Author Interview: Q and A with Megan Walker

Warning – possible spoilers! (Tiny ones, though, and I’ll try to avoid even those; I swear I’ll give my best not to ruin it for you… :-))

I’ve fallen out with historical romances in the past couple of years and almost forgot how much I loved them. I’ve recently got an opportunity to read an early copy of Miss Newbury’s List (which will be out in February 2023) by Megan Walker and I saw it as a perfect opportunity to get back into the genre. And it was everything I hoped it would be!

The book is about Rosalind Newbury, who is engaged to be married to the Duke of Marlow, which is considered to be a huge success. But Ros feels like something is missing, and she decides to try and fulfill a list of her childhood dreams, hoping it would prepare her for her future role as a wife and duchess.

So yep, a classic tale with a bit of a twist and lots of fun and romance.

Of course, I had to ask the author if she’d like to be a guest on NovelOnMyMind and answer some questions for me and all the other fans out there. I asked her about her love of Regency romance, fears she struggles with as an author, and I even asked her about co-writing books that she’s apparently never co-written (😳😅 thank you, Goodreads).

Anyways, I know you can’t wait to get to her answers, so here they are…

Author Q&A with Megan Walker

Why historical romance?

So many reasons! I love the clothes, the manners, the simplicity of life, and especially the social rules that make writing two characters falling in love so challenging and fun.

In Miss Newbury’s List, Ros has quite a decision to make?

Poor Ros wrestles with doing the right thing throughout the story, which I can totally relate to. She wants to please her family, elevate their social standing (which was EVERYTHING in the Regency) and help create a lasting legacy for the people she loves. Her engagement to the duke is this incredible opportunity that is so rare, she can’t pass it up—until she desperately wants to.

What is harder – writing on your own or co-writing?

Funny story – I don’t co-write! That is another darling Megan Walker who writes lovely stories with her friend Janci Patterson. We get confused readers all the time, and I always say – if it’s a regency romance, it’s me. Anything else is likely her.

Do you have any fears or doubts as a writer that creep in from time to time?

All the time. Mostly that my writing is utter garbage and that I’ll never write anything meaningful. But then I get a sweet message, or I read a book or experience art that inspires me, and I get enough inspiration to keep going. Writing is HARD work, but sometimes it’s just a part of you, and regardless of the hard, you find all the good too!

If you could be a character in one of your favorite books, who would you be?

Lady Demsworth (Sir Ronald’s mom) from Lakeshire Park, so I could watch Peter trying to win Amelia’s heart.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have one full length novel, Lakeshire Park. Two novellas, A Beautiful Love and Her Unexpected Courtship. And my second novel Miss Newbury’s List comes out on February 7th, 2023.

If you could interview any author, living or dead, who would it be? What would you ask them?

Jane Austen. I’d ask her all about her time period, her thoughts about all the things, and just bask in her brilliance. I visited her house in England over the summer and learned so much about her family. She was one incredible lady.

How did you spend your first advance?

We took a vacation to Disney World and Harry Potter World at Universal Studios in Florida. It was AMAZING.

Which superpower would you choose? And why?

Flying! Can you imagine how fun that would be? Terrifying haha but traveling would be such an adventure.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently writing another Regency Romance, and once I get a little further along, I’ll chat details. It’s a little different than my previous two novels, but I’m having a ton of fun, and that’s always a good sign. These two characters might be my favorite yet.

#MyFavoriteBookish Tag with Megan Walker

Favorite trope: enemies to lovers

Favorite character: Harry Potter

Favorite movie adaptation: North & South

Favorite book cover: Can I say mine? Haha. I think Austenland by Shannon Hale has a fun cover.

Author Interview: Q and A with Megan Walker