The mom and son author duo, C.A. Kunz, thoroughly enjoys writing about things that go bump in the night and futuristic action-packed romances while drinking massive amounts of English breakfast tea and Starbucks coffee.

Time to chat with C.A. Kunz!

What is your latest book?

Carol and Adam: The Modified, a young adult Dystopian novel.

Is your recent book part of a series?

Carol and Adam: Yes, it is book one of The Biotics Trilogy

If you were to advertise your book on a bumper sticker, what would it say?

Carol and Adam: What would YOU sacrifice?

What else have you written?

Carol and Adam: We’ve written the first two books in our middle grade/young adult paranormal series, The Childe. Our first book, The Childe, was published in March 2011 and the sequel, Dark Days, was published February 2012.

What do you think some of the greatest misconceptions about indie authors are?

Carol and Adam: That we’re not hard workers! Our first novel took us nine months to write. Then we had it edited, paid an experienced graphic designer to do our cover, and finally a year after we started, we published it. We do all the leg work and marketing to get our books out to the public. Though it’s hard work, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, and get a certain sense of satisfaction that our books are totally ours from cover to cover.

Is it important for you to know the ending of a book before you write it?

Carol and Adam: Yes, and since there are two of us that write the book, we not only have to know how the book will end, but we also need to have a concrete outline that we work from. If we didn’t, we’d probably end up with two completely different novels that don’t mesh. The title? Yes, because the title of the book tends to encompass the description of our book in our opinion.

Some writers edit excessively as they write; others wait until a novel is finished to do the bulk of the editing. How about you?

Carol and Adam: Our first book, The Childe, was a learning experience with many, many hours of editing throughout the whole novel. I have an office with a couch and a recliner and Adam and I have spent up to eleven hours a day editing while reading the story out loud. From what we learned from our first book, our second and third books were much easier.

Do you have any advice for first-time authors?

Carol and Adam: Don’t give up! Not everyone is going to like, or even love your book, and there are some really mean-spirited people who will try to tear you down. Ignore them. We know it’s hard, but you just have to do it. Look for people who will support you, but will also give you constructive criticism.

Please, tell us about your experiences with social media. What are your favorite and least-favorite parts of it?

Carol and Adam: Carol mainly attends the social media since Adam works full-time. She’s met some AWESOME people online, and when we go to events and book fairs we meet them in person and have an amazing time. It’s definitely time-consuming and hours fly by while online, but the rewards are well worth it!

Do you allow others to read your work in progress, or do you keep it a secret until you’ve finished your first draft?

Carol and Adam: We wait until our first draft is completely finished, then we give it to five or six people who read all different genres.  Can you elaborate? After their constructive criticism, we edit some more and when we feel like we have reached a point where it’s time for a professional editor to handle it!

Where do you live now? If you had to move to another city/state/country, where might that be?

Carol: I live in Florida but ideally I would love to live in England. My mum is English and my dad is American. I spent 15 years of my young life in England and I miss it.

Adam: I currently live in Orlando, Florida, but if I had to move to another place it would have to be New Zealand because it’s so darn beautiful there.

Trains, planes, automobiles, or boats?

Carol:  I love the first three, but I’m not a fan of boats. The Titanic movie is a horror movie for me. My worst fear is to be out in the middle of the ocean with no hope in sight.

Adam: I’d have to say trains…mainly due to my love of Harry Potter.

What’s your favorite comfort food? Least favorite food?

Carol: Bread, any kind of bread is my comfort food.  Mushrooms! Not into eating fungus.

Adam: Chips and queso are definitely my favorite comfort foods, and I have to agree with my mom and say that mushrooms are absolutely my least favorite.

What’s the coolest surprise you’ve ever had?

Carol: Finding out I was pregnant with Adam! He’s the best stomach flu I ever had!

Adam: Getting a four-star review for our first novel, The Childe, in the magazine RT Book Reviews.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

Carol: Healthy Children.

Adam: A loving family.

What are the most important traits you look for in a friend?

Carol: Honesty and kindness. I strongly dislike catty and mean people. I would never intentionally hurt others feelings and I want to be with people who feel the same way.

Adam: I’d have to say honesty, loyalty, and positivity.

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