Kandi Steiner
Author Interview - Kandi Steiner
Author of The Wrong Game/The Right Player
From USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Kandi Steiner comes a new edition of this #BestofBookTok standalone, angsty, enemies-to-lovers sports romance - bonus content included in this exclusive paperback edition!
Two season tickets. One genius idea. Zero interest in a relationship.
Gemma Mancini’s plan is simple. Step one: find hot, preferably funny, and definitely single men. Step two: take a new guy to each home game for the rest of the football season. It’s time for her to get back in the dating game, and besides, she can’t think of a better way to use the season tickets she bought for her ex-husband.
It’s a foolproof plan, until her bartender offers to be her practice round.
Zach Bowen is infuriating. Presumptuous, overbearing and absolutely, undeniably gorgeous.
He’s determined to be Gemma's only date this season and is ready to do whatever it takes, even if that means sabotaging any of her potential matches.
But Gemma isn't ready for anything serious, no matter how charming she finds his antics. After all, Zach can try his best to change the rules, but he can’t win if he’s playing the wrong game.
Author Interview - Kandi Steiner
Author I draw inspiration from:
Brittainy Cherry -- The Air He Breathes
Author Interview - Kandi Steiner | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
I love reading cuddled up in bed with my fur babies. When I have my Kindle pillow propped up and my BlueTooth remote control page flipper in hand? I'm in my happy place!
But, if I get to pick anywhere in the world to read, it's in a hammock by a river in the middle of fall. Give me all the cool breeze and fall foliage to set the vibe. Hot coffee is a must!
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I would love to get stuck in an elevator with Violet Sorrengail from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. I'd absolutely fangirl and ask her all about dragon riding, knowing full well it's the scribe life for me.
Author Interview - Kandi Steiner | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I knew I wanted to become an author when I first read A Wrinkle in Time and felt the way a book can transport you to another universe. I was so enthralled with the reading experience, and all I could think was, "I want to create something like this, too." I was only nine at the time, and my love for writing grew and grew as I transitioned into courses that allowed me to flex my creative writing skills.
From there, I wrote in high school, served as Yearbook Editor and as a member of our school's newspaper, and went on to pursue a major in Creative Writing at UCF. Curiously, I thought I was going to write non-fiction post grad. That was where most of my focus study was. But I fell in love with the creative process and particularly in telling love stories shortly after I graduated.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I'm a tie between paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
I love the feeling of a paperback in my hands, especially reading outside. If I'm on the porch or by the pool, give me that paperback, baby.
But when I'm on the go, in my car or at the gym let's say, I love a good audiobook. Audiobooks also got me through my postpartum days and I love them for that!
eBook is probably my most popular way of reading, as it's the best way to not keep my husband awake while I stay up late reading next to him in bed. ;)
The last book I read:
A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcy Little Badger. It was an absolute dream! A fun young adult tale rooted in Native American culture that I devoured.
Author Interview - Kandi Steiner | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
While I love to jot down notes on paper with a juicy pen, and that's also my favorite way to journal, I'm completely the opposite when it comes to book planning and writing.
My books typically start as random little notes in my phone notes app. I might see a scene play out or hear a bit of dialogue that sticks with me. Next thing I know, the characters are speaking louder, and then I sit down and flesh them out so I can tell their story.
Plotting for me is mostly around character development. I want to know EVERYTHING about how my characters click. In fact, I want them to feel like my real life best friends by the end of my plotting period. That means I'm diving into everything from their biggest fears and motivations to their nervous ticks and bad habits.
From there, I plot out the book, letting the characters guide me. I usually follow the Act 1, 2, and 3 structure but have sometimes been known to take it a completely different way (example: A Love Letter to Whiskey).
In the end, I'm most comfortable at my computer, particularly in my Scrivener app, getting all my thoughts together.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Nesta from A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas. She has a hard shell and is kind of misunderstood, and I tend to gravitate to people who others may find challenging. I love digging beneath the layers of a gruff personality to find the warmth.
Author Interview - Kandi Steiner | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
A travel blogger/influencer or a pole fitness studio owner! Maybe... both! ;)
Writing is just who I am, so I can't imagine a life without it. However, I could imagine it being a different shape, like writing about my travels and detailing out guides to others who are interested in going the same route.
In addition, pole fitness is my heart and soul. I'd love to own my own studio and teach classes -- but there are only so many hours in a day!
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I really loved the 60s and 70s when women were beginning to break the mold on the traditional -- sexy mini skirts and dresses, pant suits, etc. The prints were so fun, too!
I'm also currently re-inventing my style and feel like I have that kind of mix going on -- business, but make it hot. Ha!
Place I’d most like to travel:
I have been fortunate enough to check off so many of the places I long to visit. However, I think the top of my bucket list is reserved for Greece. I'd love to skip off to the islands!
My signature drink:
A good bourbon, neat! But I also love a tequila-forward drink like a Paloma.
Favorite artist:
I find it absolutely impossible to name just one favorite anything. But I will say that music has always been a massive part of my life and just some of my favorite artists are John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Kings of Leon, The 1975, and Fleetwood Mac.
Number one on my bucket list:
I've always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon and I'm finally doing it with my best friend this fall! We're going on a ride in Sonoma, CA and I can't wait to take in the view (and have a mini panic attack).
Anything else you'd like to add:
I just want to say how much it means to me, as an independent author of over 11 years, to have The Wrong Game, The Right Player, and A Love Letter to Whiskey launching into bookstores. This is a dream I’ve worked toward for over a decade — countless hours, endless drafts, and the unwavering belief that these stories would one day find their way to shelves. I’m so thankful for this opportunity, and if you pick up one of these books, I hope it finds you exactly when you need it.
Find more from the author:
instagram.com/kandisteiner
threads.com/kandisteiner
tiktok.com/@authorkandisteiner
facebook.com/kandisteiner
facebook.com/groups/kandilandks
pinterest.com/authorkandisteiner
About Kandi Steiner:
Author Interview - Kandi Steiner
Kandi Steiner is a USA Today and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author living in Tennessee. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.
An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her love for writing started at the ripe age of 10, and in 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.”
She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a hopeless romantic and found herself bursting at the seams with love stories she was eager to tell.
When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, yoga, spending quality time with her family (fur babies included) and soaking up the sweetness of life.
CONNECT WITH KANDI:
➜ NEWSLETTER: kandisteiner . com/newsletter
➜ FACEBOOK: @kandisteiner
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (Kandiland): facebook . com/groups/kandilandks
➜ INSTAGRAM: @kandisteiner
➜ TIKTOK: @authorkandisteiner
➜ WEBSITE: kandisteiner . com
Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab on her website to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future.
