Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.
Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?
The name is Katerina Ross. The age is 39.
Fiona: Where are you from?
Moscow, Russia.
Fiona: A little about yourself (ie, your education, family life, etc.).
Besides being a writer, I’m also an editor, a journalist, a translator, and a specialist in Gothic novels. I live in the city where I was born and like it very much. It’s gorgeous!
Fiona: Tell us your latest news.
At the moment, I’m writing a BDSM-themed MMMF novel set in Russia and a paranormal M/M novella set in Wales, a spin-off from my M/M series The Sons of Gomorrah.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
As a child, I’ve always been writing something, from short stories to novel-length hand-scribbled manuscripts with illustrations. It was probably inevitable because I read a lot. It provoked me 😉
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think I consider myself more of a multi-task literary worker. It’s more fun!
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book in English, Tenderly Wicked, was not only an attempt to write a realistic BDSM story, about people with flaws and insecurities. I also wanted to show what it feels like to live in Moscow, so the city itself was my inspiration. The main character is an American expat—and readers get to see Moscowthrough his eyes.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
It’s actually a self-quote. I used this expression in one of my old Sherlockfanfics, Slave Me, and then tenderly_wicked became my pseudonym for a while because it describes the things I write rather well. It also applies to the main character of my novel, Max, who is a sadist … but also a good man, or at least he strives to be one.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
The main challenge for me is that I write in a foreign language. Being a perfectionist, I’m always worried there might be typos in my texts.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I like describing real places in my books, in Russia or abroad, places I’ve been to. It’s like sharing what you’ve seen without attaching photos.
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
Sometimes I have to travel after that 😉 In my paranormal M/M series The Sons of Gomorrah, I mentioned Scholomance, the legendary school of magic in the Carpathian Mountains. According to folk tales (and Bram Stoker’s Dracula) it’s situated by a mountaintop lake near Hermannstadt (now Sibiu). I wanted to see it for myself, so I went to Romania this year!
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Jay Aheer. Her artwork is magical. One of her pictures, Fallen, partially inspired me to write Angel’s Eye, the third book in The Sons of Gomorrah series. It’s a beautifully creepy image!
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
In Tenderly Wicked, the main idea is that no matter how dark and sadistic your fantasies are, you still can (and should) be a good person, and you can be loved, you can find a match for yourself. BDSM shouldn’t turn into abuse. When it’s done right, it’s the ultimate form of trust. As for The Sons of Gomorrah, there’s a lot of food for thoughts packed inside, but it would be spoilers if I told you everything 😉
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
Recently, I was very impressed by Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee, a complex space opera parable, not for the faint-hearted. On the whole, I appreciate well-crafted thrillers, from the elegant ghost stories of Vernon Lee who was magnificent at creating a darkly poetic atmosphere, to the suspense-packednovels by Alistair MacLean who was great at writing action scenes. But my favorite book, from my teenage years, is Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini. Formally, it’s about pirates and adventures at sea, but in its essence, it’s a story of an extraordinary person in extraordinary circumstances.
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
I’m very grateful to my beta-reader and fellow author Jen FitzGerald. She beta-read some of my fanfics—and agreed to read Tenderly Wicked as well. It’s always helpful when someone looks at your work with fresh eyes. By the way, if you like cozy, feel-good stories with low angst, her M/M novel For the Love of Scott is really nice—and it’s free on Amazon.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
I definitely consider working with texts a career.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
My latest book, Wicked Solace, is a companion short story to Tenderly Wicked, but it can be read as a standalone. I made it a free read—and I don’t regret it at all because it seems to have attracted new readers to my other books.
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
While doing BDSM-related research for my current MMMF story, I stumbled over a kink I hadn’t known about before—rhaphanidosis. It’s the act of inserting a radish or horseradish into … er … a place not entirely suited for that.
Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
If filmmakers could afford time travel, I’d choose the young Benedict Cumberbatch (while he was still a redhead) to play both Tristan and Jarek from The Sons of Gomorrah.
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?
If you have particular questions about the publishing process, don’t be afraid to ask other authors for advice, especially in writer groups meant for that purpose. You might not get a step-by-step plan how to become successful, but you’ll be able to resolve minor issues faster. I’m delighted to have witnessed how often writers in the M/M community help each other.
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
I’m glad to have met you through my books. And hope we meet again 😉
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
A book on the history of Wales, as a research for my Welsh M/M novella.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
I remember the first ‘grown-up’ book I read, after a bunch of books for children. It happened to be Robinson Crusoe. I must confess I disliked it because it was too pragmatic for my tastes, but fortunately, it didn’t turn me off from reading 😉
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
The last movie that made me both laugh and cry was Pride. It’s a story of how compassionate people change history.
Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
I’m very much hoping to meet my fellow author and artist (and also a great person) Katherine Wyvern who lives in France. She’s my ‘partner in crime’—we have a FB group where we post our naughty drawings and excerpts, and other interesting things: https://www.facebook.com/groups/884796268383313
Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy drawing fanart. You can find my doodles here: https://tenderlywicked.tumblr.com/tagged/My-fanart
Recently, I also created an account at DeviantArt, to stash my drawings of all kinds: https://www.deviantart.com/tenderlywicked/gallery/all
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I can’t even say how many times I rewatched Sherlock 🙂
Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?
I like spicy food and the purple color. As for music, it’s pretty much anything by Depeche Mode. I’m also fond of the Russian rock bands Orgia Pravednikov (The Orgy of the Righteous), Melnitsa (The Mill), and Aria.
Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
I think I’d work in the tourist business. I’m good at planning unusual, customized trips for myself and my friends. It could be quite an enjoyable career. Or I’d be a full-time artist, drawing handsome men and also enjoying it very much.
Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?
I’m terrible at time management, so I’d probably squander them without much efficiency!
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?
Just my name and dates would suffice. I’d rather say wise and funny things in my books, while I’m still alive 😉
Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?
Oh yes. My website https://katerinaross.com might be of interest for those who enjoy reading BDSM fiction. Apparently, I can’t stop being a journalist even in my free time, so I’m doing a series of interviews with BDSM authors. Stop by to find new kinky books for your TBR list 😉
Katerina’s books on Amazon and at Evernight Publishing:
Amazon Authors page USA https://www.amazon.com/Katerina-Ross/e/B01M12RZ3F%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Katerina-Ross/e/B01M12RZ3F?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1570469506&sr=1-1
https://www.evernightpublishing.com/katerina-ross/
Katerina’s short story Wicked Solaceis FREE on the publisher’s website, Smashwords, Barnes&Noble and Amazon UK:
https://www.evernightpublishing.com/wicked-solace-by-katerina-ross/
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/934509
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QVQ8S9D/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
It’s $0.99 on Amazon US because Amazon is weird!
authorsinterviews 
Tenderly Wicked would have made an interesting pen name. I wish you the best of luck.