Author Interview: Evie Black

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Friday Night Writes! As always, our goal is to shine a spotlight on members of the book community and introduce readers to awesome authors, narrators, event hosts, influencers, and more.

This week's guest is co-host Evie Black!

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you?

I am a wife, mother, author, reader, nerd, activist, disabled veteran, and a bunch of other labels that only scratches the surface of who I am.

I was born in Chicago, IL, but moved around a lot. I lived in Louisiana where I met my wonderful husband and we started our family, which includes 4 children, the oldest is 20, the youngest is 16. We eventually ended up in Albuquerque NM, where I joined the Army. I served for almost ten years before being medically discharged.

I enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons, crocheting, reading, creating new worlds, spending time with my husband, watching anime, and playing games like Legend of Zelda and Borderlands.

What are a few of your favorite things/least favorite things?

My husband is my favorite person in the whole world. I also like nerd things- anime, video games, D&D, LoTR, etc.

I dislike the president and his cult. I can't stand entitled people. I hate mint anything.

Did you always want to be an author?

No.

If not, what did you want to be when you were a child?

I was one of the weirdos that changed what I wanted to do all the time. One minute I'm going to be president, the next I'm going to discover bigfoot. Then I was going to be an archeologist, then an astrophysicist, then a veterinarian, then then then then.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I wrote my first book, Unbalanced, while I was on convalescent leave after my knee surgery. I had a dream where I was "doing" Van Helsing, and I woke up thinking that would make an amazing book! Well, I wrote it, but it wasn't anything like what it is now. I had no intention of publishing. It was just something fun I did when I had time to spare. It wasn't until I was discharged from the Army that my wonderful husband convinced me to publish. Of course, that meant a million rewrites. But I'm happy I listened to my hubby (he's always right FYI)

Besides writing, do you have any hobbies? Do any of your characters share the same interests as you?

I have too many, which is a blessing and a curse. my AuDHD means getting into a bunch of different things, but not having time, or the drive to consistently work on them. I like to crochet and have a dozen half finished projects. I enjoy playing the Borderlands games, Stardew Valley, and LoZ. But I tend to get halfway through a play through, and get bored. I love playing D&D, but due to my fibromyalgia, I can't always make it to games, which sucks.

Do you have anything that you’re truly passionate about outside of writing? (Could be a cause, a project, etc.)

Deconstructing. The death of George Floyd and the BLM movement was when I realized how ignorant I was. Since then I've been educating myself through books and the internet. I realized how everything is connected from the systemic problems here in the states, to the genocide in Palestine and the Congo. I try to pass on the knowledge I have, reposting, sharing, and lifting up voices. I also help my communities the best way I can. I am not physically able to attend protests, so I contact my reps, and I have participated in multiple raffles/giveaways to help raise money for families in Gaza and Sudan. I recently donated a portion of my sales from a book event to my local food bank during the government shut down.

I also enjoy helping uplift my fellow Indies. Whether it's hosting FNW, or sharing/reposting, I want to help others reach new readers.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing Unbalanced in 2020, but it sat for a long time, and I didn't start revising/editing until 2022. That's when I got serious about being an author.

Which genres do you write in?

I currently have 3 paranormal romances published, but I am branching out into other genres. I have my first horror novel releasing in April, and I hope to be a multi-genre author.

Are you independently published or traditionally published? Why did you choose this route? What are the benefits/drawbacks?

I am an Indie. I am a control freak, and the thought of losing the rights to my book didn't sit right with me. I like being able to decide when the book will be released, how the cover will look, and most importantly, it's the story I want to tell.

The draw back is that I don't have a team/publishing house to help. I have to cover all expenses and do ALL the marketing. I am fortunate to have a PA, but that's not the same as having multiple influencers and money for ads.

What do you enjoy most and least about being an author?

Most: Being able to tell the stories I want to tell, and having people enjoy them. I love the author community (for the most part) and I love my readers. They are the most supportive and wonderful people I know!

Least: Marketing. I can't wait to get to the point where these books market themselves!

Are you a plotter, a plantser, or a pantser?

I am a chaos writer, which would translate to pantser. I have a vague idea of what I want to write, but no control over the characters once I start writing. I just go where they take me.

Do you have any writing routines (things you do that help you write)?

Nope.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

I don't push it. Writer's block means one of two things for me:

1. I'm burned-out and trying to push through will only make things worse.

2. There's something in the book that isn't hitting right, even if I can't figure it out right away.

Either way, I need to stop and take a break.

How many WIPs do you have going right now? Can you tell us anything about them?

Too many! AuDHD means getting ideas all the time. I tend to get the first chapter or two down, just so I don't forget what the idea was, but then I try to focus on my more pressing projects.

I am currently working on the Agents of Balance and Chaos series, book 4 and two (2) companion novellas that take place at the same time. I also have a D&D inspired steampunk adventure, a Treasure Island retelling, a dark romantasy, and a collection of splatterpunk stories.

How many books do you currently have published? Tell us about them.

Unbalanced

Lucy is a human. Boring. Normal. She has no idea that the supernatural world exists outside of fairy tales and myth. But when a demon attacks her in her home, she learns that the monsters from myth are real. She is taken in by a shadow organization, known as the Guardian Elite, a demon slaying organization almost as old as civilization itself. When it becomes apparent that her demon problem won’t be easily solved, she is put under the protection of one of the organization’s strongest members.

Sebastian is an angel/demon hybrid. An Abomination. An outcast. For thousands of years, he has warred with his dual natures. Desperately trying to maintain the balance within himself. Killing demons was the only thing that gave him purpose. Even when the world turned their backs on him, he stood between humanity and the demons that would corrupt them. Until Lucy.

She’s a job. A distraction. Even as he attempts to keep her at arm’s length, he finds himself drawn to her. His demon half wants to possess her. His angel half craves her heart. But there’s a powerful demon on the loose, one that will stop at nothing to capture her. Will he be able to stop the demon? Or will Lucy provide too much of a distraction?

Leona

Brown bear-shifters are known for their strength and resilience. Their wildness and ferocity. No bear-shifter embodies these attributes more than Chief Leona. She's strong, confident. A force to be reckoned with. She plans to use her strength to win the upcoming Bear Festival; the centennial contest where shifters compete to be deemed worthy by the Gods. The prize? The opportunity to guard the bear-shifter's most holy relic.

This year is different. Not only are there forces at work in the world at large, but her Clan Elders are pressuring her to choose a mate. The candidates? Twin brothers, polar-bear shifters from a neighboring clan. Too bad for them, she has no interest in taking a mate, no matter how much she may be attracted to the youngest twin.

Zandros fell into lust as soon as he laid eyes on Leona. She was fierce, unexpected, and everything he thought he hated in a woman. The more he gets to know her, the harder he falls. He quickly learns his practiced flirtations and decadent kisses aren't going to win her, so what will? What would convince her that he is the man for her?

Abyssal

Thea makes a living as a psychic, knowing the supernatural world is real, but confident that she would never be a part of it. But when she gets chosen as the next Oracle, she finds herself dropped into a world of myths and legends.

Donovan is a simple man. All he needs is his flask and something to do. So, when the Guardian Elite starts recruiting Immortals for a special team, Donovan signs on. He soon learns that the job wasn’t as glamorous or bloody as he would have liked. He gets put on mortal-sitting duty, watching a woman named Theodora, who turns out to be the next Oracle. Donovan didn’t want the responsibility of training a new Witch, but when he finds Thea attempting a spell that could cause serious harm, he decides to intervene.

As Thea learns about her powers, and what it means to be an Oracle, she finds herself fighting her attraction to the man teaching her. It was easy at first, because Donovan is a dick. But when things start to heat up between them, Thea’s visions get progressively worse. Between the visions and Donovan’s treatment of her, Thea realizes she’s fighting an uphill battle. She can’t handle both. So, which will she choose? Donovan or the visions of the future?

Beyond The Veil

Release date: April 30, 2026

Beryl Jacobs and Derek Garcia have long been rivals. Hosts of two competing platforms, a successful YouTube podcast and network television series, they’re always at each other’s throats. Why should their investigation of Windlow Manor be any different?

Beryl believes in ghosts, and she’s determined to prove they're real. Armed with a store-bought handheld camera and EVP recorders, she’s ready to capture the lost souls residing in the abandoned mansion. It’s been on her dream list of locations for years, and she finally has access to the property — for an entire month! There’s only one problem: she’s not the only investigator prowling the grounds.

Derek Garcia has seen the worst life has to offer, which has only served to strengthen his belief that supernatural phenomena aren’t real. He’s certain the hauntings are a hoax, the product of fallible human imagination. He and his crew, backed by a powerful network with their sophisticated equipment and deep pockets, are on-site to disprove the local lore.

But Windlow Manor has other plans.

Animosity turns into a tenuous partnership when inexplicable things begin to happen around the house. Too many accidents go unexplained, a strange illness strikes a member of the crew, and the investigators find themselves in a sticky situation.

Suddenly, things aren’t as clear as they seemed. As activity ramps up, time is running out. What’s really happening inside the mansion? Can the investigators survive, or will they be the newest casualties on the long list of strange deaths related to the property?

Where do you get the inspiration for your books? Do you insert pieces of yourself and people you know into your books?

Most of my book ideas come to me when I'm day dreaming or sleeping. Unbalanced was inspired by a naughty dream I had about Van Helsing!

There are definitely pieces of people I know in my characters, all good of course. And of course, Leona is my favorite character because of how much of myself I poured into her.

Do you prefer standalone books or book series?

Both, for reading and writing.

Do you have a favorite and least favorite of your characters? Why?

Leona is my favorite. She helped me process a lot of the anger and resentment I felt from serving in the Army. Writing her story allowed me to say and do the things I wish I could have done, but had to keep bottled up.

I don't really have a least favorite. All my characters serve a purpose and I enjoy writing different POVs.

What is your most popular book?

Unbalanced

Which of your books do you wish received more love than it does?

Leona because I feel like a lot of women will love her. But I also wish Abyssal had more reads.

How do you handle the author/life balance? (i.e. writing/editing/graphic design/home life/etc.)

Not well at all. Due to my disabilities, both physical and mental, it is really hard finding a balance. I swing from doing all the things at once to not being able to function at all. When I'm unable to work, things pile up. I feel guilty for not working. When I am able to, I get so overwhelmed by everything, I try to do too much, which throws me back into a flare.

What do you do for your mental health and to recharge your creativity?

I enjoy playing games like Legend of Zelda, Stardew Valley, and Borderlands. I watch anime, K-dramas, serial killer documentaries, and other shows. I especially like watching fan theories/ lore for Legend of Zelda. The scope of the series is so amazing, it always sparks my own creativity to make something so in-depth.

Do you have any advice for unpublished writers or people who hope to become authors?

There's a lot of good advice out there, and a lot of bad advice. Just remember to take it all with a grain of salt. Advice is not one size fits all. Everyone has their own method to write, so don't feel bad if their method doesn't work for you. Figure out what helps you, and don't let anyone tell you that you're doing it wrong.

What’s your favorite Dinosaur?

Velociraptor

What is the best gift you have been given?

My husband. He's given me so much love and support, not to mention our wonderful family.

What's the most daring thing you've ever done?

Either joining the Army or publishing a book!

Are you a clean or messy person?

overall clean, but I do have some doom piles.

Do you collect anything besides books?

Mugs

What are you interested in that most people aren’t?

Liberty and Justice for ALL.

What would you use to survive the zombie apocalypse? Why?

Oh, I'd be gone in the first wave. Just use me as a decoy and save yourselves!

Where can we find you online?

Website

Patreon

Linktree

Do you have any planned events?

Pages of Glass: August 1st in Ohio

Lexington Legendary Book Blast: September 12th: Lexington, KY

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

I do giveaways over on my Patreon. All tiers are entered, so you don't need to pay to play!

Thank you so much for joining us, Evie! It's been a pleasure chatting with you!

To all of our readers, thanks for spending some time with our guest author this week! We hope you've enjoyed this interview! In the meantime, be sure to check out Evie's links so you can keep up to date with her journey. Building a better, stronger community is what Friday Night Writes is all about!

See you soon!

The Friday Night Writes Crew

Evie Black & Samantha Moran

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