Spilling Ink: a Hispanic Heritage Month interview with Stefanie Contreras

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m spotlighting fellow authors and creators here on my blog.

Today, let’s welcome Stefanie Contreras, who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know through Quill & Crow Publishing House, the publisher of my book The Bone Key.

Hi Stefanie! Please introduce yourself to everyone and share a bit about yourself.

Hola! My name is Stefanie Contreras and I’m a Mexican-American author living in Phoenix with my yorkie, Mariposa. I write sci-fi and fantasy under my name, and romance as Nyx Coronado. When I’m not working or writing, I’m also on the board of the nonprofit WriteHive, I’m an officer with Geek Girl Brunch, and I volunteer with the marketing team at Quill & Crow Publishing House.

If your writing had a magic spell associated with it, what would the incantation be and what effect would it have on readers?

Te calmas o te calmo. The effect is calmness and peace, but said as a little bit of a threat. When readers take in my stories, I want them to be drawn in by the characters and plot, and that calmness will help them ignore trivial distractions until the story is told.

Authors are often said to weave their own magic with words. What magical ingredients or techniques do you use to cast your spell on readers?

My magic is in the mix of humor and characterization. When I cast my spell on readers, I’m attempting to make the people in my stories feel every bit as real to the readers as they are to me. I also like to sprinkle in bits of humor or camaraderie, so that the reader feels like they’re part of the story and happy to be there.

Describe your writing process like a magic ritual or ceremony. What tools or talismans do you employ, what incantations or preparations do you make before conjuring up each new story?

Almost all of my writing happens either at night or in caramel latte-fueled weekends. Each new story is usually born from vivid dreams. Then I give the characters wind from their whispers into my ears as they tell me what is happening, electricity from my brain as I transcribe their story into text, and the patience from my heart to see the story to the end.

Share your latest release or anything upcoming you think readers might like!

I just released my first full-length vampire romance, The Dhampir’s Acolyte at the beginning of September. You can find the paperbacks on Amazon or the ebook is available on Kindle Unlimited. For anyone who watched Castlevania, saw Alucard, and thought “I can fix him” this story is for you!

Where can people find you on social media?

You’re welcome to come visit me @latinageekgirl on TikTok and Instagram, or @nyx_coronado on Instagram if you like spicy romances.

---

Thanks so much Stefanie! Be sure to check out her website for all the latest updates and book releases!