Author Interview: S.A. Burd

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Friday Night Writes! It's Evie here! This week, we present our featured guest, S.A. Burd!

www.saburdbooks.com

Thank you for sitting down with us. S.A. Burd, would you mind telling us a little bit about yourself? Who are you?

I’m a native Missouri-born gal with a soul that belongs in New Orleans. My pension for the spooky and oddities is equaled only by my love of being a stay-at-home mom to my two tiny humans. My free time is spent reading, crocheting, and traveling.

That's awesome! I like to crochet as well. Maybe we can swap patterns after the show? Are there other things you enjoy doing? What are a few of your favorite things?

I love food, like all food. Except popcorn. Fuck that shit.  But to be honest, I hate laundry more than I hate popcorn. I would eat a whole bucket of popcorn to avoid laundry.

I don't like laundry either, but apparently it's one of those "adult" things we have to do, which is gross.

Being an adult is gross in general. 0/10 would not recommend.

I wouldn't either. But I do recommend your books, and often. I absolutely love them. Tell me, did you always want to be an author?

Nope.

Well, what did little S.A. Burd want to be when she grew up then, if not an author?

Growing up, I wanted to be veterinarian.

Aww, and work with puppies! I would love that job... until the puppies got hurt; then I would cry. So, what happened? Why did you become an author instead of a veterinarian?

I read a horribly written book on KU. I was like, “I can do better than that!” so I did.

I think so. I am obsessed with your books! But tell me more about you. You mentioned crochet earlier, and you have your writing, do you have any other hobbies? Do any of your characters share the same interests?

Crochet is my main hobby. When I worked, however, I managed dental offices, a job I gave to Kathryn in Disadvantage.

I loved that book and that whole series! I know Maude likes to take care of 'lost souls.' Do you have any charities/causes/projects that you support, besides your contribution to our anthology which is donating proceeds to The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)?

Raising good humans. I believe that love is taught at home and my only goal is to raise kind, passionate kids.

That's a noble cause indeed. So, tell me, when did you start writing?

I started my first draft of The Three Ring Scavenger in 2022.

So, you've been at this for a while! What genre do you write in?

Dark paranormal romance.

My favorite! Is that why you decided to go the indie-author route when publishing your books?

I chose to go that way because the thought of having to query what could be HUNDREDS of agents just for a chance seemed daunting and depressing.

I understand, that was the same reason I chose to be an Indie as well. What do you enjoy most about being an Indie?

In person signing events. I love to meet with new people and talk with them.

Now for one of the more 'divisive' questions in the writing community: are you a plotter, plantser, or pantser?

I would say plantser, although my plotting is mostly done in my head and not on paper.

I'm the same. Do you have any writing routines? Such as, do you need music, a warm beverage, snacks?

I just like to write when my kids are in bed or at school. Interruptions kill my writing flow.

I feel you on the interruptions; it's the worst. What's even worse than that, though, would probably be writer's block. How do you deal with that?

I lay down and daydream about how I want the story to play out.

So, do you currently have any works in progress that you can tell us about?

Two. One is a twisted Cinderella retelling and the other is a follow up to Disadvantage.

YES! I loved Kat's and Cole's story! They are the main characters in Disadvantage, but you have how many other books published?

Six. Five are part of my Scavenger Series, and the other is a collection of short stories.

You've published six books; do you insert pieces of yourself and people you know into your stories?

I absolutely insert myself into my books. All of my books also have little Easter Eggs to pay tribute to my dad.

I love that. Your dad sounds like an amazing person. In your published works, which character is your favorite? Your least favorite?

My favorite character is Maude, hands down. She’s the written embodiment of myself. My least favorite would be a side character named Tulsa Sam… He’s just gross. I’m glad his story played out that way it did.

Tulsa Sam sounds like he deserved what he got. So far, you've mostly written in a series with one book as a stand alone. Is it safe to say you prefer series?

Series of interconnected stand alones are my favorite.

What is your most popular book so far?

Disadvantage.

Understandable, it's a great book! Which of your books do you wish received more love than it does?

Reaper’s Wish. It’s my latest and an M/M romance, so I know it’s a bit more niche.

I love Reaper's Wish! Do you have any authors who you feel have inspired you?

Kresley Cole is my favorite author and the reason I fell in love with NOLA.

She's been an inspiration for me as well. So tell me, how do you handle the author/life balance?

I’m winging all aspects of my life… Sometimes not everything gets done, and that just has to be ok.

I feel that in my soul. What do you do, then, to recharge? What do you do for your mental health?

NAPS!!! And travels.

Naps are life. Do you have any advice for new authors or people who are thinking of writing their first book?

Decide on your team early on. Who is going to read your book first? That’s the hardest because it’s a very vulnerable feeling to let someone look at a first draft.

Now onto some fun questions! What was your most recent five-star read?

Touch Me, Doc by Devon Atwood

What is your favorite dinosaur?

Spinosaurus

Eh, I guess that's OK. What is the best gift you've been given?

My Bestie is treating me to a girls only trip to Disney World for my 40th birthday!

That's frickin' awesome! What's the most daring thing you've ever done?

I moved to a new city for a new job knowing nothing about the area and knowing no one.

That is daring! Are you a clean or messy person?

Messy.

Do you believe in ghosts?

I do believe in ghosts. 90% sure my dad hangs out at my house.

That would make sense since you put him into your stories. What are you interested in that most people aren't?

My husband…

Well, I would hope so! OK, before we get going, let's tell our readers where they can find you and your books.

www.saburdbooks.com

linktr.ee/saburd

Do you have any planned events coming up where readers can meet you?

Sinful Signings, July 19/20 (www.sinfulsignings.com)

Moonlight and Mischief, July 26 (no link yet)

Romance Genre Con, Aug 9 (https://www.mymcpl.org/features/romance-genrecon)

Booked in Chaos, Nov 15/16 (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/booked-in-chaos-2025-tickets-909802903977)

I'll be at a few of those myself! Is there anything else you'd like us to know?

I used to be addicted to the hokey pokey… but I’ve turned myself around.

I know you can't see my face, but I'm giving you the look that comment deserves. Moving on, I heard you are doing a giveaway?

Yes! A free audio book code for The Three Ring Scavenger. I made a TikTok video earlier this week and tagged you and Samantha Moran.

I love that, S.A. Burd! Your audiobook narrator was amazing!

Well, I think that's all we have for now, but thank you for joining us!

To everyone else, we hope you've enjoyed this interview with author S.A. Burd! Be sure to follow our guest on their social media platforms and check back in next week for another interview.

See you soon!

The Friday Night Writes Crew

Evie Black & Samantha Moran