It was around this time last year when I read my first Shae Sanders book, Crave. Since then, she has quickly climbed onto my favorite authors list. On the heels of her most recent release, Studio 79, I wanted to get to know a little bit more about the author behind the pages.
Tell us all about Shae Sanders. When did your love of writing begin? What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
My love of writing began in grad school. I was so stressed out from academic writing that I decided to relieve stress by writing stuff that had nothing to do with school. What began as self-care turned into a career.
When I’m not writing, I’m binge-watching shows, grading papers, and eating chocolate.
What was the inspiration behind Studio 79?
Janet Jackson’s recent documentary. I remember when Control came out and how big that was, and watching the behind the scenes of her working in the studio and falling in love and being a star, it all just came together in my mind.
When you think about R&B in the 90’s, who were some of your favorite singers/artists?
Where do I even start? LOL. Off the top of my head, Janet, Jodeci, SWV, Shai, Xscape, En Vogue, Aaliyah, Silk, Faith, Mary J Blige, 112, Blackstreet, Guy, Intro, H-Town, High Five, 702…I could go on and on. Can you tell it’s my favorite era?
I’ve read all of your books with the exception of “The Playbook (Hailey Family #2),”which I’m planning to read very soon. I love how different each of your books are. Which of your books would you say you had the most fun writing? Which was the most difficult for you to write?
Thank you so much! Most fun would have to be Crave, because it was such a new topic for me (poly). It was fun discovering how far I could stretch my imagination lol. I was wildin’ with that book. Coincidentally, Crave was also the most difficult. There were five different points of view, and all five characters had their own histories, worldviews, secrets, wounds, etc. Keeping all that straight and giving them all unique voices was extremely hard to do.
Which of your characters do you relate to the most and why?
All of my female characters contain little pieces of me. If I had to name the one I relate most to, it would be Castra’s mother from Studio 79. She was imperfect but she tried her best, and some of the things she said about mothering were ripped right from my brain.
I know Studio 79 just released but are you currently working on anything new?
I am. I’m working on the next On the Clock book, featuring the female CEO of Billingsley-Davis. I’m also working on my first urban story.
If someone is completely new to your work, what book would you recommend that they start with?
Ooh, good question. I feel like I’ve gotten progressively better with each book, so I’d love to direct people to my newest lol. But I think the first On the Clock book, Take It, is a good place to start.
Where can readers find you and your work?
My website, shaesandersbooks.com. All of my social media and contact info is there.
Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you!
Thank you so much for reading and supporting my work!
Read Studio 79 for yourself!
The Rantings of a Book Addict 