Today’s Brew: Cherry Chocolate Swirl, as God intended
by Kristen

When Mina Vaughn raised her hand in the NECRWA Supernatural Character panel and told us all about her book featuring a dominant schoolteacher who spanked the hell out of a vampire, I knew right then and there I had to be friends with this girl. Later that day, she and I had lunch together at the world’s coolest lunch table (also featuring Eric Rubin and Tiffany Reisz), we exchanged contact info, and I got my wish.
I was lucky enough to get a crack at How To Discipline Your Vampire before its August 19 release date. Not only do you get some supernatural BDSM, but you also get a sweet love story. I asked Mina a couple questions about the book, her writing, and herself, and here’s what she had to say.
K: Thanks for joining us, Mina! Tell us, how did you start writing?
M: I’ve always written. Even when I was a kid, I’d script out my playdates. 😉 I took some creative writing classes in college but didn’t really start writing in earnest until I turned thirty.
K: I giggled a little when I saw you scripted your play dates! That isn’t a surprise to me after reading the book! Who is your favorite character in How To Discipline Your Vampire?
M: Cerise. It meant a lot to me to have a strong and confident heroine. Lots of heroines are strong, but most second-guess themselves and don’t fully understand how wonderful they are. I think this is to keep them from coming off arrogant. But Cerise is hot, she knows it, but I hopefully don’t think she comes off as self-absorbed. She’s cool, funny, and powerful. I love her.
K: Which character did you create first?
M; William. I wanted to imagine a guy who’d make your every fantasy come true. Lots of thought went into this guy, for sure. 😉
K: Besides William, who are your top three vampires?
M: 1) Spike from Buffy
2) Edward from Twilight
3) Eric Northman from True Blood
K: Now, you’re hanging out with those three vampires for a night. What do ya’ll do?
M: Wild ass foursome at a Coldstone Creamery. Ice cream, toppings, and sexy vampires. All night. Sticky sweet goodness.
K: What vampire superpower do you wish you had?
M: I want to be able to not sleep. I have too much to do! Sleep is a waste. I love it, but I’d love to not need it.
K: Oh my God. I love sleep so much. I don’t know if I could live without it! More superpowers: You are a self proclaimed shoe whore. What is your favorite find ever?
M :A pair of Tory Burch leather lace-ups marked from $300 to $100. I nearly died. Wore them to both NECRWA and RWA Nationals and people went gaga over them.
K: They were pretty badass. What has been the best part of your journey to publishing so far? What has surprised you?
M: Everything has been amazing, but the people I’ve met along the way mean the most. My agent Jessica Sinsheimer, my editor Micki Nuding, the whole Gallery/Pocket team I met in Atlanta, and of course the writer friends (like you) who I met at conferences.
K: What advice would you give aspiring authors?
M: Don’t be afraid to be different, and keep trying until something clicks.
K: To wrap things up, I’ll ask my favorite question. What are you dying to share that no one else has asked you about so far?
M: I’m dying to see people liking a non-alpha hero. I’ve heard some good feedback so far about how refreshing it is to see a guy who just wants to worship at your feet instead of growl and brood. I’m excited that my William may be a different kind of swoony hero, and I hope other people think so as well!
Thanks for having me, Kristen!
Kink with a wink. Author of How to Discipline Your Vampire, coming August 19, 2013 from Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Star. Repped by Jessica Sinsheimer.