Author Interview-NiKay Rountree: Her pen game is FLAWLESS!
Welcome to Untamed Publishing's Author Interviews! As a company that caters to the self-published and independent author, we want to highlight and support indie authors. There is a vast array of talent amongst us, and here's the opportunity to connect the readers to their next favorite author!
This interview features, author Nikay Rountree. Get to know her and her Flawless pen game in this week's UP's author interviews!
Welcome NiKay! It's a pleasure to have you join us. Before we dive in, please tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Nikki Rountree. I write under the pen name NiKay. I have loved writing since middle school, but never in a middle years would have thought I would be a published author. I have been in the field of education for over 20 years. I have a doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Leadership. I am married with three daughters.
That is a wonderful career! With the demands of being an educator, why did you make the decision to become a published author?
I started back writing in 2013 when the doctor advised me that I needed to find a way to relieve stress. Writing did that for me. I self-published initially, but was later signed with Kiki Swinson, after being urged by my neighbor to submit my work.
What genres do you write or wish to write?
I currently write Women’s Fiction, but would love to write mystery and suspense and fantasy/paranormal.
Ok, let's get into some fun facts! When it comes to writing, are you a morning person or a night owl?
I am definitely a night owl.
Tell us a unique writing habit that you have.
I do my best writing when I have Gummy Bears and listening to my Relax Melodies App. My favorite sounds are the flowing Rivers, Waterfalls, rain.
If you were to write a book about yourself what would you name it? Why?
The Realist! Well, my husband always says I am a pessimist, but I tell him that I am not pessimistic. I am a realist. I look at the reality in any situation and handle it accordingly. If that reality isn’t good, I will say it. That’s being real. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, waddles like a duck, then it is a duck. That’s how I see life. I am real!
In a world full of fake, real is an appreciated rarity. Now, let's get into one other subject our readers really want to hear about... your books! Tell us about your current book project?
As a published author with Shaunta Kenerly Presents, I am currently three quarters of the way finished with my title, Obsessed. I also just released my self-published Poetry Book, In These Words.
What is your upcoming project about? When will it be released?
It is all about what happens when love becomes an unhealthy obsession. A man who finally wants to do right by his wife ends up making everyone pay the price for his indiscretions. I am hoping for a late May/early June release.
What are some of your other aspirations for your writing career?
One day, I want writing to retire me early. I intend to grow my publishing business, Flawless Publications, so that I can help other authors.
What makes your writing stand apart from other authors?
I think that my writing appeals to my readers because in most cases they can relate to my storylines. I do not write a lot of sex scenes in my books, but just enough to leave it to the imagination. Although it is fiction, my goal is to make it a fiction piece that a reader can immerse themselves in and connect with one or more of the characters.
Name your top 5 favorite books by indie authors. Why are they your faves?
Most of my favorites are published, but by Indie Publishers. However, Jordan Belchor, who I believe is an Indie Author, has a series called Status. I fell in love with it. Shaunta Kenerly, who is an Indie Author and Indie Publisher, his Treasure series is amazing.
Would you like to collaborate with other authors on a book project?
I am working on a collaboration with my team, Flawless Publications. I will be releasing the details soon, but it is all about Women’s Empowerment. I am currently collaborating with Terrie Branch and Anitra Hill on a project we hope to release in 2017.
Alright Flawless! I like that! Now that brings me to my next question. Outside of writing, what are your favorite past times?
I like to SLEEP, but that almost never happens. So, traveling and spending time with the family are my next best favorite past times. :-)
Tell us one thing about you that is a little known fact.
Well, I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder when I was in my mid-thirties and continue to deal with it to this day. Unfortunately, research says that women are two times more likely to have it than men. Basically, I am a diagnosed Worry Wart. :-)
What is one lesson you’ve learned since becoming a published author?
The biggest lesson I have learned is that no one else is going to go hard for you other than you. You have to constantly be your own advocate. You must brand yourself. If you don’t, someone else will and it might not be reflective who you are as an author or person in general. Also, I am convinced that you must learn the business yourself. Study your craft. If not, you open the door for predators to take advantage of you.
What is one myth about being a published author that you learned and would like to share?
That you have to put a bunch of sex scenes, drugs, and killing in your book for it to sell. This is not true. Readers don’t want to read about that all the time. Sex does sell, but if it isn’t in the book, it isn’t the be-all end-all.
NiKay, it has truly been a pleasure to interview you, and we look forward to your future works. Please connect with the author and pick up your copy of her books!
NiKay Rountree
Social Media Handles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthoressNiKay
IG: www.instagram.com/authornikay
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authornikay
Purchase Links
Enjoy these Synopses and Snippets
Can you hear it? It's that voice you hear whispering in your ear when no one is there. The voice that you often want to deny, but you can't. Why? Because it's innate. A Woman's Intuition ---a gift from God.
Or, is it a curse? I guess it depends on who you ask.
With the success of the bestselling series “The Cheater’s Wife,” Ni’Kay brings to you “Tales Of A Woman’s Intuition.” This novella is full with several short stories that will have you wanting more. All women would be able to relate to these realistic stories and incredible characters. These stories are filled with lies, betrayal, drama and much more.
She went over to the fridge and grabbed an apple. She placed the apple on the cutting board and grabbed the butcher’s knife from the drawer. She started to chop. She chopped and chopped. She got harder and faster. Then, she stopped.
“Why don’t you ever believe me?” She stared at me. Her entire demeanor changed.
I knew something had clicked inside of her by the expression on her face. This person holding the knife was not my wife. It was not Rikki. Normally, I am not bothered, but this time, this person, had a knife in her hand.
“Put the knife down, Rikki.” I demanded.
She squawked. “Rikki, huh, why do continue to talk to me about her. She is weak. You need someone like me. Why do you deny me?”
Not again! I walked over to her. “You are right. Rikki is weak. But, I deny you because I don’t know who you are. What’s your name and where is Rikki?”
She put the knife down and ate a slice of the apple. “Mmmmm, this is delicious. I wonder if this is what Adam said when Eve made him eat the apple. I wonder if he thought it was delicious too.”
“What’s your name?”
She grabbed another apple slice and licked it. She took the same apple slice and said, “Here, eat it.”
“No, I don’t want any. Answer my question.” I demanded once again.
“Eat it,” she growled and shoved the apple up against my lips.
I pushed her hand away. “Tell me your name.”
She took her hand and swiped the rest of the apples on the floor.
She grabbed the knife and pointed it at me.
“My name is Eve.” She took the knife, wiped it with the dish cloth and placed it back in the drawer.
My heart pounded like a set of African drums celebrating the birth of a man child. I watched her as she walked towards our living room. She turned and said, “Baby, can you get me some water?”
“Alright, Eve,” I responded. I was tired of arguing.
“Who the f#$# is Eve?” she spewed.
