Interview with Author: L. AUSTEN JOHNSON

As we approach this holiday season, and with a year like this one full of difficulties and hardships for some, you’ll want something light fun and cozy to have a little bit of a break coming your way like Romancing The Holidays Collection by author L. Austen Johnson, a collection of holiday stories that should definitely be on your TBR list! In this book you not only will have some Christmas feels but also a bit of other holidays from the rest of the year. I’m especially loving the first story set in Ireland because it’s one of my favorite places!

This week I had the pleasure of sharing thoughts with author L. Austen Johnson about how they get into the mood of the season and some of their favorite traditions during the holidays. See below for the interview.

1. First and foremost I have to know, What was your inspiration to write this book?
LAJ: I wanted to write this book because I saw how many people loved things like the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies (including me and my mom!), and I thought that, with everything going on in the world, it would be nice to bring some more light-hearted reading to life. It was a little self-indulgent, haha–a chance to let myself write the stories that I think I would enjoy as a reader and as someone who loves holidays.

2. What’s your favorite holiday?
LAJ: Halloween is my favorite!

3. When do the holidays/Christmas season officially start for you?
LAJ: I would say after Thanksgiving is when it’s official “Wintertime holiday season,” and that goes until mid-January or so. We’ve got the Solstice on the 21st, then Christmas, then New Year’s.

4. What’s your favorite thing about the holidays?
LAJ: My mom’s cooking! She makes the best holiday meals. I also really like giving heartfelt gifts and seeing my family and friends’ reactions.

5. Are there any holiday traditions you do every year without fail?
LAJ: I’m not sure, other than putting up decorations. We do have this one in my family, which I’ve learned they do in Iceland, too (Look up the Yule Cat): wearing the clothes you’ve gotten for Christmas on Christmas.

6. What’s your favorite holiday movie?
LAJ: As a kid, I always liked “The Year without a Santa Claus.” (🎶They call me heat miser…🎶) I’m also a sucker for holiday-themed episodes on “teen” shows haha.

7. If you could pick any other holiday to write about, which one would you choose?
LAJ: Hmm, so I covered four different ones in this collection. Outside of those, I’d probably want to write about New Year’s or co-write something about Chanukah.

8. Do you have a favorite holiday book?
LAJ: Can I count Sir Gawain and the Green Knight? It happens at Christmas! And, it just so happens that poem is the inspiration behind my current fantasy WIP.

9. What’s your favorite gift you’ve ever received or given?
LAJ: I always love getting antique books as gifts. I have a whole collection, most of which are green (my favorite color).

And finally… 10. Any resolutions or goals for next year?
LAJ: Yes! Finish my novel WIP and finish querying my picture book manuscript.

Thanks for having me!

Romancing The Holidays by L. Austen Johnson, is an unique collection of four short holiday romance novellas. Each holiday features a new cast of characters (and locations!) and takes place in a different holiday: St. Paddy’s Day, 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas. If you’re a fan of feel good heartwarming stories then I fully recommend this book. Available NOW!

For all the details, I’m including links to Goodreads and buy links for Amazon, Bookshop and Barns & Nobles . Also a link for L. Austen Johnson website so you check out more of her amazing work!