Meet Piper Bedwell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Piper Bedwell.

Hi Piper, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started writing in 7th grade with a group of friends. The stories we wrote were only ever shared between us and were never meant to be anything other than a way for us to entertain each other. They were never meant for public consumption and still to this day, they remain hidden away. I continued my writing through the years. Reading had always been – and still is- my escape and writing was just the natural next step for me. If I couldn’t find a book I wanted to read, I would write it myself. If I read a book and didn’t like the way it ended, or the twist it took, I would write something similar, but with my own corrections. Again, never for anyone but myself and a few close friends, but even those numbers dwindled over the years.

In college, I met a friend, Rebeccah Ransom, that also loved to write and so we continued our passion together. My husband (fiance at the time) tried to convince me to publish. By this time, I was writing completely self-imagined works, but still, they were just for me. No matter how hard he tried, I was steadfast that publishing wasn’t in my future. It was too terrifying to think about, putting myself out there like that for others to judge and criticize. Around 2017, Beccah and I reconnected and started talking about writing again. Eventually, she told me, “We’re going to publish, and we’re going to do it together.” Somehow, she did what no one else had been able to do. She convinced me to push the button.

She and I worked tirelessly around our full-time jobs until we both had a novel we felt would be worthy of publishing. We both self-published within days of each other. This was the first time most of my friends and family even found out that I was a writer and the first time my mom was able to read any of my books. I then published my second book within 2 months of the first. It seemed that since I pressed the button the first time, it was easier the second, and now the third as my most recent book just came out in August.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the grand scheme of things, it’s been pretty smooth. Getting over my own insecurities about putting myself out there was probably the biggest road bump along the way. Beyond that, while two of the three books (soon to be all three) can be found online at most retailers, they aren’t on a lot of shelves inside of the stores. Being mainly online, it’s hard to get a lot of traction without having a background in marking. It’s easy to get lost in a sea of titles online.

That’s one of the reasons we started doing conventions this year. It’s a great way to not only get my books out there but also my name and network with other people.

Another speed bump along the way is having enough time in the day to do all the things. I’m a wife to an amazing man who cheers me on in my craziness. I am a full-time mom homeschooling a 5-year-old who is crazy smart while chasing a mischievous 3-year-old. I’m a gymnastics coach, which both girls are enrolled in. I also still write work for and occasionally coach color guard for those requesting it for high school marching bands. We have 7 bunnies who always love cuddles and work with a charity raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network, called Extra-Life. All this on top of writing (currently working on a series of 6-ish new books), editing, marketing (or trying to learn how to), networking, cons, etc. As things started kicking off this year, I realized I had to step back in another charity organization I have been a part of for years. It’s been hard letting that go for now, but I also know I can’t do it all, all the time. Kids take a lot of time on their own. Writing takes a lot of time. Add them together with all the things we have going on in general and I rarely sit still.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
It’s taken a long time to be able to say this, but I am a romance/fantasy/suspense author. Admitting that you write romance books can change the way people view you or your writing, especially if they knew you growing up. All of my books will have an element of spice to them, but there is always more to them as well. Searching for Evermore was the first to be released and is a fantasy romance, while Too Late – the second book to be published and a standalone story- is more of a suspense romance. My newest, Searching for Balliol, is a sequel to Searching for Evermore following the same character so is also a fantasy romance. The biggest thing about my writing is that I try to keep them engaging and easy enough to follow without seeming like I am watering them down. If I wouldn’t want to read it, I won’t write it.

The stories I write (yes, I still call them stories instead of books. Old habits, and all that) are written because they resonate within me. I have conversations with the characters in my head on a normal basis so I know their voices. I may hash out entire chapters in my head before I ever sit down to put them to paper. (And yes, I write all my stories by hand first.) These characters are friends of mine, they are me. There are times when I have to write it down right that instant or I can’t focus on other things. And, yes, I know that sounds crazy. But these words are all in my head and even if no one ever read them, I would still write them. I finally love sharing them with others, especially those who are self-proclaimed non-readers. I love when those same people are itching for the next one, even if I just released a new one. I also love receiving messages from readers when something shocked them or made them laugh while reading.

As far as what sets me apart? I wouldn’t really know. I focus more on being myself through all this than being different from others. I’m an energetic redhead with sass to spare and if there are others out there like that, awesome! If not, I’ll continue to be that way anyway. I like to have fun, meet people, goof off, and generally have a good time. That’s what conventions allow me to do, It’s also awesome since my husband, Jarrad, is there with me at cons with his own table for the charity we work with. Extra-Life. It’s something we can do together while promoting my books and helping an amazing cause.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My husband, Jarrad Bedwell, is my number one biggest supporter. From the moment he learned that I write, he encouraged me to pursue it and publish. He has been by my side through all of this and decided this year to make a bigger push and really fight for what I wanted. He is the reason we have a table at cons this year and travel around to promote. He is always looking for more ways to lift me up and keep me from feeling lost in this sea of well-known authors as little fish.

My parents, David and Rochelle, have always been supportive as well and have taken on a bigger task in that department this year. Not only do they spread awareness of my books to almost anyone they meet, but they have agreed to care for our daughters while we are at conventions. With a 3 and 5-year-old, it can be a feat many would not dare to do often, but they have stepped up every time. Considering we planned for 3 this year and completed 9 by the end of October, that’s a big undertaking. My mom also helped with designing my table for cons, which always has a great reception from people I meet. They are both avid readers as well, so being around books all my life was a huge part of my love of them.

Beccah (Rebeccah Ransom) is an amazing friend and writer in her own right and is the reason I had the courage to publish in the first place. She and I decided to take the leap together, on separate books, and the rest is history. Not only is she an amazing “aunt” to my daughters and friend to me and my husband, but she is my sounding board when I get stuck or just need to talk things through. She’s been my test reader many times and always gives amazing feedback and help.

Of course, there are others who have helped along the way. My daughters help keep me focused on what’s important and where I want to be. My friends from high school got me into writing in the first place. Some of them are still in touch and reading them to this day. My best friends are always up for a new book and willing to help in any way they can to promote or spread the word. My cousin literally takes her days off to go to bookstores she wants to see my book in and talks to them about author events and carries my book on their shelves. Other authors, vendors, and guests at cons have given advice, bought books, or just been in great conversation and become friends along the journey. So many people have helped  so many ways that it’s hard to list them all without being here all day.

Contact Info:

• Website: PiperBedwell.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/piper.bedwell
• Facebook: facebook.com/piperbedwell