Interview with Author Leigh Creek

Describe yourself in three words.

Goofy, Creative, Feral Raccoon

What are three facts about you?

1) The first "book" I wrote was essentially a fanfic of Anthony Horowitz's Diamond Brothers series... In my defense, I was ten
2) I've never been able to relate to height difference romances because I am 6 feet tall so I'm usually taller than most men (except my hubby)
3) My biggest "hear me out" is Garrus Vakarian from the Mass Effect series and I will fight anyone who disagrees with me.

What is your favorite book from childhood?

"Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" by Betty MacDonald

When you read, which authors are your go-to authors?

1) Opal Reyne
2) S E Wendel
3) Tiffany Roberts

What book has made the biggest impact on your life?

"Furiously Happy" by Jenny Lawson.

Do you have any book related tattoos?

Does a batman tattoo count?

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

I loved Fall Guy with Ryan Gosling

What subject could you talk about all day?

Aside from writing and books? I LOVE watching documentaries on various topics on nature (weather, climate, animals, etc.), so I could probably spout off a dozen random facts from all of them I've seen.

What is your dream vacation destination?

Anywhere in Italy probably, I've always wanted to go.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t writing?

I love playing video games with my friends and husband, so I could probably go on and on about the various games I've played with them (though I tend to return frequently to games like Stardew Valley, Dinkum, Planet Zoo, Ark Survival Evolved, Mass Effect, My Time at Sandrock, and Project Zomboid)

Are there any causes you support or which are important to you?

There are a lot of causes that are important to me, though honestly there are so many in our current climate in this country that need attention that it's hard to pick just a few. I am still new to being an indie author, so I am trying to be more outspoken on a few ones that are particularly important to me such as wildlife conservation, mental health awareness, domestic abuse awareness, and LGBTQIA+ rights.
During Hurricane Helene, a local to NC author discord I was a part of got together and put together a charity anthology and auction where all of the proceeds went to select charities to support those affected in those areas.

How did you discover writing as a possible career?

I've always known that writing books was a thing, but I never really thought of it as something I could actually do until I was in my late twenties/early thirties (I'm currently 34).

How did you choose your pen name?

Leigh was originally my middle name before I was married, and Creek is a play on my maiden name.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

I get a lot of ideas from a base question that I get from various sources. For example, I wrote "The Pen Name Project" because I wanted to start writing romances under a pen name, and I was like "what if someone wanted to write a romance but they don't really have any romance experience, like what do they do?", and that's how the plot of that book came to be.

What is the weirdest fact you've found when researching for a book?

The EF rating system for tornadoes isn't based on wind speed or anything like that, it's based on the amount of damage it creates structurally. This is controversial in the meteorological world because some tornadoes aren't rated very highly because they are out in fields, so there isn't much structural damage. The El Reno tornado in 2013 is often the best provided example for why this rating system is outdated because although it was only rated as an EF3, it was the largest tornado ever recorded at over 2 miles wide and was so erratic (in both movement and the fact that it produced multiple vortexes that went around the main funnel) that it killed several experienced, veteran tornado chasers.

What trope is your favorite to write?

Slow burn all the way baby.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love bringing my stories to life and hearing others enjoy them.

What is your writing process?

I'm still working on having a process, but I've started to find that I am more of a plotser (pantser and plotter) where having a general outline helps give me a guideline of where I want the story to go but still also gives me enough wiggle room to let the story take me where it wants to go.

What time of day are you most creative?

I currently work full time, so basically just any time I'm not working.

What is your ideal writing environment?

Dim lights in my office, something to drink, music, and a nice smelling candle

As an author, what challenges do you face?

I am only one person but as an indie author, I have to be many, many different people. I have to be the marketer, the graphic designer, the website designer and manager, the interior formatter, the financial accountant, all at the same time. It can be a lot, but I love doing this.

What is your least favorite part of being an author?

Marketing -- I'd rather save my creative energy for writing. Though I do enjoy doing my YouTube stuff, which has been a nice other creative outlet for me.

If there was one thing you could change about the writing/publishing industry, what would it be?

Less stigma about being an indie author and how indie books have "less quality."

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

It's hard but it is so worth it if you stick with it.

What is something you’d like to write, but haven’t yet?

I'd eventually really like to write a Christmasy themed romance.

Which parts of yourself are reflected in your characters?

Some of the insecurities my FMC's have are often ones I have as well.

Which of your characters have special meaning to you?

I love all my characters, but I think Charlie from The Pen Name Project has my heart.

How do you come up with character names?

I honestly just like relatively simple names, but I also write more contemporary romances, so I haven't really gotten to do the really cool, complex names like in fantasy/romantasy.

What kind of readers enjoy your books?

My ideal readers are people who love fun plots with a cute and sweet romance at their core. They love men who are actual book boyfriends they would happily take home to mom but also get freaky in the sheets with. My readers also love slight variations of their favorite tropes explored (like the sunshiny FMC who is also shy, the normally confident FMC who is currently struggling with their self-esteem, the protective MMC who isn't possessive, etc.).

What is something you love to hear from your readers?

I love constructive criticism. I know that sounds weird but as a relatively newbie indie author, when readers tell me something that they think I can improve on, I want to know. I want to get better as a writer and storyteller so when readers point out something I can feasibly improve on, that's valuable to me.

Where can readers find you online?

Website: https://www.eccpublishing.com/leighcreek

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_leigh_creek

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Author_Elizabeth_C_Cabrera

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eccpublishing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eccpublishing/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0FM4FLYJD

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/55752344.Leigh_Creek

Do you have any current ARCs or free downloads readers might be interested in?

I have a short story and the first chapter of my first book "The Pen Name Project" for free here: https://books.bookfunnel.com/leighcreek-subscriber-freebies

What is your latest/upcoming release?

My next book, Twisting Fates, comes out in April 2026!

https://a.co/d/f9wRcyq

Steam Level

2-3 / 5