Influencer Interview: Felica Hunt

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, we'd like to introduce our featured guest, Bookish Influencer Felica Hunt. Evie will be leading the interview.

Influencer Felica Hunt

Felica, tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you?

I am a single mama to 4 very unique children. I'm honored to be a transmom and a non-binary mom, so I have 2 children that are 2 spirited. I'm indigenous and German and my heritage is something I carry very close to my heart. I love reading and supporting indie authors as much as possible. Becoming a book “influencer” has helped me meet a lot of amazing people and it is probably the best thing I've done with myself since having babies.

I've met a lot of amazing people as well through the book community. Can you tell us a little bit about your influencer/reader journey.

Reading has always been a big part of who I am. I read my first chapter book in the 3rd grade. It was called Island of the Blue Dolphins and it was about an indigenous girl. It was the first time I saw myself in a character and my imagination took off from there. Since getting back into reading the last few years I have really enjoyed influencing. Not just on social media but being able to build genuine friendships and connections with other people. I am most proud of being a part of the Sinful Signings family as a Sinfluencer. Being able to be part of such an amazing event has truly been life altering for me.

I couldn't agree more! Sinful is home to a lot of people. But, what made you decide to become an influencer? Why books??

Connecting with other people that have been able to heal themselves through reading has been amazing. Finding out there was a whole world out there where other readers have been connecting through stories has been epic for me. I've been able to build life long bonds with people through books. What could be better?

Would influencing be something you’d like to do full-time?

Absolutely. If I could find a way to ethically monetize talking about books and being around books all the time, I would 100% do it.

Besides your platform, do you have any hobbies outside the book community?

I'm a huge nerd at heart. Lol. I love the Marvel cinematic universe and collect marvel toys and souvenirs. I love the DC universe just as much and proudly have 2 superman and 1 Aquaman tattoos. Cars and semis are also a huge passion for me.

I prefer DC to Marvel, but that's a debate for another day. Do you have anything that you’re truly passionate about outside of the book community?

Being a positive support for the lgbtq+ community is a big thing for me. It is very easy to point fingers and say you're part of something and actually being involved. The Trevor project is an organization that I try to support any time I can because of their works in the community and preventing teen suicide.

Yes, the Trevor Project does amazing work for the community! And I'm sure we could talk for hours on that subject alone. But we need to keep focused on you. How long have you had your reader/influencer platform?

It's only been around 3 years for me now. I have no clue how I survived without it!!

Are there specific genres that you cater to/ Any specific themes?

Anything fantasy is my jam. High fantasy. Epic fantasy. Romantasy. Any time there is world building and a magic system I want to be there. YA dystopian fantasies have to be some of my favorites. From The Giver series to Hunger Games. To me it's all plausible scenarios.

As an influencer, you also attend book events, and recently, there has been a lot of subpar shows. How do you decide what events to go to?

I have become a lot more strict and vocal when it comes to book events. There are entirely too many people getting into the business of putting on a convention without wanting to put in the time effort and money that goes into it. For me it will always be Sinful Signings and smaller conventions run by genuine people that are putting indie authors and readers 1st.

How do you decide which events to recommend/promote? Is there an automatic yes/no criteria?

Sinful Signings hands down every single time for my recommendation. I will also call out bad events and promoters.

Unalive Productions events will always be an automatic no for me. And most recently Booked in Chaos. You have to make sure your are maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

How do you decide which books to recommend/promote? Is there an automatic yes/no criteria?

I have a handful on Indie go to's I will always recommend. 9 times out of 10 those will also be Indie authors. Kalista Neith will always be one of my top people to recommend to anyone. Not only is she an amazing author but she does not gatekeep for other people. If you need to know something and she has an answer, she will be the first to give it to you.

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

I love being able to connect with authors and help promote their works. Being at events and meeting other readers that I follow or follow me is also extremely amazing. When a person walks up to you and says you've encouraged them or made them laugh, it's truly an euphoria inducing experience. We think we are just random people but to some people we are their holy grail. I think its important to always be your most authentic self. So if I can help someone do that. It's a win.

I don't dislike anything about it really. I'm very grateful for the little community I have built and I would never take that for granted in anyway. So for me it's all wins.

Do you have any routines? Anything you do that help you prep for events, marketing yourself, etc.?

Absolutely not!! Lol. I probably should though. I'm very much an in the moment person. So I just make sure the basics are down like hotel reservations and child care. Besides that I am in it for a good time.

Do you prefer to work with Indie published authors, or traditionally published authors?

Indie 100% hands down. Most trad published authors have publishers monetarily backing them and promoting their works. For indie authors they will get most of their readers from word of mouth. Do I talk about trad books if I read them, sure. But I will never push harder for a traditionally published authors over an indie one. All authors are authors. Period. Indie authors need as much community support as we can give them.

As an indie author, I can tell you that we appreciate it! Where do you get your inspiration?

I wake up! That's it. And to be honest it would have to be Chadwick Boseman. If a man can know that he's dying and still give us incredible works of art, knowing he will never reap the benefits of his hard work, than the least I can do is wake up every day. That should be inspiration enough for us. Especially with everything going on in this world.

Is there anyone in the book community who has inspired you?

It would have to be Desi and Autumn from Sinful Signings. To build such a beautiful all inclusive community while still maintaining morals and values is truly an amazing thing to witness. I've never felt the love and acceptance from anywhere in life until I joined the Sinful family.

I couldn't agree more. I've said it before, and I will say it again. Sinful is home. Has there been a particularly awesome moment of a show/event that stood out to you? Why?

Definitely having Evie Black run after me at Sinful Signings 2024. I have long legs, she has little legs. Lol. It was not working out. Lol.

Yeah, I do have little legs, and they don't work right most of the time! I did appreciate you slowing down for me though!

I know we asked earlier what your favorite part of being an influencer was, but what do you enjoy the most about the book community in general? The least?

I definitely enjoy the friendships I've made. My 3 book besties Bailey, Nikki and Kim are probably the biggest support system I've had in a while. Without books I wouldn't have them.

I do hate the way the book community puts certain people in general on pedestals. Especially when those people are unsavory people and don't appreciate the community like they should.

I understand that. The para-social relationships can be a problem. If you could, what would you change about the Bookish space?

There are politics in reading. Reading is political. You can say it 100 times and some people still don't understand.

100%! Unfortunately, the people you are talking about don't want to understand. Again, we could talk about that for hours, but our goal is to give you the spotlight! So, if you had a bigger budget, what would you want to start doing?

I would focus on being able to still take care of my babies while influencing authors 24/7. I would definitely work more on my own writings.

The number one question: How do you handle the social media/life balance? With posting/editing/graphic design/home life/etc?

If I need time for myself I take it. I think that we forget to put ourselves first. If something that is supposed to be fun and light hearted starts feeling loke a job, especially social media, I just stop for a while to refocus.

That's smart, but I know a lot of us feel that if we're not constantly posting then we lose momentum. But, what do you do for your mental health and to recharge your creativity?

Absolutely nothing. I let it run its course. I think for me it's important to recognize when I'm going into a manic spiral. I need to work through what put me in that head space. I was diagnosed with Bipolar type 2, OCD, Severe PTSD, anxiety and depression when I was around 28, officially. For many years I tried combinations of pharmaceuticals to correct those issues. One day I realized that for me it was more important to face those manic episodes and days of depression by working through what caused it. Instead of medicating it to function.

I'm glad you found something that works for you! Mental health is so important, and everyone deals with it differently. I feel like we could talk for hours about the various things we've touched on throughout the interview so far.

Getting back on track, do you have any advice for new influencers or people who hope to become one?

Just be yourselves. Stay true to doing what makes you happy and your community will find you. It might be modestly by having a following of 1000 people or it could be something huge. Just don't forget that followings don't equate to popularity. You would absolutely freak out if 1000 people were in your house to see you. So the fact that 1000 people follow you through social media is still a huge thing.

That is amazing advice! Now it's time to get into the fun questions before we wrap up the interview!

What was your most recent five-star read?

From a traditionally published authors it would be A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair and Caught Up by Navessa Allen. Two very different books and genres but amazing reads.

My favorite indie book that I've been slow reading because I don't want it to end is Hollywood After the Psycho by Britt Roth. Her series is a novella series that read like true life thrillers. And Julie's story in this series is one of my favorite characters. I know it's going to be a 5 star read when I review it.

Now it's time for my favorite question! What’s your favorite Dinosaur?

Apatosaurus for sure. I named a kid Littlefoot.

What is the best gift you have been given?

It's going to sound cheesy but it would have to be waking up every day with semi happy well adjusted kids. If it wasn't for them I have no clue where I would be right now. As far as material gifts goes it would be a perfect silver Superman ring my dad got me in my teens.

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

I lived in a semi for almost 4 years with my kids dad. It was us, the road and good times. 1 living in the road can be tiring. 2 living with your partner in a confined space is challenging at times.

We're going to start wrapping this interview up, tell us, where can we find you online?

FelicaReads everywhere social media is allowed.

Do you have any planned events?

Sinful Signings this July and any Sinful Signings after that.

I am also going to try to get to Books and Bourbon this year.

Both Samantha and I will be at Books and Bourbon, as well as Sinful! Before we go, is there anything else you would like us to know?

I appreciate the community you all are building and I'm always honored to be in your presence.

I heard you are wanting to hold a giveaway! What is it? What do readers need to do to participate?

I will be putting together a Sinful Signings swag bag with authors goodies from the signing. I would love to hit 10,000 followers across social media. So I'm going to push a little giveaway for that. I don't want the followers to have the followers. I want them so I can continue to build a solid community and have the presence in the book community to push indie authors to be a bigger audience.

Are there any rules or exclusions?

United States only. Shipping is ridiculous right now.

I feel that! How can readers expect to be notified?

Social media post or email!

Felica, thanks again for joining us. I've loved our chat. It's been great getting to know you better!

To all of our readers, thanks for spending some time with our guest influencer this week! We hope you've enjoyed this interview! In the meantime, be sure to follow Felica on her social media platforms so you can keep up to date with her journey. Building a better, stronger community is what Friday Night Writes is all about!

Check back next week for another interview. Next time, we'll be chatting with author Rebecca Jose!

See you soon!

The Friday Night Writes Crew

Evie Black & Samantha Moran

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