Episode 63: Welcome to the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast! In each episode, you’ll hear inspirational stories from horse book authors including writing advice and marketing tips to help you write your own horse book. If you are an author, aspire to be an author, or simply love horse books then you are in the right place!
In this week's episode, you'll meet Equestrian Romance Author F. W. Rider. You'll learn ...
Watch F. W. Rider's Interview on YouTube!Or listen to the audio only interview.About F. W. Rider
F. W. Rider was born in Westminster, London and fell in love with horses and stories almost immediately. A fiery redhead with interests to match, Rider spent 14 years as a firefighter in London and seven years as a magazine and newspaper features writer, before finally pursuing her love of storytelling as a romance novelist.
Now the loving owner of five horses, four dogs and a cat, Rider lives in Essex with her two daughters and unpaid proofreader (otherwise known as her husband). When she’s not reading or writing, Rider can be found enjoying some retail therapy, a cheeky cocktail or two, or spending time in the USA – her favourite place besides London and Essex. F. W. Rider Podcast Interview Excerpt
Carly: Tell us how your love affair with horses began.
FW: This began super young…when I was around 5/6 years old I think. We used to live in London with my nan as both my parents worked in the city. Out of my bedroom window I could see the city farm. I started volunteering and eventually had a ride on a donkey on Jacko which turned into a ride on a chestnut pony called Libby.
Carly: You were a firefighter for 14 years in London and left that career to pursue your love of writing. Talk to us about that transition. What made you decide to write books?
FW: I’d always wanted to write and I think taking the leap from being a firefighter, which I wasn’t enjoying due to management, although it was scary, was the push I needed. Carly: You work part time for an equestrian clothing company, writing their content and social media to help out while releasing your first books. Talk to listeners about why it is important to have a day job when you’re getting started. FW: I absolutely love working for Vivendi. While I’d love to focus 24/7 on writing, it’s so important to have that second source of income. I think it was a speech by Joanna Penn that explained the importance of multiple sources of income and I’m so passionate about that now having left the fire service. 
Carly: You write your books under a pen name. Tell us what F. W. Rider stands for and how you came up with your pen name.
FW: Someone called me a fair weather rider once and I figured they were right, so that became my Instagram handle. By the time it came to publish my equestrian romance, I decided it was the best name to publish under. I have a series of regular contemporary romance coming out early next year under my name JA Hyde but there are still going to be the odd horse in it. I can’t completely remove them. lol. Carly: You write equestrian romance for adults like I do. What does equestrian romance mean to you and why did you choose the genre? FW: I love romance in general. I’m a huge fan of Jodi Ellen Malpas. In fact, I’d go as far as to say she’s my idol. I couldn’t seem to find a great deal of that type of romance within the horse world. I’m surrounded by horses all day and every day, so it was a natural location and lifestyle for me to write about for the first time. Carly: You recently released your first steamy equestrian romance novella, Soaked Hay & Farrier Smoke. Tell us about your book. FW: I know every writer should stay away from cliches but it does surround the cliche of a horse girl, Jen, falling for her farrier. However, it’s a little more involved. She has a huge career break that involves investigating a local criminal duo that she later finds deeply connected with the man she loves, her farrier Eddie 
Carly: Talk to us about the steam level in your equestrian romance. How do write a love scene? What do you include? What do you leave out?
FW: Compared to a lot of the books I read, I’d say it’s pretty mild however I’m aware there are a few ‘steamy’ scenes should we say. So I guess it’s a little steamy or graphic I guess. I write whatever comes naturally to me. I write what I think I would love to read and if there’s a scene I’ve written, where perhaps I’ve gone off on a tangent where I think, god no, I don’t need to know that, I cut it out. Carly: It is said that all stories are partly personal. Is there a personal connection in your book for you? FW: Everyone asks me that for the simple fact that the lead character is called Jen but that was a complete mishap. I couldn’t think of a name for the lead character, so I put my name in for the time being. By the time I’d written the book, the name just stuck. I’d say the second book has a little more of a personal connection for the simple fact that I introduce the troubled mare Hattie, who I’ve written about to introduce my next series The Red Mare. I have a chestnut mare called Hattie who’s one of the most difficult horses I’ve ever had but she’s teaching me so much, so I had to include her. The added funny bonus is that I haven’t seen my farrier for about two years as my husband handles those appointments for me because Hattie is such a pain for me but she is good as gold for my husband. She loves men, the Hussey. lol Carly: How did you come up with the idea for the book covers? FW: I made a rough one on Canva, depicting the smoke from a horse shoe and then asked a pro to create me something 'a bit more professional’ and she literally came up with the finished product. I was in love! I like the covers of romance to have a hint toward the story. Carly: You've already determined the next three titles and covers for your series. Talk about where you are taking the series. Are you planning to write the whole series and then rapid release them all at the same time? FW: So I have Soaked Hay & Stable Mirrors, which is the second and final in this series. Then I have The Red Mare series which I’m writing next. I also have a Romancing on the Ranch series. They all interlink, too. So you’ll be introduced to Alice from Romancing on The Ranch in Soaked Hay & Stable Mirrors. 
Carly: What is the one common myth about our profession or field that you want to debunk?
FW: A lot of people seem to think I have loads of time on my hands and just ‘tip tap’ away at the keys on my laptop but it’s serious hard work. I also hate the assumption that because I’ve self published, it’s because I’m not good enough to go the traditional route. I simply chose not to. Believe me, it would have cost a lot less and taken a lot of work off of my shoulders if I’d gone the traditional route! Carly: What do you wish you had known when you started out? FW: To start building my mailing list long ago! That would have been a great help. Carly: What is the hardest part about being an author? FW: Getting it out there and actually making sales. I have to work my fingers to the bone to get it out there. It’s so tough marketing yourself but it kind of snow balls, so the more you do (consistently) the better it starts to work. Carly: What is the best part about being an author? FW: I’m in charge. I create my own products. I create my own income. It’s just me and my laptop. I can do it from wherever I want in the world. So if my family and I ever manage to get a VISA to live in the states like we dream about, I’ll never have to worry about my writing. It goes where I go. Carly: What’s next for your writing? What do you have in store for your readers? FW: I have two more series lined up under F. W. Rider and then I have a regular contemporary romance/romantic suspense series called The Silver Fox series that I’m releasing under my actual name in 2021. Connect with F. W. Rider
Website: www.thefairweatherrider.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefairweatherrider Twitter: www.twitter.com/thefwrider Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefairweatherrider Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/F_W_Rider Equestrian Romance Books by F. W. Rider
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy any books featured, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate purchases help with the upkeep of the podcast. Thanks for your help keeping this site running!
New Equine Author Interviews Each Week!
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Thank you for joining us this week on the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast I hope you enjoy these Q&A sessions with wonderful equine authors who love all things horses and writing just like me. If you are an author who writes about horses and would like to be spotlighted please let me know. Visit my contact page to fill out a request. I'd be happy to have you on the show, too. Want a free guide to secrets of horse book authors? Gallop over to https://www.carlykadecreative.com/wisdom.html and join the Equestrian Author Spotlight email list to have the author advice resource delivered instantly to your inbox. About Podcast Host Carly Kade
Carly Kade is an award-winning independent author, horse owner, creativity coach, and the host of the Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast. She helps fellow writers start, grow, and expand their author careers. Creative writing makes her spurs jingle!
Carly's In the Reins equestrian romance book series was written with horse lovers in mind, no matter which discipline they ride. The horses are as vital to moving the story forward as the human characters are. These books are perfect for poolside reading, taking to the beach, or settling down with after a day of horseback riding. 
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Books by Carly Kade
In the Reins is an EQUUS Film Festival Official Literary Award Winner
In the Reins earns TWO Feathered Quill Book Awards
Cowboy Away Earns Carly Kade Second EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award
In the Reins is the Self Publishers Association Book of the Week
Book TrailerAuthor InfoCarly Kade writes for anyone who loves horses, handsome cowboys and a great romance. Creative writing about horses makes her spurs jingle! Archives
February 2023
Please note: This website may contain affiliate links. If you choose to buy any books featured, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate purchases help with the upkeep of the podcast. Thank you for your support in keeping this site running. |
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