An interview with Ainsley Doty

We spoke with indie author Ainsley Doty! Read on to find out more and make sure to connect with Ainsley via the links at the bottom.

A little bit about you and your life, your hobbies, your interests, etc.

Ainsley Doty has a black belt in karate and is no stranger to a mechanical bull. Former high school English teacher and journalist, Ainsley now spends her days writing TV commercials and plotting rebellions. She lives with her husband, two kids, and a smelly yet adorable golden retriever named Nikita in Toronto, ON. The Bloodwood Society is her first novel. She's currently working on Book 2!

Info about your latest book and/or the book you'd most like to promote

In the fight for a future worth saving, how much are you willing to lose?

When 17-year-old Everly Dahl is recruited by the rebellion, she's offered the chance to fight back against the tyrannical force that destroyed her life. The rebels are humanity's last hope for freedom, but to join their ranks and become a part of the Bloodwood Society, Everly has to pass their deadly trials first.

The rebels make Everly a deal; if she survives until the Blood Moon, they'll help solve the mystery that haunts Everly's past. But can the infamous underground society be trusted? The deeper she goes into their strange and dangerous world, the closer Everly gets to the truth—about the dark and twisted roots of the rebellion, and the fate of the only family she has left.

Set in the not-so-distant future, this science fiction / fantasy hybrid explores themes of resistance, love, sisterhood, and sacrifice. Fast-paced, exhilarating, and utterly un-put-downable, The Bloodwood Society is about shifting alliances, impossible choices, and the parts of ourselves we sacrifice in the fight for a future worth saving.

Any details you'd like to share about what you're currently working on

Book 1 of The Bloodwood Society trilogy was published in June of last year, and I'm currently working on Book 2. Book 1 is self-contained (doesn't end on a cliffhanger), so I don't want anyone to feel hesitant about starting a series before it's complete. It'll be satisfying all on its own, I promise! If you loved The Hunger Games, Maze Runner, Divergent, Red Rising, and The Grace Year, this could be your next "I stayed up all night to finish" read.

What inspired you to get into writing and what keeps you motivated?

I've wanted to be a novelist since I was 7 years old. My first book took me a long, LONG, time to finish, but I'm giving myself 2-3 years for the second. As far as motivation goes, every time I read an awesome book, I feel motivated to get back to the keyboard and share my own stories.  

Your opinions on indie vs trad publishing and why you chose the route you did

After finishing my manuscript, it took me 2 years to land a literary agent, and I was so excited! But after 2 years of pitching, it looked like The Bloodwood Society was going to die on submission. One piece of feedback that we heard several times from traditional publishers was that because Bloodwood is YA with a female main character (FMC), it needs to be a romance. I specifically set out to write YA that's not a thinly-veiled hetero love story, because I think teenage girls are complex, adventurous, and complete without falling in love with a boy at the end. I was also asked if I would rewrite with a MMC, if I'd changed the jungle to a cityscape, and if I'd change the setting to World War II. It became clear that in order to publish traditionally, I'd have to change my story entirely, based on what they felt would sell. Sales are important, of course, but I really just wanted to tell a great story. So that's what I did. 

What challenges have you faced during your writing and publishing journey?

From my POV, the difference between being self-published and being an indie author is one word... EDITORS. As an indie author, I worked with a developmental editor, a copy editor, and a proof-reader, and all three brought such unique and important skill sets and vision to the project. The editing process was exhausting, but also thrilling, because I could see the book getting better every day. It felt so good to read the final version and know, with certainty, that it was finished. Finally! But I couldn't have done it without my editors, cover artist, and typesetter. I built a whole team around me, and I'm so glad that I did. 

What advice would you give to someone beginning their writing journey?

Don't stress about how long the writing process takes. Don't stress about other people publishing before you. Don't stress about other books being successful. Keep it fun. Keep it playful! Do it for the love of storytelling. And remember, it takes as long as it takes, and it's ok if the path is winding.

Name an author that inspired you to write and why