Q&A with Gloria Duke – Author Interview
About The Author
Tell us more about you
Fun fact: I love word puzzles and crosswords. I do the daily Wordle puzzle every day with my morning coffee. I even worked briefly as a crossword puzzle editor. Maybe one day I’ll give that profession to one of my characters.
What are the three items you’d take on a deserted island?
Does my cat, Pippa, count as an item, LOL? I’d definitely take her. Then, I’d take a lifetime’s supply of coffee – I can’t survive without coffee. And I’d take a journal, because if I was on a deserted island, I’d absolutely want to write about it. (Can I bring a pen too?)
Who is your biggest role model?
TBH, I don’t think I have one. A lot of people have shaped the person I am—too many to name. I mostly just try to be true to myself and my beliefs and values.
What is your favourite book and who is your favourite author?
My favourite book is Little Women. It’s the book that made me want to be a writer. As a young girl, I totally wanted to be Jo! Favourite author is harder. There are so many I love, and it can change depending on what I’m reading at the time.
Do you prefer e-books, physical books or audiobooks?
I like physical books—and I still buy some—but my bookshelf space is limited. For that reason, these days, I mostly buy ebooks.
Is writing your full-time profession or a hobby?
I’ve been making my living as a writer almost all my life, but it hasn’t always been as a novelist. I was a radio writer for a time, writing jokes, skits, and song parodies for morning radio shows. I was TV writer for a while too, writing for TV sitcoms. And most recently, I was working in advertising as a Creative Director over copy. I wrote my first two novels while still holding down a full time ad job. Now, I’m happy to say that “romance author” is my primary career – although I do still take on the occasional freelance copywriting gig. But now, the advertising stuff is my side hustle.
What social media platform do you like and use the most?
You can find me on Instagram: @gloriadukehea
Your Writing Process
How do you go about starting a new novel?
I like to start with a big idea and then jump right in. I’m too impatient do an outline. I always want to skip to the fun part, which for me is the writing. Usually, I know a little bit – but not everything – about my characters and their journey. I know how they’ll meet. I know some of the obstacles they’ll encounter, and I know the ending. The rest, I discover along the way, through writing.
Where do you like to write?
I have an office area set up at home, but I rarely use it. Mostly, I sit on my couch and write, with my laptop literally on my lap. Of course, sometimes my cat wants to be on my lap too, which causes problems ☺
If that happens, or if I just need a change of scenery, I go to one of the coffee shops in my neighbourhood.
What do you like most about writing?
I just love the creative process. I love creating characters and spinning stories about them. Yes, it’s work… but there’s also that point when I find myself disappearing into the story, when writing is as much an escape as reading or watching a movie or a TV show. Then, it’s not work anymore. It’s a joy!
What do you find stops you from writing more?
As a writer, I know I’m going to have productive days and not-so-productive days. Some days, I’ll sit down at my computer and write 2,000 words, no problem. Other days, I’ll struggle to write a single sentence. I can’t really pinpoint what “stops” me. But when I’m blocked, I know to walk away. I make myself do something else—like take a walk or clean the bathroom or go grocery shopping—and let things percolate at the back of my mind. When I’m not consciously trying to solve a writing problem, that’s when I find the answer to help me move forward.
What genres do you like to write and why?
I love rom-coms – and my voice is naturally humorous and conversational – so that’s what I write. I greatly admire authors who write beautiful, lyrical prose, but that just isn’t me. And as a writer, I think you need to be true to yourself and not try to copy someone else. Specifically, I write paranormal rom-com because it gives me the opportunity to address issues in the real world, but in a metaphorical way.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring writers?
First of all, I’d say… write. You have to keep at it. And the more you write, the better you’ll get. After that, I’d say, don’t take criticism personally. Whether it’s a rejection letter or a negative review, it’s just one person’s opinion. Agents and editors and critics and bloggers are all just individual people, not God Almighty. Stay focused on the positive, on why you wanted to write in the first place, and you will eventually find your team and your audience.
Showcase your books!
How many books have you written and if more than one, what’s your favourite?
So far, I’ve published two books – When Life Gives You Vampires and Vampires Never Say Die. My next book, as yet untitled, is a merman rom-com set at the Jersey Shore. Its release is set for May 2026.
I’m sure I’m not the first author to say this, but I can’t really choose a favourite book. Books are like children – you love them all equally, just differently. They each hold a special place in my heart because they reflect where I was and what I was feeling at specific point in my life.
How long did Vampires Never Say Die take you to write?
I’m not a super-fast writer. While I wrote Vampires Never Say Die, I still had a full time job as an advertising Creative Director, so I was writing early in the mornings before work and on the weekends. My first draft took about eight months to complete.
Lastly, what is your favourite thing about being an author?
Well, just being an author is such a privilege! Being able to write stories that mean something to me is a dream come true. And I suppose my favourite thing is when I hear from readers and find out that my stories mean something to them too <3
Vampires Never Say Die Review
Check out my review of Vampires Never Say Die by Gloria Duke and see what I thought of the book.
