Romance Sub-genre(s): Contemporary, RomCom, Romantic Parody, Erotica
Steam Level: It depends on the book but all of mine are open door.
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Describe yourself in three words.
Introverted, Driven, Chaotic
What are three fun facts about you?
1. I was born in Alaska.
2. I am ambidextrous.
3. I have 22 associates degrees (I have my MBA, but in my 20s I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up)
What do you do for fun when you aren’t writing?
I am an avid reader and love traveling.
How did you discover writing as a possible career?
It started as a writing exercise where I recounted a dating story from my 20s. I found I enjoyed writing and turned it into a book, but never thought about the money. Even now, it’s just a bonus.
How did you choose your pen name?
Irene was my grandmother, and she traveled the world after leaving her husband of 20 years. Left him dinner and note, and never looked back. She was the strongest woman I’ve ever known. I figured if I needed a pseudonym, it may as well be someone I admire.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
They usually come to me as a “you know what would be funny…” and it spirals from there.
What trope is your favorite to write?
I love writing forbidden love, whether it’s a brother’s best friend, office romance, or even rivals. My favorite is seeing the man obsessed with a woman he’s not supposed to want.
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
I could never pick one thing but I love the creative process.
What is your writing process?
Super chaotic! I come up with a premise, begin designing a cover for inspiration, create the characters and their personalities, and then when I start writing I let the characters lead the way. I don’t plot the story other than the tropes of the book.
What time of day are you most creative?
Very late at night, after kids are in bed.
What is your ideal writing environment?
Absolute silence, low lights, and crunchy snacks I can dip.
As an author, what challenges do you face?
Time. I wish I had more of it. As an indie I do everything for my books, so there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all of the things I want to do for my books and marketing.
What is your least favorite part of being an author?
I don’t think I have a least favorite part. Maybe social media? Keeping up with algorithms is time consuming!
If there was one thing you could change about the writing/publishing industry, what would it be?
Monopolies. When you need an ISBN, want to print your books, distribute books, etc. you have minimal options.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Don’t fear failure. Your book will never be perfect and you could edit that draft 600 times and still find something to change. Set a deadline, and do the thing!
What is something you’d like to write, but haven’t yet?
Why choose! I didn’t think I could do it, but I started with MMF and MFM, and I’m feeling more confident in being able to keep track of body parts, so I’m braving it next winter!
Which parts of yourself are reflected in your characters?
I always have self-inserts. Sometimes it’s small like favorite foods, or their job was something I’ve done in the past. Some part of me makes its way into the book.
Which of your characters have special meaning to you?
Sage in Royally on the Rocks is probably the big one for me. I have MS and I wrote her with MS, and she struggles with letting people love her out of fear she’ll burden them. It was cathartic to write.
How do you come up with character names?
I truly just make them up. Once in a while I’ll name a character after a friend, but I always ask ahead of time.
What is something you love to hear from your readers?
I love when readers find something in the wild and send me a pic! In my books, I often reference black and white buffalo plaid pj pants. Every winter I receive messages from readers with a pic of them wearing them, or spotting them at a store. There’s always a fun caption. It always makes me smile.
When you read, which authors are your go-to authors?
The list is so long! This year it’s been Melanie Harlow, Emily Rath, Brittanée Nicole, SJ Tilly, and Amy Daws.
Where can readers find you online?
I’m most active on Instagram: @irenebahrdauthor.
Do you have any current ARCs or free downloads readers might be interested in?
Not currently, but I am a rapid release author, so I have ARCs sent almost once a month.
What is your latest/upcoming release?
I have several novellas coming out, but my next big release is Absolute Majority in my political series. https://mybook.to/absolutemajority