Our Interview with C.J. Archer
Special thanks to the author for taking time to answer our questions to share with you!
Q: How do you come up with ideas for your books? Do you have a specific process for
brainstorming and developing your plots?
A: Every book is different. Sometimes I have a character or setting in mind before I start writing, and sometimes it’s just a single line or the title. An idea can percolate for months before I flesh out the plot. I always have several plot points bedded down before I begin writing the first draft, but they may change and others will crop up as I work through to the end. The best twists or passages of dialogue just happen when I’m deeply entrenched in the story – I don’t plan them. The whole process feels like magic – when I reach the end I sometimes wonder how it all just worked out.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an indie author, and how have you overcome them?
A: The biggest challenge has always been distribution. When I first started, indie authors couldn’t upload their manuscripts to some bookstores and libraries directly, and being Australian made this even harder. Thankfully that has largely changed. Intermediaries like Hoopla Digital now make it so much easier to reach a bigger audience through their library partners. It can still be difficult to get into physical bookstores, but that’s the same for some authors published with a publisher.
Q: Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring indie authors who are just starting out?
A: While a strong description, cover, and title are essential, a page-turning story always has been and still is the most important ingredient. To learn to write well, new authors should read books in their genre to learn why successful authors are successful. Don’t rush to publish. Set the manuscript aside and work on something else then come back to it months later with fresh eyes. Is it good enough to ask readers to pay money for it? I never skip this step. I set the manuscript aside for 3 months then give it a final polish before sending it to my editor. Nowadays, I rarely change anything major at that stage because I’ve spent years honing my storytelling instincts, but it still helps me see the story as a reader rather than its creator.
Q: How do you balance the creative aspects of writing with the business side of being an indie author?
A: I set aside time to do the business things then focus on the writing. I live in Australia but most of my readers, as well as all the publishing platforms, my cover artist, narrator and translators are all located overseas, so everything they send me drops into my Inbox overnight. I can’t focus on writing until everything has been attended to.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your journey as an indie author?
A: It sounds like a cliché, but it’s the best feeling to read a message from a reader or listener who has enjoyed my books. It can give me a high for the rest of the day. I also love to write. I get moody if I haven’t written for a few days, LOL. Spending time with my characters and creating their story is a deeply rewarding experience.
Q: How do you engage with your readers and build a community around your books?
A: I have a Facebook fan group called CJs Ministry of Fans where fans can engage with each other to discuss my books. I also announce news and reveal covers there first before posting to my regular Facebook page and Instagram.
Q: What are you currently working on, and what can readers expect from you in the future?
A: I’m writing the twelfth Cleopatra Fox Mystery at the moment, then I’ll set that aside to edit the first book in a new series that’s a spin-off from my popular Glass and Steele and The Glass Library series. Both books release in 2026. Still to come in 2025 is the 10th Cleopatra Fox Mystery (releasing in June), a standalone romantasy titled The Warrior Priest which is a side story set in the After The Rift series world (releasing in September), and the 11th Cleopatra Fox Mystery will close the year in December.
Step into History with C.J. Archer’s Magical Mysteries
If you’re a fan of historical mystery and fantasy, indie author C.J. Archer should be at the top of your reading list. A USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, C.J. Archer has captivated readers around the world with richly imagined stories filled with history, intrigue, and a touch of fantasy. Whether you’re looking to start the Glass and Steele series or explore her newer works, your library has you covered.
Read C.J. Archer Books in Order
Not sure where to begin? The author herself recommends that her books be read in order so that you’ll experience each series the way it was written. Here’s a quick guide to three of her series. And when you’ve finished reading about the series, read our interview with the author.
Set in Victorian England, this historical fantasy mystery series follows India Steele, a watchmaker’s daughter, as she becomes entangled in secrets, magic, and murder alongside the mysterious Matthew Glass. There are 15 books in the Glass and Steele series, so readers are in for a long-term treat. Begin with The Watchmaker’s Daughter.
For fans of classic whodunits, this historical mystery series is set in 1899 London and features amateur sleuth Cleopatra Fox. Murder at the Mayfair Hotel is the first title in this 11-book series.
Set in 1920s England, this historical fantasy mystery series focuses on librarian Sylvia Ashe and Scotland Yard consultant Gabe. While this 6-book series is linked to the Glass and Steele series, you don’t need to have read that series in order to enjoy this one. Begin with The Librarian of Crooked Lane.
About Indie Author C.J. Archer
C.J. Archer lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, two children, and Coco, their black and white cat. She’s been passionate about books and history for as long as she can remember and has made a career of combining the two into unforgettable stories.
Where to Read C.J. Archer
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