, and giving a peek at what's in store for you! Follow K.P. Knupp on Instagram and Threads, check out her website, and buy her books! She's a phenomenal writer you don't want to miss!

Instagram: @kpknupp

Threads: @kpknupp

Website/Shop: www.kpknupp.com