We are thrilled to introduce you to Calanthe Colt, a passionate author of fantasy and sci-fi romance. Calanthe’s stories are known for their loving, supportive relationships, featuring cinnamon-roll characters, neurodivergent sweethearts, and heartwarming adventures that resonate with warmth and heart.
Can you share your background and how you became a writer?
I've lived in several different island nations, and I have a background in science. I'm a lifelong fan of both scifi and fantasy, and I have added a love of the romance genre over time.I've wanted to be a writer since I was a kid.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My first published book was inspired by a particularly vivid dream. But the very first book I wrote (and stapled together) in childhood was inspired by Black Beauty.Who are some of your biggest literary influences?
Tamora Pierce, Diane Duane, Martha Wells, Claudia Gray, C.L. Moore, Lindsay Buroker, Jessie Mihalik
How does being from New Zealand shape your writing?
Being from Aotearoa New Zealand shapes how I think about nature and the natural world in my stories.
It also shapes how I write those moments when characters must stand up for themselves. There's a fundamental difference between how I would write those moments and how, say, an American author would.
What is your typical writing routine like?
I am a plotter, so I spend a significant amount of time working out my plot and characters before I draft. When It's time to draft, I am a quick writer. I'm still learning how to revise my work efficiently; the process gets a bit thorny at that stage.
How do you approach creating your characters?
As a romance writer, I spend the most time on my main romantic couple. I work on them in tandem, making sure their strengths and weaknesses work together. I also make sure that they each have an emotional wound that the other one can both trigger if not careful and ease / help resolve when they are taking more care of each other later in the story.
As for my supporting characters, I make sure that both of my romantic leads have a network of people who support and / or challenge them in different ways, and who are positioned to help the plot along. And even when there's not an outright villain present, there's always at least two people who are unpleasant, and who conflict with and reflect the main leads in some way. If all of these people are in place, the story starts to write itself.
What part of the writing process do you find most challenging?
Revising the story. Once my draft is in place, I sometimes have trouble finding the courage to make big changes, even when I know they are necessary.
Do you use any specific tools or methods to keep your writing on track?
I use Scrivener; I make use of the cork board function to manage the plot and the project targets to keep my word count up. If a story has a lot of characters or rapidly-paced events, I also use Aeon Timeline to keep on top of how it all ties together.
What inspired your latest book, and can you give us a brief synopsis?
I am working on a scifi romance trilogy called the Planet Android trilogy. It was inspired by a particular episode of Star Trek I saw at a formative age (IYKYK). The first book, Marooned on Planet Android, is out now.
The crew of the Sunda Tiger are on a deep space mission to reconnect with a missing research colony. The human colonists are missing; instead, there's a settlement of androids who don't remember what happened to their humans, or even if they were involved in the disappearance. They must learn to work together to figure out the mystery of what happened on Research Colony 227C.
Each book in the trilogy features a human/android romantic pairing.
How long did it take to complete your latest book from start to finish?
About 2 years, but I started sooner than I should have and parked it for some months to finish my debut book, Goddess Found.
What are the biggest challenges and advantages of being an indie author in New Zealand?
The biggest challenge is organising for print copies. As an indie author, it is best to go with print on demand. But shipping print proofs and author copies to NZ is both expensive and time-consuming.
The biggest advantage is how our natural landscape is so inspiring. These lands breathe creativity.
How do you approach book promotion and marketing as an indie author?
Poorly and chaotically. I've been practicing the craft of writing for years. But when it comes to book marketing, I am a beginner.
What advice would you give to aspiring indie authors in New Zealand?
Just do it. Even if you don't get it 'right', even if you make mistakes, it's better to learn by doing than to wait until you think you have it all figured out. In book publishing there's no time when you have learned it all, so if you wait until you feel like you know everything, you'll never get started.
What do you hope readers take away from your books?
I hope my readers enjoy a comfy, cosy time with my books. I write about cinnamon rolls, golden retrievers, neurodivergent sweethearts, and black cats with hearts of gold. Even when my characters have exciting adventures, they always take the time to have quiet heart-to-hearts, to share meals, and to relax. It may not be the pacing or vibe that everyone is looking for in their books, but I hope that for the right readers, it is just what they need in this harsh, fast-paced world.
What’s next for you as a writer? Any upcoming projects?
I'm currently revising book 2 in the Planet Android trilogy
As we wrap up our conversation with Calanthe Colt, it's clear that their love for storytelling is deeply intertwined with a passion for creating heartfelt, supportive relationships in their novels. With a unique blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance, enriched by Calanthe's New Zealand roots, readers are not just a story but an experience filled with warmth and emotional depth.
If you're looking for tales that feel like a comforting escape into worlds of adventure and love, Calanthe's books might just be your next favorite read. Keep an eye out for the upcoming releases in Calanthe's Planet Android trilogy, and don't forget to dive into already published works for a taste of the magic created.
At Pae Pukapuka, we’re always on the lookout for authors who bring something fresh and heartfelt to the literary world, and Calanthe Colt does just that.
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Noho ora mai, stay well! Happy reading 📚
